So your eyes should flicker around constantly while using an ATM? Then if someone jumps at you from behind a post--check to see how tall he is before you pop him and drop him!
If he is a short dude, he is probably OK. If he is tall he probably is not OK.
The main thing is to have the permit and the gun. That way you are more likely to kill someone, or better yet he will kill you for having a gun.
I know if someone pulled a gun on me, I would try to disable him for good with a steel rod or a 2x4!
I think carrying guns is primarily to show buddies and strangers how macho you are.
I think that is what you should do, because if you showed me your gun, I would then know that when I robbed you, to first hit you over the head from behind the pole so as not to get shot---providing you could hit a wall with the gun!
Short people carry guns!

That's a really, really bad avatar. Perhaps we can get Sniffles to loan you 'The Bug' until something more suitable can be found for you.

Speaking of the assailants hand..... how about we pin it to the asphalt and use a sledge hammer on it?

This old man is an idiot.

How dare he go to the ATM in Fayetteville at 730pm after the bank closed.

He was begging for it. Doesn't he know those ATMs are for use when the banks are open? Just who does he think he is?

The poor young man that allegedly 'robbed' him had to because of the state of the economy. Bush has done all he can to destroy our country and the last two years of the democratically controlled congress has been our only savior.

This old fool is lucky the compassionate 6ft black man who needed cash because of the transgressions of whitie left him alive.

Thank God for the compassion of the black man.

I wonder, because it seems like you are bent on bringing the worst out of everyone. Honestly. David's mom is simply trying to do the PSA thing: Be careful; know your surroundings; stay on your guard; be vigilant. She isn't blaming the victim. She isn't comforting the assailant. But you are here sarcastically playing puppeteer to those who would hate you for your last name. Digest that for a moment. This story surely has more to it. If you want to attack someone, strap on with the gun toting hero want to bes on this thread and hit the streets like modern day Guardian Angels, but David's mom should not be the target of your ire. If you prefer functioning as a human wedge driving distance between us, that's your prerogative, but I hope you rethink that strategy.

I was shocked to hear you are 'black'. Your name threw me off. I was completely unaware the the "PSA thing" was the responsibility of our resident race-baiter. Thank you for your clarification.

And as for slurring my last name with your lame stereotyping in an attempt to 'lure' me in to your "coalition" by saying; "But you are here sarcastically playing puppeteer to those who would hate you for your last name." No thank you. I didn't become successful by playing the victim, neither did the President elect.

As for your friend's "PSA", you MIGHT be interested to know that there is a group of residents here who do not believe it is the responsibility of the hard working, honest, trustworthy residents, to clear the streets at 7pm to allow the thuggery to take over the streets.

Quite the contrary, 'Diva', I expect the thugs to fear the law abiding and for you to support that premise and enforce it - after all, what self respecting, self proclaimed "Diva" would cower in fear every time a 6 foot black man was in a parking lot at the same time? Why, that's blatant racism! Besides, you may turn your head so quickly that your weave would sling off ... imagine that pitiful sight! A weave less Diva! Say it can't happen! I digress.

As for the 'perp', I hope your alleged criminal attempts to rob, assault, maul, or whatever he was attempting to do, to me next time.

I am younger and well armed. My ever vigilant stance is usually referred to as "locked and loaded". Perhaps your 6 footer was one of those two involved in the shooting in Forest Park, the one where he was a bit slow on the draw and was killed by a store owner he attempted to rob, assault, maul, or whatever it was he was attempting to do.

Perhaps your time would be better spent trying to move your cousin in to the realm of white-collar crime, like those in Illinois state government or Enron, where the pay is much better and risks of death much lower.

Meanwhile, since we are all in the business of making and interpreting "PSA"s. I have a public service announcement of my own:

"Stop making excuses for the dregs of humanity. Stop blaming the victim. Take responsibility for your actions. Judge people "... on the content of their character and not the color of their skin".

Until you do, and until you assimilate successfully in to THIS society (lose the hyphen, that's a 'dash' between anything and American for all of you with gold 'grills'), and follow THIS society's rules and mores, you will never know what we all learned many years ago. You can get ahead and succeed, and it really isn't that hard, but you need to leave the gold toothed, pant sagging, backward hat wearing, pimp glorifying, second language building, hyphenated, self aggrandizing, excuse making,'Diva' playing game in the ghetto and join the successful culture of American life. Follow Obama's lead, it worked for him."

Wow, I liked that announcement.

You have a "Blessed Day: "Diva".

