Am I the only person who feels sorry for Plaxico?

KurtBevacqua · 08-05-2009, 06:58 PM

I realize what the prosecutors and grand jury in NYC are trying to do by taking advantage of this high profile case to make an example for gun control in the city. And normally I'm right there with the authorities in taking a strong stand. But the brother shot himself in the leg, missed a year of work, and lost his job. And not to mention the fact he's pretty much proving to be a knucklehead incapable of getting out of his own way. Is the community really served by sending him to jail for three and a half years? Maybe it makes a bunch of people feel better knowing that he's going to suffer, but I don't see the jail time making a positive difference in his life at this point and I don't see him as a menace to society either. He shot himself for cripes sake. If he didn't learn his lesson from that then jailtime isn't going to make an impact.

kq76 · 08-05-2009, 07:11 PM

The guy shot himself for Pete's sake. If one can shoot themselves by accident don't you think there's a good chance that they could shoot someone else by accident? I dunno. I think drunk drivers should be put in jail for a good long time to wise up and seeing as how Plaxico was similarly endangering the public he should probably spend a good long time in jail thinking about how he was endangering the lives of others as well. If I hung out where he hung out I'd certainly feel safer with him in jail than with him out.

bababui · 08-05-2009, 07:29 PM

He brought a firearm into a nightclub. If he felt threatened, he was rich enough to hire any number of bodyguards. Nothing good could come of his actions. He was also a grown man with no known intellectual deficiencies. He deserves the punishment he gets.

Erik W. · 08-05-2009, 09:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bababui

He brought a firearm into a nightclub. If he felt threatened, he was rich enough to hire any number of bodyguards. Nothing good could come of his actions. He was also a grown man with no known intellectual deficiencies. He deserves the punishment he gets.

I don't always agree with my good friend bababui, but this is one of those times that I do.

CMH · 08-05-2009, 09:48 PM

Don't feel sorry for him.

The jail time may not teach him anymore than what he's already dealt with, but it will definitely set an example for other people.

As long as the city continues to be hard on illegal gun holders, things will get better. Taking a high profile face, a New Yorker, and basically telling the city: "If this can happen to an athlete, it will happen to you" is the strongest form of advertising for the type of people that might think of following in his footsteps.

If the system was easy on Plaxico, it would have been brushed off as another celebrity walking away from a system that is apparently so solid it's posted everywhere you go in the city. If the city is serious then they need to be all the time.

RchW · 08-05-2009, 10:06 PM

The most important thing is to apply the law fully to rich/famous/powerful people. In many cases this is not done and it is inexcusable. If I were caught in such a fashion, I'm quite sure there would be no question as to my punishment.

Bababui is also bang on.

bababui · 08-05-2009, 10:22 PM

I know that was a kiss-ass thanks but well deserved anyway.

rem · 08-06-2009, 03:22 AM

3 1/2 years seems excessive but that's the law and I don't think his stupidity is a point in his favor.

Goody · 08-06-2009, 03:33 AM

Seems excessive. He got more time than Stallworth and Vick?

Stupid rednecks shoot themselves (and discharge firearms without causing any harm just by luck) all the time. This is America. A fellow should be allowed to shoot himself on accident. If it had happened to Ty Cobb back in the day everybody would be laughing about it.

bababui · 08-06-2009, 03:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 9lives

Seems excessive. He got more time than Stallworth and Vick?

Stupid rednecks shoot themselves (and discharge firearms without causing any harm just by luck) all the time. This is America. A fellow should be allowed to shoot himself on accident. If it had happened to Ty Cobb back in the day everybody would be laughing about it.

He brought a gun into a place of business knowing it was against the law. He put the lives of everyone in that club at risk. It seems a bit like apples and oranges to me.

Goody · 08-06-2009, 04:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bababui

He brought a gun into a place of business knowing it was against the law. He put the lives of everyone in that club at risk. It seems a bit like apples and oranges to me.

Oh ok, I never paid much attention to the whole story. And it was loaded, of course. Idiot...yeah. But our society has never been huge on punishing idiotic behavior. Just seems extensive compared to the other things in the sports news recently.

