I Sat There And Didn't Say Anything... It Won't Happen Again.

[Powdered Toast Man]

This whole tragedy has really made me think about a situation that happened several months back, and really made me disappointed in myself for not speaking up.

I was sitting in a restaurant with a friend waiting for my food to come. There was an older couple in the booth next to us... They were in their late 60s to mid 70s.

The lady was doing most of the talking... about this TV "News" host who was just "remarkable" She was gushing about him, talking about how smart he was and how clear he explained things. She said he was like a "teacher"

My friend and I assumed she was talking about Keith Olbermann.

WRONG!

As soon as she mentioned the chalk board I busted out laughing. I didn't even need to hear who she was talking about from that point. But yes... it was Glen BecKKK.

She went on and on to her husband about the evils of Obama and the Democrats and the whole "I want my country back" meme.

I made jokes just loud enough for them to hear me. It was really funny... just how enamored she was with him and his vast knowledge. I couldn't quick chuckling.

Well... Then they got really quiet. They got more serious. And I'll never forget what her husband said. "You know... someone is just going to have to bit the bullet and sacrifice himself. Someone is just going to have to take him (Obama) out. Shoot him."

You know... That was the first time I ever heard anyone seriously make a comment like that. Dead Serious. Oh sure... I heard jokes about Bush from people, but never with the tone or inflection I heard that day.

I looked at my friend, and said let's leave. I didn't say anything to the man. I just got up and left.

It kind of bugged me for a day or two that I didn't say anything, but I thought... He's a 70 year old man. What is he going to do?

The shootings in Arizona have really brought this back to me. And it's been bugging me ever since, because you don't know who is really capable of what. Unfortunately I can't go back and say something now. It's too late.

It would be nice to have the time machine from the Coke commercials... "Unlimited do-overs"

All I can do now is make this pledge. If I EVER hear anyone talking like that again I will confront them, because it is NOT okay. It is not okay with me. It should not be okay with anyone.

Never again will I sit silent when comments of that sort are made.

Thank you for letting me get that off my chest.

[RKP5637]

1. It's also an offense that calling 911 would take care of ... I would think. A 70 year

old can pull a trigger just like a 35 year old. I never have been in that situation, but having seen your posting - if I'm ever in that situation I'll leave the restaurant, whatever, and call 911 and alert them. You never know if this guy didn't have a gun in his pocket and was a bit off center. You confronting him might have pushed him over the edge.

[Denninmi]

2. I think you should have gotten as much info on them as possible.

Like try to get their license plate number, and then reported them to the police or the Secret Service. Threatening the President is a very serious offense.

[groovedaddy]

7. I vaguely remember the two guys in Colorado, I believe, who had been making threats against

President Obama. If I remember right, there were no charges pressed against them, though they were questioned. There is huge difference between someone saying "I think so and so should be killed" and "I'm going to do it." I'd still call on them though, just so they'd feel the heat and probably be way less inclined to do something stupid.

[NOLALady]

3. Take him out?

I wonder what they think would be accomplished if they succeeded. Do they think that would help/heal this divided nation? :shrug:

[superduperfarleft]

5. They'd just end up with President Biden.

Pretty short-sighted on their part, if you ask me.

[Maru Kitteh]

17. Well, you know. At least Joe Biden is a WHITE man.

I really think most of them would feel perfectly comfortable telling you that.

[RKP5637]

6. They don't think, it's not in their repertoire to think. I used to feel it was

a difference of opinion and discussion could reach an intelligent solution, but sadly I've come to realize many are missing on a few cylinders.

[JustAnotherGen]

4. The guy two years ago

Who shot and killed folks prior to a play about Emmett(sp?) Till and Anne Frank was an elderly man.

[LibertyLover]

8. I'm not trying to pile on, but don't forget

that the man who shot the guard at the Holocaust Museum and wanted to shoot more people was almost 90 years old when he committed his crime. When you think about it, an old person trying to shoot a political figure would work very well because I doubt that security people think of them as people of action.

[Powdered Toast Man]

9. I forgot about that one.

There have been so many...

[LibertyLover]

12. I'll be honest - the only reason that one remains etched in my memory

is because a friend of mine works at the Holocaust Museum and the guy lived in Annapolis, where I live.

[MindandSoul]

10. What really is meaningful in this (and thank you for sharing!), is this:

The woman was speaking in glorious terms about Beck. . .and how great he was, how knowlegeable he was just prior to the man making that remark about "shooting President Obama."
And that demonstrate the direct connection between the effect of Beck's words to the mind set and intent expressed by this man.

This is what is being denied by too many at this time. . .that link between the violent, hate inspiring talk by those . . .media people, and the reaction of people!

[Waiting For Everyman]

13. You're so right about that link being important - Beck's talk & the

hit comment. Beck's "explaining it" put the seal of approval on it, gave it the moral rationale of why it's ok to do such a thing, and more than that - why it "must be done". The thought to act on it then logically follows from that.

[Powdered Toast Man]

15. "Like a Teacher"

I'm telling you... When they said the chalk board... If I would have been drinking anything I would have soaked them.

[OregonBlue]

11. It would have been so wonderful if you had stood up and said VERY LOUDLY "Did I just hear you say

that you wanted someone to kill the president of the United States?" And then start ranting and raving about what kind of person would ever say a thing like that? You know, they would be very embarrassed. Those kinds of people are cowards!!

[Powdered Toast Man]

14. You are absolutely right.

Believe me... I think about that every time the situation pops into my head.

[bluestate10]

16. You should have called the police and explain what you heard the man say.

And insist that they file a police report and explained to the police that you were going to call the Secret Service, explain what was said and that you had asked the police to take a report. Look, if you ever hear anything like that again said in seriousness about ANY President, take aggressive action on reporting. Our nation is way too fragile now for some idiot to take a shot at a President, rather we agree with the President's policies or not. 70 year old men and women can pull the trigger of a gun as easily as a younger man or woman.