Diva wears a 'weave'? That's a funny picture!! If you were an expert on these 'blogs' - you might realize that 'diva' may not be a 'female'. Your sarcasm doesn't mask your insecurity. You have a blessed day! Obama is successful - and true to his culture. He's not trying to be 'white'. He is an American. . . like everyone participating in this discussion. The hyphen was legally instituted years ago. Just like 'white' and 'negro/black' either opened doors or shut them when put down on an application for a job. That period is over. A man of color has achieved! He's the first to be president of the US - but not the first achiever!

What exactly is a Senor? I certainly am not one ... or two. Obama is not trying to be white? I thought he was white. At least, as white as black. Like me, I am as white as Hispanic (and no, I do not speak Spanish- nor am I from Mexico).

Diva may not be a female? LOL.... now THAT would really be funny- "you go girl"!

Other than showing a disdain for Americans with Hispanic last names, did you wish to make a point, or a "PSA"?

Why do you people choose to voice your opinion without knowing what really happened. I was at the Longbranch that night the man was attacked and I want to let you know right here and now that he was not at the bank ATM he was leaving the Longbranch and the "IDIOT" black man attacked him. The famous Fayetteville police got everything all wrong or the newspaper did one.

He was leaving the Longbranch and my husband and I was the last one he came and said good bye to. He was not even parked next to the ATM. Why is it that the good people in this world are called names when it is really the criminal that should be called names.

How can you say the black man had compassion when he was the one that did the attacking.

Next time get your story straight before you respond "IDIOT"

I hope that you find the time to visit your friend (and mine) and let him know that we are all praying for him. What happened to him could have happened to anyone. It's a sad day in America when a decent hard working citizen is attacked.

And thank you for your kind words.

Regardless, rest easy knowing that if you will just pay more attention, never be alone, don't be out after dark, be aware of your surroundings, carry a weapons belt, put your head on a swivel and pay attention to all PSAs, you might be okay to go to a convenience store to use an atm .... wait.... aren't quickie marts the most frequently robbed?

Never mind Sharon. Just stay home and cower in a corner so no more victims of the economic crisis will be criminals. After all, if you are out there - you asked for it.

I'm convinced that using your real name isn't the best idea here. Any how, if you call someone an idiot, best to do it correctly. "You're the idiot" is more suitable. That way, someone you just called an idiot doesn't get to come back and correct your spelling.

Ignore J M. He's having a hard day.

Not an idiot - just someone who feels he has to attack by using sarcasm. I'm beginning to doubt the credibility of the police and/or the journalist who reported the story. With the information that you shared, this could be a 'hate crime'. I hope we get the correct information soon.

I think you are wayyyyyyyy beyond "doubting the credibility of the police".

I have read these 'blogs' for quite a while and I really don't recall a time when you trusted anyone white, or anyone in law enforcement. (And I am neither - before you sceptically ask.)

Might I suggest a time of reflection in hopes that you might see yourself as others see you?

I also doubt your ability to comprehend what you read. 'Others" have painted me as a wild white hating liberal. I know who and what I am - and I also know 'what' you are. So let's be done with that. (By the way - one of my first blogs was in support of law enforcement) Check the archives. By the way - many here also recognize your ‘style’ and combative narrative. You are part of a dying minority.

Are you under the misinformed opinion that all people of Hispanic relations are "Senor"?

When you judge me by saying: "and I also know 'what' you are. So let's be done with that."

WHAT am I mommy?

If "Others" have 'painted' you as w white hating liberal, maybe they were all right and you are all wrong? Hummm.... maybe?

WHAT am I mommy?

The last remnant of ignorant, insecure, persons who relish belittling others.

Obviously his sarcastic parody was lost on your rightful emotionaly distraugt state of mind which is a result of your friend being victimized so heinously. I'd encourage you to read closer and try to grasp his mocking message to those that would defend this black hoodlum. Please don't call him, the perp, a man. A man, black or white would not behave that way. Only pieces of human debris would beat an innocent 66 year old man that way. Mr. Martinez is on your side. You owe him an apology.

I'm very sorry about your friend being beaten. Many of us (except Maple Leaf) wish we were there with Glocks in hand to pop some caps at that predator a$$hole. The sad thing is that freaking scumbag is probably bragging to his buddies about how he beat the crap out some old white dude. Hate like that deserves to die.

I have this visual of Pee Wee Herman (Maple Leaf) running up to this 6' thug girly slapping him and yelling: "Stop It... You're Mean!" Then the image pops up of this thug grabbing Maple by the back of his collar, holding him, growling at him, causing a giant wet spot to appear on his black pants. Oh well, at least Maple can reason that nobody got hurt via a firearm..... Nice consolation. (eyes rolling)

Can anyone tell us how this man is doing after that horrible attack?

I inquired of a mutual friend, yesterday, as to his condition. He seems to be O.K. ....a couple of black eyes and the like, but doing fine.

