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Posted by 4949shooter (Member # 3530) on February 18, 2017, 02:56 PM:
Guys,
I know I took some of the cop / anti=cop threads to heart in the past. Must be in my blood.
Anyhow, below is a video / article which serves as an example of why I tend to get excited over these topics.
http://insider.foxnews.com/2017/02/17/trooper-dragged-vehicle-during-traffic-stop-video
-49
Posted by Dave Allen (Member # 3102) on February 18, 2017, 03:26 PM:
I understand. In a perfect world. You need to get the hell out of there. Nick.
I think the majority of us, don't hate cops. We've all been hassled over bullshit @ one time or another. Now, I'm semi rural. Hardy ever see a cop.
I honestly pray for you good cops. To much bullshit for you guys/gals..
Posted by Lone Howl (Member # 29) on February 18, 2017, 03:58 PM:
Yeah, Id have lost my job and maybe more over that stupid fucker. Goddamn that stuff makes me mad. I do feel for ya 49.
Mark
Posted by 4949shooter (Member # 3530) on February 19, 2017, 02:23 AM:
Thanks guys. I'm looking at the possibility of retiring the end of the year, though it isn't set in stone.
That will be 29 years, which is long enough.
Posted by Kokopelli (Member # 633) on February 19, 2017, 07:45 AM:
Wow.............29 years !!!
Question;
How do you keep from getting cynical about the entire human race with people lying to you every day, often trying to cause you physical harm & just generally being the shallow end of the gene pool ????
I could not do your job.
Posted by Leonard (Member # 2) on February 19, 2017, 09:16 AM:
Nah, me neither.
Too much like the military and after three years, I had had enough of (literally) stupid people telling me what to do. People with more stripes than me....sorry 49, nothing personal. But, to endure for 29 years takes a special kind of fortitude. And then, they have a strong tendency to eat their barrel, for some reason I have never figured out. Those people that commit suicide never seem to think of the ones left holding the bag. But, it's a total mystery why so many in law enforcement take their own life. Personally, I think it's incredibly selfish.
Good hunting. El Bee
Posted by 4949shooter (Member # 3530) on February 19, 2017, 10:20 AM:
Selfish indeed, Leonard. Suicide is the ultimate selfish act. A lot of my law enforcement brethren feel the same way as you.
Koko, I have been cynical over the years. But I have found that as one gets older (and hopefully wiser), some of that cynicism goes away....
Posted by Kokopelli (Member # 633) on February 20, 2017, 07:00 AM:
Well, if you ever find yourself in the Arizona Territory the Welcome Mat's out.
Our major crime last year was a guy pushing a shoplifted big screen tv down the street in a 'borrowed' wheel-barrel.
Posted by Paul Melching (Member # 885) on February 20, 2017, 07:36 AM:
49 I couldn't do you job , and if I could I would not want to. You guys possess a special mindset most cant fathom . Everyday you leave your home not knowing weather or not you will return. You risk life and limb daily for people that can sit on the sidelines and judge your profession on the poor actions of a few. I have had a few experiences with the police , in my younger days as an asshole that that deserved the negative experience. and more later as a good citizen and adult caught in a misunderstanding or two. I was once pulled over after leaving a business meeting on my way home a liquor store had been robbed and my vehicle matched the description of the suspect.
Two officers approached my vehicle with guns drawn they requested I put both hand on the door. I complied and told them I was wearing a side arm they requested I exit the vehicle while keeping my hands on the door. they took my Glock and put it on the roof of the vehicle. after a few minutes about nine different officers came to my vehicle to apologize for the misunderstanding return my weapon and I was on my way, had I had a bad attitude it could have been very different.