Left-handed Badger · 08-06-2009, 04:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kq76

The guy shot himself for Pete's sake. If one can shoot themselves by accident don't you think there's a good chance that they could shoot someone else by accident? I dunno. I think drunk drivers should be put in jail for a good long time to wise up and seeing as how Plaxico was similarly endangering the public he should probably spend a good long time in jail thinking about how he was endangering the lives of others as well. If I hung out where he hung out I'd certainly feel safer with him in jail than with him out.

He's like the athletic Barney Fife.

But, if the man can be dumb enough to shoot himself. i dont have faith, he wont shoot somebody else accidently.

But, I will say Mayor Bloomberg is a complete tool.

ukhotstove · 08-06-2009, 04:25 AM

I'm with kq and baba plus add the fact the bullet could easily have hit someone else doesn't make me feel sorry for him at all.

Left-handed Badger · 08-06-2009, 04:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 9lives

Seems excessive. He got more time than Stallworth and Vick?

Stupid rednecks shoot themselves (and discharge firearms without causing any harm just by luck) all the time. This is America. A fellow should be allowed to shoot himself on accident. If it had happened to Ty Cobb back in the day everybody would be laughing about it.

On Stallworth and Vick. I will say what my grandparents said.

"Someone else getting off light, isnt an excuse for you to"

BaseballMan · 08-06-2009, 07:59 AM

Isnt there a manadatory minimum jail time for carrying a weapon into a
nightclub? I think the jail time might be excessive but if there is a minimum time, i dont think they should bend the rules for him.

I think they should give him the same sentence they would an average person with the same kind of history.
Dont punish him more or less because hes famous but the same as anyone else.

marioh · 08-06-2009, 08:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 9lives

Seems excessive.
Stupid rednecks shoot themselves (and discharge firearms without causing any harm just by luck) all the time. This is America. A fellow should be allowed to shoot himself on accident. If it had happened to Ty Cobb back in the day everybody would be laughing about it.

Yeah, but the difference is he shot himself in NYC, which has some of the most stringent conceal and gun laws in the nation.
He was carrying a loaded firearm into a nightclub - strike 1
It was a concealed firearm, and he did not have a permit to do so in NYC - strike 2
He discharged a firearm in a crowded place, putting others at risk - strike 3

Looks to me that Plax has struck out.

8675309 · 08-06-2009, 09:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RchW

The most important thing is to apply the law fully to everyone, including the rich/famous/powerful people. In many cases this is not done and it is inexcusable. If I were caught in such a fashion, I'm quite sure there would be no question as to my punishment.

Bababui is also bang on.

I think the bold makes it better. Everything else I agree with.

8675309 · 08-06-2009, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BaseballMan

Isnt there a manadatory minimum jail time for carrying a weapon into a
nightclub? I think the jail time might be excessive but if there is a minimum time, i dont think they should bend the rules for him.

I think they should give him the same sentence they would an average person with the same kind of history.
Dont punish him more or less because hes famous but the same as anyone else.

Great post.

8675309 · 08-06-2009, 10:06 AM

oops

marioh · 08-06-2009, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Left-handed Badger

But, I will say Mayor Bloomberg is a complete tool.

That he is.
He's a pompous dick suffering from short man syndrome, and looking back, I should've sliced a golf ball towards his general direction when I had the chance at Randall's Island driving range.

08-05-2009, 06:58 PM	#1
KurtBevacqua Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 2,968	Am I the only person who feels sorry for Plaxico? I realize what the prosecutors and grand jury in NYC are trying to do by taking advantage of this high profile case to make an example for gun control in the city. And normally I'm right there with the authorities in taking a strong stand. But the brother shot himself in the leg, missed a year of work, and lost his job. And not to mention the fact he's pretty much proving to be a knucklehead incapable of getting out of his own way. Is the community really served by sending him to jail for three and a half years? Maybe it makes a bunch of people feel better knowing that he's going to suffer, but I don't see the jail time making a positive difference in his life at this point and I don't see him as a menace to society either. He shot himself for cripes sake. If he didn't learn his lesson from that then jailtime isn't going to make an impact. __________________ "The type and formula of most schemes of philanthropy or humanitarianism is this: A and B put their heads together to decide what C shall be made to do for D. The radical vice of all these schemes, from a sociological point of view, is that C is not allowed a voice in the matter, and his position, character, and interests, as well as the ultimate effects on society through C's interests, are entirely overlooked. I call C the Forgotten Man" - William Graham Sumner

