Yes I Shot That Kid - Brian Cloninger
Thanks to skidmore for posting this in G.D.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10023609885
8 year old little boy is shot by a 46 year old man .. .
http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2013/09/06/white-dallas-man-shoots-8-year-old-black-boy-in-the-face-as-he-plays-tag/
Dallas police said that Donald Maiden Jr., who had just celebrated his 8th birthday on Sunday, was playing tag outside his apartment complex on Tuesday. According to his grandmother, Maiden ran inside to get some toys and was shot as came back outside.
Witnesses told police that 46-year-old Brian Cloninger had been seen waiving a handgun at people prior to the shooting, The Dallas Morning News reported.
Police reports said that Cloninger was seen standing beside his pickup truck as the boy was bleeding, and a witness asked him if he shot the boy.
Motive? Only motive I can see is he is an asshooooooooooooooole.
wild bird
(421 posts)though I would give even money that it is, is locked up for a very long time.
What a fucking jerk with a gun.
JustAnotherGen
(33,349 posts)I think race is less a factor than the fact that he random at willy nilly shot an 8 year old kid in a neighborhood he had no business being in.
Mugshots.com has this: http://mugshots.com/Current-Events/BRIAN-CLONINGER.67010360.html
That man said SOMETHING to that little boy that scared him. Again- cue the Greek Chorus . . .
Well if the little boy had JUST been nicer to the scary creep in his neighborhood he wouldn't have had to shoot him.
Squinch
(52,529 posts)prevent crackpots like this from getting a gun, or track where guns go through registrations, because Liberty.
sinkingfeeling
(52,963 posts)BainsBane
(54,701 posts)Someone who spanks a child could be charged with that. This guy tried to kill a little boy!
WTF?
JustAnotherGen
(33,349 posts)I saw that immediately.
This was cold blooded attempted murder. I'm sure some gun nut down in Texas will say it was an 'accident'. My ass it was.
BainsBane
(54,701 posts)Watch him invoke that. He did what the law is intended for: killing black males.
wild bird
(421 posts)I would bet that the District Attorney's office will charge him additionally with attempted murder.
JustAnotherGen
(33,349 posts)These dirtbags always get away with it.
wild bird
(421 posts)rather than half empty.
Hopefully the DA will do the right thing and put this scumbag away for the rest of his wasted life.
JustAnotherGen
(33,349 posts)I think we are all just aware that the laws favor punks and dirtbags - not innocents shot by them.
Lithos
(26,449 posts)with a penalty of 5 to 99 years. It's also a slam dunk to prove and harder to defend against. They can also charge him with attempted murder later, but that is more difficult to prove (reasons of insanity, etc.) so they are waiting at this time until they figure out what's going on. This guy is not going anywhere soon.
L-
BainsBane
(54,701 posts)So a DU lawyer told me. They end up charging aggravated assault instead.
JustAnotherGen
(33,349 posts)And the civil court system (after this guy is found not guilty on ANY of it) won't give this kid a dime.
BainsBane
(54,701 posts)That he said, "sure, I shot the kid" tells me he thought he was justified. I wonder if this isn't part of the influence of Stand Your Ground, like the guy in Florida invoked it after sneaking up on a barbecue and firing 11 plus shots, killing two and injuring a third.
billh58
(6,641 posts)in Texas paying restitution to a black kid, or his family? Surely you jest.
Warpy
(113,130 posts)I seriously doubt he's got the assets to seize.
He does need to be off the street. Even Texas needs to recognize that, he was waving his gun at all sorts of people before he shot the kid.
wild bird
(421 posts)but it appears that texas does have a attempted murder statute or one that is equivalent.
BainsBane
(54,701 posts)No way you can shoot someone in the face and not intend to kill him.
wild bird
(421 posts)By the way, I love reading your posts and how you take it to the gun nuts.
Keep it up.
JustAnotherGen
(33,349 posts)Sanddog42
(117 posts)The story I read said he was standing near his truck and said "yes, I shot that kid."
What it doesn't tell us is whether he said it casually, proudly, indifferently, defiantly, or through tears and choking horror at the thing he had just done.
All I'm saying is, we don't know the whole story here, and let's not allow ourselves to be whipped up into a mob frenzy. Once we commit ourselves to "hang 'im high" it's harder to back down if new details come to light.