Another time to Forest service cops Came to my camp trailer when I was on my little patch in Ash Fork the door is a right hand open so I could not see who was there because these two morons did not have the good sense to step to their left so they could be identified but remained behind the door. naturally I reached to my side an un-holstered my sidearm. as I looked around the door they both drew out their service weapons. when I saw who they were I held my gun up as I came down the steps. we all re-set our weapons. and continued to have a conversation , cooler heads prevailed no ham no foul this also could have turned out quite differently I still feel this was their error. I don't think their training is what it should be . My point being that law enforcement is for the most part a tough and thankless job. I have cops in the family and along with them you and most cops everywhere have my respect and admiration thank you for what you do willingly on a daily basis.
Posted by Leonard (Member # 2) on February 20, 2017, 08:12 AM:
I probably have a bad attitude. I'm also unlucky in the type of cop I deal with on rare occasions. For some reason, I really have the classic attitude that I pay their salaries. This means I expect to be treated with respect. i.e.; do I LOOK like a bank robber or a drug dealer?
I'm at the local shopping mall. Very crowded, in fact, no place to park except the one that our local officer was occupying while talking to somebody in his car. I kinda turned the wheel in that direction, thinking that he could have perhaps moved from the center of the only empty parking space in the whole lot.
He looked at me and I gestured with a meek little wave suggesting that he allow me room to park. There were one or two statements made in which he suggested that I might be interfering with an officer in his duties, or something else demonstrating his COMMAND PRESENCE....Apparently a requirement? So, I said: what are you going to do, arrest me? And, he said: "Possibly". And, I said, "Asshole" and backed up and continued to search for a spot. And, I'm not exaggerating, even backing up was difficult and by the time I found a spot and walked towards the store where he was, it was all over, he was gone.
I was probably wrong? Just because this was a cop standing in the middle of a highly congested parking spot. But, I guess I was thinking that an ordinary citizen first of all wouldn't be chit chatting in the middle of a parking spot. But, if they were, then common courtesy would dictate that they could continue the conversation just as easily, from the curb at the front of the citizen's vehicle.
But police officers, even engaged in what seemed a casual conversation, are allowed to do things the rest of us do not get away with. I should mention that this conversation had pleasant smiles and gestures and all the hallmarks of a social encounter, not a potential arrest or a shoot out. In other words, it looked like these two guys knew each other.
But, that's me, a bad attitude and I guess I'll never learn? This was quite a few years ago and I look for this guy whenever I see a squad car, but never have. What exactly is the penalty, or repercussions for flipping off a cop, any way?
Good hunting. El Bee
edit: By the way, I would have been like the two citizens helping an officer in trouble, as in the video.
[ February 20, 2017, 08:18 AM: Message edited by: Leonard ]
Posted by 4949shooter (Member # 3530) on February 20, 2017, 04:33 PM:
Koko thanks for the invite! If I ever get back out to AZ I will be sure to give you a shout.
Paul, I always thought you were a good guy, but sealed the deal since you carry a Glock! The Fish and Game officers didn't seem to handle the encounter too well at first. As you said, cooler heads prevailed, and I am glad.
Leonard, I know what you mean about the parking spot. Funny, I was having one of those same conversations with a cop in town here about two weeks ago. But it was early on a Saturday morning and there were plenty of spots. Sometimes a little consideration goes a long way.
Command presence does indeed work though, when used in the right situation. I believe it has diffused many confrontations which otherwise would have ended physical.
Posted by knockemdown (Member # 3588) on February 21, 2017, 04:40 AM:
That whole deal happened a couple miles from my house. Heck, I think that trooper even pulled me over once, a couple years back (for tinted windows) & let me off...
As for the video, a bit of 'local knowledge on the guys who stopped traffic across the whole SS parkway and came to the aid of the trooper. If you guys knew how crazy everyone drives on the SS pkwy, you'd know that act alone is literally taking your life in your hands! Trooper was doing his job, those guys were doing the RIGHT thing!
Anyhoo, just wanted to give those two 'average Joes' another shout out for doing the right thing and offering a helping hand. As Leonard mentioned, that'd have been me, if I watched that scene unfolding. And there are plenty more I know who'd do the same...
