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In reply to the discussion: The Rude Pundit: Man Who Shot Movie Theater Texter Is Using "Stand Your Ground" Defense ... [View all]cer7711
(502 posts)Last edited Thu Jan 16, 2014, 09:55 PM - Edit history (1)
There is zero speculation in my post. The facts are as I have reported them.
Re: your point that: "It sounds like the retired chief . . . started the whole mess in the first place by objecting to the texting . . ." Well yes, he did "start the whole mess"--by asking the texter to refrain from engaging in a practice the theater itself runs trailers asking its patrons to not do.
"For the courtesy of your fellow movie goers, please turn off your cell phones now." [italics mine]
It escalated from there. The retired police chief committed murder.
What astounds me--what absolutely astonishes me--is that I hear not one peep of criticism from anyone on this board regarding the texter's actions before he was shot.
In your world, is it okay that the texter confronted the old man about going to a manager to complain about his texting? Didn't the old man, in so doing, demonstrate that he was trying to do the right thing--get an authority involved to resolve the incident? Put it another way: If I, or you, get into a heated argument with an old man who objects to our doing something we've been explicitly asked NOT to do, is it okay if we hit that old man in the face with a "reasonable instrument": water, popcorn, saltwater taffy, used bathroom tissue?
I say again: The old man committed murder. He acted rashly, recklessly and in a rage. But he was provoked.
That does not justify or excuse his actions.