I suspect that he brought the gun to intimidate someone in particular that lives in the neighborhood with whom he had some disagreement and shot the child accidentally. He's probably just an idiot, but so far there's no evidence this was motivated by racial animus or abject evil.
BainsBane
(54,701 posts)Is that what you call a few posts on a message board?
JustAnotherGen
(33,349 posts)BB. He just HAD to sign up and post that today!
BainsBane
(54,701 posts)No luck getting MIRT to deal with him though.
Sanddog42
(117 posts)Last edited Sat Sep 7, 2013, 04:50 PM - Edit history (1)
I am neither a freeper nor an astroturfer (and I don't think the latter term was used correctly, btw).
And I don't know what a MIRT is.
And, no, I don't call a few posts on a message board a mob frenzy, I just cautioned against allowing ourselves to be drawn into the same hyperbolic, seething bloodlust that is a hallmark of the extreme right. I find it disheartening to witness liberals buy-in to media manipulation and jump to conclusions. We're supposed to be the smart ones, the level-headed who care about fair trials and such.
As I said, it's difficult to take back words and opinions espoused in righteous indignation. Newly revealed facts tend to be ignored or twisted to fit the narrative in which we've become so emotionally invested. Better to practice restrain in pen and tongue and presume innocence insofar as possible. For example, you may already be emotionally invested in the idea that I'm some sort of right-wing apologist. As time goes on you'll see more posts from me, but despite the mounting evidence, I'd wager that you will find it difficult to admit that you're wrong about me, and I won't hold my breath for an apology.
And no, I am not his wife (or husband), his attorney or PR rep. I have no association with this person. And I'm not advocating preventing anyone from expressing anything they like within the TOS. As has been noted, anyone can post and anything they want and I can't do anything about it. What you don't appear to understand is that I don't want to do anything about that. By all means, post first and ask questions later. I'm offering anyone who reads our posts a more reasonable, rational approach if they choose to take it.
BainsBane
(54,701 posts)We simply repeated what the media story said. That he admitted to shooting a boy in the face. You are the one waging allegations.
I'm not an idiot. I have no problem changing my opinion when new evidence presents itself. Perhaps you shouldn't assume the worst of people when you enter their safe haven groups.
WTF should anyone apologize to you for an opinion about a shooter? I don't know who you are and the fact you claim not to be right-wing means nothing. We have Democrats on this board who are as far to the right on gun issues as anyone, and some do what they can to disrupt this group. What I can see is on your very first post you somehow managed to find your way into a safe haven group and immediately began insulting its members.
Sanddog42
(117 posts)Can you quote anything I've written that is an allegation or an insult?
I take great care to avoid those things.
You simply repeated what the media story said, and I simply pointed out what the media didn't say and advised that we reserve judgment because some people might be inclined to hear "yes, I shot that kid" with a certain intonation or demeanor that is not described in the story and not realize that were projecting a tone of voice onto the quote and then inferring a motive or a level or remorse from their own projection.
We're all subject to such psychological quirks, just as we're all subject to confirmation bias or seeing only evidence that supports what we already believe. When we post the beliefs, contrary evidence puts us in the position of having to defend them. Pride gets involved and we tend to become more deeply entrenched in what may be a faulty conclusion. There's no judgment here. Just an opportunity to avoid some of the pitfalls that come with having a human intellect.
I wouldn't expect anyone to apologize for an opinion about a shooter, and never implied such. When I said I wouldn't hold my breath for an apology it was in reference to the mis-characterization of my motives. As you pointed out, you don't know who I am. Maybe you shouldn't assume the worst about me.
BainsBane
(54,701 posts)"hyperbolic, seething bloodlust that is a hallmark of the extreme right." How is wanting a reasonable charge bloodlust? Bloodlust is shooting children in the face. "Righteous indignation" and having the nerve to enter a safe haven group lecture us on what we can discuss here. How you think that is any of your business or why we would possibly care what you think, I can't begin to imagine. Safe haven groups have Statements of Purpose that participants are expected to adhere to. Those who don't support them have plenty of other places on this site to post. No need to continue the discussion here. This is the room you want: http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=forum&id=1172
billh58
(6,641 posts)bullshit sounds exactly like the Zimmerman supporters doesn't it?