When it comes down to it, there are only good guys & bad guys. Some wear a badge, some don't. I'm all for good guys gettin' together & gettn' after the bad ones!!!
[ February 21, 2017, 04:44 AM: Message edited by: knockemdown ]
Posted by Leonard (Member # 2) on February 21, 2017, 06:44 AM:
Don't go there, 49. He's kilt all the critters in eastern Arizona, never mind what Victor and Brent have missed further south. Truthfully, AZ ain't what it used to be. There are pockets, and still, there isn't a piece of ground where a coyote doesn't hear your call, but that does not mean he will respond, until later tonight, anyway?
Let's face it. Foxpro has ruined coyote hunting in western United States.
Good hunting. El Bee
Posted by Kokopelli (Member # 633) on February 21, 2017, 07:56 AM:
I'm pretty sure that the drought has killed more critters than I will in my lifetime.
Small world...............
Talked to a dairy guy from Kansas Settlement here in Safford about coyote numbers down that way. He said that they used to have a problem but that they brought in a professional trapper. Just to drop a name I asked if it was our own Brent Parker by any chance ??
Turns out, it was.
Posted by Leonard (Member # 2) on February 21, 2017, 10:02 AM:
I hunted pretty (what) extensively around Kansas Settlement a couple years ago (if that?) It would seem they don't have much of a coyote problem. Thanks, Brent!
Good hunting. El Bee
Posted by Paul Melching (Member # 885) on February 21, 2017, 10:42 AM:
next to last campout down south I took Kelly out to Kansas settlement and kilt a few.
Posted by Wiley E (Member # 108) on February 23, 2017, 04:49 PM:
4949,
Thanks for your many years of service. Not enough appreciation for the guys who take "to protect and serve" to heart and don't let confrontations get personal.
I do want to talk briefly about an issue that was brought up in this thread and that is suicide. Most people have the false belief that those who commit suicide do it within the same realm of logical thinking and reasoning that most people possess. Many times that is not the case. Those who suffer from schizophrenia do not think like a rational person and therefore see their own death differently than others would think.
My nephew, who was more like a son to me, suffered from schizophrenia and had complications caused by drugs he had taken to reduce his emotional pain. He believed he was going to kill someone else so he took his own life instead. That's not selfish, that's simply the inability to reason due to mental health issues that he could not control. Bottom line, many of these people do not think in a rational manner and therefore nobody should judge their inability to understand the consequences of their actions. They know not what they do.
In regards to how this relates to law enforcement officers, the true heroes in law enforcement are the calm during confrontation negotiators that can personalize and talk these people down in a bad situation as opposed to the "PUT DOWN THE GUN (pointed at the ground), PUT DOWN THE GUN, PUT DOWN THE GUN" rhetoric that usually leads to the inevitable ending.
I know it's just a show but look at the mannerism of Jamie Reagan on Blue Bloods. He genuinely cares about people in distress and it reflects in his ability to keep problems from escalating. He is an incredible negotiator which is, in my opinion after working hand in hand with law enforcement officers for so many years, the absolute best characteristic any law enforcement officer can have. It's the basic understanding that every one of us can reach that insane moment under certain situations where we snap and the best negotiators will usually see a different result than those who cannot relate to the fact that most people could end up in the same bad situation if it build up over a long period of time.
~SH~
Posted by 4949shooter (Member # 3530) on February 23, 2017, 05:30 PM:
Wiley,
I agree completely and did't intend to put all of the unfortunate suicide victims in one category.
As fellow cops, sometimes we can be hard on one another. It's the "macho" image which causes us to lack foresight and understanding when dealing with certain aspects of police work, like suicide. We would say that "so and so gave up" when speaking about the suicide of another cop.
We don't normally speak this way about non-cop suicide. I agree fully there is a sickness out there which needs treatment. Also, all suicides are not the same. I handled one where a lady with colon cancer chose not to live with the pain any longer and jumped off a bridge. She left behind a husband and son.
