Thursday, January 31, 2008

Joe Willie On The Shrimpbox: Unfair Fight

UNFAIR FIGHT
Don't Mess With A Marine Who's Trying To Eat Police investigate
the scene - The 71-year-old retired Marine who opened fire on two
robbers at a Plantation, FL , sub shop late Wednesday, killing one and
critically wounding the other, is described as John Lovell, a former
pilot for two presidents. He doesn't drink, he doesn't smoke, he works
out everyday. Lovell was a man of action Wednesday night. According to
Plantation police, two masked gunmen came
into the Subway at 1949 N. Pine Rd. Just after 11 p.m. There was a lone
diner -- Lovell, who was finishing his meal. After robbing the cashier,
the two men attempted to shove Lovell into a bathroom and rob him as
well. They got his money. But then Lovell pulled hi s handgun, opened
fire, shooting one of the thieves in the head and chest and the other in
the head. When police arrived, they found one of the men in the shop.
K-9 units found the other in the bushes of a nearby business. They also
found cash strewn around the front of the sandwich shop according to
Detective Robert Rettig of the Plantation Police Department. Both men
were taken to Broward General Medical Center, where one, Donicio
Arrindell, 22, of North Lauderdale died. The other, 21-year-old
Frederick Gadson of Fort Lauderdale is in critical but stable condition.

A longtime friend of Lovell, was not surprised to hear what happened.
''He'd give you the shirt off his back and he'd be mad if someone
tried to take the shirt off your back,'' he said. Lovell worked as a
pilot f o r the Marines, flying former Presidents John F. Kennedy and
Lyndon B. Johnson. He later worked as a pilot for Pan Am and Delta.
Lovell is not married and does not have children. He is not expected to
be charged, authorities said ''He was in fear for his life,'' Rettig
said. "These criminals ought to realize that most men in their 70's
have military backgrounds and aren't intimidated by idiots."Something
tells me this old Marine wasn't "in fear" even though his life was
definitely at risk. The only thing he could be charged with is
participating in an unfair fight. One 71 -year young Marine against two
punks. Two head shots and one center -body-mass shot - good shooting!.
That'll teach them not to get between a Marine and his meal. Don't you
just love a story with a happy ending?

(Florida law allows law abiding citizens to carry a concealed weapon.)

Wednesday, January 16, 2008

Joe Willie On The Shrimpbox: Let's Really Fix The St. Simons Causeway

I agree 100% with The Brunswick News editorial about the need for a barrier or guard rail in the center lane of the St. Simons Causeway. 8 people have been killed in crashes on that stretch of road since 2004. Most of the deaths have been the result of head-on collisions. A barrier will vehicles from crossing into oncoming traffic.
The Georgia Department Of Transportation keeps telling us that center lane barriers cause more problems and more crashes. I don't believe that! If that's the case why they did put a concrete divider on the Sidney Lanier Bridge? For that matter, why do we even need the barriers on the side of the bridge? It looks pretty simple to me: a barrier will save lives. The D.O.T. had the resources to put in a middle lane. I would think we would also the resources to put in either a concrete divider or, like they do in South Carolina, a steel cable. How many more lives will be lost before our "experts" see the obvious? The D.O.T. needs to listen to the real experts on this one: the folks that drive over the causeway everyday

Wednesday, January 9, 2008

Joe Willie On The Shrimpbox: "The Golden Screw"

"The Golden Screw"

Once upon a time, a young lad was born without a belly
button. In its place was a golden screw. All the doctors
told his mother that there was nothing they could do.
Like it or not, he was stuck with it.

All the years of growing up were real tough on him, as
all who saw the screw made fun of him. He avoided
ever leaving his house and thus, never made any friends.

One day, a mysterious stranger saw his belly and told him
of a swami in Tibet that could get rid of the screw for him.
He was thrilled. The next day he took all of his life's savings
and bought a ticket to Nepal! After several days of climbing
up steep cliffs, he came upon a giant monastery. The swami
knew exactly why he had come. He was told to sleep in the
highest tower of the monastery and the following day when
he awoke, the screw would have been removed.

The man immediately went to the room and fell asleep.
During the night while he slept, a purple fog floated in an
open window, bearing in its mist, a golden screwdriver.

In just moments, the screwdriver removed the screw and
disappeared out the window. The next morning when the
man woke, he saw the golden screw lying on the pillow
next to him. Reaching down, he felt his navel, and there
was no screw there! Jubilant, he leaped out of bed,
..... and his butt fell off.

The moral to this is: "Don't screw around with things you
don't understand -- you could lose your butt."

Tuesday, January 8, 2008

Joe Willie On The Shrimpbox: "City Officials Want To Fight Crime?"

Joe Willie On The Shrimpbox: "City Officials Want To Fight Crime?"

According to the headline in The Brunswick News, "City officials vow to visit crime areas". The local lawmakers say they want to do more than talk the talk. "When it comes to fighting crime, they want to show they can also walk the walk". Starting this afternoon at 5, the Mayor and his want-a-be crimefighter co-horts will do a walk-thru of McIntyre Court. They plan to visit every neighborhood that was troubled by crime in 2007.

That's nice, but if you really want to make a statement go out after Midnight on Friday and hang out in the hood. Could this just be another piece of feel-good legislation that's forthcoming? You know, we can't really do anything about it so let's just create another law to the books. How 'bout we enforce the laws that we already have on the books before we create more! Let's get the kids off the streets after curfew. Let's keep people from congregating in the middle of streets selling drugs, peddling sex, and drinking whiskey! Enforce the current laws and you'll take a big step in stopping crime and violence in our city.

The Mayor is now un-employed. He no longer has a full-time job. Hmmm, he could become a City Policeman. he's in pretty good physical shape and he's already shown us what he can do by taking care of that flasher a while back in Downtown Brunswick.
Actually, there's one person that could really help start a stop-crime campaign. In fact he's already started it. Hire Hector The Protector to roam our streets and protect the innocent.

Monday, January 7, 2008

Joe Willie On The Shrimpbox: Life Lessons

21 Life Lessons

ONE. Give people more than they expect and do it cheerfully.

TWO. Marry a man/woman you love to talk to. As you get older, theirconversational skills will be as important as any other.

THREE. Don't believe all you hear, spend all you have or sleep all youwant.

FOUR. When you say, 'I love you,' mean it.

FIVE. When you say, 'I'm sorry,' look the person in th e eye.

SIX.. Be engaged at least six months before you get married.

SEVEN. Believe in love at first sight.

EIGHT. Never laugh at anyone's dream. People who don't have dreams don'thave much.

NINE. Love deeply and passionately. You might get hurt but it's the onlyway to live life completely.

TEN. In disagreements, fight fairly. No name calling.

ELEVEN. Don't judge people by their relatives.

TWELVE. Talk slowly but think quickly.

THIRTEEN. When someone asks you a question you don't want to answer,smile and ask, 'Why do you want to know?'

FOURTEEN. Remember that great love and great achievements involve greatrisk.

FIFTEEN. Say 'God bless you' when you hear someone sneeze.

SIXTEEN. When you lose, don't lose the lesson .

SEVENTEEN. Remember the three R's: Respect for self; Respect for others;and Responsibility for all your actions.

EIGHTEEN. Don't let a little dispute injure a great friendship.

NINETEEN. When you realize you've made a mistake, take immediate stepsto correct it.

TWENTY. Smile when picking up the phone. The caller will hear it in yourvoice.

TWENTY-ONE. Spend some time alone.