StupidiNews! Good Samaritan Edition

Dudley Flew-Right:

CALGARY - The distraught father of a five-year-old Calgary boy was able to be at his son’s bedside when he died, thanks to the city’s police chopper.

While the child’s mother was nearby when the tragedy unfolded, his father was still in Calgary, but thanks to a rare move by city police’s HAWCS helicopter he was given the chance to see him alive one last time, and say goodbye.

But since HAWCS was airborne and staff already doing patrols, the call was made to fly the father to Red Deer to cut travel time, said police spokesman Kevin Brookwell.

“I believe it was the right thing to do given the circumstances and the fact that we were already airborne and we had that resource available to us,” said Brookwell.

“What we did not want is a distraught father travelling northbound on Hwy. 2 at a high rate of speed, not really in the right mindset given the circumstances with the son. 

Would this work every time?  No.  This isn't just a heartwarming story, it's a reminder that sometimes making a judgment call isn't a commitment for every case hereafter.  The circumstances lined up and a good deed was done, and there is no trace of a promise that this would ever happen again.  I dread to think of what might happen here in the States.  My cynical side would anticipate a lawsuit the first time that courtesy wasn't extended.  

Cheap Shot:

A 29-year-old Good Samaritan is fighting for his life after being shot early today while he and his family were feeding a formerly homeless man in Oakland, Calif., according to news reports.

The unidentified man, known as "Brother John," was shot in the head by someone in a passing vehicle about 12:30 a.m. as he, his 35-year-old wife and daughters ages 3 and 7 were serving fish, fries and soda from their van, the Oakland Tribune reports. The family has been serving home-cooked meals to the poor and homeless in East Oakland for about a year.

Once in a while I encounter a stupidity so profound I am left speechless.  This is one of those times.  There's a special place in hell for people like the criminal who may have robbed the world of a good and generous man.  For no reason, no benefit at all.