It’s just after 10 AM on April 19th.  A date near the top of the Dept. of Homeland Security’s domestic terrorist watch list.  Will we make it through the day without a major, newsworthy event spawned by anti-authority activism?

• In 1995 Tim McVeigh blew up the Federal building in Oklahoma City killing 168 people including children in the buildings day care.
• In 1993 the Branch Dividians burned themselves up, and took the lives of 20 children, ending a standoff against federal agents.
• In 1992 Randy Weaver gave newspaper reporters an interview to state that he had not fired on Geraldo Rivera’s helicopter flying over his Ruby Ridge cabin, then surrounded by federal authorities who later killed his dog and 14 year old son.  The helicopter pilot himself, Richard Weiss, gave the FBI FD-302 interviews denying that Weaver fired on his helicopter.   Rivera’s false media reports of coming under fire became a large part of the justification later cited by federal agents when drawing up the Ruby Ridge Rules of Engagement, a major event spawning anti-federal activism.
• In 1775 Minutemen in Lexington and Concord, Massachusetts stood their ground against tax collectors sent by the King of England and the first shots of the Revolutionary War were fired.  Although Minuteman Captain John Parker orders the colonists not to fire unless fired upon to this day it’s not clear who shot first.  Modern day anti-federal activists use the anniversary of this event to represent justification for resistance to what is perceived as unjust government authority.

Let’s see what the rest of today brings.  Whatever the wingnuts do, let’s hope they keep the kids out of it next time.

“Ask yourself this, when was the last time you thought seriously about a problem this country has (political, economic, health care, taxes etc) and found yourself changing your mind because you discovered some new fact you previously did not know or you arrived at a different understanding. If you can’t remember the last time this happened, then you are part of  America’s problem. Strict ideology has no place in a well run nation and that includes strict adherence to our constitution, a document that was written hundreds of years ago when society had no cars, planes, TV, internet, railroads, or anything else that makes up our modern world. Not to mention the fact that it permitted slavery and did not permit women or blacks to vote.” – Guest @ cnn.com

http://www.cnn.com/2010/POLITICS/04/14/tea.party.rally/index.html?eref=igoogle_cnn

I haven’t had much time to write lately.  I’ve been too busy at work, playing with kids and playing golf.  But that doesn’t mean Raleigh’s gotten any smaller.  And since it’s growing relentlessly I’m more amazed every time I have a close connection to a local event.  This particular event rubbed a bad nerve with me and those directly effected may not appreciate my opinion.  That’s not unusual is it?

Some friends of mine, Daryl and Scotty, live in a big house on Glenwood Ave. which is divided into five apartments.  The girl that used to live next door, Shawntel Pichardo, was dating a self indulging high roller, Daniel Barillas.   Shawntel worked (or works?) for Lainie Panos, who owns the Primp Salon Bar and lives in the apartment unit above Daryl and Scotty.

I only saw Daniel Barillas one time in my life when he was getting out of his red Maserati parked in front of Shawtel’s apartment.  I’ve heard some wild rumors though.  There were stories floating around about how Daniel owned part of a professional sports team and some other potential fabrications.  He was actually a partner in a local fire protection company.  Daniel had a 6 year-old son, just like me.  He recently got Shawntel pregnant and she gave birth to his second child not long ago.  They were engaged.

On March 28th Daniel decided to speed through downtown Raleigh at about 1 AM and then proceeded to run from a NC State Trooper on Capital Blvd. Daniel tried to exit on to the beltline from Capital and lost control of his red Maserati, hit a group of trees next to the on ramp and got killed.  WTF was he thinking?

I hear Daniel was quite a player.  Daryl said one of the things he verbally confronted Daniel about was his apparent flirting with some of the wait staff and bar tenders at Tobacco Road while Shawtel was probably home with their kids.  Don’t know if this portrayal of Daniel accurately describes his common behavior but here’s what I do know: the state Highway Patrol believes alcohol was a factor in the speeding and wreck that killed the guy.  They are waiting for the toxicology report from medical examiners to confirm.  While I feel sorry for Shawntel and horrible for his kids I have no remorse for any ass-clown that thinks so very little of his children and their mother.

If alcohol was a factor one day his children will learn the reason their father died:  He decided to get drunk and tried to outrun a cop in his fancy red sports car.  In the past I have been guilty of driving drunk.  No state secret there.  Recently I was literally yelled at for not willingly drinking more than a beer or two when I knew I had to drive.  When Amy and I go out I am the designated driver.  I make this sacrifice, if you care to call it that, strictly because I don’t want my children to grow up knowing their father died a stupid, avoidable statistic.

Daniel Barillas, an otherwise successful guy with a beautiful fiancee and kids, died a stupid statistic because he didn’t want to go to jail.  He died because alcohol fueled bad judgment.  You’ve got to wonder why he couldn’t put others in his life ahead of his next drink and a wild joy ride?  He didn’t go down in flames of glory.  He went out like a joke with a really bad punch line.  I doubt I’m the only one who shares this controversial, yet unspoken opinion.