I had another suicide I handled where a 19 year old prom queen jumped off a bridge onto I-80 on Christmas Eve. I still think about this one every year around the holidays.
Then there are other people who just give up on themselves, and on their families.
I didn't intend to demean anyone my friend, and I am truly sorry about your nephew.
Posted by Leonard (Member # 2) on February 23, 2017, 07:55 PM:
Well, obviously, we can't paint with a broad brush. My comments above were specific to law enforcement, and the fact that suicide is almost an occupational hazard, within that group.
I still think, baring exceptions as described by Scott, it's a selfish act. The cop's son will carry a stigma, forever. And, everyone close to him will shoulder some guilt. A few will seek the same solution. In some cases it's similar to a communicable disease. It's also a mortal sin according to the teachings of my faith.
Good hunting. El Bee
Posted by knockemdown (Member # 3588) on February 24, 2017, 04:48 AM:
Not to mention the fact that some of these psychotropic 'anti-depressant' drugs sometimes have the 180° opposite intended effect on those prescribed them...
In those instances, ya get a person with a rough row to hoe make an honest attempt at healing, via medication. Or a personal attempt at 'self medication' via alcohol or illicit drugs. Regardless, if/when the drug(s), prescribed or otherwise, don't have the intended healing effect, it only serves to quicken the downward spiral. Sad thing to see, and very difficult to slow/stop it...
I seem to recall a stat that, on average, 28 Veterans a day, commit suicide? Truly, a shame.
Posted by Paul Melching (Member # 885) on February 24, 2017, 07:47 AM:
There are as many reasons for suicide as there are reasons for living you all have good points.
this is a subject I know well and someday around a campfire we can talk this is not that place.
Just suffice it to say you are all correct!
Fred: Psychotropic drugs are a scourge.
Leonard: The stigma is real.
Wiley: It is surely a mental illness and in some cases cannot be helped.
49 : Completely selfish act and they did give up.
Posted by Leonard (Member # 2) on February 24, 2017, 11:10 AM:
Sounds very much like you have a point of view we would benefit from, but understand, not time or place.
All I have is an opinion, which is; if the person doing the deed were to really understand the people affected by his decision, just maybe they would realize how cruel it can be for those left behind. Don't know how else to put it? I don't know anybody close that did it, just the high school buddy, (who I see occasionally) and we have never managed to talk about it and it was about 1962, I think? Maybe some day I might bring it up and try to understand. As of now, I'm not very sympathetic.
Agree Paul. Probably a little too deep for this place?
Good hunting. El Bee
Posted by 4949shooter (Member # 3530) on February 24, 2017, 12:38 PM:
We had one today at work.
73 year old man took his head off with a shotgun.
I don't know any more particulars just yet.
Posted by Dave Allen (Member # 3102) on February 24, 2017, 01:13 PM:
The ex husband of one of the office gals, killed himself yesterday. Don't the details & not going to ask. I'm guessing the guy was mid 40's
Posted by booger (Member # 3602) on February 24, 2017, 01:49 PM:
Don't want to open up a can of worms, but my wife's sister was killed by my brother in law in 1993. He shot himself after he shot her.
We took her 4 sons, (3 of which had different fathers...the youngest was their son together), and raised them after this happened.
I can speak how it changed their lives, and the lives of everyone in my wife's family.
One extremely selfish act by a total jerk affected many lives.
Sorry, Paul, if I am speaking out of turn. Having it happen this close to me is something I would NEVER wish on anyone, including those I don't have high opinions about.
Posted by Wiley E (Member # 108) on February 24, 2017, 06:03 PM:
Look at Robin Williams. Absolutely one of the most brilliant minds ever but suffered from deep depression due to schizophrenia and eventually couldn't handle it anymore.
We can't relate because we are not experiencing a mental anxiety that becomes unbearable.
