Get Well Busted

Busted must be pretty damn sick. In his abscence I'm throwing up a post from my place about the soldier who died after a fight in Steamboat Springs. You may have seen reference to this other places. The title is a link to the post at Outta the Cornfield as the comments provide a bit more.

Take care of yourself Busted and get back here soon. One Fly


This is a followup to the previous post concerning the beating resulting in death of a soldier over a goddamn song playing on a jukebox here in Steamboat Springs,Co.

Sgt. 1st Class Richard Lopez was a member of U.S. special forces in Iraq and Afghanistan who was badly wounded in Afghanistan, his relatives said today.

Here is the link to the latest article from the local fish wrapper that contains quite a bit more information.

Needless to say I am saddened and also super pissed off about this for more than one reason.

This soldier was able to survive those two hell holes plus being severely wounded but unable to survive the streets of Steamboat Springs having been murdered in the middle of downtown. Murder isn't quite correct because he died later of severe head trauma but this is a killing without question.

It happened right outside of this business where the problems started right in the center of downtown about a ten block stretch.


This town because of the way it has been developed now depends on tourists to drive the economy. Realtors and the Chamber of Commerce are the main players with the family aspect a large part of the marketing plan. In past history population doubles several times during the year. That has not happened this ski season so far.

To my way of thinking there are far too many reports of intoxicated people in public along with the fights. Few arrests or charges because it's my opinion that costs people in business money. Ironically there are many DUI arrests.

There has been no mention of alcohol with the five men involved but you can bet your life it's part of this tragedy. This country's relationship with alcohol is and has been an extreme negative for our society. Much of the negative is the result of the way it's marketed.

Want to offer sincere condolences to Mr. Lopez's son, his family and friends and say to them that even in disagreement with the wars does not mean this man's service to our country is not respected or appreciated. It's the opposite.

I'm so sorry this happened.