04/26/24
September 22, 2003
Fan violence in America?: At least over the pond you get stabbed or beat the f up.
People don't hit each other anymore - they either shoot or sue. Culture of either fear or victimhood - depending on your mood. It's situations like these that illustrate the need for less armed hotheads. You know, some guy calls your wife/girl a fat bitch (or something simliar) and you're angry, enraged even, and you realize you have a .44 with modified .357 wadcutters in your trunk. No need to let cooler heads prevail!
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 10:00 AM on September 22, 2003
Weedy, just like my good friend Charleston says, 'Guns don't kill people. People kill people.' (tongue so firmly implanted in cheek, vise grips are needed to pry it loose)
posted by garfield at 10:04 AM on September 22, 2003
Did anyone else find it strange that the article ended like this: "The Giants won the game 6-4." It's as if they figured die-hard fans would be impatiently scanning the news story about the murder while saying, "what about the game?! how did the GAME turn out!" Weird.
posted by spnx at 10:14 AM on September 22, 2003
yeah, spnx, that was very odd. I wonder how many events it will take until service of beer is outright banned in sports arenas here in the States like it is in most if not all of Europe.
posted by Ufez Jones at 10:22 AM on September 22, 2003
Ufez, to answer your question: Lots. Or one or two successful lawsuits. Teams make an enormous sum from the sale of beer at stadiums and until that is offset by liability costs, they will continue to sell, sell, sell. And when if/when it does happen, I'll be angry. I get angry easily and it would be a case of a few rotten apples spoiling it for everyone, which would make me particularly angry. I'm certainly no saint when I've had a few too many at a game, but I'm not running on the field, fighting neighbors in my section or shooting people. Mostly I yelled slurred insults at the home team and go to the bathroom a lot.
posted by 86 at 10:34 AM on September 22, 2003
86, there was the spitting incident.....that was really funny, though.
posted by garfield at 10:44 AM on September 22, 2003
86, I wasn't implying that I think it should happen, but more as a question of when the inevitable will. I do wish that the bouncers or security or whatever you want to call them would be more liberal in tossing out those that can no longer control themselves, but for those that can enjoy a game with a beer or eight, and be cool, I've got no problem with them. Most stadiums and arenas now have "family-friendly" sections where alcohol isn't served, which I think is a great idea for those that don't want their kids to hear every word under the sun 500 times. Then again, I'd rather chill with a six-pack and a group of friends at home. At least then I know I'll be safe. And have an extra $50 in my account.
posted by Ufez Jones at 11:03 AM on September 22, 2003
When I was a Dallas Cowboys season ticket holder, you could always count on a few drunken fist-fights in the parking lot on the way out of the stadium.
posted by rcade at 11:12 AM on September 22, 2003
Aren't Dodgers fans all laid-back left coast types? 'I'd shoot you if it meant that I wouldn't be late for my Spiritual Power of the Wind lesson.' I love how the artilce finishes: On behalf of the Los Angeles Dodgers, I'd like to say how sad we are by the tragic incident," Hall said. The Giants won the game 6-4. Tragic that Shawn Green costs $17 mil a year!
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 11:30 AM on September 22, 2003
On Saturday, Dodgers spokesman Derrick Hall expressed condolences to Antenorcruz's family. "On behalf of the Los Angeles Dodgers, I'd like to say how sad we are by the tragic incident," Hall said. Obviously not being able to speak English isn't an obstacle to getting the spokesman job. Is he an ex-player?
posted by squealy at 12:02 PM on September 22, 2003
Don't tell billsaysthis about this... He thinks Americans aren't violent. No, come on, I never said that. However, I'm still saying there's a difference in that we don't have to tell one team to leave its fans at home for away games. Not even Raiders fans. While in Europe that seems to happen with regularity.
posted by billsaysthis at 12:43 PM on September 22, 2003
What about stadium security, which presumably allowed a gun into the stadium? It's a little early to assert the gun definitely made its way in the stadium, but I'm guessing the culprit didn't go back to his car to get his gat.
posted by garfield at 01:31 PM on September 22, 2003
They tell fans to stay at home so they don't beat each other up...not because they are going to shoot each other.
posted by StarFucker at 02:02 PM on September 22, 2003
Brennan said Antenorcruz got into an argument with the suspects before one of the men went to his car, pulled out a gun and fired. Do you actually read any of the links garfy? ;-) And bill, what do you mean, it happens with regularity? I don't think it happens that regularly at all. In fact I'd say it happens rarely or at most very occasionally.
posted by squealy at 02:08 PM on September 22, 2003
Shootings here in the 'States' hardly ever happen. Thats what makes this story FPP-worthy. And for the record, we yank's enjoy a good bout of fisticuffs and shanking, as much as the rest of you lot.
posted by lilnemo at 02:24 PM on September 22, 2003
read, who me? never! squealy, you got me. I actually didn't read this particular article, but rather an initial web posting in the wee hours on Sunday. I figured this story would be plastered all over the web, but I had to google it just to find an article. I guess somebody actually did some investigating since then. I'd wager a guess, as Weedy alludes to up top, the availability of firearms directly correlates to the shootings, however rare, and the stark absence of shootings elsewhere.
posted by garfield at 02:32 PM on September 22, 2003
Don't tell billsaysthis about this... He thinks Americans aren't violent.