BainsBane
(54,701 posts)"Self defense" against unarmed children is supposedly covered by the 2nd amendment, which now apparently means the right to kill.
Sanddog42
(117 posts)Advising someone not to fall into a trap is not the same as accusing them of falling into that trap. The particular trap I'm warning against is reading into the media account that this tragic event was intentional, ascribing bloodlust to the shooter, and letting that perception alter how you perceive the story (maybe even unconsciously changing the quote from "Yes, I shot that that kid" to a "sure, I shot the kid," thereby imparting an air of indifference to the shooter that cannot be found in the media reports).
And I reiterate, I haven't lectured anyone on what they can or cannot discuss. I've only offered what I believe are sage alternative ways of viewing the situation.
I've read this group's statement of purpose, and I've done nothing to violate it. For those who haven't read it, here it is:
Discuss how to enact progressive gun control reform in a supportive environment. The group serves as a safe haven in which to mobilize supporters in support of measures reducing gun violence by changing laws, culture and practice at the municipal, state, and federal levels. While there is no single solution to the tragic epidemic of gun violence, members agree that more guns are not the solution to gun violence, and are expected to be supportive of the policies of progressive gun control reform organizations.
None of this bears on this discussion. Maybe I've overlooked it, but I haven't seen any mention of gun policy.
Also, I haven't called anyone names (like "freeper" . I haven't implied malicious intent (by calling in MIRT). I haven't accused anyone here of deception. All I've done is point out that some here may have lost perspective, which can happen to anyone, and invited anyone who is posting or just reading along to take a different tack.
So I've done nothing but contribute to this discussion and defend myself from the ensuing attacks.
billh58
(6,641 posts)if you get my drift.
billh58
(6,641 posts)DU screen name? Or maybe you just created this account because you have been banned from this Group? I don't believe that anyone has "mis-characterized" your motives at all Skippy.
Sanddog42
(117 posts)This is pretty much the only screen name I ever use.
billh58
(6,641 posts)Now pull the other one. That's okay though, because you've already given yourself away with your condescension and arrogance. Go back to the RKBA Group where your buddies will applaud your efforts at disrupting this Group.
I've been sincere and honest this whole time. But you have your mind made up, and I suspect that anything else I say or do will be interpreted through the lens of that judgment.
So what does RKBA stand for? I'm not familiar with that group, but at first glance it looks like another group for discussing gun control. How is it different from this one?
BainsBane
(54,701 posts)Most, but not all, of the members there describe themselves as strong supporters of the Second Amendment. This group exists to promote gun control, not worry about shooters more than their victims. Our SOP is:
We have gun owners who participate here but their worldview is dramatically different from the Gungeon folk. A Gungeon member who has seen your posts asked me to extend an invitation for you to post there. http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=forum&id=1172
You can bond over there about how awful we are here. They refer to us as "Castle Bansalot."
Sanddog42
(117 posts)Doesn't sound like a group I'd have much affinity with. I wouldn't describe myself as a strong supporter of the Second Amendment. I think the biggest violation of the 2nd Amendment in my lifetime has been the ban on gays in the military. Besides, even if I thought you were awful, I'm not interested in bonding with any group over how awful another group is.
BainsBane
(54,701 posts)But it's always a variation of sanddog.
JustAnotherGen
(33,349 posts)My heart turned to stone in July - and that's that. I find no reason to be understanding towards anyone who blows a kids face off. If you want that - then you are in the wrong group.
It is completely rational to have zero tolerance for stupidity by gun owners.
Here's what you didnt read as a one day old member - both my husband and myself are ready and willing to go through extensive retroactive background checks - but then we are not insane, don't believe the "others" or the Gub'mint are out to get us, and would never unload a fire arm for shits and giggles.
Read between the lines on that.
So nope - I'm not going to be kissy face and "oh poor man" over this shooter. Basic gun training says - do not ever point a gun at another human being unless you intend to kill them because by design - that is their very purpose.
Guns are designed to kill.
He had one intent. . . if you start from there. Maybe you were taught differently. That was your father's right. But my father taught me to never point the damn thing at another human being unless you intend to kill them. This was not a three year old with irresponsible parents - this was a so called grown assed man and he needs to be punished - severely. He shattered that little boy's face.
