Serial Shooter Loose in Little Rock?

            A second shooting of a very suspicious nature occurred Thursday night in Little Rock as reported in the December 3^rd Arkansas Democrat-Gazette newspaper. What wasn’t even hinted at was the possibility that there might be a serial shooter loose in Little Rock. Neither the police spokesperson nor the newspaper mentioned this possibility.

            Of course it is possible that both the newspaper and the police lacked the perspicuity to make the connection between the two shootings. More likely is the probability that they didn’t publicly focus on this danger of a serial shooter so as to not unduly alarm the citizens. But we have all seen sufficient TV CSI type programs to know that more than six similarities between a series of different criminal acts is a pattern that is statistically unlikely to be accidental or coincidental. Therefore these two shootings’ similarities are tantamount to proving that these crimes are the actions of a serial shooter.

            Careful reading of the newspaper’s report reveals a striking similarity in the “modus operandi” of the two shootings. First they both occurred late at night; during the darkest hours. Secondly both victims were subjected to attempted, but botched, armed robbery efforts. Thirdly both victims were shot in the leg. Fourthly both shootings occurred in the same area: southwest Little Rock. Fifthly, both victims had secreted themselves in a secluded location just prior to being shot; an alley and a park.

            And the most telling and compelling similarity between the two crimes, both victims were engaged in the same act at the time of their “Victimization”. Both victims were answering a call of nature, so to speak. The newspaper’s description was more vulgar and graphic; but perhaps it is best to use its exact words so you can for yourself conclude that the shooter was indeed the one and the same person. The shooting occurred “while he was urinating” (each of the victims).

            There are many lessons than one can learn from this. One is to avoid secluded places during the darkest hours. Another is that this particular shooter aims low. There may be other lessons to learn, I’ll leave that level of detailed analysis to the reader.

           

Monday November 28 was a Great Day in a Promising Year!

            Yep, this past Monday may well have been the best day of this year of 2011. The year started off very well when both U. S. Senator Blanche Lincoln and U. S. House Representative Vic Snyder were not sworn back into either the Senate or the House of Representatives. One had resigned rather than face the humiliation of a crushing defeat at the poles from irate citizens. The other, a long time and continuing resident in Virginia, was trounced by a more conservative Arkansan who actually lived in the state. A rather novel approach to residency based on Mrs. Lincoln’s example.

            Next it was with great relief I have witnessed the House of Representatives squelch every new dumb idea from President Obama. Our Founding Fathers knew what they were doing when they made our government have three separate branches on the non legal side. Failure to compromise to allow more spending and new taxes to support a fraction of the spending just doesn’t seem to be the brightest idea that I’ve heard, especially when the deficit is about 1.5 trillion annually and over 15 trillion total.

            But I digress from my topic. The reason that this past Monday may have been the years’ Topper was that it was on this memorable day the Barney Franks announced that he too was going to resign rather than face an ignominious defeat in his newly redrawn voting district! Of course there will be fall out from this. Freddie Mac may actually have to make loans that are valid and such things as that. But what the heck, there is always a price to be paid for progress!

            Good Bye Barney; say hello to Mayberry! 

Stupidity Should Be Painful

            It was reported by the Associated Press in the Arkansas Dem-Gaz on Friday Dec 2, 2011 that one Rolando McClain had been arrested in Decatur, Alabama. It probably made the news because he is currently playing line backer for the Oakland Raiders and had signed a 40 million dollar contract last year..

            Nevertheless there may be something to learn from this incident so here are the reported details.

            Earlier this year Mr. McClain reported “someone in Decatur shooting at his vehicle. However there wasn’t any indication the two incidents were related.”  (It is a wise move to always report incidents to the police. This may help Mr. McClain in his subsequent defense, however tenuous the connection to this current altercation. Bravo for Rolando!)

            The police reported that the unnamed “victim suffered injuries to his head and face during a fight and was bleeding when the police talked to him. The victim told officers that following the fight he crawled to his car.” (This would indicate that he had taken a good ‘lickin’ and probably deserved it for engaging in a fight with a 240 pound pro linebacker. One should avoid such encounters is my best advice. Ergo, run for your car first and don’t have to crawl for it later.)

            “The victim told officers that following the fight, he crawled to his car. He said that when he reached his car, Rolando McClain produced a pistol,” (shootist’s call this ‘presenting’), “and aimed it at him. He said that while he was still on the ground, McClain walked over to him and put the gun to his head. He begged McClain not to shoot him and that McClain took the gun away from his head, held it next to his ear and fired it.”

            “McClain was released on $2,000.00 bond and has been charged with: assault, menacing, reckless endangerment, and firing a gun inside the city limits.”

            So what do we learn from this other than to avoid fights with professional football players outside bars late of the evening? First, if you’ve won, don’t pull your weapon out. Secondly, unless your life is in danger, don’t fire the gun! (I would call all of the criminal acts listed by the police as ‘piling on’ so to speak. After all, do they really need to add ‘firing a gun inside the city limits’ to all the other charges?)

            Since this occurred in Alabama Rolando will probably escape with a hefty fine and probation; unlike poor Plaxico Burress who spent a year in the slammer in NY for shooting himself accidentally. Also unreported was who started the altercation and was Rolando just an overzealous ‘Good Samaritan’ intervening to stop some bad business. (I might run this one past my defense lawyer).

            Still “Stupidity should be Painful” and Mr. McClain was stupid on at least two counts in the above, and luckily the victim was unarmed as he had a legal right to shoot to kill Mr. McClain. That would have made Mr. McClain stupid on three counts, not that he would have cared any longer.