Rev. Gilbert H. Caldwell: Words Matter
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A New York City bus driver was stabbed to death this week for reasons no one may completely understand. Edwin Thomas was punched in the head and stabbed in the chest several times on his busy Bed-Stuy route around noon.The killer supposedly stabbed Thomas because he would not give him a free transfer after already being permitted to ride for free. The price of the transfer... $2.
What's going on with people?
According to the New York Daily News:
The killer bolted the bloodshed just after noon on the B46 bus, notorious for being the worst in the city for fare evasions. The first cops on the scene put Thomas in their squad car and rushed him to Woodhull Hospital, where he died in the emergency room.With yet another senseless killing in only a matter of days, questions have to be asked... is life worth so little nowadays? Are these symptoms of our recession?
First, a man gets killed by rabid shoppers over some flatscreens at Walmart and now another man is killed over some change.
Life has to be worth more than this. More than money and the things it can buy. With an ever-deteriorating economy, unfortunately this type of senselessness seems inevitable. Maybe it's about our value system and what we truly care about as Americans, but something has to change. When you lose all deference for life and murder becomes a possibility, something has to give. ...
Thomas becomes the first NYC bus driver killed in nearly 20 years. Ironically, he became a bus driver because he deemed his previous job driving armored trucks was too dangerous.
"He did not want to pay when he came on the bus," the passenger, who didn't want her name used, said of the suspect. "He said, 'Give me a ride' and the bus driver did not want to.
Two children are now without a father because some psychopath didn't want to pay $2 ... is that the price life?
"He was a nice driver," she said of Thomas, an employee of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority for seven years. "I rode the bus with him several times. He was killed for no reason at all."
Comments: (80)
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By: Shi on 12/05/2008 12:35PM
I doubt this man thought that his life would end over not allowing this man a transfer. I would have agreed to the transfer and the called police on him and had him removed. It is sad all that is going on in this world. Its tragic to lose someone to murder but then to lose someone over psychotic shoppers wanting to buy a TV, is even more senseless. This world has become a heartless, inconsiderate, self-consumed pit of hell. My heart goes out to the families of these two men. Especially the children. I shed tears for you in my prayers every night.
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By: Rev. J on 12/05/2008 12:40PM
As a bus driver myself, people know the rules. You can't ride free and expect to get a transfer as well. Now when is being nice is too nice? I first off would not have let the man ride for free. If I would have had to sit there and call the police for the man to get off the bus, that's what I would have done, but if the man didn't show any kind of violence when he asked for a ride, I might have let him, but I would have let him know up front, don't bother asking me for a transfer. The bus operator was doing his job. He already let the man ride free, so why give him another free ride by giving him a transfer. People think they can do whatever. We have a job to do as bus operators and this man was going by the books. We first are not supposed to be letting anyone ride free let alone giving them a transfer after we have let them ride free. NYC is known for violence, especially against black people and NYPD do nothing about it. They figure it's just another "nigga" dead. So WHAT!
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By: Rev. Gloria Peters Wynn on 12/05/2008 12:48PM
This society must take responsibility for the violence that it allows to be produced in the movies and through thuggish music that perputuates these kinds of mentalities so that like is no longer sacred. Our churches are getting emptier each year, because God is no longer important in the homes where the last few generations have been raised. We must get back our religious values, no matter whether you are Christian, Muslim or Jewish. God is the only one who gives life and life belongs to Him. Senselees killing can only happen when people have no respect for other people's lives.
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By: art alston on 12/05/2008 12:53PM
I was a letter carrier in Philly and retired. Since th 80s I started to see the change in the general outllok and preciption that thee victim is somehow responsible for the violence and yes some times death. At one time people would accept no for answer, however how much aaceptance of the word no has caused numerous violent act. I am now in my late sixties and looking forward to my final time here. It is truly sad that as a people we despise each other so much that irritation to rage is commonplace
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By: Zana on 12/05/2008 1:43PM
To Tajier:
I so am sorry for your tragic loss.
My family has also been victimized by violent crime. My uncle was a cab driver killed by a passenger during a robbery attempt and left to die in the street 30 years ago at the age of 30. He was a husband and the father of five young children. We are religious people so we had that to help us cope and not be afraid of the violence that is bred in our community.
The recovery will come, your grief will fade --- you must be determined to not let God's will embitter you. This life is a test and you are being tested. Your brother need never be completely lost to you---he is with you in your mind and his spirit if no longer in the flesh. Take care, Salaams (Peace)
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By: LaVern on 12/05/2008 1:49PM
The world is going to hell in a hand basket. How can you take a human life over $2.00. I do not and can not understand this at all. This generations youth have no regards for human life. They think everything is owed to them and should not have to work for anything.
As a result, this selfish, ignorant, little boy took a father from his children. This is beyond a senseless act.
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By: WAYNE HOLLOWAY on 12/05/2008 2:18PM
ALSO THAT THIS PERSON FELT THEY WERE INTITLED TO RIDE FOR FREE AND THEN HAVE THE NERVE TO ASK FOR ANOTHER FREE RIDE VIA THE TRANSFER.AND WITH NO REGARD FOR HUMAN LIFE FELT BECAUSE HE DIDN'T GET WHAT HE WANTED HE TOOK THIS HARD WORKING,FAMILY MAN'S LIFE.NO RESPECT,TAKE A LIFE.THAT'S WHAT IS HAS COME DOWN TO.
GOD HELP US ALL!
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By: can't believ it on 12/05/2008 2:20PM
This is insane, 2 freakin dollars, this killer just got a one way transfer to hell! God bless his soul and the family of the victim
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By: Brenda on 12/05/2008 2:26PM
What in the world is wrong with this country??? It hurts me to read about a transit bus driver being killed over a freakin 2 dollar transfer. Mr. Thomas was just doing his job and he was killed as a result of it!!! That could have happened to my boyfriend who is also a transit driver in Ohio. I pray for the Thomas family and that they can endure the senseless loss of one of their family members. I ask this question: WHERE ARE THE TRANSIT POLICE WHEN WE NEED THEM???
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By: amp on 12/05/2008 8:49PM
This killer was only 20 years old. What a shame that he has no regard for another man's life. There is no excuse for what he has done and I hope he never walks the streets again. He is less than an animal. He had 8 prior arrests I read, he's a complete waste of human flesh. ALL For TWO DOLLARS!!!
The blame lies soley with the Killer! forget about bloomberg! We have to learn to start treating one another with respect!
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