02/02/2006
Sicko on the Loose in New Bedford Gay Bar Attack
Early this morning, a man walked into the Puzzles Lounge in New Bedford, Massachussetts, asked the bartender if it was a gay bar, and began attacking patrons with a hatchet and a gun.
Three victims were shot, two in the face and one in the stomach. Their conditions are unclear at this time, and the attacker is still on the loose.
New Bedford is an old New England whaling town of nearly 100,000 citizens not far from Cape Cod.
Three People Shot in New Bedford Gay Bar Attack (videos) [cbs4 boston]
Man Pulls Machete, Hatchet, Gun on Bar Patrons [boston globe]
3 Shot in Gay Bar Attack [wcvb]
This Doesn't Happen in America [proceed at your own risk]
Sphere: Related ContentPosted 9:27 AM EST by Andy in Current Affairs | Permalink
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I guess we should pass stronger hatchet laws? This man is obviously evil, but why is he linked to the administration? Why not the back lash of a certain movie? Maybe he is mentally ill. He could be pissed about any number of things...
I am NOT apologizing for this freak so get the FUCK OF MY BACK BEFORE YOU EVEN START. I Think once they find him they should torture him until he dies. Remember when you are a right wing... you can do these things...left wing liberals need to talk to him and ask him how he feels.. see if he needs treatment. We just kill him for his crime and go on with our lives. I think this person has no place in our society.
Posted by: Matthew Schooler | Feb 2, 2006 9:41:56 AM
I like the last sentence on the cbs4boston.com article: "The attack is being investigated as a possible hate crime."
Well, duh.
Posted by: matt f. | Feb 2, 2006 9:42:23 AM
All RI is abuzz about it. But even though the hate crime quality is obvious they are saying the same thing: "...investigated as a possible hate crime."
Posted by: Rob (lrdarystar) | Feb 2, 2006 9:48:39 AM
There they go again, Andy. Posting disruptive troll posts to drive away your readers who want to be informed and not needled by teenage trolls who really just need to go to Little Green Turdballs. I want to read comments that might have helpful ways to respond to all the interesting things that you seem to be first to find and post.
But it's impossible to scroll past the kind of repeated hate speech meant simply to inflame and annoy readers. Andy, ask yourself if this is going to make people want to contribute or not contribute. I strongly suggest you open a website with a lot of beefcake for right-wing self haters so they can stay in the closet and post there since they know they will be bashed on the right-wing sites they belong on.
Posted by: BRIAN NYC | Feb 2, 2006 10:00:04 AM
I just saw this reported on CNN and they failed to mention that the guy first asked if it was a gay bar before beginning his attack. They also failed to mention anything about it being a hate crime. I'm almost hesitant to say it, but if I had been watching it before reading this post, I might have thought the news report was telling me it was some gay man attacking other gay men. CNN has really gone downhill on its usefulness and reliability.
Posted by: Anna | Feb 2, 2006 10:12:07 AM
"He is described as 5-feet-8 inches tall, weighing about 220 pounds, with brownish-red hair. He had a thin goatee and was wearing a black trench coat."
Sounds like a real hottie!
Posted by: Toby | Feb 2, 2006 10:25:43 AM
Matthew I will grant you this
LOL sick LOL but LOL none the less on your right wingers left wingers would do to this guy thing
What i find interesting is that the post office shooting in southern california has been reported on for days in the Washington post here in the Washington DC area, yet i bet dollars for donuts that this crime will never be reported on by any big news agency.
It should be reported across america....crimes like these would open a lot of eyes to the hate we face and change some hearts
Posted by: Jimmyboyo | Feb 2, 2006 10:26:47 AM
Not to defend any news oraganization in particular, however, I've read three stories on the incident so far; CNN, 365gay, and CBS. All three stories differ quite a bit on what actually happened. This is not terribly surprising since perspectives and recounts often differ greatly amongst people. Also the news story varies upon who the reporters interview.
Posted by: Blue | Feb 2, 2006 10:27:43 AM
Blue thanks for the info...I will eat my words then about big news agencys reporting on it
Posted by: Jimmyboyo | Feb 2, 2006 10:43:03 AM
Where to begin? As is everyone else, I am offended by Matthew's comments, but I am offended by him daily so why bother with keystrokes to express what we all think.
Toby, today you are the one I am disappointed in. Was it necessary to insinuate that because this psycho is short and overweight that he or anyone else fitting his description might do the same thing. Being a shorter than average man, and one that has had a constant battle with my weight I am highly offended. Hate to do it, but today I am putting you right up there on the same pedestal with Matthew. Kudos to you, Toby, for showing your true feelings in so few words.
