Roger Stephens, Jerk, Bully Child Abuser

The picture on the left is the mug shot of a jerk named Roger Stephens. According to the Atlanta Journal Constitution this hero could not take the crying of a two year old so he slapped her. Five times!

They were in a Walmart* and this moron could not take the crying of the child. So, instead of just moving away he confronted the mother and threatened that “if you don’t shut that baby up, I will shut her up for you.” Their paths crossed again moments later in another aisle and this bully “grabbed the 2-year-old and slapped her across the face four or five times.”

A grown man slapped a 2-year-old child 5 times! Even his mug shot tells you that this guy has a problem. He has lived on this earth for 61 years and has not learned that if a crying child annoys you then you simply just walk away. Walmart* is a pretty big place.

The thing that bothers me is that there are so many of these people who walk the streets in a constant rage. Every stray look or accidental bump in passing is viewed as a tremendous affront. Being “dissed” is a reason to go to war and the quick resort to violence all too frequently leads to someone getting shot. And Roger Stephens is a prime example.

While the article makes it clear that the ability to do this is not within the grasp of most people, it is still easy enough for “Any biology undergraduate could perform this.” That means that this is within the abilitiy tens of thousands of people. And that is a game-changer for law enforcement.

The good news is that the same company that developed the technique has also developed a test to determine if the DNA is natural or faked. But how long before someone takes the next step and compromises that test?

How many pro athletes wander around with guns? My guess is more than should. This line of thought was brought about by the indictment Plaxico Burress, formerly a very well paid member of the New York Giants. Plaxico wandered into a New York nightclub on November 29th of 2008 carrying a handgun tucked into the waistband of his pants (a dumb thing in its self). The gun slipped down and when he retrieved it he shot himself in the thigh.

Burress now faces a minimum sentence of 3 1/2 years. If his name were Paul Burress and he was an unknown factory worker with no criminal record there would be no-doubt that he would get the minimum. And that is what he should get.

For all of the other athletes or ordinary Joes out there I hope you learn from this.

The first thing you should learn is that there is no place in a bar or nightclub for firearms. Alcohol and guns don’t mix.

Second, if you are in such fear that you think you need to carry a gun into a nightclub or bar, maybe you should reconsider whether you really want to be in such a place. If you “need” to carry a gun you don’t need to be where alcohol can spark violence in a heartbeat. You may not be drinking (ha) but others are and they may not be the cool-headed type like yourself. If you frequent places where you perceive that there is the possibility of violence, even if you just go to that place once, you are asking for more than three years in the can.

Third, if you think that your celebrity makes you a target, think again. Have celebrities been murdered? Sadly, yes. John Lennon jumps to mind. But the instances of celebrities and athletes being killed are few and far between. If you have been threatened and the threat is credible – notify the police. Your team and league have an interest in seeing you protected and they will probably provide professional bodyguards. That is a perk that us average folks don’t have.

Fourth, remember: “The first thing you should learn is that there is no place in a bar or nightclub for firearms. Alcohol and guns don’t mix.”

It is sad but Burress will be spending 42 months in jail. The good thing is that neither he nor anyone else is dead because of this. And maybe, just maybe, someone will learn from this and other lives will be saved. Even if it is simply saved from jail.