Spokane7
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November 9, 2011 in City
New view of Thompson brings mixed emotions
Karl Thompson looked like a whole new man.
When he walked into the federal courtroom Monday, he wore yellow jailhouse garb – the blousy top a shade darker than the loose pants. Big black letters on the back read: BONNER COUNTY. On his bare feet were cheap plastic sandals. Gray scruff stood out on his chin, and his usually neat white hair was very slightly disheveled. His hands – the hands that had placed countless criminal suspects into cuffs over his career as a cop – were locked behind his back.
He looked smaller, sadder, diminished.
“I wasn’t prepared for that,” said one of his supporters.
Neither was I. Nor was I prepared to look at Thompson and feel what I felt: sympathy. It’s a sympathy tempered by anger at what he did to Otto Zehm and the city’s long string of mistakes in the case. Still, that’s what it was – sympathy for the utter disintegration of his life and for the people who love him and who are distraught over his convictions for using excessive force and lying to investigators.
They see Thompson as a wrongly convicted hero, of course, and the ferocity of their loyalty is alienating a whole lot of us in the community. Last week’s courtroom salute to Thompson by dozens of SPD officers, right in front of his victim’s family, was just the latest exhibition by a police rank-and-file that seems determined to incinerate any and all good will from citizens.
For more than five years now, the message from the cops has been clear: If you think what happened in that Zip Trip was wrong, you simply don’t get it. You don’t understand life on the mean streets. Not if you’re a federal prosecutor. Not if you’re a use-of-force expert with the state. Not if you’re the assistant chief of police. Certainly not if you’re a regular Spokane citizen. Not even if you’re a Yakima juror, exposed to the best argument Thompson’s lawyers could muster and beyond the reach of the big, bad Spokane media.
This is so infuriating, this refusal to admit even the possibility of error. The refusal to admit the humanity of the situation – not just that split-second decisions must be made, but that split-second decisions are sometimes wrong. But no one among the defenders of Thompson even allows for that possibility. Instead, we hear that split-second decisions must be made, police risk their lives every day and therefore no one has the right to question them in any way whatsoever.
One officer posted a comment on the We Support Karl Thompson Facebook page after the jury verdicts: The officer was struggling, he said, to figure out how in the world he was going to drag himself to work, given that he no longer felt the community’s support.
I wanted to write to this officer myself and suggest an alternative: Don’t do us any favors. Just quit. I’ll bet we can find a replacement who is less dedicated to insisting that Karl Thompson got it right when he so clearly got it wrong.
It has gotten very difficult to feel appreciative of the difficult, dangerous job that police do in this city, and that’s not good for anybody. The whole case, and especially the city’s dogged insistence that Zehm was to blame, has produced an atmosphere of absolutes, in which we are presented with a false choice regarding Thompson: Hero or monster?
The sight of Thompson in that yellow jail suit – a 64-year-old man, unshaven, stoic, with bare forearms and bare feet in a room full of suits – was a simple, powerful announcement that he is neither.
He is a man. He is a criminal whose sentence will bring real pain to him and to those who love him. No matter how much he deserves it, and no matter how lousy his supporters are at expressing it.
Being jailed is a dehumanizing, life-altering experience. It’s heartbreaking for family members and friends. It turns lives upside down, and the effects do not disappear. I know it because I’ve worn those jail clothes myself, for a night, and because I have seen my father in those clothes. It’s cast a long shadow in my life. I understand being loyal beyond the point of wisdom.
When it happened to me, I deserved it. I’d driven with a suspended driver’s license for not having car insurance – part of an overall program of irresponsibility I pursued with a vengeance for some years. When it happened to my father, he deserved it. He forged checks. And when Thompson is sentenced, he will deserve it. He should pay a penalty for what he did to Otto Zehm and what he said about what he did to Otto Zehm, and the city and the Police Department must do more than simply pretend that one court case – or two – will resolve all the questions and put this to rest.
But that punishment will be painful, no matter how well-deserved, and we do ourselves no good if we immunize ourselves against understanding that by declaring devils and saints, heroes and monsters – easy categories that allow us to ignore the real human mess.
Karl Thompson isn’t a monster. There are no monsters. He’s just a man.
Shawn Vestal can be reached at (509) 459-5431 or shawnv@spokesman.com. Follow him on Twitter at @vestal13.
The draw of the unknowable 
BigE on November 09 at 3:01 a.m.
