Pass The Ammo

Great video by Bashman.

Photo by JJ Honeycutt

I don’t know this guy. He watched us down below as JJ and I were shooting photos of the river. We didn’t really think much of him, but we wondered if he was the reason cops had both ends of the bridge blocked off. JJ and I chatted casually about photography, and how the river is so low this time of year. I’ve never really been to this part of Spokane.

We noticed people were coming down to the area we were at and standing at the base of the bridge, below the man. We gathered the clues, and realized he was a jumper. This was around 8pm. We had just left the northern lights brewery, after enjoying some chicken wings, creme ale and discussion about life and work. When we discovered what this guys intentions were… I had a pretty negative attitude about it. I said, “If he wanted to kill himself, he would have done it already… it’s probably just a cry for help”. 10 o’clock the next morning, I learn that he’s still sitting there. Unbelievable. 3pm, I learned that he did jump.

I felt bad for the attitude I had, but at the same time I can’t help but feel angry and sorry for him. What a selfish thing to do. What a cheap shot to anyone that cares. They say he had mental problems. I wouldn’t know.

I still feel bad. I was both skeptical and cynical toward the guy. But now that it’s done, I can’t say I don’t care.

Apparantly, the police had coaxed him to come down and help him with his problems. As he climbed off the ledge, plain clothed officers shot him with a tazer. Only one prong made contact, and it wasn’t enough to bring him down. He climbed back up and jumped.

Here’s the story as of the time of this post. Read the rest of this entry »

EL DORADO, Ark. (AP) - An elderly man beaten unconscious by an assailant wielding a soda can awoke and shot the man during an attempted robbery, police said.

Willie Lee Hill, 93, told police he saw the robber while in his bedroom Wednesday night. Hill confronted the man and was struck at least 50 times, police said. He was knocked unconscious.

Covered in blood, Hill regained consciousness a short time later and pulled a .38-caliber handgun on his attacker. The suspect, Douglas B. Williams Jr., saw the gun and charged the man, who fired a bullet that struck Williams in the throat, police said.

“I got what I deserved,” Williams, 24, told police when they arrived, officers said. Investigators reported finding, among other items, a Craftsman drill bit set, three pocket knives and two hearing aids inside his pockets.

Paramedics took Hill and Williams to the Medical Center of South Arkansas for treatment. Doctors sent Williams to the Louisiana State University Medical Center at Shreveport, where he was listed in critical condition Friday.

Employees at the Medical Center of South Arkansas refused to give Hill’s condition or say if he’d been discharged from the hospital Friday, citing medical privacy laws.

Police plan to charge Williams with residential burglary, second- degree battery, theft of property and theft by receiving.

Be sure to check out all the photos of how the rainbow city celebrates their freedoms!

What would Chuck promise you if he ran for president?

By your way, I’ve often traveled
Magic mother of the pearl
Watched your mysteries unravel
While each foamy wave uncurled
Neath’ my soles the sands of freedom
Fertile valleys, mountains high
Blistered by the blazing sunshine
Mellowed by the moonlight night

Mighty measure of the Maker
With your open arms unfurled
America,you are my woman
America,you are my world

Many worlds and dreams I’ve traveled
Sliding softly through the night
Scanned through silicones and cycles
Mirrored low your emerald life
When my days on earth return to
Dust from whence my body weighs
Will my soul could always carry
Where the Saint’s first flight was made

By Billy Joe Shaver