Austin Metcalf
Jim Thompson
By Jim Thompson
HCP columnist
You may be struggling to remember where you heard of Austin Metcalf, but I’ll bet you have heard of Karmelo Anthony, Metcalf’s convicted murderer.
“After Anthony was sentenced to 35 years in prison on Tuesday for the stabbing and killing of 17-year-old Austin Metcalf at a high school track event, many activists and Democratic lawmakers have claimed the trial to be unfair and racist.” (Fox News.)
There are accusations flying in all directions arguing Karmelo Anthony did not get a fair trial. There are arguments that Anthony reacted out of fear (self-defense), that the jury was all white (not true) and hence the verdict was racist.
I would like to take the discussion in another direction. In the last 50 to 60 years, human life in this country has been cheapened. It started with abortions. Notice what happens there: Pro-abortion arguments and sympathy focus on the mother that aborted the child. The child is ignored because they cannot speak.
Austin Metcalf cannot speak, either.
The difference is we have a trial procedure to seek justice for Austin. Yet, there are some people who want to usurp the trial process and bring an entire separate and unrelated set of arguments into this case.
But there is more. In those same 60 years, we have seen movies and television become more and more gory. We have blood lust in this country (and maybe all countries). Otherwise, such “entertainment” would not be made for it would not sell.
We now even have an octagonal “fighting cage” erected on the south lawn of the White House along with ninety feet steel arches. What an appropriate thing to celebrate the 250th anniversary of our country (sarcasm).
This is all for a fighting and mixed martial arts match to take place on Sunday, June 14. What a sacrilege, but perhaps no worse than the LBGT community usurping the rainbow, God’s special sign to us.
Hey, let’s build a coliseum where we can have lions slay the Christians. I am sure that would draw a crowd.
Jim Thompson, formerly of Marshall, is a graduate of Hillsboro High School and the University of Cincinnati. He resides in Duluth, Ga. and is a columnist for The Highland County Press.
Evil violence
Austin Metcalf was killed by someone who committed a severe, lethal, and illegal act of violence on school property. Period. The assailant should be severely punished. Because who wants a child murdered while they are attending school or school functions? The perpetrators must pay, and their parents too, for raising such a deviant soul.
I don't have a problem with the UFC/mixed martial arts at the White House. That sport and boxing are not my cup of tea, but I understand the raw nature and competitiveness of the sports. I am one who winces at cheap shots on the gridiron and the avoidable collisions on the base paths. (Rose vs. Fosse and Charlton vs. Scioscia are exempt.)
The bottom line is that who knows how sports can lead to felonious violence. I'd rather win through talent and teamwork, than intimidation and threat of injury.
Austin's family needs our prayers and understanding. He did nothing wrong.