Oh shit, I may be going to jail!!

[guitar man]

I just went up to the local convienence store for a soda. there was a long line at the cash register, only one register open and I guess the other employee in the store had better things to do than open the other register, sort of annoying.

Anyway, there were several black children in line getting candy and stuff, I see them there after school often. Ahead of me in line was a little wormy looking little guy with a greasy looking cap with a Confederate flag pin on it. He says "damn, are we going to be here all day?" I said something like "looks that way". Then, he nudges me in the ribs and says, "I wish all these little n****rs would just get gone, then the line wouldn't be so long" and grins at me, like I'm supposed to be "on his side" or whatever. :wtf:

Everybody in the store, including the children heard what he said. I stood there for a second, trying to say something, but no words were coming out and I just lost it. I cupped my hand and just smacked him up under the jaw, hard enough that his hat flew off, his partial plate flew out of his mouth and he went down on his ass. I told him to get up if he wanted another one, and he declined. One of the kids started giggling and the store clerk, who I know from going in there all the time said "just get on out of here".

So I headed out with him still sitting in the floor trying to compose himself, I don't know if he got the tag number off my bike, if he did, I might be getting a visit from local law enforcement if they track me down. :scared:

It's been a long time since I've lost my composure like that, I guess it just got under my skin too much.If they do, I'll take what I have coming to me I guess. :(

[SarahB]

1. Good for you.

Bastard racist fuck deserved it. :thumbsup:

I know there's going to be people here saying, "Violence doesn't solve these things." However, I can sure as hell bet this guy won't be doing it again, no matter what happens to you.

[guitar man]

2. and you know

when they say, "violence doesn't solve these things" they will be right. I'm a reasonably intelligent, fairly well spoken individual and I should have been able to keep enough of my composure to address the situation without violence, but I didn't.

I reverted from the guy I should be in my 40s nback to the guy I was in my 20s for a second I guess.

[Starbucks Anarchist]

3. Good for you.

I hope you don't go to jail, but if you did, and if I had the money, I'd definitely bail you out.

:toast:

[guitar man]

42. ..

thanks :hi:

[BarenakedLady]

4. I'd bail you out too

:thumbsup:

[guitar man]

40. thanks

:hi:

[Catshrink]

5. All it takes for the bastards to win is for good men to stand by and do nothing.

Thanks for doing something. Maybe that bastard will think twice before spewing his racist crap -- especially at kids!

:yourock:

[guitar man]

41. ...

thanks :hi:

[BluePatriot]

6. My hubby did something similar once

but nothing happened.

He wound up swatting a particularly snotty yuppie over the head with a newspaper.

I bet the person is too embarrassed right now and "learning a lesson" to press charges. Let's hope so anyway.

[guitar man]

43. oh do tell

I wish I had a newspaper, swatting him like a puppy might have been fun :)

[SPKrazy]

7. Agent Mike Here

way to go!

:applause:

this one's on us!

:hi:

[guitar man]

52. lol

thanks :hi:

[Gormy Cuss]

8. It's a shame that you lost your cool

but the man clearly gets away with that sort of hate speech most of the time or he wouldn't say it to a stranger.

[Debi]

9. Wow!

:loveya: I hope you don't get in trouble for it, but if you do I hope the clerk of the store comes to court as a character witness for you! Maybe you shouldn't have lost your temper, but I bet it's the only way that jerk could've learned a lesson!

:hi:

[guitar man]

10. update

I just talked to the clerk, super nice guy, he said the little asshole finally got up off the floor and just got in his truck and left without saying a word, so it looks like I'm off the hook for this one.

Note to self: you're getting too old for this shit!

I think what pissed me off as much or more than saying that shit in front of those children was the fact that he automatically assumed was of a like mind with him?? I don't know what everyone else thinks when they see a guy that rides a Harley with some black leather, boots and jeans on, but "racist" is not something that springs to mind with me anyway. What a weird little creep :grr:

[wildhorses]

19. good to hear

:hug:

[flvegan]

21. Not surprised here.

Little coward speaks hate about kids, "biker" knocks his ass down. Yeah, cowardly rednecks probably aren't taking their chances with what they presume might be an Outlaw/Hell's Angel. You know, the knee-jerk stereotype reaction.

[bigwillq]

11. You're a hero.

Good for you. :bounce:

I applaud you for standing up for what was right.

:thumbsup:

[guitar man]

23. thanks but

I really don't feel like a hero, I'm just a regular guy who was having a bad day at work and let it get out of hand given an excuse.

[bigwillq]

57. You're still a hero to me.

A hero is anyone who stands up for what is right and you did that.

Thank you. :hi:

[guitar man]

63. ok

you have a point there, I'm going to stop beating myself up over it and try to use my head a little better next time. :)

[supernova]

12. I just developed a crush

on GTRMAN. :loveya:

Three cheers for sticking it to a racist prick! :applause: :applause: :applause:

[guitar man]

16. well shucks

:blush::blush::blush::blush:

[LeftyMom]

13. Those kids are going to tell their grandchildren that story someday

A complete stranger stood up for them. That's what they'll need to remember, and what you need to be proud of.