08-05-2009, 07:11 PM	#2
kq76 Global Moderator Join Date: Nov 2002 Posts: 11,770	The guy shot himself for Pete's sake. If one can shoot themselves by accident don't you think there's a good chance that they could shoot someone else by accident? I dunno. I think drunk drivers should be put in jail for a good long time to wise up and seeing as how Plaxico was similarly endangering the public he should probably spend a good long time in jail thinking about how he was endangering the lives of others as well. If I hung out where he hung out I'd certainly feel safer with him in jail than with him out. __________________ My OOTP Wishlist \| My FAQ List OOTP Wiki \| Your Recommended Team Nicknames, By City (A Crowdsourced Project)

08-05-2009, 10:06 PM	#6
RchW Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Toronto ON by way of Glasgow UK Posts: 15,629	The most important thing is to apply the law fully to rich/famous/powerful people. In many cases this is not done and it is inexcusable. If I were caught in such a fashion, I'm quite sure there would be no question as to my punishment. Bababui is also bang on. __________________ Cheers RichW If you’re looking for a good cause to donate money to please consider a Donation to Parkinson’s Canada. It may help me have a better future and if not me, someone else. Thanks. “Conservatism consists of exactly one proposition …There must be in-groups whom the law protects but does not bind, alongside out-groups whom the law binds but does not protect.” Frank Wilhoit

08-06-2009, 03:22 AM	#8
rem Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: College Park, Md. Posts: 5,024	3 1/2 years seems excessive but that's the law and I don't think his stupidity is a point in his favor. __________________ OTBA: Washington Filibusters CLBR: Minnesota Twins 2005 Winner of LL's Pick the Loser Contest! - 15-0

08-06-2009, 03:33 AM	#9
Goody Hall Of Famer Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: South Korea Posts: 3,530	Seems excessive. He got more time than Stallworth and Vick? Stupid rednecks shoot themselves (and discharge firearms without causing any harm just by luck) all the time. This is America. A fellow should be allowed to shoot himself on accident. If it had happened to Ty Cobb back in the day everybody would be laughing about it. __________________ In the past: Laseron Baseball Association creator. Present: I am Rezulm on PT and OOTP Discord. Future: I wish it was the past. Last edited by Goody; 08-06-2009 at 03:35 AM.

08-05-2009, 09:48 PM	#5
CMH Hall Of Famer Join Date: Feb 2002 Posts: 5,057	Don't feel sorry for him. The jail time may not teach him anymore than what he's already dealt with, but it will definitely set an example for other people. As long as the city continues to be hard on illegal gun holders, things will get better. Taking a high profile face, a New Yorker, and basically telling the city: "If this can happen to an athlete, it will happen to you" is the strongest form of advertising for the type of people that might think of following in his footsteps. If the system was easy on Plaxico, it would have been brushed off as another celebrity walking away from a system that is apparently so solid it's posted everywhere you go in the city. If the city is serious then they need to be all the time.

08-06-2009, 04:25 AM	#13
ukhotstove Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: North of England Gods Country Posts: 7,175	I'm with kq and baba plus add the fact the bullet could easily have hit someone else doesn't make me feel sorry for him at all. __________________ Detroit Diesel Dynasty San Antonio Calzones of Laredo Dynasty

08-06-2009, 07:59 AM	#15
BaseballMan Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 6,522	Isnt there a manadatory minimum jail time for carrying a weapon into a nightclub? I think the jail time might be excessive but if there is a minimum time, i dont think they should bend the rules for him. I think they should give him the same sentence they would an average person with the same kind of history. Dont punish him more or less because hes famous but the same as anyone else.

08-06-2009, 10:06 AM	#19
8675309 Bat Boy Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 7	oops __________________ I got it, I got it, I got it! I got your number on the wall! I got it, I got it, I got it! For a good time, for a good time call....