Warbird Information Exchange

did the pilots outfit fit?

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"WHAT ME WORRY?"

Sorry!

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"WHAT ME WORRY?"

Well, seems to me that this young fellow is just dying to be in uniform. So how about the judge makes his dream come true? "Volunteer" him, put him through boot camp and send him over to Iraq to clear mines for a year or two. If there aren't any there then plant some, or just send him somewhere where there's still lots. Like maybe Cambodia. Nice old unstable ones.

That should sort him out. Heck, he might even turn out halfway useful.

greg v.

So, assault and b+e is now a death penalty defense??

When you are doing something like this, yes. This was not just breaking into to some one's car. This was breaking in to a museum full of historical items. Some of which e tampered with.

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Chris Henry
EAA Aviation Museum Manager

Thanks, Randy, for a note of sanity.

Wonder why the training for becoming a judge takes so long; there clearly a number of guys who know the job here - pity lynch mobs fell out of fashion.

I note how many people are keen to over-punish the miscreant. Having been in similar situations myself, my first thought and concern is for the museum staff-members and their family; that's hardly an episode for a normal day. A bit of support there wouldn't go amiss. They deserve and (even if they don't say so) need it. I hope they get it. Nothing worse than a siuation like that in your 'normal' day job.

The damage could've been a lot worse. At least one museum had an mentally unstable person break in and set fire to an aircraft - totally destroying it. Luckily there, the rest of the collection was unaffected. That person was ill; not evil, or on drugs and it was thus an unfortunate problem. However Hitler 'knew' what to do with anyone mentally ill.

It's probably a drug related criminal problem - but we don't know. There's a lot of people out there who have serious mental problems without drugs and the system's failed them as well. Shooting them would end the problem neatly, but pop some posters here in the same box as Hitler. Doesn't get my vote. Evaluation, trial and an appropriate sentence. It's not hard.

Whatever happens to that individual is probably irrelevant. We know chopping hands off or shipping people around the world doesn't stop the next guy. It's a real world heads-up to all museums, that's a risk we face. How good's your museum's security and defence plan?

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Raven

I think it was back in the '70s that some deranged person attacked Michaelangelo's "Pieta" with a hammer, knocking off several of the Madonna's fingers. Not sure what happened to him.

About ten years ago a drunk driver crashed an SUV through the wall of the Kalamazoo Air Zoo one night, badly damaging the tail of the P-39. Fortunately no one hurt, and I understand his insurance paid for the damage.

SN

You know, some people out there really want to be B-17 pilots. I can see where this young guy is coming from:)

Raven brings up a good point. When I hear about crimes like this I don't know who to blame more...the individual or the system that has failed them? I agree...this guy is probably on drugs or some nut that failed to take his meds. We don't have the drug problems here where I live but do have a problem with the mentally ill folks causing problems. Most of these people can function when properly medicated. The problems arise when they stop taking the meds...which seems to be all the time. I know it's not politically correct to say this but I'm all for bringing back institutions!!

John

Randy

I was actually attempting to be somewhat dryly humorous, with a slight edge of seriousness; pardon me for forgetting the "smiley". I beleive that these were the quotes you were looking for.


"Just shoot it."

"I agree with just shooting him."

"He needs a cure; I prescribe 158 grains of pain relief. (semi-jacketed, hollow point, pain relief). "


thanks.

greg v.

Remember the guy who went to Singapore and spray painted on a wall. He got what he deserved. I am sorry but this guy nneds more than just a "Oh, you better not do that again."

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Chris Henry
EAA Aviation Museum Manager

I also think you would feel different if that was your grandma that got bit while she was wroking as a volunteer, or if that was your grandfather's WWII uniform that jack ass got blood all over.

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Chris Henry
EAA Aviation Museum Manager

Sadly...that's probably about all he will get.

John

Sad.

As for the other comments, I think we are all passionate about this stuff, which is why we congregate here. Hence the passionate but tongue in cheek replys. Not a big deal. Do you really think anyone here would advocate the death penealty seriously for such an offense?

Of course not. I think what most people are reacting to here is what is commonly viewed as a deterioration in "moral fibre" these days. Whether that's true or not is a matter for debate.

If this young man has some sort of mental condition and is not getting treatment for it, i.e. he has "slipped through the cracks", then that is truly sad, but unfortunately all too common in this day & age. If he has a drug dependency that causes him to behave erratically then that is also sad, but a little harder to be soft on. I was being half-serious when I stated that perhaps military service would do a guy like this some good, but I did not want to offend those who are serving or have served by insinuating that the military is a catch-all for social miscreants. However, if this chap is a drug addict, but otherwise normal, an environment that fostered discipline and respect in himself and others could do him no harm. Let's face it, the guy needs help one way or another.

greg v.