Homeless Man Beaten to Death While Motorists Watch

Reports are coming out of Cleveland, Ohio of another disgusting crime. Apparently a group of at least three young thugs viciously attacked a homeless man for no good reason on Wednesday. The man, 42-year-old Anthony Waters, was severely beaten on a street on Cleveland's east side, and was robbed of his music player and headphones. Surveillance cameras at a nearby towing company caught passing motorists slowing down to watch the brutality from their vehicles. No one bothered to call for help, however. It's a sad, sad day in this country when people view the killing of a person as drive-time entertainment on their way to work. Mr. Waters was able to crawl to the towing company where employees came to his aid, but it was too late. Mr. Waters passed away at Metro Hospital on Wednesday evening.

Mr. Waters' story is absolutely heartbreaking, and brings to mind another similar incident that I became personally involved in back in 2006. A man by the name of Barney Ross "Shane" Goodman was beaten to death by another couple of dirtbags in Texas. Mr. Goodman was a former United States Marine, and a disabled VietNam veteran. Due to complications of diabetes, Mr. Goodman was a double amputee and used a wheelchair or prosthetic legs to get around. Mr. Goodman largely depended on the kindnesses of others to help him get through his day to day life. One evening in September 2006, Mr. Goodman received his VA disability check in the mail, and asked his landlady's son and a friend to give him a ride into town so he could cash his check and pay his rent and get a few other necessities. The two young men beat Mr. Goodman severely and robbed him, and then tossed him off a bridge without his wheelchair or prosthetic devices. Mr. Goodman spent eight excruciating hours crawling his way out of the creek and up to a road where he flagged someone down to help him. He died later at a local hospital, after he was able to identify his attackers. I had the unfortunate honor of riding in the Patriot Guard mission to honor Mr. Goodman's life and service to this great nation.

While I didn't know Mr. Goodman, I mourned his loss, as I mourn the loss of Mr. Waters and countless other individuals who have lost their lives as a result of senseless crimes. It seems that one can't open the newspaper or turn on the 6 o'clock news anymore without seeing reports of tragedies like these. I have spent years wondering how we can stop these things from happening, but I still can't find the answer. I don't let the sun set on a day without doing at least one kind thing for another person, even if it's a small thing. I have taught my two young children to do the same. We're only a tiny drop of water in a giant ocean, but maybe by helping one person a day, we can inspire others to do the same. Until then, I pray for this country, and those who suffer.