Marine Down in Oakland

[canid]

regardless of how you feel about the occupy oakland or related protests, i ask you to send your prayers or what you to to Scott Olsen and his family. He is an Iraq War veteran and was injured yesterday when he was struck in the head by what is purported to be a tear gas canister. I believe he in still in critical condition and may require surgery.

He is a United States Marine and [i feel sure] did not serve his country to be struck down by an officer of the peace.

California is pulling for you. Thank you for your service.

[canid]

Ok, the most recent article i found asserts that his condition is stable.

[crashdive123]

I haven't seen the reports, but hope he recovers quickly.

[jake abraham]

I will be praying for him

[natertot]

In America, we have the right to free speech. We also have the right to PEACEFULLY assemble. As someone who works in the security sector and with police and with a decent amount of training, I have to say that the right was forfeited when rocks, bricks, bottles and other objects were thrown at police. The projectile was not intentionally aimed at him, he was just at the wrong place at the wrong time. If it were me, I would have left when protesters began to riot.

His Vet status changes nothing in this situation. I'm thankful for his service and his sacrifice, but order still needs to be upheld. Should we let drunk drivers go because they served? Should we let vets get away from beating their spouses because they served? I'll admit, I let them get off easier most of the time in minor cases (speeding, parking, etc), but a line has to be drawn.

[canid]

what did i say? i don't care what your opinion on the protests is. i simply don't give a damn. that's not what this thread is about. re-read it.

[natertot]

He is a United States Marine and [i feel sure] did not serve his country to be struck down by an officer of the peace.

I did read the post, and the above quote was a part of it. If you re-read my post, I did not give an opinion on the protest itself. In simpler terms I said, "If you are dumb enough to assault police, or be in a group that is assaulting police, be prepared to have something happen to you".

I hope that everyone in this situation is okay. I wish harm on no one. People just can't go and throw stuff at police.

[SemperFi]

then again if he had been out looking for work instead of a handout , he wouldnt have been hit , Im sorry I was a Marine too , but never sat down once I left the Corps , sitting around smoking pot and telling the media that the government is at fault for all my problems wasnt in the cards for me , I'll work in any job even now , Im not nor ever will look for a handout! Not all Marine are the same , I belong to a Marine motorcycle club ,it consists of all Marines and Navy Corpsman , but just because your a Marine doesnt mean you become a member , not all Marines are cut out , just how it is!

[SARKY]

After he was struck by the tear-gas canister and others were trying to help him, the cops lobbed another canister right next to him. I can tell you from experience there are a lot of goons in OPD and Alameda County Sheriffs Dept. . These goons make the rest look bad! I was driving thru or actually around the area when it went down and I saw no violence on the part of the protesters unlike the Oscar Grant protest/riot.

[hunter63]

Our thoughts and prayers are with him as well.
He is a local boy for Onalaska WI, so is on the news here alot.

I thank him for his service as well, but do question his being involved in this, as he was a systems analyst, moving to Calif after his two tours.(per channel 8 Lacrosse, WI news)

[hunter63]

I did read the post, and the above quote was a part of it. If you re-read my post, I did not give an opinion on the protest itself. In simpler terms I said, "If you are dumb enough to assault police, or be in a group that is assaulting police, be prepared to have something happen to you".

I hope that everyone in this situation is okay. I wish harm on no one. People just can't go and throw stuff at police.

+1...............I agree

[SemperFi]

Im not a fan of the cops either (was one for many years, its changed) ,but I am not a fan of the squatters either!

[canid]

Again; I don't care. The reason I do not care is not my opinion of the politics, Not the ethics or morality. If you can't spare a moment to wish an injured man well I hope better men are looking out for you.

You can have the other conversation if you like, but you'll be talking to yourselves.

[Rick]

I deleted one of the first comments in this thread because I knew it was going south. Canid's post was just a good will gesture toward the young man being injured. I'm not sure why everyone needed to comment on the protests or the cops, both of whom feel they are correct.

I think it's best to lock the thread at this point.