OK, so it is a dog-bites-man story, but welcome and a long time coming nevertheless.We conclude, therefore, that Rupert Murdoch is not a fit person to exercise the stewardship of a major international company.
The second item requires a back story. On April 11th, a barefoot, nightshirt-clad man shot at close range an unoccupied, specially-equipped SUV that the Santa Fe police department uses to catch speeders. The vehicle was parked unoccupied at the roadside. On-board radar triggers cameras that photograph the license plates of passing speeding cars. Citations are issued electronically. Here's the video from the SUV camera:
Two weeks later, responding to an anonymous tip, the police interviewed Scott Powell who lives close to the site of the shooting. Powell owned a grey 2011 Audi that looks like the shooter's car. The next day, Powell traded in that car for a new, blue Audi. When the police returned to Powell's house to arrest him, Powell led the cops on a car chase through Santa Fe before being apprehended near a doctor's office.
Powell is 63. He has no previous problems with the law. He is well educated, lives in an affluent part of the city, and is a book dealer specializing in first editions and Irish literature. He also has a permit to carry concealed weapons. Yes, New Mexico is one of those states. Gun nuts say we are all safer because good gentlemen like Scott Powell can walk our streets and drive our roads carrying hidden weaponry. Until last week, the gunnies must have loved him. What a poster boy! No priors. Financially stable. He sells rare books; you can't find a better way to imply calm, gentle, and trustworthy. Scott Powell is no George Zimmerman.
Scott Powell also seems to have gone bonkers. No one wants him on their team anymore. Police searched his house after the arrest and seized a .45 caliber automatic pistol. a .357 revolver, a Beretta handgun, a Sig Sauer handgun, an unidentified handgun wrapped in plastic, three Beretta shotguns, and a bag of "miscellaneous ammunition." Powell's lawyer explained to the press that Powell has serious health problems including cancer, depression and attention deficit disorder. The state of New Mexico found him fit to carry concealed handguns. A crazy, depressed man with ADD and whole bunch of weapons.
Oh, yeah. Stalwart, gun-totin', citizen Powell fired five shots at a parked car from 10 feet. Two of those bullets missed completely. From three paces away.
Feeling safe yet?
Interesting indeed. Walking up to the front of a police vehicle whose purpose is to capture images of what's going on around it (in your nightgown no less) and shooting at it in some crazed misplaced rage... I don't think this is explained by cancer, ADD, or depression. I'd be willing to bet this man either has a drug problem or some mental condition involving psychosis. Or, since he traded in his 2011 Audi for a new one the next day, maybe he's not insane and is just a closet moron with impulse and anger control issues. Whatever the cause I sure wouldn't want to be alone in a room with him. Thanks for sharing.
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