Delonte Arrested? (Windy article p. 31)

[MYoung23]

Gun culture is a "symbolic right"

Wow!

That to me is a sad sad statement.

Honestly who gives a shit about whether the founding fathers or Dora the Explorer come up the bear to arms stuff, it is quite ridiculous no matter what background of the people of your country. Australia also is a highly immigrated country yet somehow hasn't managed to sink to those lows.

Do nothing wrong and you don't need any protecting.

No excuse for West for mine.

You clearly dont know the history of oppressed people in the US.

Also, we have a little thing called the 2nd Amendment in this thing called the US Constitution.

 

[macbdog]

I still don't understand the need to carry a gun around in public. I've lived 26 years and have walked through some pretty shitty areas with a wallet, watch, phone, etc on me and never been mugged.

And if I was mugged and someone had a gun to my head, would I really have time to reach into my pocket, grab my gun, take the safety off and shoot the guy without getting myself killed? Don't these guys watch your pockets pretty closely when you pull something out of them?

I always thought having a gun on you was more of a liability, machismo thing than a real solution to problems you might face.

Hey, for the most part I agree with you- I wouldn't carry a gun for the same reasons. I would just as likely to get myself killed; I would rather let the thug get my wallet and me keep my life. The gun is also not helpful if there are more than one assailant and/or I can't determine how many there are. Not to mention that if I am with a girlfriend, the last thing I want to be doing to popping off shots if I feel the situation can be rectified by handing over a wallet and being done with it. I know cops who don't carry their firearm off-duty for this exact reason, they see all the bad situations that could pop up from having the gun on them in situations where doing what you are told is usually the best course of action.

But on the other hand, you also stated a reason why you wouldn't- you have never been mugged. Some folks I know who pack have been in those bad situations. Not just mugged but beaten. Or worse. You can't write off everyone's desire to carry around protection as something 'machismo', not that this was your intended point but I am just saying.



As for Delonte, this continues to look like some sort of psychological episode. Whether he was in a mood swing or mildly delusional (thinking people were after him), this doesn't compare to a Plaxico Burress carrying a loaded handgun into a nightclub. West cooperated with the authorities. As some said, as a first offender (I don't know Delonte's record so I can't say definitively) he can probably avoid jail time considering the extenuating circumstances of his mental state. I can only hope that things work out the best for him.

 

[GreenCup09]

Gun culture is a "symbolic right"

Wow!

That to me is a sad sad statement.

Honestly who gives a shit about whether the founding fathers or Dora the Explorer come up the bear to arms stuff, it is quite ridiculous no matter what background of the people of your country. Australia also is a highly immigrated country yet somehow hasn't managed to sink to those lows.

Do nothing wrong and you don't need any protecting.

No excuse for West for mine.

All this second amendment tripe that is brought up reminds me of the bible and all the outdated crap that people turn to, to argue their points.

Karma,

Now please put the idea of bearing arms to the side for now because I'm not going to talk about it right now. Our history is something that we pride ourselves with very much and our founding fathers are people we revere as heroes. Comparing them to Dora the Explorer is a little disrespectful.

Also, you think the constitution is outdated? It was written to be a timeless document and can be updated via the amendment process. The Bill of Rights was included with the signing of our constitution. Comparing our constitution to the bible is also disrespectful. It's not a book of faith, it's framework for a government.

I'm not saying you were trying to attack Americans or our beliefs, I'm just saying that you are being somewhat offensive.

 

[2krazee4LIFE]

You clearly dont know the history of oppressed people in the US.

Also, we have a little thing called the 2nd Amendment in this thing called the US Constitution.

So Delonte West is oppressed?

The quotes from his father suggest that he had some people "after him," which sounds like gang stuff, and if Delonte's truly choosing to hang with people into that crap when he clearly doesn't need to, any "oppression" seems self-imposed.

And the 2nd Amendment in no way shape or form guarantees a right to travel around brandishing automatic weapons. That's total BS.

I love Delonte and hope he can pull through this, but the fact that this happened is stupid, psychopathic, or some combination of both (not to mention highly irresponsible to the rest of his teammates, the fans and Cavs management and ownership).

 

[GreenCup09]

So Delonte West is oppressed?

The quotes from his father suggest that he had some people "after him," which sounds like gang stuff, and if Delonte's truly choosing to hang with people into that crap when he clearly doesn't need to, any "oppression" seems self-imposed.

And the 2nd Amendment in no way shape or form guarantees a right to travel around brandishing automatic weapons. That's total BS.

I love Delonte and hope he can pull through this, but the fact that this happened is stupid, psychopathic, or some combination of both (not to mention highly irresponsible to the rest of his teammates, the fans and Cavs management and ownership).

MYOUNG23 wasn't talking about Delonte being oppressed. Read some of the thread earlier. They're talking about the 2nd amendment independently of Delonte's incident. But you're right, there has to be more to the Delonte story. Unfortunately, I'm afraid that there are some things that we don't know and they will be unearthed. I hope it isn't gang related or drug related. You don't just pack that kind of fire power for no reason.

 

[KI4MVP]

Well, we have had a civil war with the constitution in place, so its not that simple. Voting happens only once every 4 years for the executive branch, lots of damage can be done in that time, plus voting can be rigged.

We had a civil war because people with guns wanted to protect their right to oppress people. Pretty much of the opposite of the intent.