As a 51 year old law abiding united states citizen i have my opinion of Karl also, he is a loser as are all of the people who line up to support him, remember a man named Otto.
misjustice on November 09 at 6:29 a.m.
I would have paid to see ol’ Karl cuffed and rockin’ the latest in prison garb while doin’ the perp walk!
Lewis on November 09 at 7:20 a.m.
bo-hoo for poor klubber well that is what he gets he is lucky our judges are two faced when it comes to cops and let him out to roam the streets again looking for more disabled folks to beat to death.
another_perspective on November 09 at 7:36 a.m.
I had a discussion with a good friend and we wondered if Oresckovich had advised Thompson to look a little disheveled and unshaven in order to garner sympathy from Van Sickle. On the other hand indigent inmates may or may not have access to razors/tooth brushes etc. until they have been in a facility for a while or if his family had placed money on his books and if he had or had not a chance to use it.
We can or can not place sympathy for Thomspon. I wish the trial had been televised and I would have liked to seen his testimony, however we had to depend upon the eyes and ears of the public as in the form of our News Media. During the detention hearing both CO and Van Sickle praised Thompsons military and prior law enforcement employment. I and many others however viewed all this broken service as perhaps a clue that Thompson could not fit in, could not obey their rules and decided to keep skipping jobs for some unknown reasons.
Yes we place responsibility and incredible stress upon your Spokane Police, suphosedly we provide them with the best training and the best equipment and they are very very well compensated for their service.We give them the power of life and death above us. We also MUST hold them responsible for their decisions and actions in times of stress.
It was reported that Otto Zehm stolle money from a drive up cash machine and was walking south to the Zip Trip on Division. Once Thompson viewed Otto inside he had located the “perp”, there was no need to rush in, Thompson could have waited for any of the 6 other cops to arrive and to “approach” otto in a reasonale manner. Otto did not act aggressively but defended himself against blow after baton blow to his head. The same thing you and I would have done and which the judge ruled we have the right to do so.
The BEST policeman is one whom understands how the public will react to him in any situation and will act accordingly. We dont condone nor expect Barney Fife nor Rambo nor Robocop behavior. Theoretically all the psychological testing screens that out of new police officers. Perhaps that testing should be an annual event to insure that there has been no mutation of personality while on the job.
The crazy insane reaction of Thompsons posse/50 SPD officers is a sure indicator of dysfunctionality of the Spokane Police Department. This was obviously a preplanned maneuver, not well thought out. We need to fully investigate the who, and they why. and why they broke numerous canons of the SPD. The GUILD needs to quit shielding monsters like this and allow US the citizens to root out this evil.
I keep harping that its way past due to take control of the SPD that we the citizens place in life or death control of us. It is way past due that we hold them responsible for their actions at even a higher level than they hold us responsible.
It is time (actually WAY past due) that we dismantle piece by piece, officer by officer of this freakish dysfunctional mob of out of control police officers. We will never “heal” or bring “closure” as Verner/Kirkpatrick wax laconically in their interviews. Never once was there a shread of emotinoal concern for the victim, their family and the public.
Sadly we need the Spokane Police Department, but if it continues to exhibit rogue unheld irresponsible behavior and the disregard and dishonoring of the very system of justice which they have sworn to uphold. Then sadly I will choose anarchy over the SPD.
brianrbreen on November 09 at 7:38 a.m.
Another outstanding piece Shawn.
misjustice on November 09 at 7:50 a.m.
From the WE Heart Thompson FaceBook Page:
We Support Karl Thompson
Please respect the privacy of the site, Media is not welcome and negative comments will be deleted and banned. Be aware that your name and picture are posted along with your unwanted negative comments. Facebook is not as secure as some think…..keep this in mind.
Like · Comment · 8 hours ago · Susan C McKinney, Melissa Roth McVay, Nicole Litzenberger and 33 others like this..
I take this as a not-so-veiled threat. Are the corrupt cops compiling “profiles” of folks that post negative stuff to their love fest page?
Shelala on November 09 at 8:19 a.m.
