Must Not Have Been a ‘Hate-Hate’ Crime

Photo Courtesy of USA Today

At least, according to President Obama. Robert Gibbs today:

Gibbs says, though, government cannot regulate what’s in people’s hearts. He says the White House believes such crimes call for community involvement.

I suppose that means Honor students aren’t covered under Hate Crime legislation.

Derrion Albert was an honor student who was merely walking to his bus stop when he got caught in the middle of a *real* angry mob; a bunch of violent, sociopathic gang members.

And was beaten to death. With splintered railroad ties. Struck over and over until he blacked out.  When he came to, he was struck again with a railroad tie. And then was punched and stomped on (his head) repeatedly. Until he died.

I’m not embedding the video of his murder.  Maybe I should, but I can’t bring myself to do so. You can find it here:

Mothers of 2 Fenger suspects react

Derrion Albert, a 16-year-old boy who was not allowing himself to be a victim and sought to make something GOOD and wonderful of himself. At 16 he had a better work ethic and far better character than many twice or three times his age. Who was working hard, who had a whole, full and extremely promising life ahead of him. A brilliant boy, who loved computers and his family, who say he was a bit of  homebody, likely because he found peace there and could be himself.

Derrion was small, only 5-foot-7. He was a “ladies’ man” and a homebody, family members said.Derrion’s grandfather Joseph Walker sat in his living room, tearfully recounting his grandson’s life. Displayed on the table in front of him was the honor roll report card and certificate for outstanding attendance.

“Derrion put his key in that door every day at 3:15,” said Walker, who was taking care of the teenager. “He would get something to eat and get on the computer, where he would stay most of the night.”

Walker said his grandson asked if he could hang out with some friends Thursday after school. Walker said OK, but insisted Derrion be back by 7 p.m.

He never made it. Witnesses said Derrion was near the community center, 342 W. 111th St., when a group of teenagers walking east met up with a group coming from the west. The fight began, they said, with about 10 teenagers. By the time it was finished, witnesses and police said, more than 50 youths were involved.

Rest in Peace, Derrion. My thoughts and prayers are with your family and loved ones in their time of grief.

Annette Hold, mother of  Blair Holt, a Chicago Public Schools student who was killed in street violence 2 years ago said this:

“another promising future, just snuffed out because of violence … we have to do something different here because obviously we didn’t solve the problem.”

“Someone said he (Derrion) was in the wrong place at the wrong time,” she said. “No, he wasn’t. He was in the right place. He was coming from school.”

She’s right, of course. And Chicago does have to do something different.  Maybe try tossing out all their corrupt politicians and cutting loose the “advocates” who do nothing but advocate for themselves and their own benefit.

Oh, also the President finds the  indescribably disturbing and heinously vile video of the fatal beating “chilling”. I guess that’s a step up from “gravely concerned”.  Still, nothing really to see here. Move along..

He told reporters they should expect an announcement on an administration response to the “heinous crime” soon.

No rush. Shopping in Denmark with the wifey awaits.

Or, instead of worrying about bringing the Olympics to Chicago, how about actually doing something For The Children of Chicago? (For real this time instead of postured rhetoric.)