Soldier dies after bar fight over Jimmy Buffett song in Steamboat
By Tillie Fong, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)
Monday, January 5, 2009
Photo by U.S. Army
Richard Lopez
A soldier from Fort Bragg died this morning in Denver from injuries suffered from a bar fight in Steamboat Springs on Friday night over a Jimmy Buffett song.
Richard Lopez, 37, of Fayetteville, N.C., was pronounced dead at 4:16 a.m. today at Denver Health Medical Center. An autopsy by the Arapahoe County Coroner's office is scheduled for Tuesday.
"This is a very sad and serious case," said Capt. Joel Rae with Steamboat Springs police.
So far, no suspects have been arrested, although police have talked to two individuals involved in the fight.
"We know where they are and they have been interviewed," said Rae.
The case is being investigated as a homicide.
The incident occurred before 12:15 a.m. Friday when police were called to a fight between five people outside the Tap House.
"The initial disagreement was about music being played on the jukebox," said Rae, adding that it was a Jimmy Buffet song.
"Richard Lopez and two other individuals put on the song, but two other individuals did not agree with it."
It was not known which Jimmy Buffett song was being played at the time, but the fight was taken outside the bar.
By the time officers arrived on scene, the fight was over and Lopez was on the ground at Lincoln Avenue and Seventh Street.
Two of Lopez's friends, who were not identified by police but are from Steamboat Springs, were also injured in the fight.
Lopez was initially taken to Yampa Valley Medical Center, but later airlifted to Denver Health Medical Center.
Lopez's friends, identified by the Steamboat Pilot as Timothy Mottlau of Norfolk, Va., and Wesley Mottlau, of Fayetteville, N.C., were taken to the hospital with cuts and bruises.
Calls to the Mottlau's home in Steamboat Springs were not returned today.
Rae said that all three were on leave from the military - Lopez and one of his friends were with the Army, while the other friend was in the Navy.
A call to Fort Bragg indicated that Lopez was part of a special forces unit. More details were not available about his service.
Rae said the case is still under investigation.
"Somebody died," he said. "We're taking this very seriously."
While he said barfights were not uncommon in the town, it was unusual that a person died in a fight not involving any weapons.
"This is the first time that a physical fight has resulted in a loss of life from the use of hands and fists," he said.
"It's a shame that it had to happen."
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January 5, 2009
4:39 p.m.
JTTAAB writes:
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January 5, 2009
4:51 p.m.
The_Punnisher writes:
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January 5, 2009
4:55 p.m.
Arioch writes:
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January 5, 2009
4:56 p.m.
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wanta_bee writes:
What a terrible thing to happen to a great town! There is no need for violence for any reason. STOP THE VIOLENCE! To the people who did this horrible act, get some help to learn to CONTROL YOURSELVES ...and in this case control your drinking! Only you can be the change you want to see in the world- be a peaceful change!
January 5, 2009
5:12 p.m.
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LS writes:
Stupid. To kill someone over jukebox music. No respect for life or humanity anymore, on so many levels.
January 5, 2009
5:22 p.m.
anderson writes:
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January 5, 2009
5:22 p.m.
leavemealone writes:
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January 5, 2009
5:30 p.m.
rkoehler writes:
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January 5, 2009
6:06 p.m.
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mytwosense writes:
Alcohol and testosterone...not a good mix.
January 5, 2009
6:17 p.m.
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leavemealone writes:
Sounds like a major head injury.....that $ucks!
Good old fist fight never hurt anybody - well until last Friday night.
January 5, 2009
6:23 p.m.
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WestminsterJ writes:
There's no time like the announcement of a tragic and needless death to make puerile jokes. Well done, kiddies.
January 5, 2009
6:57 p.m.
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AngelontheSidelines writes:
I'm no parrothead, still I cannot fathom why Buffet gets the violent thumbs down in a resort bar, with a tragic end to boot.
January 5, 2009
7:08 p.m.
deadndenver writes:
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January 5, 2009
7:08 p.m.
stumanchu writes:
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January 5, 2009
7:17 p.m.
TatMat76 writes:
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January 5, 2009
8:56 p.m.
MM2 writes:
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January 5, 2009
9:30 p.m.
LadyBird112 writes:
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January 5, 2009
9:37 p.m.
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scooterchic writes:
Nice how little respect you have for the life lost. I was always taught that if you don't have anything nice to say -- don't say it. Guess it's more of a joke to you.
January 5, 2009
9:39 p.m.
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Dynamicdave writes:
WestminsterJ, I have to agree. Stupid to be fighting and dieing over a song, but even more stupid to be making jokes about a mans death.