But this is a much more serious thing than to waste time degrading each other for whatever reason. Like it or not people, we are the new minority and all across our great land this sort of thing happens on a regular basis. Not always to the extent that makes national news, but it happens. It happens in our country and it happens around the world. We have come a long way in our fight for equality but this shows just how much further we have to go. If you have never been a victim of a gay bashing consider yourself lucky. I have been, and I have had friends murdered by the hands of violent criminals. The sad thing is, “hate crimes” isn’t even in the legislative dictionary of many states. We haven’t progressed in our cause nearly as far as some of us pretend we have. There is much work to do and if it isn’t happening in your own backyard don’t for a second think it isn’t happening in someone else’s.
Of course I am shocked at the news this morning. I am outraged. What am I going to do about it? Not nearly enough. But as we think about this, it is a question we should each be asking ourselves and realize it is time to take action. If your state has passed a hate crimes bill, that is great. If your law enforcement agencies are doing everything they can to protect you under that bill, even better. But remember your brothers and sisters across the country and around the world that aren’t so lucky and see what you can do to help them feel just as safe. You may want to visit them some day.
Posted by: GaYToR | Feb 2, 2006 11:23:39 AM
Ok so a sickie went into a gay bar and shot someone.This type of shit happens in strait bars to.I hate it that some gay men are always crying and complaining about all the stuff that happens to them because thay are gay.Hate crime laws are also bull shit,no one should be punished more or less because of who thay fuck with.Crime is crime and should be punished accordingly.
Posted by: Joe Pilt | Feb 2, 2006 11:32:18 AM
Matthew loves the attention. He loves getting people riled up behind the anonymity of his computer. And you all fall for his hijinks every time.
Posted by: louis | Feb 2, 2006 11:34:14 AM
Why is a hate crime worse than the same crime done randomly or for money? Because the intention is to terrorize and intimidate an entire class of people.
Following the kkkonservative logic that there's no such thing as a hate crime: then there's no distinction between intentional or unintentional crime. Why do we sometimes let people who kill by accident get off scot-free, and punish those who single out someone they know or hate and punish them? Because the intention mattered.
So hate crimes are meant to intimidate everyone in the same category as the single person killed, like Matthew Shepard. It was a symbolic crime meant to have a larger effect.
If there's no hate crime, then every killing by criminals should be treated the same as an accident. Because we are not allowed to take into account whether there was an intention at all.
Posted by: BRIAN NYC | Feb 2, 2006 11:41:40 AM
Matthew S. Please. Are you trying to stir the pot just for pot stirring sake. Do not try to turn the sick act into a left vs right debate because it is not. I am liberal. As he is being punished for his crime if we can find out why or what led him to this act, we as a society might be able to learn something. So why not do both.
Posted by: Donald | Feb 2, 2006 11:45:05 AM
Joe (Pilt), it's 95% probable that he went spazoid because it was a gay bar and there were gay people in it.
When it happens in "straight bars," I think it's somewhat rational to say that the "sicko" in question isn't attacking because a lot of people are straight in there.
Posted by: matt f. | Feb 2, 2006 11:45:42 AM
Matthew...loves getting people riled up behind the anonymity of his computer.
I find this ironic because I am one of the few people to use my real name.
Why are people offended? I am pissed off and think this person should be killed. Is that wrong? I think we should pass laws that give criminals less rights and make sure people like this are not allowed to roam the streets. I think hate crime legislation should be passed in every state.
Ok the thing about the left was a little over the top...I am sorry.
I too wondered about the news coverage and I was glad to see it made the Cable News. I hope it stays on the American radar as long as most stories of this magnitude.
Posted by: Matthew Schooler | Feb 2, 2006 1:06:45 PM
"We" are the NEW minority?
Posted by: Dray | Feb 3, 2006 12:25:27 AM
okay yes it was a horrific crime he commited and there is no excuses for his actions at all. i just don't see how the media always seems to piont the finger at an artist like I.C.P.. jake jekyll give a bad name to all juggalos. and i reszent any body who says we are all alike. he is a completely seporate sinical person who can easily make his own dicisions. the only influenced factor was the use of the hatchet. it only resonable to assume he would have done it without the duo. i hope you take what i have siad into careful consideration. sorry for the spelling
Posted by: shay | Feb 7, 2006 12:08:30 PM