Firstever: Pro-War Kentuckian Shoots, Kills War Opponent at Flea Market

[wnes]

Man Kills Another in Dispute Over War, Press and Police Call It a First

http://www.editorandpublisher.com/ea..._id=1001010741

Published: August 06, 2005 6:30 PM ET

NEW YORK It was bound to happen sooner or later, and in what newspapers in Kentucky are calling a first, one American has killed another in a dispute over the Iraq war.

It happened at Floyd County flea market on Thursday, when two friends, who were firearms vendors there, drew guns after quarreling about the war. Douglas Moore, 65, of Martin, who backs the war, shot and killed Harold Wayne Smith, 56, of Manchester, who opposed it, according to investigators.

Moore was released without being charged after he convinced police he had acted in self-defense. A grand jury may yet hear evidence in the case.

Commonwealth's Attorney Brent Turner said the episode might mark the first death in the U.S. due to a dispute over the war.

One witness, Sam Hamman of Prestonsburg, told the Lexington Herald-Leader, "Harold was talking about the 14 people that were killed in Iraq the other day and Doug said that just as many people were killed on the highways here.”

This quickly escalated into an argument, then to a scuffle, and finally both men drew pistols outside a snack shed. The dead man was apparently just a little slower in firing. Witnesses said he stood for about five seconds before toppling on the walkway.

In a telephone interview wit the Lexington paper yesterday, Moore said police had told him not to discuss his feelings about the Iraq war.

"I'm sorry this has happened," Moore, a retired railroad worker, said "but then what's done can't be undone." Moore told the Lexington reporter he thinks Smith and his family knew him well enough "to know what my thoughts are, his family does, because me and Harold was friends. That's all I'll say."

The daughter of the dead man said the two men were friends and had discussed Iraq before. She said her father "had different opinions than everybody. He felt it was wrong that all of these young people were losing their lives over what was going on. It was just a political disagreement, like a whole lot of people have."

[bigtexxx]

misleading title.

Both idiots were at fault. It looks like the war opponent was just not as quick on the draw. I could have predicted that one in advance.

[pgabriel]

Originally Posted by wnes Man Kills Another in Dispute Over War, Press and Police Call It a First One witness, Sam Hamman of Prestonsburg, told the Lexington Herald-Leader, "Harold was talking about the 14 people that were killed in Iraq

They were arguing over glynch's thread?

[HayesStreet]

Originally Posted by pgabriel They were arguing over glynch's thread?

Not the first time. A real quickdraw shootout, wow. Big suprise the pacifist lost.

[FranchiseBlade]

Originally Posted by HayesStreet Not the first time. A real quickdraw shootout, wow. Big suprise the pacifist lost.

I see no evidence that either man was a pacifist. They were both at a gun show, and both drew their weapons to fire on each other.

It doesn't seem as if either man was a pacificst.

I think the interesting thing here is that police told somebody not to discuss their political views. How unAmerican.

[tigermission1]

I don't know if I should laugh or be confused or what, this is a really weird story (not to make light of the man who was killed).

So it would have been a normal scuffle except for the fact that guns were accessible and used during an emotional high for the two men. What's the moral of the story?

I have no idea!

[bigtexxx]

Originally Posted by tigermission1 I don't know if I should laugh or be confused or what,

Well there's certainly nothing funny about it. I'm not sure why you'd laugh.

[Mr. Brightside]

bigtexx or traderjorge - neither of you guys happen to live in kentucky?


:D

[wizkid83]

Part of me think guns are alright, and I've been to a gun show before. But when you something like this, that a man had lost his life because the guns were available, it makes you wonder if you think if guns should be banned.

[Zion]

Originally Posted by HayesStreet Big suprise the pacifist lost.

I didn't actually click on the link (can't be bothered) but are you just assuming that just because he does not support the Iraq war he is a pacifist. Or do you know the guy?

[GladiatoRowdy]

Originally Posted by bigtexxx misleading title. Both idiots were at fault. It looks like the war opponent was just not as quick on the draw. I could have predicted that one in advance.

Unfortunately, I could have too.

Most of us who are against GWB's elective war seem to be of the opinion that we were "too quick on the draw" in Iraq. We also share the opinion that said quickness is a bad thing while the war supporters think it is a good thing.

I suppose that in their minds, we have reverted back to the 1800s in the Old West and can just skin our smokewagons and go to work if someone looks at us funny.

I am so glad that some of us learn from history and feel so sorry for people who can't or won't.

[RocketMan Tex]

Moral of the story:

Firearms vendors should not drink whiskey for breakfast.

[wouldabeen23]

Originally Posted by bigtexxx misleading title. Both idiots were at fault. It looks like the war opponent was just not as quick on the draw. I could have predicted that one in advance.

HA!...nice Texxx, bring yo chickenhawk self ANY time you want a lesson in marksmenship--A man of your means could afford my instruction fee, even though I'm a liberal that opposes the war.

[Baqui99]

Originally Posted by FranchiseBlade I think the interesting thing here is that police told somebody not to discuss their political views. How unAmerican.

I think the police might have actually been onto something here. If you can't have a discussion without pulling a gun on somebody, you belong in a damn mental institution.

[HayesStreet]

Originally Posted by FranchiseBlade I see no evidence that either man was a pacifist. They were both at a gun show, and both drew their weapons to fire on each other. It doesn't seem as if either man was a pacificst.

Originally Posted by Zion I didn't actually click on the link (can't be bothered) but are you just assuming that just because he does not support the Iraq war he is a pacifist. Or do you know the guy?

You two need to get out more. It was a joke.

[StupidMoniker]

Originally Posted by bigtexxx Well there's certainly nothing funny about it. I'm not sure why you'd laugh.

Maybe because two idiot rednecks decided to settle their difference of opinion on a war neither of them was going to fight in by having a duel?

[thadeus]

Originally Posted by StupidMoniker Maybe because two idiot rednecks decided to settle their difference of opinion on a war neither of them was going to fight in by having a duel?

Yeah...that is sorta funny, in a painful way.

Note to self: find a smiley that represents 'funny, in a painful way.'