January 5, 2009
9:42 p.m.
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Dynamicdave writes:
scooterchic, ditto.
January 5, 2009
10:50 p.m.
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mt writes:
Listen Scoot and Dyna this is not a place to come and cry this is a place to blog your thoughts. Someone dies every minute in this world. I have better things to do with my time then spill tears every minute. Learn to laugh a little and quit getting so butt hurt when you see something you don't agree with. I wouldn't suggest going to the funeral and making funny comments but a few jokes on a blog, come on. This isn't or shouldn't be a place for friends and family to grieve it is a place for complete strangers to voice thier opinions or jokes.
January 5, 2009
11:22 p.m.
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kelviper writes:
Arioch watch your words. His friends may be watching. As for the ones who conducted this tragedy, you won't find mercy here.
January 5, 2009
11:31 p.m.
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Garip writes:
mt, your ignorance is astounding. One can only hope you never successfully breed, or in your case, spawn.
January 6, 2009
1:07 a.m.
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44roger writes:
Stories like this always bring out the village idiots.
January 6, 2009
1:25 a.m.
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happymike44 writes:
Well here we go again someone died for nothing more then a song.
They need to lock up the other combatants involved in this murder.
When do people realize a fight is never the answer to solving a problem.
Murder is Murder and to commit one is the lowest form of a human being.
January 6, 2009
2:33 a.m.
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rockymountainer writes:
I hope his Army brothers find the guys that did this and do a little payback.
January 6, 2009
4:13 a.m.
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mourningmom writes:
Thanks to some of you who wrote your comments of sympathy, but to those of you with your jokes....there will be a special place in hell for you. Oh, by the way, I'm his ex-wife and mother of his child that had to tell my son yesterday that his father died.
January 6, 2009
4:37 a.m.
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Mtgolfer writes:
Booze strikes again. How stupid is it to start a fight over a song that lasts, what? Three minutes.
January 6, 2009
4:39 a.m.
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LOUIE writes:
Relax GARIP, all MT is saying is this is a place open to free thought and even a laugh or two. Tragic yes we all agree, but if people want to fight and die over a Jimmy Buffet song, what can anybody say when grown people do these unexplainable and really dumb things. I think it's tragic the man was special forces, served his country, only to get killed in a bar in his own country over a song. Most of the humor here is not being done in meaness, it just the way others rationalize senseless tragedies. Hollywood does it, stand up comics do it, the world does it. Make it right? About as right as the immature insults you just hurled at MT, which is probably the crux of this whole article that just cost a man his life. Maybe you with your insults could be classified as part of the problem, catch the drift here? Takes two to tango baby. Shame they couldn't laugh the insult off as MT has probably done yours. I know, now it's my turn to be insulted, been through this with you before. Let me have your best shot, I have the hide of an alligator or so I've been told. Kick me a few times about being a convict, that always excits me. LOL!
January 6, 2009
4:48 a.m.
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LOUIE writes:
Even though HAPPYMIKE feels it's tragic as I also do, he didn't hurl insults to get his point across. Think about it GARIP, isn't that probably what started this barfight in the begining. immature people throwing insults?
January 6, 2009
4:54 a.m.
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LOUIE writes:
Maybe find a polite way like:" If my distinguished friend and associate would pause for a moment to realize the fallacy of his reasoning...blah, blah, blah," Want another approach to practice GARIP? I learn a few along life's path that might help you a bit.
January 6, 2009
7:06 a.m.
singularity99 writes:
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January 6, 2009
7:07 a.m.
JimmyTheSaint writes:
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January 6, 2009
7:31 a.m.
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vendari01 writes:
I agree that this young man's death is tragic, especially considering the ridiculous reason for it, but I believe you'd find that he and his fellow soldiers would make such comments, themselves. It is not cold-heartedness, rather a way of coping with death and its effects upon us all. It is quite common in the military.
January 6, 2009
8:03 a.m.
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wyhammertime writes:
What's next gunfights at the card table ?? This country is going down from within not without so sad no respect for eachother the day's of the old west are back !! When our lawmaker's tell us they are moving forward !! This does not suprise me to much ya know the guy waits to pick on you when you are drunk . It used to happen in Hayden alot but that guy got put in his place ha ha ! So Sad,only in America
January 6, 2009
8:17 a.m.
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Marshdale writes:
This guy killed a special forces dude! He must be a pretty tough hombre. I certainly would not have chosen to fight the guy. A Jimmy Buffet song. Unbelievable!