[I Have A Dream]

25. Good point! n/t

[Sequoia]

29. Maybe not, since he sees them at the store sometimes.

Their dads might come up and shake his hand.

[guitar man]

54. actually

I may want to meet their moms :evilgrin:

:spank:

oh, Im being a bad, bad man :blush:

[Sequoia]

78. They would kiss you and bring food!

[Connonym]

14. Good for you for not letting him get away with it

I would imagine a physical smackdown would be more effective than a verbal smackdown for someone of his ilk. I can tell it bothers you that your reaction was physical but your motives were pure and I think you rock. World needs more people like you. Bravo.

[guitar man]

17. thanks

and yes it does bother me that I went straight for the smackdown. When I was younger, I was a brawler, in a damn fight all the time and it got me into trouble on a couple occasions. Since I got back to the office, I have thought of a thousand things I could have said, should have said, rather that smacking him.

But, at least I had enough presence of mind to cuff him with an open hand rather than pop him with a full-on overhand right. That would have put him in the hospital and probably me in jail.

[matcom]

15. Violence doesn't solve these things

oh wait. it did.

had it been black adults he would have been too chicken shit to say a word. you stood up for CHILDREN. there is a difference. he was molesting their minds and hearts IMHO.

:applause:

[guitar man]

48. yeah, he's a coward allright

and you're spot on about the kids. What would have really been funny would have been for one of them to come up and kick him in the kneecap. Now that would have been a sight :)

[edbermac]

18. How? You don't think this idiot will press charges?

"Your Honor, I called a bunch of little black kids 'niggers' and then this man hit me for no reason at all"

I don't think so...

[guitar man]

33. yeah, you're probably right

but if someone is that damn dumb to begin with, nothing would surprise me. But, he just got up and left so all's well that ends well I guess.

[bleedingheart]

20. Gosh...it's wrong to hit people...but the bastard deserved it

and what would have have told the cops..."I called these kids in front of me **** and this guy hauled off and belted me..."

[Der Blaue Engel]

73. D'oh!

Meant to respond to the OP!

Edited for dorkitude :blush:

[Archae]

22. If it was me...

I would have said to him, "If racist white trash like you would just get gone, this line would be even shorter, and it would smell better in here."

I wouldn't have hit the guy.
But I don't really blame you for doing it.

[Inchworm]

24. You are a good man

At least you stopped at the one open hand and didn't go into smackdown mode. I hope the guy has some what of a clue why he ended up where he did.

:thumbsup:

[Oeditpus Rex]

26. While I agree the sonofabitch deserved comeuppance

I can't sanction battery in such a case.

[guitar man]

30. and I'll agree

with that assessment. The longer I sit here and think about it, the more I wish I had assailed him with verbiage instead.

[Oeditpus Rex]

32. I think you'd feel great if you had

It's always more fun to :kick: someone's ass with your brain.

I'm not gonna put you down for it, though, since you're not bragging about it. And I sure as hell can't say the same thought wouldn't have occurred to me. :D

[guitar man]

34. yeah I would

and you're right, the violent part of the exchange is not soemthing to brag about.

I don't really know why I posted this in the first place, I guess it just helps to talk through these things sometimes.

[Oeditpus Rex]

35. You're second-guessing yourself

You made that clear in your OP. When humans are thinking, "Oh, shit, what did I do?" they want a show of hands.

So, congratulations. You're human. :toast:

[guitar man]

36. that I am

with a littany of flaws that comes along with being human. :toast:

[Oeditpus Rex]

37. Embrace your flaws

At least one of 'em had its heart in the right place. :D

[Pied Piper]

61. Yeah, but

all that "high-faluttin'" language would have gone right over his head, and he would have missed the point. I think now he has a better understanding...

[I Have A Dream]

27. All I can say is...

:loveya:

[guitar man]

44. ...

:blush::blush::blush:

[Sequoia]

28. Oh to have been there!

Hat and teeth flying oh boy! Did you get your soda? Guess he'll keep his racist views to himself from now on. Hey, better watch it he and his good ole boys don't load up the old '57 Ford truck with shotguns and come looking for ya!

[guitar man]

39. hey, you know,

I left the soda there, I'm thirsty, I think I'll go get one in a minute.

I'm not too worried about his good ol boys coming after me, my "good ol boys" can be a pretty frightening bunch :evilgrin:

[Sequoia]

53. Drink up.

That good ole boy scene was from a segment in "The Mockingbird" when G. Peck was standing guard outside the jail and those boys drove up in the old truck ready to lynch Tom. Peck's children saved the day.

[guitar man]

55. Ok, I remember now

Haven't seen it in ages

[lost-in-nj]

31. I would also contribute bail money if needed

Thank you for getting involved....

:toast: :pals:
I hope you don't go to jail...
but I bet it felt good




lost

[SoxFan]

38. Ya done good!

:yourock:

[guitar man]

50. that's what my Dad always said

:hi:

[SmokingJacket]

45. Everyone's a coward these days.

Picking on little kids because they're too scared to pick on adults, or standing by and letting assholes be assholes.

THANK you for not being a coward.

