Savagery on the Tracks of a New York City Subway Station
Even in this era which is characterized by so many acts of depravity, there are some crimes which shock the conscience. Such is the case with the murder of a South Korean immigrant to the United States who was pushed to his death on the subway tracks in New York City by a homeless misfit with an extensive criminal record. The horror of this incident was magnified by a photograph on the front page of the New York Post showing the doomed man on the tracks in the moments before he was struck and killed by a subway train that was unable to stop in time. News reports indicate that the victim's family members so traumatized by the photo that they have been staying at the home of their pastor.
The story causes us to recognize that there are mentally deficient beasts that walk among us every day and that while Al-Qaeda and its sympathizers are often portrayed as the greatest threat to us and our way of life, the lone domestic terrorist is the person that has the greatest ability to shatter our lives without warning.
Naturally, the alleged killer is offering excuses for what he did, smearing the victim by telling the media, "He started it!". The victim cannot challenge the defendant's version of events because he is dead. I am optimistic that security video will disprove the defendant's account, but even if it were found to be accurate, a charge of homicide is almost certain to be sustained by a jury.
The alleged killer had little to lose. He was a drifter with no permanent residence. Now, he will be supported by tax dollars, most likely for decades, able to enjoy three meals a day, room and board, health care, and recreation.
What can we do about it? Nothing.
John Linko
9:29 am on Sunday, December 9, 2012
Given the "hyper-local" orientation and mission of Patch and its various websites, I was going to ask how this relates to our local area. However, it's being reported that the suspect grew up in Beaver County. See http://ow.ly/fWH2e.
Oren Spiegler
9:44 am on Sunday, December 9, 2012
John, I respectfully disagree with your conclusion that Patch deals primarily with local issues. If that were the case, why are there poll questions relating to national and international matters? One poll which generated the greatest amount of comment, including vile comments from haters on both sides of the aisle, was one which sought reader input on the presidential election. I assert that the subway savagery would merit space and consideration without regard to the unfortunate Beaver County connection of which I was aware.
John Linko
10:34 am on Sunday, December 9, 2012
Oren:
This is from http://www.patch.com/about -
"What is Patch?
Simply put, Patch is an innovative way to find out about, and participate in, what's going on near you.
We're a community-specific news, information and engagement platform driven by passionate and experienced new media professionals. Patch is revolutionizing the way neighbors connect with each other, their communities, and the national conversation."
I can understand how the Patch editors would use a poll to try to engage local feedback on national or international issues. I can also understand how bloggers can find a welcome home on Patch for anything they want to write about, even if I don't choose to do the same.
In that context, I apologize if my comment somehow suggested to you that I thought your post inappropriate. Your insights are fine with me, but I personally feel that if I'm going to write about national issues, I'll use a forum dedicated to those issues.
I have a my own blog site, where at times I post on things not related to the local area that I may not also publish on Patch. I choose to focus most of my energies on local affairs, or how larger events affect us in the local area.