January 6, 2009
9:03 a.m.
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Bronte writes:
mt:
I'm sorry that human life has no value to you, and that you think this is a good place for jokes.
Your indifference to a young man dying for no reason is stunning; your attitude is callous beyond measure.
January 6, 2009
9:08 a.m.
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666 writes:
Nice to see all the comments from my favorite morons have been removed. Learn from that, children.
Seriously...no one should die because of Jimmy Buffett. He's just not worth it. What kind of brain-dead waste of flesh would start a fight that ends in death...over that??
Those "two other individuals" and their friends (if they have any) should be forced to listen to "Margaritaville" at about 180 decibels until their brains (if they have any) liquefy and run out of their nostrils.
January 6, 2009
9:08 a.m.
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lastdance writes:
Sad story- my condolences to the family. If this can happen over a Buffet song just imagine if he had played the sweet sounds of Kenny G...
January 6, 2009
9:10 a.m.
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JustSayin writes:
'mourningmom' - why do I tend to doubt your post...
January 6, 2009
9:14 a.m.
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davies writes:
Bars, people and alcohol: a timeless combination. One can always drink alone of course, or in this case the victim could have chosen to just drink with his buddies. But sometimes when you drink, there is something compelling about wanting to be around other people. Sure, it can be about searching for the opposite sex sometimes. But sometimes it's just about camaraderie and fellowship with your fellow humans that brings about the urge to drink among others. And then ironically, something like this often happens (although not usually fatal).
I have combined excess alcohol and testosterone many many times and for whatever reason, even as a young man my body chemistry just did not ever produce the rage that seems to be lying below the surface in some guys. But then again I guess if I were a Special Forces guy and some younger dude (speculating here) mouthed off about a song I played, I can see how that could have escalated quickly.
No answers here; this is just a shame for all concerned, especially the loved ones of the victim.
January 6, 2009
9:15 a.m.
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666 writes:
Nice to see all the comments from my favorite morons have been removed. Learn from that, children.
Seriously...no one should die because of Jimmy Buffett. He's just not worth it. What kind of brain-dead waste of flesh would start a fight that ends in death...over that??
Those "two other individuals" and their friends (if they have any) should be forced to listen to "Margaritaville" at about 180 decibels until their brains (if they have any) liquefy and run out of their nostrils.
January 6, 2009
9:18 a.m.
goldenski9ier writes:
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January 6, 2009
9:23 a.m.
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ottopick writes:
Its still pretty early in the investigation but I hope the RMN doesn't let this story die. I want to know about the attackers (or maybe defenders, sounds like it was 3 on 2 and the 2 came out ahead) and why they were released. Who actually started the fight and what caused this man's death. The family and public have a right to know.
January 6, 2009
9:33 a.m.
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666 writes:
Gee. You're right, goldenski9ier...a desert land colonized by white-supremacist religious fanatics is so much more interesting than our shabby little Colorado.
Getting back to the point, though...I really hope the two that started the fight with Lopez & co. don't get away with this. I had a friend back in Basic Training named Rick Lopez...I wonder if this was him.
January 6, 2009
10:01 a.m.
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RufusTFirefly writes:
a dear friend of mine in now in a nursing home due to a bar stool over the head. an attack, attempted murder....
this is terrible, wonder what buffet song it was? MM2--"clever"
January 6, 2009
10:13 a.m.
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gary writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
Appears a lot on this post!!
Guess the site staff likes to impose a lot of censorship..
Too bad we cannot edit the crap they print in the paper.
They even edited Anderson....why??
Will this be removed by the "site staff"?
Nuff Said!
January 6, 2009
10:17 a.m.
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Billy writes:
Great to see the editor doing his/her job removing the stupid, hateful remarks. They should be doing this on many more posts throughout the replies. As for Justsayin, how would you know this mourningmon was married to the deceased? You have some insight in this man's life?
January 6, 2009
10:19 a.m.
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gary writes:
This comment was removed by the site staff.)
Let's try this again...
The site staff censor's a lot of posts on this site.
Yet they wonder why their newspaper is failing.
Maybe it is because the majority are tired of onesided reporting and editing things that they do not like?
Think about it RMN.....
Limiting what posters post is imposing your own think right on others.
Freedom of speech and press must only apply to RMN and not the rest of the people!!
January 6, 2009
10:21 a.m.
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gary writes:
44roger writes:
Stories like this always bring out the village idiots.
January 6, 2009
10:23 a.m.
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gary writes:
Great newspaper you have here RMN I hope you enjoy the demise of your paper.