[xchrom]

46. sometimes ya gotta do what ya gotta do.

i don't know what else to tell you.

the universe works this stuff out for itself sometimes.

and the universe can be a tough place.

the violence of that word in front of those children didn't really deserve a ''smart-ass'' come back.

a crack in the jaw -- that was proportionate.

[guitar man]

51. oh I don't know

I can get pretty ugly with words when I want to :evilgrin:

I think it was just the sheer shock of hearing it the way it came out. It's just not commonplace anymore to hear such things, and that's a good thing. It certainly caught me off guard.

[xchrom]

56. well -- without a doubt he will no longer assume

that in public the person in line with him shares his world view.

i'm not a pacifist -- though i certainly TRY to practise the principles of non-violence.

but not all people can understand them.

[guitar man]

60. that's for sure

I bet he doesn't make that mistake again :)

[texas1928]

47. Just tell them he hit you first.

He gave you a shot in the ribs with his elbow.

[guitar man]

49. I like the way you think

:hi:

[BikeWriter]

76. He's right, and in some states if you file first no more charges...

of assault can be filed. I did that once on a little asshat I had to send to the hospital.

[Steven_S]

58. Where I come from saying something like that gets a free punch...

I know many cops, and have several in the family. No one would ever grab you up for what you did.

Using that word to someone is a free punch - one punch only. Open handed? They wouldn't even respond to the call. You tried not to hurt him.

Thanks for sharing that, the little bastard had it coming for sure.

[Joe Fields]

59. Bet he thinks twice before making a remark like that in public again.

Lost your composure , hell. You, sir, did a most honorable service to mankind.

[Roon]

62. We have a "fighting words" law here in Denver

I don't know exactly what this law says but it's basically something like...if you use inflammatory language.you deserve everything you get.

[guitar man]

65. really

That's cool. I guess Flush Limpbone and Anne Coulter better saty out of Denver then, eh? :rofl:

[Roon]

67. LOL eom

[GoddessOfGuinness]

64. ...

:yourock::yourock::yourock:

Find a way to let us know if you need help posting bail, ok?

[guitar man]

66. thanks

it's all good now, he finally got up and slinked off without a word after I left is what the clerk says :)

[Monk06]

68. To a coward like that gettin' slapped the rest of the way to stupid ......

is like bein'gut shot (red neck accent off)

You did good. Those kids learned a valuable
lesson. Racists are cowards especially when
they have no one backing them up.

[guitar man]

69. lol

"gettin slapped the rest of the way to stupid is like bein gut shot"

I gotta remember that one :rofl:

[derby378]

70. Man, I feel for you...

I'm not sure I agree with the minutae of how the situation was handled, but you get mondo brownie points for not letting the blatant racism go unanswered.

You might not want to visit that particular store for a little while, however.

:toast:

[CC]

71. Those kids will be telling this story for

at least a week. Hey mom some white guy called us _________. As mom is getting pissed they then say some biker hit him so hard his hat flew off and his teeth flew out.
I think I would of hit first then thought of a good comeback later when I was calmer.

[The Traveler]

72. Dude

Keep a grip on yourself. There are other ways of putting assholes in their place. Life all too frequently puts us in a place where violence is the only moral response ... you had other options here.

Having said that, I wish I could buy ya a beer ...

:toast:

[Der Blaue Engel]

74. If he does press charges, you'll probably get "anger management" counseling

and a fine.

Don't sweat it.

A friend of mine beat the snot out of a teenager (didn't realize he was a teen at the time) who threw an unopened beer can at his wife and hit her in the face while she was walking their two little boys. The judge sentenced him to 9 weeks of anger management classes and a small fine. Of course, this was in Oakland, but I still doubt you'd do jail time for that kind of assault.

I was never more attracted to him than when I heard what he'd done in defense of his wife. :D

[noshenanigans]

75. I'm no fan of violence...

I guess it's a good thing to lose your composure over. You know, it really bites because he expected you to be like "oh yeah", and that's so insulting. I wouldn't worry- if somehow he managed to make his monkey brain get your license it won't stick.

[underseasurveyor]

77. Hot Damn....Pass the hat this way for your bail money

Oh Goddess Love ya GTRMAN XO:loveya:OX If only I could reach through the screen to give you a huge hug and and big sloppy kiss:hug:

I hope the bastard minds his tongue in the future and if you need bailed out I'm sure we could manage to come up with some buck$. GLADLY!!!!:thumbsup:

[Strawman]

79. Well done

He'll live, and maybe he'll at least think twice about spouting that nonsense to a stranger

[1gobluedem]

80. Sometimes a good smack is necessary

And this was one of those times. Good for you. :applause:

[Samurai_Writer]

81. You know, I'm a very non-violent sort of person

but I think in this case, it was called for. You stood up for those kids, and that is a wonderful, noble thing to do.


*Someone who was called the "N" word when she was 6 years old, and still remembers how hurtful it was*

[Midlodemocrat]

82. I'm not a fan of violence, but I applaud what you did.

Standing up to him IN FRONT of those children will resonate with them for years.

Ya done good. Real good. :applause: