Ping!
Note to self: leave the cassock behind when in Tampa.
The assailant was probably afraid of a Big Fat Greek Beheading.
A Greek Orthodox priest usually wears a large cross. One would have thought that was a clue to the marine reservist that the man was not a moslem. I have never seen a Greek Orthodox priest without his full cassock on but like I said, a cross is always part of the attire. Perhaps, there should be some kind of education in the military about what Europeans look like, as well as Arabs. Oh but that would be profiling. Better to chase some poor Christian priest around with a crowbar because he has an accent and dark hair. I hope that reservist apologizes immediately.
I’m guessing the responses will range from calling this incident a hate crime on one end to characterizing it as the brave actions of a vigilant reservist thwarting a perceived terrorist threat. It appears to me from reading the article that it was a serious error in judgment on the part of the reservist, possibly marked by confusion and misplaced suspicion, resulting in an unprovoked assault on an innocent victim.
I would be disappointed if the Marines trained him to go after civilians on the streets of America, with his tire iron.
Better safe than sorry.
Oh...and then after this marine reservist gets a lawyer, they concoct this story:
Attorney Jeff Brown tells FOX 13 he is representing Bruce. He said that Marakis was trespassing and made a sexual reference toward Bruce, and grabbed his genitals. Brown said Bruce was only defending himself.
http://www.myfoxtampabay.com/dpp/news/local/hillsborough/marine-charged-in-attack-on-priest-111009
Putting the “Duh” in Floriduh
No matter what all else happens, I know for a fact that the entire week of this Marine’s squad leader, Platoon Sergeant, First Sergeant, Lieutenant, and Company Commander is going to be ruined.
I think I’m willing to wait and hear what the marine has to say for himself, and maybe we could look into his background before making a snap judgement?