Rest in peace RMN
January 6, 2009
10:37 a.m.
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gr8fuldude writes:
Yet another reason why I won't drink. Mason Tvert is SO right.
January 6, 2009
10:39 a.m.
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gr8fuldude writes:
yet another reason why I won't drink. Mason Tvert is SO right.
January 6, 2009
10:40 a.m.
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666 writes:
Re: gary writes...a whole lot of garbage.
Why is it that the people who are most concerned with censorship are the ones with nothing worthwhile to say? It's true...the people who whine the most about their puerile banter being "suppressed" are the ones who tend to say stupid things and are only concerned because they get a sick thrill from seeing their Idiot's Manifesto in print. All under the guise of a mandate that was crafted to prevent tyrants from eliminating criticism of their abuse of power.
Freedom of expression does not exist for the sake of stroking your childish ego, even if that's the only reason you value it.
January 6, 2009
10:43 a.m.
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DragonInTheSky writes:
666..."Those "two other individuals" and their friends (if they have any) should be forced to listen to "Margaritaville" at about 180 decibels until their brains (if they have any) liquefy and run out of their nostrils."
That's a little harsh don't ya think? Listening to the song once at regular decibels is punishment enough!
January 6, 2009
10:46 a.m.
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davies writes:
Yeah gary, the RMN is losing money because it removes the comments of people who contribute nothing to its revenue stream in the first place. Right.
The on-line 'comments' feature is intended to stimulate interest and discussion of the news in general, and therefore more on-line readership, and therefore perhaps a tiny bit more on-line advertising revenue. But I doubt if prospective advertisers are impressed by stupid or crude comments, and I encourage the RMN to continue to remove them.
January 6, 2009
10:52 a.m.
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666 writes:
DragonInTheSky:
I'm sure they thought so...that's why they started the fight, and that's why the guy ended up dead. So, poetic justice...the song that motivated them to end someone's life should be the end of theirs.
January 6, 2009
11:34 a.m.
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exarmygirlnowparalegal writes:
Singularity99:
Just a little FYI, SF units do not go out on their own to find terrorists. They have to go where they are told to go by their chain of command. With that being said, it is not the fault of the SF or other soldiers over there that Osama hasn't been found. As far as training, it doesn't matter how much training you have. If you have been drinking, and are not expecting to have an altercation anyone can be beat in a fight. And lastly, if you knew any SF soldiers, which I am sure you don't, you would know that they are trained at a total different level than other soldiers. They are trained to use their brains first and braun last. Most of the SF guys I know, are highly intelligent and would not want to be involved in something so frivolous. So, instead of bashing our military, the ones that fight so we can continue to voice our opinions, maybe you could say, thank you and send out your condolences to the family.
January 6, 2009
11:36 a.m.
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ruckus writes:
I wonder if they were drinking margaritas...
January 6, 2009
11:41 a.m.
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LOUIE writes:
What if nobody was arrested because it was deemed deceased man's fault? What if he was drinking, hurled the insults, challenged the the fight, threw the first blows, and maybe that's why there was no arrests made? Once you open up an assault on someone, can they respond by dealing you a death blow without a weapon in defense? If you ask me to walk outside and I do, then you go off and start the fight by hitting me, then I drop you dead with only my hands, is that murder? Need a lawyer here, anyone?
January 6, 2009
12:35 p.m.
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leatherneck writes:
singularity99 writes:
A special forces soldier dying in a weaponless bar fight?? Doesn't speak well for their level of training, but then again they haven't found bin Laden after seven years.
You and others like you disgust me. You know nothing about the men and woman of our military that will continue to fight for scum like you.
January 6, 2009
2:05 p.m.
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LOUIE writes:
They updated the article LEATHERNECK, seems he slipped on the ice according to his ex-wife. As far as SINGULARITY99, let it go, those of us who were in know better. Check out the update!
January 6, 2009
2:06 p.m.
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LadyBird112 writes:
Wow RMN, lighten up. I posted nothing offensive.
January 6, 2009
2:09 p.m.
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LOUIE writes:
LADYBIRD, seems the censor are tight on this one, I don't agree with censorship either, but it's their paper
January 6, 2009
2:44 p.m.
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lastdance writes:
Davies post is spot on
January 6, 2009
7:07 p.m.
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wjrudy writes:
lastdance - agreed.
January 6, 2009
8:14 p.m.
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Dynamicdave writes:
mt, sorry, I don't laugh at someones death or make jokes about it. You do, fine. Speaks volumes about you. God forbid, should something happen to one of your family members and someone on line makes jokes about it? I seriously doubt if you would think it's funny?