The victim here once came to my house,after one of my health setbacks, to replace my AC unit. It was hot as Hades that summer, and knowing that I was in no position to pay for an AC - he fixed it up for me at no charge. I insisted that I pay, but he wouldn't hear of it and wouldn't even charge me a service charge. He is a good man to whom I owe a debt of gratitude.

Give your friend my respect and best wishes of speedy recovery. We'll definitely pencil him into the 'Good Guy Column'.

Please let him know that there are people in the community who care about his condition. Thanks for giving us some insight into the 'man' rather than the paper rendition of the 'victim'. The suspect needs to be caught and dealt with - he is a dangerous, unpredictable, hateful individual. You find miscreants like him in all colors.

The suspect needs to be caught and dealt with - he is a dangerous, unpredictable, hateful individual. You find miscreants like him in all colors.

Miscreant is to kind a word for an evil being such as this clown.

'Cheers' as the recently deceased Hack would say.

Please read this J Martinez excerpt again:

"The poor young man that allegedly 'robbed' him had to because of the state of the economy. Bush has done all he can to destroy our country and the last two years of the democratically controlled congress has been our only savior.

This old fool is lucky the compassionate 6ft black man who needed cash because of the transgressions of whitie left him alive.

Thank God for the compassion of the black man."

Sarcastic or not, how does anyone owe J M an apology for having a negative reaction to those words? Very thoughtless attempt at sarcastic humor. I'm developing a rash, as a black person, just from cutting and pasting it.

Cheers

Thank you Mr. Git Real,

I really do not need an apology. My sarcasm was lost on the young lady.

That makes at least three posters who have proven themselves to be incapable of the required intellectual capacity to form an opinion devoid of racism and ignorance. I will trust you to know who 'they' are from their posts.

Since I will be out of our blessed country for the Christmas holidays, I will take this time to wish you a happy holiday now, and wish a speedy recovery to the gentleman who was attacked in Fayetteville.

Merry Christmas to all- and God bless. (Me)
The meek WILL inherit the earth. (God)

JMartinez

It's not that those not snuggling up to your sarcasm lack intellect. It's that your angst is misdirected at people who care enough to comment. I think we get side tracked when we paint someone who doesn't absolutely over-the-top berate the perpetrator as being sympathetic. This is what DM said about the perp:

"Times are hard - and many without jobs will do anything. The victim is lucky to be alive."

Is that an analysis of our increased crimes or sympathy to the criminal? That's not an intellectual rubic's cube. It's pretty straight forward.

But, if this is what you need, here goes: I detest crime and criminals. I wish I could have been there to legally beat the life out of that attacker. I hope one day that someone capable of defending themselves is fortunate enough to see this guy coming and end his criminal behavior forever.

There! That's the truth; just seems like braggadocios bluster, though. Let's assume that all of your fellow bloggers are forces of good. If they come across as less than "kill all criminals dead," chalk it up to the fact that they wish to emphasize other points.

At any rate, I like guns in the hands of people who love people and follow the law. I do hope that you are never a victim of such an attack, because every now and then the thug (who knows exactly when he will attack) gets lucky; even against a strapping young and armed gentleman such as yourself. Hope this clears a little of the confusion up. And J, if you are going to say this about race and opinions:

"That makes at least three posters who have proven themselves to be incapable of the required intellectual capacity to form an opinion devoid of racism and ignorance."

It helps if you don't lead off by setting this precedent:

"his old fool is lucky the compassionate 6ft black man who needed cash because of the transgressions of whitie left him alive.

Thank God for the compassion of the black man."

Take care, and I hope we get to meet one of these days; we're on the same team.....

Talbot bank is located directly in front of Longbranch Restaurant, my previous employer of 7 years. The victim in this case is an old friend of mine who frequents Longbranch on a regular basis. My feeling is that he simply made a quick stop at the bank before entering the restaurant. Poor judgment? Maybe. But he is a good man that would do anything to help others.

I don't yet know all the details of this incident. But, I don't know that I would go so far as to say that this was a 'hate crime'. I think that if my friend were black, he still would have been attacked. With no apparent robbery taking place, it is hard to know what the motive could have been.

...well, Ok, but isn't there a statute of limitations on how long a guy with an over active imagination should have to wait before blundering off head long into unfounded accusations that could ultimately end in the linching of some happless human being? After all we are of a mob mentality, right?

this isn't Kans... err, a, Fayette county anymore

I'm sure that there is a logical reason for the attack. Everyone knows the victims ask for it.....