Everything you should do to be happy in life Robin did. He entertained the troops, he had St. Judes Children's hospital patients in his movie Patch Adams, he entertained the homeless. He suffered greatly if he felt anyone didn't like him.
Most of us cannot understand how these minds work but I can assure you that, in many cases, it is different than you and I.
Good point on the meds. It is as obvious as the TV adds stating that a side affect of certain meds for depression is suicidal tendencies. We don't know squat about mental health issues.
Just heads up! It could be happening to someone close to you. It can be as emotionally draining for those trying to help as well as for those being helped.
~SH~
Posted by Wiley E (Member # 108) on February 24, 2017, 06:08 PM:
booger,
My hats off to you for doing what needed to be done. I can't imagine how much more difficult their lives would have been if you hadn't assumed such a huge responsibility. May God bless you in many ways.
~SH~
Posted by Dave Allen (Member # 3102) on February 24, 2017, 07:41 PM:
Yeah, Tim. What, Wiley said ^^
On a side note: My daughter works as a teachers aid @ a local HS. A mass email was sent in regards to my previous post. His kids are students where she works. Teachers/aids whatever. Are on alert.
I know its a small town/area & all. We've seen a significant suicide rate lately.
We all go thru our shit. Pretty damn sad..
Posted by 4949shooter (Member # 3530) on February 25, 2017, 03:29 AM:
My buddy's ex=employee committed suicide. The wake is today. What is going on as of late?
Booger....you are to be commended for what you are doing for your family.
Posted by Paul Melching (Member # 885) on February 25, 2017, 06:37 AM:
Booger you have just replaced William Wallace as my hero!
Posted by Leonard (Member # 2) on February 25, 2017, 07:34 AM:
Whatever Robin Williams talent, and it was considerable, I always thought he was one weird dude. I mean, a Mork and Mindi, totally believable as a space alien.
I can't explain it but that guy always bothered me. Yeah, totally makes sense that he could hang himself most prominently with his belt. I mean, why not jump off the Golden Gate? He lived in Tiburon. But from what I have heard, the whole scene when someone hangs themselves is quite a mental picture for the wifie to live with, forever. So, it's deliberate. Go figure.
The people that do these things are crazy. Clinically, severe mental illness. Myself, I cannot forgive.
I used to work with a guy, he was a technician and could fix anything, superb mechanical skills. A bunch of friends went on a deer hunt in the border area close to Las Vegas. This guy, I saw him a couple times, just wandering around, looking lost. Hands in his pockets, rifle slung but he looked like he was waiting for a bus. I observed this through binoculars. He did not look like he was doing much in the way of deer hunting. I don't believe he owned another firearm besides the M700 in 243, which was brand new, bought just for this hunt that involved about a dozen people that worked for the company. He really was a fish out of water, but other than that, thought not much about it.
It was about five years later when I got a phone call. Bill was having trouble with his marriage. I had met her a couple times, she seemed like a hot little philly, kind of a mismatch.
So, he bought a quart of vodka, rented a room out by Devore and drank the whole thing. Then, he carefully, (for him, guaranteed, so as not to make a mess) wrapped a bath towel around his head then stuck the barrel of his 243 under his chin and pulled the trigger. He still had most of that box of Remington's from years ago.
I wonder about his wife, I wonder about his two kids and his brother, who was my friend. A complete clusterfuck, but not something he needed to deal with any more. Nope, "hey I'm outta here, see ya on the other side." No problem. No problem for him, but what about the whole family. I knew all of them, and they didn't take it well. Putting it mildly.
I think the asshole had at least a dozen solutions available to him, but the one he picked affected EVERBODY. Anyway. Whatever.
Good hunting. El Bee
Posted by knockemdown (Member # 3588) on February 27, 2017, 04:40 AM:
Robin Williams was a raging coke head, back in his hey-day. If you've ever been around anyone who's done that shit to any degree, you'd know that it fuckin' fries a brain like bacon strips. Fries is 'extra cripsy' so that it crumbles when ya pick it up...
