So my university town has triumphantly made it into the national news for something other than academics. Of course, everyone has read the story about the shooter in Moscow, Idaho and maybe everyone knows the specifics of the story better than I know. However, I will go through what I have read about the story in brief.
At about 11pm on Saturday night, a man starting shooting into the police dispatch office, which of course brought more policemen and at least one man out of his house. He shot one bystander, and two cops, killing one. He also killed the curator of the Church within which he sought sanctuary. Later, it was learned that he had earlier killed his wife before going on the rampage. In recent months, he had been in trouble for strangulation, attempted suicide and had said to a court ordered psychiatrist that, if he committed suicide he would try to take other people with him.
The justice system at work. It is funny how a person can be busted for drugs or guns or violence and be free on the street awaiting their jail date or court date. They can then violate parole and continue to await their day in court, jail or prison. I guess the system is to blame for this situation for certain.
But, this is not the only unfortunate situation to ever hit the streets of Moscow, Idaho. When I studying there, an openly gay student from the fashion design department vanished, never to be seen again. Also, in the 80's, an African-American student was found hanging from a tree on campus.
It is funny how dangerous America really is, especially when compared to China. When I was in America, I had been in one situation where a gun was pulled on me and I had another situation where I thought a gun was pulled, but it was really a small club and it was used to beat another man over the head. The latter of the two incidents also happened in Moscow and the perpetrator was a 17 year old American-Indian that did not get much recourse for his crime.
In China, the worst thing that has happened to me is some people trying to pick my pocket. But, that is not to say that China is without dangers. My close friend and his close friend were recently attacked by the owner and staff of Cheers Bar in San Li Tun. The friend's friend will have permanent scaring from the bottles and clubs which were used on his face and body. My friend, going to stop the situation, was hit over the head with a bottle. They are currently going through the process of legal action against the bar. So, if you are in Beijing, boycott Cheers Bar for beating foreigners.
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