Good article. I heard a rumor that Kirpatrick has formed a small unit to assist those officers who have problems dealing with the verdict to “heal”. I don’t know if that is true or not, but if one red cent of of my taxpayer dollars, directly or indirectly, are spent for that crap, I want a refund. To those officers that are experiencing difficulties with the lawful verdict, time to leave. Taxpayers pay your salary and taxpayers formed a jury that convicted Thompson.who violated the laws you swore to uphold when you were hired. Tell the unemployment office you quit because you couldn’t deal with with a co-worker’s criminal conviction and lets see if the grant you unemployment benefits.
brianrbreen on November 09 at 8:26 a.m.
@Shelala
I understand it to be the same group that assists officers after Offer Involved Shootings.
Ron_the_Cop on November 09 at 8:38 a.m.
Another perspective,
Very good observations. I hope Condon is reading here. I encourage that all stay engaged to ensure the needed change occurs along with accountibility to WE THE PEOPLE/TAXPAYERS that have been screwed for many years.
another_perspective on November 09 at 8:41 a.m.
Brian.. that should be the role of Spokane Mental Health.
They were NOT on duty at the courtroom and there fore should not be allowed to use or access our tax dollar paid for grievance counselors.
I concur with the Shape up or Ship out commentary.
Shelala on November 09 at 8:51 a.m.
I understand that you question if Thompson’s situation will cost potentially good officer’s their career, but the lemmings appear not to care. Let’s save the citizens potential problems down the road and clean house.Let’s take out the tumor AND the lymph nodes. Oops, lost myself here, I almost forgot that citizens’ opinions mattered.
misjustice on November 09 at 9:11 a.m.
*****This is so infuriating,****
To say the least! But what is even more frustrating is the fact the reporters that write these “stories” aren’t giving facts about a case & reporting those facts. They give a fact here & there & then rant on about their opinion of things. The reporters of the SR are inputting their own conjectures into what they call “reporting the news”.
Sorry Shaun Vestal & SR, I don’t want your opinions unless I’m reading the Opinion Page. I want facts & only facts.
*********Also, Shelala & another perspective: …….if one red cent of of my taxpayer dollars, directly or indirectly, are spent for that crap, I want a refund. To those officers that are experiencing difficulties with the lawful verdict, time to leave. **************
There has been PAT around for a long time. Just because you don’t like it doesn’t mean you can demand your money back. You tell the officers to leave? The same can be said for you as there’s nothing to stop you if you don’t like the way things are done in Spokane. it’s a great big world out there & if you think you will find a better way of policing somewhere else, don’t let the door hit you in the behind.
brianrbreen on November 09 at 9:14 a.m.
@Shelala
This might provide some perspective.
You might keep in mind that Chief Kirkpatrick’s defense in the Mehring case for placing him on paid administrative leave was because of his supposed psychological state, even though Dr. Palmer had ruled him fit for duty.
I think you misinterpret my position. I do believe some of the cops involved in the Zehm incident are salvageable, others are not. I also believe some of the “lemmings” are salvageable, others are not and never were. But I think it is important to understand not every cop down there thinks Thompson is a hero, not every cop went down there and saluted, not every cop posts on that stupid facebook thing, as a matter of fact look at who the majority of posters are. One in particular brings a grin to my face every time I read something they have posted.
Also carefully try and access the public position held be the Chief and the City of Spokane with respect to Karl Thompson, and correlate that to how difficult it will be for the SPD as a whole to gain the respect so many of them deserve.
P. “Peer Support Group Counselor” or “Peer Counselor”
A person who meets the qualifications of a “peer support group counselor” as that term is defined by RCW 5.60.060(6)(b), and is not otherwise disqualified from maintaining confidential privileged communications by RCW 5.60.060.
http://198.1.35.123/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/Critical-Incident-Protocol-February-2011.pdf
RCW 5.60.060
(6)(a) A peer support group counselor shall not, without consent of the law enforcement officer or firefighter making the communication, be compelled to testify about any communication made to the counselor by the officer or firefighter while receiving counseling. The counselor must be designated as such by the sheriff, police chief, fire chief, or chief of the Washington state patrol, prior to the incident that results in counseling. The privilege only applies when the communication was made to the counselor while acting in his or her capacity as a peer support group counselor. The privilege does not apply if the counselor was an initial responding officer or firefighter, a witness, or a party to the incident which prompted the delivery of peer support group counseling services to the law enforcement officer or firefighter.