That said, FUCK Robin Williams for killing himself. He didn't have a 'mental illness', he fucking gave it to himself, via his own willful consumption of narcotics.
PERIOD.
Not sayin' that mental illness is not a very real, very sad situation for people to deal with. But I am sayin' that willful recreational drug addicts do not qualify.
As 49 has mentioned in the past:
"play stupid games, win stupid prizes".
Robin Williams just won his own showcase showdown...
Posted by booger (Member # 3602) on February 27, 2017, 05:58 AM:
Thanks for the kind words, everyone.
The boys were 17, 16, 12, and 9 when we got them. Lots of issues, ADD, OCD, and every other alphabetic disorder on top of having two of them witness their mother die, and him shooting himself.
I believe things happen for a reason, and my wife and I being there at that point in time, with no children of our own, was God's way of making sure they were all kept together.
Looking back, I wish I could say I would do it all again, but I am not sure. We learned a lot by going through this, the least of which was that not always is your immediate family your best friends in something like this.
I had a classmate take his own life after his girlfriend left him...he was in his 30's when this happened.
My best friend said it best about these things...'When life kicks you in the ass, you have to be strong enough to kick back'...
Posted by 4949shooter (Member # 3530) on February 27, 2017, 02:42 PM:
The guy that killed himself last week at work stuck a Winchester model 94 in his mouth and pilled the trigger. As you can imagine it wan't pretty.
I can't fathom what would possess someone to do such a thing.
Posted by DanS (Member # 316) on February 27, 2017, 05:52 PM:
I believe I can see both sides of this subject. I found a family member after he checked out. He had terminal cancer and couldn't even drink a glass of water without pain, food was out of the question. I used to feed him Ensure with his Morphine thru a tube that went to his stomach. He was a good Catholic too, LB. I can still imagine him saying a prayer before pulling the trigger. I guess I am just not so quick to judge on this issue. I know several people who I worked with years ago that lost their jobs, couldn't make bills I guess, and they checked out too. Either way it is a terribly sad thing for sure.
Posted by Wiley E (Member # 108) on February 27, 2017, 06:32 PM:
Knockemdown,
Thanks for setting me straight on Robin Williams. LOL!
~SH~
Posted by Leonard (Member # 2) on February 28, 2017, 07:04 AM:
Scott, he set me straight, too. But, when you think about it, just the way Robin Williams acted, he wasn't normal, so I should have guessed that drugs were responsible. And, sure, the guy was brilliant, the way he would respond to things that were said, instantaneously. That mind of his had to be on speed of some kind. He was no doubt, one of the oddest people ever. But the stunt with the belt, he had to plan it and had to know who he would be shocking with the visual that would stay with whoever it was, for the rest of their life. A brilliant (sick) mind. I have no respect. I believe he did it to hurt someone. Shit, who knows?
On the other hand, in the case of Dan's friend and family member. I have to give the man a pass. That's something far different than a cop, out of the blue blowing his head off. This guy had an indisputable reason for doing what he did, Catholic or not. For me, it's not within the realm of possibilities, but I haven't suffered like that so? It's just a miserable, Taboo subject.
Good hunting. El Bee
Posted by Wiley E (Member # 108) on February 28, 2017, 06:04 PM:
I was being sarcastic Leonard. Nobody is giving Robin a pass on his admitted drug use.
Knockemdown believes Robin's hard drug use created Robin's problems.
I believe, as did the physicians that treated Robin, his mental illness (depression and bi-polar issues) allowed the hard drugs he took to worsen his condition. Lots of people with mental problems turn to drugs to try to reduce their pain. It's so easy to sit in judgement unless you have gone through it yourself.
Obvious to anyone is his mind didn't work like a normal persons. That had nothing to do with hard drugs unless he started that at a very young age. Read the documentaries on him by those who knew him most of his life.
