Dad Sorry For Setting Self On Fire After Son Dies In Iraq

channel3000.com ^ | 2004 | The Associated Press.

[iwannaknow07]

HIALEAH, Fla. -- A Florida man has apologized for setting fire to the van driven by a team of Marines who had come to tell him his son was dead. Carlos Arredondo had a private meeting with the Marines Saturday at a base in suburban Miami. When it was over, Arredondo saluted and embraced the Marines.

Arredondo was celebrating his 44th birthday at his home in Hollywood on Aug. 25 when the Marine van pulled up. Arredondo had been expecting a call from his son. Instead, he was told Lance Cpl. Alexander Arredondo had been killed in combat in Najaf.

The father said he "got very upset." He grabbed a propane torch and a gasoline can from his garage, smashed a window of the Marines' van, poured in gasoline and climbed inside.

He was burned over a quarter of his body when he turned on the torch. He saud it was accidental. The Marines put out the flames on his body.

[Luddite Patent Counsel]

"If the Marines that you contend that he endangered (they apparently did not feel endangered) can forgive him and YOU cannot, it is you I pity."

Who said anything about forgiveness? The "man" didn't do anything to me. Consequently, I do not have the power to forgive him. If you have no understanding of forgiveness, it is yet another reason to pity you.

"When you are rude, insenitive [sic], and wrong and apologize, you have honor.

When you are rude, insenitive [sic], and wrong and try to place the blame on others, you are a cad and a lout."

So, setting a vehicle on fire (a vehicle you do not own), setting yourself on fire, endangering the owners of the vehicle, bystanders, and rescue personnel, is merely "rude and insensitive"? That's a bit of an understatement.

"I see you are new here. If this format does not suit you, you are free to leave and not come back."

"This format" does not require me to agree with your point of view, mollycoddle your ignorant "sensitivities", or celebrate your lack of a discernible sense of humor. I appreciate your recognition of my freedoms, and remind you that you have the same freedoms available.

[Blood of Tyrants]

I stand by my comment, you are a jerk and an insensitive lout. Trying to justify your tasteless comment with equally uninformed and boorish comments only serves to prove my point.

[Luddite Patent Counsel]

Thanks for your input, and have a Merry Christmas.