(b) For purposes of this section, “peer support group counselor” means a:
(i) Law enforcement officer, firefighter, civilian employee of a law enforcement agency, or civilian employee of a fire department, who has received training to provide emotional and moral support and counseling to an officer or firefighter who needs those services as a result of an incident in which the officer or firefighter was involved while acting in his or her official capacity; or
(ii) Nonemployee counselor who has been designated by the sheriff, police chief, fire chief, or chief of the Washington state patrol to provide emotional and moral support and counseling to an officer or firefighter who needs those services as a result of an incident in which the officer or firefighter was involved while acting in his or her official capacity.
Shelala on November 09 at 9:17 a.m.
A lot has been said about the We Support Karl Thompson facebook page. I personally have no problem with it. Heck, my dog has his own FB page. FB postings have been a great tool for investigators, potential employers and others to gather information. The LE posters on this site know their comments are received and read as they have opened it for public view. It is my opinion that the page and the wristband sale are specifically directed toward the public under the thinly veiled reasoning of a means to communicate with fellow supporters. There are a myriad of ways to communicate privately.
brianrbreen on November 09 at 9:23 a.m.
@Shelala
Just so you understand. My position is that the SPD doesn’t need anymore of this touchy feely leadership crap. It needs someone to go to each and every roll call, each and every unit and stand there and say “Knock this sh#t off and do your damn job!
Sadbuttrue on November 09 at 9:47 a.m.
Hopefully Karl Thompson, like many other humbled and convicted high-and-mighty ex-law enforcement types before him, will use the rest of what remains of his life after he finishes his prison sentence to become an activist AGAINST the self-same cop-prison-industrial complex that he so thoughtlessly and self-righteously perpetrated during his career.
I do not feel one bit sorry for him, reaping the same whirlwind that he inflicted for no good reason on so many others. It is good when an occasional cop gets fed to and have their life shredded by the inhuman stump-grinder known as the American Gulag. Why does he deserve any more empathy than the millions that anonymously exist in man-made hells in the most colossal prison system the world has ever seen? His friends have spent their entire careers eagerly and with glee advocating for maximum prison sentences for everyone else, including those convicted of trifling offenses. Karl Thompson is just emblematic of a system of “them against us,” never even imagining that someday, he might become just “one of them.”
Reap the whirlwind, Karl.
Shelala on November 09 at 10:00 a.m.
Brian, Don’t misunderstand me. There are good cops out there. I know. I have seen some amazing acts of compassion and professionalism. Ironically, most were demonstrated quietly and without fanfare.I recall a SPD unit that purchased a winter coat for a low paid civilian employee who lacked the funds. I saw a detective dole out old suits and clothes to bums on the street when he got his annual clothing allowance (every bum sported a loud tie), I saw a firewood seller return with more wood for a older lady they had shortchanged because she didn’t know what I full cord looked like. I saw them pay a meal tab for a young couple who were hungry.. I have seen DV incidents diffused with words and communication.. Small acts that told me cops with humanity and integrity exist. I have also seen rudeness, unnecessary violence, and egos beyond belief. I can also tell you the exact time I recognized a shift in police attitude which was a small innocuous act that spoke volumes. I was not or ever have been an SPD officer, but I was there.
Sadbuttrue on November 09 at 10:38 a.m.
The problem is: “Good Cops” (which there are many) are no longer fitting in with the current regime of “training” and policing philosophy. The good cops that everyone knows and loves are becoming a dinosaur. The new breed is what we are seeing now: As one opined in this newspaper just after the massacre of four cops at the coffee shop, it is now time to use military weapons and tactics against civilians. Every civilian, unless they can prove otherwise beyond a reasonable doubt, is viewed as a hostile enemy combatant.
This requires an unbelievably colossal ego suffused with entirely unjustified, preening self-righteousness, and a strong dollop of stupid pride. The Founders of this country would turn over in their graves if they saw today’s cops and the vicious, inhuman prison-industrial complex that they have created…..more people per capita in prison than China, Iran and pre-Gaddafi sodomy Libya!
I doubt that this is the first time that Karl Thompson acted out of this new cruel ideology. Its just the first time he was caught on videotape and caught red-handed lying about it. That is why his coworkers just can’t get their mind around accepting the verdict: these videotapes make it just so darned hard to lie your way out of trouble. Cops believe, because of their training, that their job requires them to lie. They profess that they have to because they are in constant danger, which is in itself an extravagant lie that only someone well “trained” could think is plausible.
And a person like Karl Thompson eventually snaps and goes over the edge and accepts the major tenets of thuggish fascism and makes a split second decision to summarily rid this society of a mental defective.
