new thread
Sasha Fleischman, an 18 year old longhaired youth in Oakland, California, fell asleep on a city bus, and a 16 year old on the bus lit his clothing on fire. He is now in a hospital in San Francisco with 2nd and 3rd degree burns. The perpetrator was caught on video and has been arrested.
Sasha is androgynous, and he was wearing a skirt at the time. The act may be prosecuted as a hate crime.
His friends and other well-wishers are posting at the link:
Hey Bill,
I can't even put into words how furious this makes me feel what was done to this innocent guy.What I'd like to have seen done to that perp I would even want to put into words here.He may have been young and obviously stupid to have done that to Sasha but he needs to be on the receiving end of a piece of lead!I'll certainly send my well wishes.
Mârk
WOW, what a horrible and ugly story; but am glad to hear that the perpetrator was caught and has been arrested -- although that will never bring back this young man's health and well-being back to "normal"...
Thanks for posting this story, Bill. We tend to think of the SF Bay Area as "safer" than most urban areas of the US, as well as more "open-minded"; but sometimes we find out the hard way that we are not always correct about this view.
- Ken
"We tend to think of the SF Bay Area as "safer" than most urban areas of the US, as well as more "open-minded"; but sometimes we find out the hard way that we are not always correct about this view."
I am seriously wondering what is going on in this entire country - there seems to be no end to terrible crimes and horrible incidents happening each day - and the next day a new story comes along on the news and we forget about the ones that happened last week... I don't know we can think of ourselves as safe anywhere...
In our city, there have been senseless deaths of older men - gangs of young boys - teens - randomly attacking an older guy as he walks out of a liquor store or a convenient store - and they beat the man till he falls down - and they kick him - and three men have died of injuries sustained in the attacks...
My heart goes out to this young man who it seems was attacked because he was different...
This reminds me of an interview with one of my all-time favorite "old world" strongmen: Joseph L. Greenstein (a.k.a. the Mighty Atom). Even well into his 80's, the Atom was capable of performing incredible feats of strength, including ripping horseshoes in half with his bare hands. Famous for his long hair as a youth, he was asked by the interviewer why he kept his hair and beard long as an old man. He said that he lived in a dangerous neighborhood, and produced a drawer-full of broken pistols and bent knives that he had taken from young thugs who had been foolish enough to attack him over the years. I'm paraphrasing here, but the Atom said something along the lines of this: "Most of the old ones who live here cannot fight back, so I wear my long hair and beard to lure in these young criminals. Let them pull my hair. Let them pull my beard. I'll pull their arms off."
Goddamn right.
--Val
You got that right, Val - Atom's got that right, too! Boy, I wish he'd been around Syracuse these last few months - three old dudes (not that much older than me) have died from being knocked down by young thugs who think it's a joke...
Like for sex offenders, there should be a registry for particularly dangerous bullies.
This guy should not be coddled, and should be tried as an adult, and should be sent to an adult prison. There is no chance of reform for such a creep, and he is sound of mind enough to know right from wrong.
Violent criminals should also bear the burden of reimbursing ALL hospital costs that their victims would be charged for treatments. If they can't pay, they should be sent to a work camp or work detail to work off their debt, through hard labour that most citizen's may find hazardous.
It is time to get tough on violent criminals.
I agree with you 100% my friend.He should be sent to Japan to clean up nuclear fallout from that destroyed reactor.Why risk the health of innocent Japanese so people like this guy should be given the task.Cheers
Mârk
Right on.
Having creeps like him clean up toxic sites will help society.
And not only that all I'd give him for protective gear is a pair of gloves! LOL.
Let's just send him and his sorry self to Afghanistan and let him clear those mines the hard way! Bet he wouldn't last too long either! We surely don't need losers like that polluting the world!
Ted
Huh?
-----------------------------------
I like your idea the best, Ted. While we are at it, we need to send all violent criminals there. Put violent criminals on the front lines so they get their arms and legs blown off instead, saving our law abiding military personnel from this. I like it.
Scott
Thanks Scott! I just have to tell you that I don't take too kindly to such malicious behavior. I just don't understand why people cannot Live And Let Live. Whatever happened to the Golden Rule? May Sasha make a full recovery and avenge this bastard!
/end rant
Ted
I just saw this on this morning's news. When will it end?
Ted
Hi Ted,
I watched that news video clip and it goes to show there is still a double standard going on even in the day and age.Hopefully the student prevails as he has done nothing wrong and shame on those school officials hiding under their desks when they are confronted.Cheers
Mârk
I posted this on my Facebook page and suggest that you do the same.
The link seems to be broken now.
I'd like to think that his hair had nothing to do with it but it probably did. Surprised this happened in California.
Yea something happened to that link but it may be because the donation goal was met.I did find this news story though.
They did reach the goal and the link is back up today.
Thanks Mark, that one works.
That truly sucks. What kind of asshole would do something like that. I'd never be caught dead in a freakin skirt but you gotta be one hateful shithead to light someone on fire cause you don't like the way they dress.
I wouldn't even do that to saggies and I really hate that style.
This is such a terrible thing to happen to a human being! I will keep Sasha in my prayers and thoughts. I thank God they met the goal for him! I didn't even have a chance to donate! I sure hope the loser that did this pays a dear price for his unspeakable actions!
Thanks for posting this Scott. I must admit it is hard to believe this happened in California. Can anyone please tell me what this world is coming to?
Ted
This is so sad, and reveals a deep sickness running in this country, that one person could do such a hateful, harmful and violent thing to another. I regularly commute through Oakland on public transportation, and I have received my share of bad looks, but nothing yet other than one fellow yanking my hair and saying I should cut it - he disappeared into the crowd, and I did not pursue the issue with the transport operator though in hindsight I should have - since that was technically assault.
I'll be more on my guard from now, and I will keep Sasha in my prayers for a speedy and full recovery; emotional as well as physical. This is going to leave scars, inside and out. :-(
Here are some updates on the story. My understanding is Sasha
faces about 20+ surguries for the burns.
http://www.ktvu.com/news/news/crime-law/suspects-family-disputes-hate-crime-charge/nbmHH/
http://www.sfgate.com/crime/article/Hate-crime-charges-for-boy-in-Oakland-bus-attack-4965055.php
http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/11/08/us-usa-california-hatecrime-idUSBRE9A702R20131108
There is also video that the police are using.
I would add good kids don't go around setting clothes on fire.
I would also add this kid should also be charged with endangering the lives of the other passengers, the bus driver,
and potentially other cars nearby. This could poeentially have
been much worse if the fire engulfed the entire bus and nearby
vehicles.
If you've ever driven down the highway and seen a car/truck/bus
fire you have an idea of how potentially serious this could have become. Which raises the question how fast could a bus driver
evacuate a jam packed crowded bus if there was a fire? If this were on a busy freeway during rush hour could the drier pull over to the side of he rose in time? Would the freeway even have
a break down lane to pull into? (Many of them don't in metro areas.)
If you've ever seen a burned out bus or subway car you can
comprehend how serious this could have become.