~SH~
Posted by knockemdown (Member # 3588) on March 01, 2017, 05:05 AM:
If that is an accurate assessment of Robin Williams, that's all the more reason to NOT use him as an example of 'mental illness'...
Look at it this way. Here you have a person with all the wealth & resources in the world availed them.
Literally.
Yet, despite all the fame, the love & attention from fans, the wealth & other associated Life comforts allowed from stardom, poor ol' Robin succumbed to "mental illness"???
BULL FUCKING SHIT
He was a friggin' drug addict. And a very funny one, at that!
But, his suicide? What 'message' does that tell to those who truly suffer from a form of 'mental illness'? Man, that label gets thrown around like its the common cold. Especially when it fits a narrative that some choose to believe, over accepting a harsh & horrible reality.
Anyway, it sends a message that NOTHING could help Robin Williams, despite all he had, and all who 'loved' him???
Boy, that perspective sure puts average depressed Joe in a tougher hole to try to climb out of. He might not have a fraction of the resources, might come from a broken family, might have no job, etc. How is THAT person supposed to look at a fuckwad like Robin Williams as someone to identify with??? Just think about that for a sec...
Yeah, maybe Robin Williams was warped a bit from the git-go. But, aren't all comedians 'blessed' in a certain special way??? Of course they are, that is what makes them so funny & endearing! Just sayin', there ain't no damn way I'll be swayed on the fact that recreational drug use was a MAJOR factor in creating the man that eventually pussed out and off'ed himself. Sorry, NO SYMPATHY for that...
And that goes for other of the hollywood/pop stars who "died before their time" due to drug use. IMHO, willfully self ingesting recreational drugs IS SUICIDE, by proxy.
Therefore, people like Belushi, Farley, Hendrix, Joplin, Prince, yadda yadda... whether they purposely set out to shut their own lights off, or not...makes no difference to me. And I ain't buyin' into that they all were "mentally ill". They were fukkin' drug addicts, PLAIN & SIMPLE.
Sure, I can appreciate & enjoy their achievements, but they damn sure ain't gettin' any sympathy for deliberately choosing the path of drug use that lead to death. That scapegoat don't fly with me. Poor decision making doesn't not = 'mental illness'. Sorry...
As for someone nearing Life's end & choosing to end it on their terms, I got NO problem with that. I'd only hope that there'd be some support mechanism of family/friends around to accept the inevitable and honor a person's last wishes...
[ March 01, 2017, 05:10 AM: Message edited by: knockemdown ]
Posted by Leonard (Member # 2) on March 01, 2017, 07:50 AM:
Wow, Fred!
That's a pretty good post. I'm not a drug user or abuser. I tried weed once, years ago. And, I do mean, once. I tried what were called Bennies also, years ago. I talked non stop for 4 hours.
I only drink rarely, maybe with a meal, I like to go with the flow, Dos Equis or Pacifico with my fajitas. Tsing Tau with my Chinese, some kind of red Italian wine with the pasta, etc.
I have a bottle of Maker's Mark, unopened from Nancy's funeral almost eleven years ago. I'm damned near a teetotaler. I also have half of a gallon of moonshine gifted to me quite a few years ago for anybody that is curious, to try/taste it.
But, I agree with the sentiment expressed above. These people with everything can't draw a line in the sand. Maybe it's the Hollywood culture? Although, they bring it with them, it is only cultivated in Hollyweird; like queers, they come from elsewhere, San Francisco didn't make them Gay.
I always thought that Robin Williams was not all there, not normal, and I think I was right, based on subsequent events. One thing that I sort of believe. He was born to a couple, later in life. I believe his parents were about middle aged when he was born, and he might have been an only child, if memory serves? I might be mistaken, but if so, I apologize. But, if so, I think it's pertinent to the question. Children born to that segment are different, start to finish. According to my half baked theory.
Yeah, he was brilliant, but so was the Unabomber. Look it up.
Good hunting. El Bee
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