We live in a society with the most colossally-swollen prison-industrial-cop complex the world has ever seen. And it is based totally on lies and in direct contradiction to the founding principles of this country.
zelda on November 09 at 12:59 p.m.
@brianrbreen —
“My position is that the SPD doesn’t need anymore of this touchy feely leadership crap. It needs someone to go to each and every roll call, each and every unit and stand there and say “Knock this sh#t off and do your damn job!”
Very well said.
It’s a very slippery slope his defenders are on arguing that no one knows what life is like for a cop. That means that the only ones who can evaluate and pass judgement on a cop’s behavior are other cops. They’re unique among all defendants. And that means they’re accountable only to their peers. I don’t think so.
Sadbuttrue on November 09 at 2:56 p.m.
It was not a “split second” decision to attack and club the defenseless Otto Zehm on the head repeatedly. Behavior like that comes from years of “training” and indoctrination. Certainly, everyone, including Karl Thompson supporters, can agree that lying, after months and years of reflection, to a Federal investigator was not a split second decision.
It is disingenuous in the extreme to pretend that any of this is the result of necessity. Police “training” nowadays means being indoctrinated and desensitized into treating the people who pay your wages in ways that you would never, ever allow yourself to be treated. This cop beat Otto Zehm senseless, however that same “training” leads a cop to charge YOU with Delay and Obstructing an officer if you look cross-eyed at them! Therefore, Police training means that cops are a law unto themselves, and that they run society. They justify the most heinous, outrageous behavior as the result of their “training.” It is obvious that their training needs drastic, draconian changes.
Justice2 on November 09 at 3:53 p.m.
Karl made a huge mistake. I’m sure if he could turn back time and not use force to resolve the theft report he would.
Hopefully this will change the current environment of our local law enforcement.
Their current reaction to the decision is an insult to the justice system. Their leadership has to change. They are being lead down the wrong path.
Truthhurts on November 09 at 6:13 p.m.
The COVER-UP was the greater crime.
If Thompson had admitted the facts, cried at the death of Zehm, and said, “Oh crap! Here is what I did wrong, and I’m sorry,” he would not be in jail, and many above him would not be looking a prosecutions in the cover-up.
The COVER-UP is the real story.
The Witness-Tampering is the real story.
This is not “split-second decision gone wrong.” This is a gross over-reaction of violence followed by a profoundly criminal cover-up.
Sadbuttrue on November 09 at 7:12 p.m.
The death of Otto Zehm is the result of a long-term decision to allow a festering, malignant, toxic, murderous culture to take root in the Spokane Police Department. The cop supporters of Karl Thompson are probably being quite honest: Beating Otto Zehm to death did not violate any rules of the SPD and Thompson’s perjury and the systematic cover up are standard operating procedure. Why should Thompson be punished when he broke no rules? (aside from that minor foundational document known as the United States Constitution and Federal criminal law, that is).
Whatever else this is, it isn’t a “split-second” decision. This is the culmination of decades of organized moral rot, of allowing a violent quasi-criminal gang to fester and smoulder and thrust its gangrenous tentacles in to hijack a legitimate governmental function.
Sunshinegurl on November 09 at 8:32 p.m.
There seems to be an exceptionally narrow vision on how to support the police which is probably why they don’t feel like they have the respect of the public. It’s impossible to meet their standards of support unless you agree to go along with everything they do and say without question.
I am particularly disappointed that anyone who dared to suggest coming together and finding a way to mend SPD’s relationship with the public got the boot from their fb page. It speaks volumes to their attitude.
misjustice on November 09 at 8:45 p.m.
SPD = JustUs
Don’t go on their WE Heart Thompson FaceBook page to comment; they are compiling files on folks that dare to post anything other than hearts and kisses for the CONVICTED FELON. And they will use their data mining against you.
Just sayin’…
Orphan on November 09 at 9:10 p.m.
Go to jail Thompson and stay there.
Lewis on November 09 at 10:31 p.m.
poor coppers feeling bad their buddy is in jail, what a bunch of crap when did our cops become sissy maries?
jeeze sounds like a bunch of school kids instead of highly trained police officers.
boo-hoo karl is in jail i cant do my job pass the vodka and crack pipe.
liveinfearoftheSPD on November 10 at 1:58 p.m.