Do you or do you not agree - he shattered a little boy's face?
It's that simple my friend - its that simple.
If you cannot see that, then this group at DU is not for you. As well, as you stick around over the years - you would be wise to not try to "control the conversation" in the way the mainstream media does. I'm not going to shut up and go away or be bullied into shutting up and going away because someone needs the vapors because "my language and beliefs" upset their delicate sensibilities.
Sanddog42
(117 posts)My sympathy is not with the shooter. I have not tried to control the conversation in any way, nor bullied anyone, nor suggested that anyone shut up or go away. (In fact, it has been repeatedly suggested that I go away.)
I do agree that he shattered that little boy's face.
But, "he had one intent..."? You don't know that.
billh58
(6,641 posts)gun apologist bullshit again. Yes Skippy, we DO know that "he had one intent" and that was to shoot someone or he wouldn't have been carrying a fucking gun in public. The "someone" turned out to be an 8-year old kid whose face is shattered. No one "rushed" to judgment -- we know what this public menace intended from the start. Guns are designed to kill people. He had a gun. He shot an innocent child. Case closed.
This Group is for those of us who believe that the time for discussing motives, intentions, and justifications is long passed. It is now time for discussing the control and regulation of lethal weapons on our streets, and how to make these kinds of outrageous shootings a rarity, or even better yet -- non-existent. This is a Group for those of us who believe that the NRA's version of the Second Amendment allows for "oopsies" such as this, and they believe that it's a "small price to pay" for their fucking freedom to shoot each other. This is NOT a Group for disrupters like you to espouse theories about the motivations of idiots who carry guns on our streets, but rather it is a Group for the discussion of how the motherfucker got the gun, and why he was allowed to carry it on the street in the first place.
The gunner apologist language that you have used on this thread is highly objectionable to those of us whom you have attempted to justify your "motives" for interrupting this thread. We ain't buying it, and yes your only motive for posting in this Group was to disrupt.
Please enjoy your short stay.
Paladin
(28,727 posts)He's obviously seeking Banned Martyr status, just something else for the Gun Enthusiasts to piss and moan about over in Gun Control/RKBA.
billh58
(6,641 posts)reality check and advice. These dipsticks know exactly which buttons to push, and I seem to fall for it every time.
Paladin
(28,727 posts)wild bird
(421 posts)Don't get into a pissing match with them, you only lower yourself to their level, which, in my opinion, isn't worth it.
Let's do that and steer away from from the mind reading.
wild bird
(421 posts)in an neighborhood that he had no business being in?
Assholes like this need to be put away for a looooooooooong time, whether it was accidental, and I don't believe for one second it was, or on purpose.
You need to go away, you really don't seem to understand the SOP of this group.
JustAnotherGen
(33,349 posts)His attorney?
His PR exec?
He shot first and asked questions later.
ANY of us in the GUN CONTROL AND REFORM ACTIVISM forum at Democratic Underground are allowed to 'type first and ask questions later' -
And oh - in the process - a little kid is not maimed for life.
So I can type WHATEVER I WANT WITHIN IN TOS and there's nothing you can do about it.
wild bird
(421 posts)Paladin
(28,727 posts)Sanddog42
(117 posts)I'm not trying to fool anybody.
billh58
(6,641 posts)stop trying to reinvent the old bait and switch routine, do they? How can they be so transparent, yet think that they're not? I must admit that this one has a new twist however: pretending to be ignorant of the long-standing DU gun issues while exhibiting a thorough understanding of the inner workings and rules of DU.
First time sign up today and just "happened" to find this Group first, and begin the Gungeon "gunner apology" rhetoric with its first post. And in just four posts, manages to lecture everyone in a single thread about how sage and wise it is, and how it is just offering "alternative" thinking about a gunner who shot an eight-year old kid.
There must be something about this group that drives Gungeoneers to employ outlandish attempts at disruption with such transparency. FR is missing some of its Village "educationally-challenged" right-wingers it would seem.
I found the group first (from a link to the OP that came up in a Google search) and then signed up so I could respond to a post.
I've never been a member of what you call the Gungeoneers. I don't know what the '"gunner apology" rhetoric' is, and I wasn't attempting to disrupt anything.
