Common sense, as the saying goes, isnÕt all that common. In fact, it can be something of a precious commodity if you look at some recent new stories:¥ Stephanie Tavares recently reported in the Las Vegas Sun about federal efforts to clean up desert areas in Southern Nevada because people are dumping their junk there. A handful of agencies formed DonÕt Trash Nevada, which is trying to teach people a lesson they should have learned in kindergarten: DonÕt litter!
Of course, this is not just simply littering. ItÕs dumping appliances, tires and anything else on public land. We would think that people would have the sense to realize thatÕs wrong, but officials say theyÕre seeing the trash pile up and are trying to get a basic message out.
ÒWe have to convince them that it is their land theyÕre trashing,Ó said Beth Barrie, the project director.
Dumping trash in the desert sounds like a lot more work than putting it at the curb or going to the dump or a trash collection center, but some people say they dump in the desert because itÕs cheaper than going to the dump. Really? We wonder if those are the same people who complain about the use of public money, which goes for things like ... desert cleanups.
¥ Last month a Tennessee man name Walter Fitzpatrick, a member of a right-wing extremist group, decided to take the law into his own hands. He had ÒcitizensÕ arrest warrantsÓ for two dozen local, state and federal officials, and marched down to the county courthouse to take the foreman of the grand jury into custody. The grand jury had refused his request to investigate the ÒlegitimacyÓ of President Barack ObamaÕs election. FitzpatrickÕs plan backfired. He ended up in jail, accused of disorderly conduct, inciting a riot and resisting arrest.
ThatÕs the way the law works, but FitzpatrickÕs comrades didnÕt understand that.
Darren Huff of Georgia went to Tennessee to free Fitzgerald, armed with a Colt .45 and an AK-47. He was stopped by police for traffic violations. He allegedly told police that he was rallying militia members and said if he had enough armed men with him, he would Òtake overÓ the county courthouse. He added that he was willing to die for his beliefs.
Imagine his surprise when the FBI came calling soon after. Federal investigators took HuffÕs words, including an Internet broadcast in which he bragged about his actions, for what they were — a terrorist threat. Huff is now facing federal charges accusing him of traveling across state lines to incite a riot.
Makes sense. This is, as weÕd like to remind the extremists, a nation of laws.
¥ A 17-year-old Philadelphia Phillies fan called his father during a recent game and asked for his permission to run onto the field. His father told him he didnÕt think that was a good idea.
That was an understatement.
The teenager did it anyway. After taking several security guards on a chase through the outfield, a police officer shot him with a Taser gun. The teenager was unharmed and found himself quickly back on his feet, under arrest. He now faces charges of defiant trespass, disorderly conduct and resisting arrest.
Some people — like the boyÕs father and the governor of Pennsylvania — have questioned the police officerÕs use of the Taser. Players, however, said they are concerned about their safety. St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Adam Wainwright, whose team was playing the Phillies, put it this way: ÒIf you donÕt want to get Tased, donÕt go on the field.Ó
Makes sense.
The boy lives with his mother and stepfather, who just happened to be watching the game on TV. The stepfather wondered, ÒWho is that idiot out there?Ó He found out soon enough.
ÒHeÕs a clown,Ó his stepfather told the Philadelphia Daily News, Òbut heÕs got enough common sense to not do something so completely stupid.Ó
The boy just didnÕt use it. And thatÕs the problem for some people: They know better.
Or at least they ought to.
Copyright 2010 Las Vegas Sun
