It is painfully obvious that we in America not only have a huge number of guns, but an unlimited supply of ammunition. And for those of you not following the news, we aren't very smart, or original when it comes to using all that deadly hardware.
Yesterday in Phoenix, Arizona, police rounded up three yokels suspected in two shootings aimed at just about anyone driving along Interstate 10. The NBC report doesn't shed any light on the motive for the shootings, other than it was a Sunday and the people involved had a gun and thought it would be fun to use it. The network did say the Phoenix police classified the crimes as, "an isolated incident."
Yeah, well, that depends on your definition of, "isolated." In August and September there were 11 similar sniper attacks along the same Interstate in the Phoenix area. The local cops finally arrested Leslie Allen Merritt, aged 21, in connection with four of them. He has pleaded not guilty on all counts.When it comes to the other seven shootings, the authorities speculate they were perpetrated by, "copycats." In other words, unless the three goofs they picked up yesterday confess to all of them, the other shootings remain unsolved--not to mention the person, or persons who have been allegedly inspired by Merritt are still armed and out there.
It is probably safe to say these, "isolated incidents," will continue.
A little later in the day over in Arlington, Texas, NBCDFW.com posted something went a tad wrong during an after game tailgate party in the parking lot of AT&T stadium. A few hours after the New England Patriots beat the Dallas Cowboys in a NFL football game, a fight broke out between two men which degenerated into--you guessed it--gun fire.
The report goes on to say one man in his 40's was transported to a hospital with a gun shot wound to the neck. He is in critical condition. Another guy, the suspect, suffered some sort of leg injury and surrendered to police without a struggle.
It shouldn't be a surprise to anyone that Texas currently allows its citizens to carry concealed hand guns. Of course, that being a little wimpy for real Texans, the gun crew passed another law which, in January, will let them, like, John Wesley Hardin once did, strap on the ol' hog leg right out in the open.
When it comes to Sunday night's shooting, according to the news outlet, "Arlington Police have not ruled out alcohol as a factor."
Oh you think?
Early this morning, in downtown Brooklyn, New York a hip hop music producer named Eric McKinney was in his car waiting at a red light. Before it turned green he was shot twice for unknown reasons. He tried to drive himself to a hospital, but wrecked his vehicle and died on the way. Police found eight shell casings at the intersection where he was attacked.
Mr. McKinney was the father of three children.
Finally, just west, in Manhattan, Walikque Grace Faussett and a friend walked out of a club early this morning. While attempting to hail a cab she was shot dead and her pal was wounded, as was another person. The suspect is an unidentified wild and crazy dude who was ejected from the club hours earlier. He promised the bouncers he would come back with a gun.
Apparently they didn't believe him. They should have. Ms. Faussett, the mother of a three year old, was celebrating her 24th birthday. Police say she had nothing to do with the argument which caused the suspected shooter to be kicked out of the joint.
In the end, she was, as so many Americans from top to bottom have been and continue to be, simply in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Honestly, when confronted by horrific shit such as this, it is hard to worry about some ruthless outfit like ISIS. Thanks to the NRA and the bizarre and deadly American gun fetish we will kill a lot more of ourselves this year than those evil bastards could ever dream of.
As the late cartoonist, Walt Kelly once said in another context, "We have met the enemy and he is us."
Given the current American culture, it tough to argue his point.
10-12-15
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