 

[2krazee4LIFE]

MYOUNG23 wasn't talking about Delonte being oppressed. Read some of the thread earlier. They're talking about the 2nd amendment independently of Delonte's incident. But you're right, there has to be more to the Delonte story. Unfortunately, I'm afraid that there are some things that we don't know and they will be unearthed. I hope it isn't gang related or drug related. You don't just pack that kind of fire power for no reason.

If I misread what MY23 said then I apologize, he's usually quite thoughtful and informative.

And I understand the need for people to protect themselves, particularly in communities where historically police have served more as an occupying power than a protective force.

That being said, the 2nd Amendment - written in a time when there was no standing army - should not be used as a defense for Delonte West. Why would someone worried for their safety make a flamboyant spectacle of themselves, thereby inviting the danger they're ostensibly trying to avoid?

There's something dangerous and irrational at work here, and, more than anything, for Delonte's sake, I truly hope he gets this straightened out in all respects.

 

[Lee]

We had a civil war because people with guns wanted to protect their right to oppress people. Pretty much of the opposite of the intent.

Well sort of, the civl war had alot more implications to it than just the slavery issue. Economic and stat right issues might have even more to do with the war than slavery. And if the south bearred arms to prevent freedoms, the north bearred arms to create freedoms.

 

[*THE ORIGINAL*]

So Delonte West is oppressed?

The quotes from his father suggest that he had some people "after him," which sounds like gang stuff, and if Delonte's truly choosing to hang with people into that crap when he clearly doesn't need to, any "oppression" seems self-imposed.

And the 2nd Amendment in no way shape or form guarantees a right to travel around brandishing automatic weapons. That's total BS.

I love Delonte and hope he can pull through this, but the fact that this happened is stupid, psychopathic, or some combination of both (not to mention highly irresponsible to the rest of his teammates, the fans and Cavs management and ownership).

I'm not sure if you're referring to Delonte with that statement or not, but he did not have automatic weapons

 

[Backstage]

West made the SNL Thursday show.

Should be on Hulu or youtube by tomorrow.

And avatar'd. Thanks for the heads up!

 

[MYoung23]

So Delonte West is oppressed?

The quotes from his father suggest that he had some people "after him," which sounds like gang stuff, and if Delonte's truly choosing to hang with people into that crap when he clearly doesn't need to, any "oppression" seems self-imposed.

And the 2nd Amendment in no way shape or form guarantees a right to travel around brandishing automatic weapons. That's total BS.

I love Delonte and hope he can pull through this, but the fact that this happened is stupid, psychopathic, or some combination of both (not to mention highly irresponsible to the rest of his teammates, the fans and Cavs management and ownership).

Dude, did I mention Delonte West? No, I didnt.

You never ever never trust the government enough to give up your rights to guns no matter whether if you like whomever is the President or not.

The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government. - Thomas Jefferson

One of the reasons why The Black Panthers came into existence was to stop the abuse and murder of people in Oakland. They started to "police the police." That was just a generation ago.

 

[MYoung23]

Also, let me state that I dont even like guns. I dont own a gun and Ive handled a couple of them and didnt like it.

But, I want to reserve the right to get one of these babies if they make any in my lifetime.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uH2dM_LLKJg

 

[King J]

Saterday Night Live had a spoof on Delonte. It was on weekend update, the guy basically said what happened and then followed with and thats why delonte is the most interesting man in the world with a dos equis symbol next to him.

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[KI4MVP]

Well sort of, the civl war had alot more implications to it than just the slavery issue. Economic and stat right issues might have even more to do with the war than slavery. And if the south bearred arms to prevent freedoms, the north bearred arms to create freedoms.

the US Army had the guns in the north.

 

[Redz West is Best]

Ok, I looked up the laws specifically in maryland since that is the only state that matters right now. You dont have to register a weapon in maryland, but it is almost impossible to get a concealled weapon permit. Now, Delonte did have 2 concealed weapons, that is important to note is illegal in Maryland. As far as his mental state, there is a background check to purchase a firearm in Maryland. This is where the "mental disorder" could come into play. Most states do have laws preventing gun ownership. But lets deal with Maryland specifically since that is where he was found. I looked up the law...so now I am playing dime store lawyer, bute here it is.



The most notable is the mental institution treatment. He has not be treated inpatient for 30 days...thus its legal for him to own a weapon in maryland...and maryland does not require it to be registered.

I will agree that some states would outlaw him woning a gun based upon his bipolar diagnosis, but maryland is not one of them. Further, the pshyiciatric community is split on this issue. Many feel this would further implant negative stigmintation for those with mental illness while others believe the common good is more improtant.

This is a tough issue, because if the proffessionals cant agree, who can we? One thing for sure is that it wasnt illegal for delonte to won a weapon, but it was a misdemeanor for him to conceal the weapons.

The mental state issue should be taken into consideration during his background investigation. His mental status should not affect his punishment in this instance.

In Maryland, we have pretty loose gun laws for being such a liberal state especially in terms of punishment. I doubt Delonte does any prison time.

I said it before Delonte may not have had been officially diagnosed with his mental illness and may not have been officially treated either. He may have been treated alternatively whatever that means. I'm just thinking of in terms of the law, but in Maryland, it is all moot like Lee has explained in his post. When he gets his background check, the investigator needs to take into account all the evidence.