MCCS1977

Today in class a fellow student of the politically Conservative persuasion pulled me aside, knowing that until recently I served in the National Guard, and told me a shocking story. He asked if seen the news of beating in Oswego this past weekend. I told him I hadn’t. His brother goes to school in Oswego and his brother’s roommate literally had his skull cracked in a argument over the election of Barack Obama. No, really:

Assault began with argument over Obama, witness says

Oswego police are continuing their investigation of a Sunday morning melee that left a Barack Obama supporter gravely injured and a soldier who fought in Afghanistan charged with his beating.

Angel Moreno, 19, of the Bronx, was listed in critical condition at University Hospital Monday.

The soldier, Pvt. Kevin T. Flanagan, from Manchester, N.H., was being held in the Oswego County jail. He is charged with third-degree assault, a misdemeanor.

Investigators are interviewing witnesses to the fight and other charges and arrests could be pending, said Oswego police Capt. James Comerford.

According to police, officers arrived at the Pizza Pub restaurant, 141 W. Bridge St., at 3:02 a.m. Sunday and found Moreno, 19, a junior at the State University College at Oswego, lying near a parked car.

Moreno was taken by ambulance to the college and was then flown by helicopter to University Hospital.

According to a witness in the restaurant, the fight began when patrons began arguing about Obama’s presidential election.

There are lots of ways this story could be twisted. Did the soldier have PTSD from his time served in Afghanistan? Was this a Black vs Latino thing? Unless you’ve been in a New York barfight I don’t want to hear it. I know Oswego as I used to guard the power plant there when I was with the New New York Army National Guard. I’m willing to bet it was as simple as knowing the quickest way to goad someone into throwing punches more than a refection of either faction. Sad any way you look at it.