Sunday, December 05, 2004

Helluva Weekend in the Bay State

We begin our coverage, as one would expect, with this week's installment of "Massachusetts Gun Control Success Stories". First from Mayor Menino's back yard:

BOSTON (AP) -- Two people were fatally shot this morning in Boston.

They are the 62nd and 63rd homicides this year -- the city's highest murder rate in a decade.


Well, it seems the shooters were good shots. They must have aced the Moon Island range test when they were applying for their License to Carry a Firearm.

Next up, this story out of Haverhill, Massachusetts:

A 48-year-old fugitive hiding out in Haverhill with a sawed-off shotgun surrendered yesterday after a SWAT team surrounded his house and ordered him via megaphone to pick up his phone, insisting, "We're not going away."


But sawed-off shotguns are illegal. If these people keep breaking the law like this, they're gonna ruin EVERYTHING. We'll never be able to realize our dream of the Uber-Utopian Gun-free Land of Candy Canes and Pixie Dust we'd like to call Massachusetts. Those poor criminals, someone should give them a hug. THEN they'd be nice.

Moving further west, we come across this charming tale:

Authorities arrested a 19-year-old man Thursday for driving with a suspended license but let him go, unaware he'd allegedly robbed and killed the Worcester gentleman whose car he had been driving.

[snip]

Police said they believe Lowery hit him with a pipe, robbed him and sped off in the 61-year-old man's 2004 Chevrolet at least three hours earlier, hitting him as he went.


Clearly, our legislators need to get moving on some serious pipe control laws. I mean, seriously, if you're not a plumber or a fence installer, you don't NEED a pipe. Home Depot could have those new fingerprint scanners on-line in a week or so.

Meanwhile, back in Boston (and if this individual doesn't just warm the cockles of your heart, nothing will):

A Back Bay anti-war march nearly erupted in violence yesterday as a group of protesters continued their march beyond the route dictated by the their permit, witnesses and protesters say.

Several protesters claimed rough treatment at the hands of the police, including a reported hair-pulling incident, protesters being knocked down and officers running motorcycles at the crowd.

"The police clearly had no respect for our safety," Dan Reedy, 17, said. "They seemed more intent on preserving the law than protecting our lives."


If the asshelemt fits, wear it.

So, let's see. You're part of a group voicing support for those who saw the heads off of civilians as they gasp out their last blood-gurgling breath in front of a video camera? Animals who shoot humanitarian aid workers in the back of the head, in the name of Allah? Thugs and goons who fill mass graves with women who were shot clutching their dead babies? And they didn't respect your safety?

Gee, I'm all torn up.