Man pulls gun on TV over Bristol Palin's 'DWTS' run

[RKP5637]

popwatch.ew.com
Nov 17 2010
by Mandi Bierly

http://popwatch.ew.com/author/mrbierly/

"Steven N. Cowan, a 67-year-old man from Vermont, Wis., fired a shotgun at the television in his house Monday evening while watching the performance night of Dancing With the Stars. Dane County police were called to the residence after Cowan’s wife fled their home and phoned saying her husband, who authorities believe suffers from bipolar disorder, was intoxicated, armed, and threatening to commit suicide. The trigger for the incident was Cowan’s belief (and anger) that Bristol Palin was on the show because of her famous politician mother instead of her dancing ability. Tactical response and hostage negotiation teams arrived on the scene, and it took them roughly 15 hours to coax Mr. Cowan out of the home. He’s been charged with second-degree reckless endangerment, the Dane County Sheriff’s office confirms to EW.

Now we don’t want to make light of this situation. We’re happy to hear that his wife was unharmed and are assuming he’ll get the psychological help he needs to live a happier life. But it does seem like a good time to confess whether you’ve ever struck out at your TV. I have yelled at it, but I’ve never thrown anything at it. I love my flatscreen too much to hurt him. You?"

[TheCowsCameHome]

1. Great combo - booze, guns, and unstable - amazing no one was killed.

[Eddie Haskell]

2. I know just how he feels.

It's justifiable homicide.

[haifa lootin]

3. Not me but I've been tempted! One of my former friends did, though, killed his tv with a .22

pistol one night after 5 or 14 beers. I have no idea now why or even if there was a reason. Haven't seen him in nearly 20 years - this guy loved to tell 'war stories' about his "exploits" in Viet Nam including how he would sneak up on a VC from behind a tree and cut his throat before he could yell; I think he began to actualy believed them himself...I sort of did until his mom told me one night he never got within 5000 miles of SE Asia...was in the Air Force in Alaska! BWAHAHA

[TexasObserver]

4. Is he the guy who sang the song "Brandy"?

Brandy, you're a fine girl.
What a good wife you would be,
but my life, my lover, my lady
is the seaaaaaaaaaa.

A one hit wonder from nearly 40 years ago.

[elocs]

5. From this morning:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x9575406

[Marr]

6. Waitaminute. Are you telling me...

Bristol Palin really WAS on Dancing With the Stars because of her famous mother, and NOT because of her dancing ability??

[tomm2thumbs]

10. bwahahahah - your shock

is so genuine and makes me smile

[Vinnie From Indy]

7. Thanks for the OP!

After seeing the fifty other OP's already posted today about the same incident I was still not saturated enough to really care. Now I am converted. I too believe that each and every human being should be made aware of this story regardless of how many times it must posted. I guess it is completely possible that a person that comes to DU might miss the first fifty threads on this incident. Thank you again! Until this was posted for the fiftieth time, I was not fully aware of the importance of this incident to the human race. It will surely reverberate in our human psyche for millennia.

Cheers!

[RKP5637]

8. I'm thinking it might actually win Sarah the 2012 election! n/t

[Vinnie From Indy]

9. That is just the beginning!

This story, which has been posted at least fifty other times before you posted it again, must truly be of major importance. Why else would so many people feel compelled to to post the EXACT same blurb over and over and over again. I appreciate and admire your dedication to make absolutely sure that DU'ers know about this TV shootin' yahoo. Judging by the fervor created by the last FIFTY postings of the EXACT same blurb, I would venture this story has legs!

Cheers!