Exarmygirlnowparalegal and Leatherneck, ditto. I served in the SF and Singularity99 knows nothing about the things we endure and what our place in the military was and is. He has obviously never served, so his opinion is without substance. It is only blind opinion.
January 6, 2009
9:28 p.m.
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CSU5280 writes:
all of you need to show a little respect to a soldier who risked his life so that you could have the freedom to write the idiotic messages that I see hear...as I read these comments from some of you idiots and I really fear for our future. You don't joke about this kind of tragedy. the youth in this country are lazy P.O.S.'s that take no responsibilty for their actions and respect no one other than themselves.
January 6, 2009
9:34 p.m.
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CSU5280 writes:
RMN blocked my comment and It was not negative, derogatory, or snide.
you all better start reading the Post, RMN is going down.....
January 6, 2009
10:58 p.m.
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Dynamicdave writes:
CSU5280, I think the posts just take longer to post then usual. The ones that are removed are by the clowns making sport of his death.
January 7, 2009
7:58 a.m.
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Big_Chris writes:
Hello all this is my first ever blog post . I was in the military for 14 yrs been to iraq 3 time's while it is sad that this solider has died for somthing so needsless as a song it doesn't say to much for him that he went outside with the guy to fight over a song you guy's are makeing the guy's who did this out to be villans when they might have just been defending themselves. stop and let the facts come out befroe you judge them then if they do say it was there fault then judge them. Also to morningmom I dought you are who you say you are and if so my god have mercey on your soul for wiish what you do on the guy's that were in the fight
January 7, 2009
1:58 p.m.
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dbc925 writes:
Why on earth is it newsworthy that it was an unnamed Jimmy Buffett song playing? The RMN obviously thinks that it is though. They mention it in the headline and three times in the article.
In September, the same sort of incident (a bar fight ending in death over a jukebox selection) occcurred in Madison, WI. The song wasn't reported and wasn't important.
In May of 2006, there was a stabbing incident over a malfunctioning jukebox in Santa Rosa, CA. The nature of the malfunction wasn't reported, nor was it important.
Fort Worth, 2001. Another jukebox, another fight, another instance where the musical selection didn't seem to matter.
So why Tillie Fong? Why is the fact that it was a Jimmy Buffett song important? Do you have something against the man or his music? Are you implying that had it been another artist that the attacker didn't like that this wouldn't have happened? I don't get it.
January 7, 2009
2:31 p.m.
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Rio5 writes:
The the real problem is going to the wrong place. And it is our (society's ) acceptance of how to respond after being dissed. This is a human problem. But our culture accepts that a person needs to "get angry" and respond aggressively. people have died because they "dissed" (disrespected) some one The irrational value come from other parts of our culture where people feel powerless and put upon. Human social history is full of similar accounts.
What is needed is a way to "honorably" yet non fatally. adjudicate this type of dispute. Enforced by a code of conduct (informal). We have to address the root causes of anger and resulting violence. Hang'em high does not address to social mores that (and higher skill factors) that are now in evidence.
Bar fights have been around for centuries, and will be around untill the sun falls. It is up to us to instill emotional restraint,social conditioning that meets the needs of the angry parties yet does not result in death. Of course we could go back to the 15th century Spanish dueling laws in part required the
January 16, 2009
7:12 p.m.
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heavymg writes:
Rest in Peace, Brother. . . you and your contribution to the world will be sorely, sorely missed.
Lopez’s military education includes the Special Forces Communications Sergeant Course, Advanced Special Operations Techniques Course, Advanced Non-Commissioned Officer’s Course, Jumpmaster Course, Military Freefall Course, Survival Evasion Resistance and Escape Course, Ranger School, Airborne School, and the U.S. Army Recruiter Course.
His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star with two oak leaf clusters, the Purple Heart, the Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf cluster, the Army Commendation Medal with three oak leaf clusters, the Army Achievement Medal with three oak leaf clusters, the Good Conduct Medal with three bronze knots, the National Defense Service Medal with service star, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with campaign star, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal, Non-Commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon with “3” numeral, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Ribbon, NATO Medal, Special Forces Tab, Ranger Tab, Combat Infantryman’s Badge, Expert Infantryman’s Badge, Senior Parachutist Badge, Air Assault Badge, Royal Netherlands Army Freefall Badge and the Gold Recruiter Badge.
He is survived by his son Nicholas James Lopez, father Vincent Suarez, sister Mary Ventura, and brother Mark Suarez along with his closest friends and loved ones.