Where are all these good cops everyone keeps talking about? Why haven’t they stepped up to clean their own house? Why aren’t their voices being heard speaking out against the SPD criminal element? Do good cops really exist?
mary1958 on November 10 at 9:19 p.m.
I disagree that Thompson is just a man not a hero or a monster. He is only a man if he admits to wrongdoing.
mary1958 on November 10 at 9:23 p.m.
I think they should gut the police museum and erect a statue of Otto Zehm with a plaque that says, “This is how we F___ up.”
I know that sounds heartless but the more they dig in their heels the angrier I feel !!!
EthicsinLE on November 11 at 9:58 a.m.
Even the prosecution acknowledged in their briefs that jurors were in the same room when a ticker tape of Mr. Zehm was being played on TV. Given the allegations that jurors may have seen information on TV that was barred from trial does warrant looking into and I can understand CO’s request to do so. There are also allegations that two jurors were seen sleeping (Or nodding off) during trial, also troubling if true. CO is only doing his job, representing his client as aggressively and effectively as possible. Many of you don’t like lawyers, until you need one. You get in that car accident, the first call you make is an attorney. You get arrested, you call an attorney. When YOU need them, you love them.
I believe Ofc. Thompson had a trial by media more than anything. The inflammatory, inaccurate and selective media coverage is the exact reason the trial was moved. I am not taking a position on the incident, just the biased, unethical media coverage. The local media has a long history of being biased, inaccurate reporting and anti-police. This is a travesty to the community and officers as much of what occurred during past incidents has been misrepresented, twisted or with their anti-police spin. If the media would do their job ethically, impartially and accurately, the community would have a much better understanding of the true facts.
There are those in the community that no matter what the police do, it will be wrong. I see two types of people – those who are uninformed or ignorant and make conclusions when the don’t know the facts (Lewis, MSJ); or those who are police haters, period (Again, Lewis, MSJ). I’ve read some of the blogs related to Ofc. Thompson and it is obvious that many have no idea what the facts really are, yet form an opinion based on media coverage. As an example some have said he was convicted of murder. He was never charged with, much less convicted of murder. Some accuse Ofc. Thompson of “Beating” Mr. Zehm to death. Ofc. Thompsons actions did not result in the death of Mr. Zehm. Others have alleged steroid use. There has never been any mention of steroid use, yet this group continues to show their ignorance of the facts. If your “opinions” weren’t so serious and misleading, they would almost be funny. Maybe you should take the time, obtain a copy of the investigation, read it, THEN form an opinion, but that would require effort on your part. It’s unfortunate that so many rely on the media and assume what they print is fact. I guess the good thing is this only represents about 10 or so bloggers here, many of which post under several names.
No matter who you are or how much disdain you have for law enforcement, I will always serve my community and citizens with professionalism and respect, have since 83’. The vast majority of officers are great, professional officers who do an incredibly difficult job. That said, I will never buy a copy of the SR, but if I see one lying around, I might pick it up and take it to the bathroom – saves me money on toilet paper.
misjustice on November 11 at 11:17 a.m.
Thank you EthicsinLE! Some of us do actually respect what you do!!
misjustice on November 11 at 11:23 a.m.
Brianbreen: “Knock this sh#t off and do your damn job!****
Then be prepared to hire an attorney to keep you out of prison because someone again will claim unnecessary force & violation of civil rights. Uh huh. Ramp it up even more for unjustified lawsuits.
mary1958 on November 21 at 9:21 p.m.
The toughest thing I found about doing the law enforcement job was staying up all night and dealing with male officers who didn’t respect women who did the same job. Dealing with that was worse than dealing with any bad guy. It’s a job. It requires you to follow procedures. You are not a hero for donning a uniform and a badge, however, eventually after endless nights of taking transients to detox, taking reports that you can’t do anything about, and documenting accident after accident you might get to do something exciting. I thought the people who put our telephone lines back up in 1996 were heroes. Every time I eat crab I think of those men in Alaska risking their lives everyday so we can eat something delicious. I thought the kids who pushed me out of a snow bank last year were heroes. If there is a certain percentage of SPD who thinks Spokane WA. is a battle field and they need to act with immediate violence, I suggest you all go to Afghanistan and Iraq. Now there is a place for you to vent your need to kill. I didn’t need the Spokesman Review or any anchor on T.V. to TELL me anything. I watched the tape and that told me all I needed to know.