Yes, the logical reason is that the attacker intended to rob someone of their money. The less logical reason is that the attacker picked a well traveled populated city center to commit a "hate crime" just for the pure joy of it. As for the victim asking for it, poor planning on the part of the victim exposing himself to possible attack, aren't there ATMs in groceries stores or if he needed to make a night drop then maybe should have waited until the business was open after all as long as the deposit is made before 2pm it counts for that day.

this isn't Kans... err, a, Fayette county anymore

" at approximately 7:30PM " not that late in my book considering its right in the fat of the shopping season and, I'm guessin here, there might be an ATM there. At the Bank.

this isn't Kans... err, a, Fayette county anymore

So we should just accept the fact that a black man beat someone uncounscious at 7:30pm as being normal behavior? Crime isn't normal. No matter who commits it.

I wouldn't go to any bank after dark, and I have a carry permit. Why do you think it is normal to attack other people.

You aren't in riverdale or kansas anymore.

You can do what ever you want to accept anyones logic as you like, I only pointed out that making a determination that this was a hate crime is hysterical banter. You said it yourself, the fact is an attacker believed to be black attacked a person (no one said the victim was white} at the bank at approximately 7:30 pm. It's a fact in Fayetteville. And Riverdale and many other 'dales where you and I live. Are you not believin this or what?

this isn't Kans... err, a, Fayette county anymore

Oh, and one other thing, you are right, don't go to a bank, anywhere anytime unless it is open for bussiness. I worry about people that carry a weapon that harber a mental disposition that may jump to cunclusions. My personal disposition, and your gonna like this, is that we should all carry a gun, right there in a holster on the hip. Really.

If we should all carry a gun (right there in a holster on the hip), wouldn't the sure winner every time be the first one to draw? Moreover, wouldn't there be more of an incentive to shoot?

Just imagine allowing all airplane passengers to carry a gun (right there in a holster on the hip). I feel a lot better when nobody has one. We need to disarm the country, not arm it more.

Mapelleaf, I feel rather confident that if every airline passenger were issued a handgun before boarding you would never hear of another hijacking, ever.

Arming everybody as they board an airplane is a brilliant suggestion which I really think you ought to pass on to the Dept. of Homeland Security. Be sure to give them your true name and address so they can send you a reward.

before you get on the plane, but not to worry, they give you a knife and a fork when they serve meals. I mean you could kill a person with a table knife if you really wanted to.

The bottom line is all these rules are there to give the appearance of safety. You're no safer now than you ever were.

In Liberty,

DarthDubious

I think you should start a grassroots campaign.

Place a sign in your front yard that says

"This residence contains no weapons, we do not believe in violence".

Maybe everyone else will follow your lead!

Meanwhile, I have a sign that says "Property is under 24 hour video surveillance" and a sticker on each door that says "Owner is armed and property rights will be enforced" (with a Smith & Wesson logo).

I like signs.

I have also suggested that mapleleafy practice what he preaches and put a sign in his yard that says :GUN FREE ZONE! I want all of the criminals to feel safe on his property.

I have NRA stickers on my security companies signs. I like this little gem.

No Trespassing

Violators Will be Shot

Survivors Will be Shot Again

I value our right to protect our lives and the lives of our family members.

It's a shame that victim wasn't carrying. We all have a right to defend ourselves.

I believe that armed law abiding citizens taking care to do everything in their power to avoid a shooting which includes staying out of high risk situations would make a difference, but you must be willing to take the emmense responsibility that goes with the priveledge to carry a weapon; some people just don't have the level head to carry a gun. I would not go to a bank that is not open for business at night in Fayetteville, neither should you, even if you do have a gun. Crime, is it normal? I would like to think not but look around you and take the precations that are prudent. the Pavillion is not a safe place. the pool hall at the Riverdale Fayetteville line, heck the pool hall in Fayetteville are not what I would consider safe places. I don't go there.

this isn't Kans... err, a, Fayette county anymore

It was a good thing this man didn't have a gun. He was knocked unconscious and his gun could have been stolen from him. His not having had a gun means one fewer criminal with a gun. That's good!

Maple Leaf waking up in the ambulance mumbling "It's a goo...goo...good thing I didn't have a gun".

Kudos to the Forest Park merchant this morning who defended himself and his business by opening fire on the two robbers wounding one of them. I do fault him however. Had he been proficiently trained one of them wouldn't be in hospital being treated for a gunshot wound and the police wouldn't have to waste their time trying to locate the other piece of human debris.

Last night two would be robbers met a store owner with a bigger, faster gun. One fled and the other is in critical condition at Grady. No doubt the store owner was asking for it. I'm sure if had been unarmed the young black males would have been as compassionate as the poor, struggling victim/robber that left the 66 year old Fayette county man unconscious in the bank, err, I mean store parking lot.

We could have had one less criminal on the streets. There is a positive side to everything.

I would chose one less criminal.