Marine Veteran Responds to Plight of Scott Olsen in Oakland

"Being hit by a 'nade at point blank range. That, my fellow citizens, deserves a response" - Marine Corps Veteran Pierre Fontecha

Marine Corps Veteran Pierre Fontecha

(OAKLAND, Calif.) - We never go long without hearing of a tragedy affecting a U.S. Marine. Sometimes they're casualties in terrible battles overseas, sometimes they are killed in a hail of gunfire by police in a case of mistaken identity, and sometimes they're victims of police for taking a stand and using their rights as Americans to take a political stand.

That does not lawfully or morally mean they should be shot in the head. Scott Olsen was shot in the head last week by police in Oakland; investigators still aren't saying what he was actually struck with, but we know police were firing tear gas canisters, flash-bang percussion grenades, and rubber bullets, both of which are potentially fatal, but hey, they're just American citizens right?

Pierre Fontecha wrote to our newsroom commenting on a story I wrote Oakland Cops Shoot Two-Tour Marine Iraq Vet in the Head six days ago, lamenting the fate of Olsen:

"As a fellow Marine Corps veteran, I was piqued by your op-ed piece on the Salem website. Because of your writing, I was inspired to watch the videos and create a video for a 'show of support'."

A two-tour Marine Corps vet, Scott Olson was not only shot, but had to remain lying unconsciousness on the ground longer than he should have because officers tossed a percussion grenade out as several people approached the injured veteran to transport him to safety.

Fontecha said, "Being hit by a 'nade at point blank range. That, my fellow citizens, deserves a response. I may not agree with the circumstances or his personal politics, but Marine Scott Olsen has my show of support until he can get back into 'combat readiness'. Semper Fidelis."

This writer and video producer makes the strongest possible point; with few exceptions, Marines could be compared to gang members in that they stick together. Hurting one Marine affects all to a small degree. The video of what happened that night betrays the thuggish violent approach by members of authority operating under the direction of a wishy washy mayor; it is a highly problematic scenario for all sides. Fontecha added that the video from Oakland, "shows footage of what I am 'responding' to.....exciting times, eh?"

Too exciting, absolutely too exciting...

Tim King: Salem-News.com Editor and Writer

Tim King has more than twenty years of experience on the west coast as a television news producer, photojournalist, reporter and assignment editor. In addition to his role as a war correspondent, this Los Angeles native serves as Salem-News.com's Executive News Editor. Tim spent the winter of 2006/07 covering the war in Afghanistan, and he was in Iraq over the summer of 2008, reporting from the war while embedded with both the U.S. Army and the Marines. Tim is a former U.S. Marine.

Tim holds awards for reporting, photography, writing and editing, including the Silver Spoke Award by the National Coalition of Motorcyclists (2011), Excellence in Journalism Award by the Oregon Confederation of Motorcycle Clubs (2010), Oregon AP Award for Spot News Photographer of the Year (2004), First-place Electronic Media Award in Spot News, Las Vegas, (1998), Oregon AP Cooperation Award (1991); and several others including the 2005 Red Cross Good Neighborhood Award for reporting. Tim has several years of experience in network affiliate news TV stations, having worked as a reporter and photographer at NBC, ABC and FOX stations in Arizona, Nevada and Oregon. Tim was a member of the National Press Photographer's Association for several years and is a current member of the Orange County Press Club.

Serving the community in very real terms, Salem-News.com is the nation's only truly independent high traffic news Website. As News Editor, Tim among other things, is responsible for publishing the original content of 91 Salem-News.com writers. He reminds viewers that emails are easily missed and urges those trying to reach him, to please send a second email if the first goes unanswered. You can write to Tim at this address: newsroom@salem-news.com

End Israel's Unwarranted Murder of Kids

---

Marine corps | Oakland | Revolution | History | Most Commented on

Salem-News.com Top Stories

Two Wars with No Way Out

No One Owns the Future

The Ugly Origins of Trump's America First Policy

A One-State Solution Could Transform the World

rewilding LA: Matilija Dam History and Ecosystems

Comments Leave a comment on this story.

Name:

All comments and messages are approved by people and self promotional links or unacceptable comments are denied.

[Return to Top]

---

©2024 Salem-News.com. All opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Salem-News.com.

Articles for November 1, 2011 | Articles for November 2, 2011 | Articles for November 3, 2011