The only thing I've advocated is reserving judgment until all the facts are in. I still believe that is sage advice.
For the life of me, I don't exactly what it is I've said that you actually disagree with. Are you angry with me because I suggest (lacking evidence either way) that Mr. Cloninger might not have had malicious intent?
BainsBane
(54,701 posts)You assume he must have shot the boy by accident, though you have no evidence to support that. You express far more concern for him that a maimed 8 yr old boy. We are accustomed to gun nuts justifying any and every use of a gun as long as it's by a white man. If he kills a black male, like Trayvon Martin, all the better. Many of the gun nuts are banned from this group, which makes them very angry. They can't stand the fact there is one little corner of the internet where they can't spread NRA propaganda. This of course is a generalization characterizing the worst of them. Some are fairly reasonable, while some are unbearably self-entitled with no compassion for victims of gun violence. Most demonstrate no ability to show any concern for victims of gun violence (domestic violence, etc. .), even if they feel it. Most people read that story and think about the child. You worried about the shooter. That is why members here have thought you were a gunner. Since you aren't concerned about gun control, this isn't the appropriate group for you. This very story is being discussion in the General Discussion forum, which is not a safe haven group. It's open to all members. Here is the link: http://www.democraticunderground.com/10023609885
Sanddog42
(117 posts)My concern is not for the shooter, it's for those who rush to condemn him, which I've tried to get across again and again.
I do have compassion for the shooter, and for the victim, but in this thread I've tried to express my compassion for them that would be blinded by their own anger.
And what makes you think I'm not concerned about gun control? That topic has barely been mentioned in this thread.
BainsBane
(54,701 posts)I told you. Your language far more closely resembles that of a gun propagandist than someone who cares about gun control, even if you did not intend it as such. Even some of the gungeon folk thought you were one of theirs.
You will find people far more welcoming in the main forums. Of course there is a great deal of division about the impending bombing of Syria, so it is an extremely contentious time on this site
Sanddog42
(117 posts)So, it was the my accent?
(Because it certainly wasn't the content.)
JustAnotherGen
(33,349 posts)And see how this person is trying to control us by chastising us and admonishing us for having opinions, perceptions, and beliefs that are just oh so upsetting?
Typical Right Wing tactic - oh but you liberals are supposed to be hopping through fields nibbling daisies so here's a pat on the head and on your way.
I'm glad BainsBane dealt with this - this persons goal was to put us in the same league as a man who the face off a kid.
Sorry - but I'm better than him. You blow the face off of a kid - a CHILD - you aren't at my level and I've no respect for you.
gopiscrap
(24,162 posts)wild bird
(421 posts)AMEN.
billh58
(6,641 posts)this thread has taken, it might be time to re-examine the motives and intentions of an Internet disrupter:
In Internet slang, a troll is a person who sows discord on the Internet by starting arguments or upsetting people, by posting inflammatory, extraneous, or off-topic messages in an online community (such as a forum, chat room, or blog), either accidentally or with the deliberate intent of provoking readers into an emotional response or of otherwise disrupting normal on-topic discussion.
(Snip)
Trolling is a game about identity deception, albeit one that is played without the consent of most of the players. The troll attempts to pass as a legitimate participant, sharing the group's common interests and concerns; the newsgroups members, if they are cognizant of trolls and other identity deceptions, attempt to both distinguish real from trolling postings, and upon judging a poster a troll, make the offending poster leave the group. Their success at the former depends on how well they and the troll understand identity cues; their success at the latter depends on whether the troll's enjoyment is sufficiently diminished or outweighed by the costs imposed by the group.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Troll_Internet
In the end, this behavior is really just a pitiful cry for attention. How sad...
Sanddog42
(117 posts)Yes I shot that kid, Cloninger told the witness. When the witness asked Cloninger why he did it, he said, Because I wanted to, Sparacino said.
http://crimeblog.dallasnews.com/2013/10/judge-reduces-bond-for-man-accused-of-shooting-8-year-old.html/
Looks like your presumption was right all along.
JustAnotherGen
(33,349 posts)And I whistle Dixie lady . . .
He has a very strong, Christian-oriented family, Ewing said.
He's a fucking monster that physically and emotionally scarred a child for life.
Watch this guy walk away with a slap on the wrist. He disgusts me.