Thank you, Ricardo (745 hits)
Category: NewsRating: 1.22 on 24 reviews (Rate this item) (V)
Submitted by Peckerhead (View user info) at 2005-12-01 00:46:11 EST
I know this is yesterday's news but I read tonight for the first time, on page 39 of a local newspaper, a story of true bravery. The facts seem straight forward enough: Two masked men attempted a robbery of a home in Denver, Colorado back on Oct 26/05. Things did not go as planned and the robbers abandoned the theft attempt for one reason or another... but not before firing a shot into the home of Rosa Caldera.
Moments before the shot, the terrified mother had yelled at her two young boys to run! Ricardo Caldera, nine, was in close proximity to his 4-year old brother, Esteban. Ricardo did not obey his mothers order. He instinctively knew that there was something wrong and that his family was in danger.
Rather than do what 99 percent of us would have done and run like hell, Ricardo's first thoughts were of his younger brother. By the time the shot had been fired, Ricardo had thrown himself protectively over Esteban. Ricardo's instincts paid off. Sure enough, the bullet was on it's way straight for the innocent 4-year old and may or may not have killed him.
It's academic now because Esteban's incredibly brave and alert *big* brother took the bullet in his lower back. Mercifully, the bullet found a path through his abdomen without hitting any major organs. Ricardo took a few weeks off school but is now back at Oakland Elementary School where yesterday, he received from the principal and a Denver police officer a small trophy representing an award of bravery.
By all accounts, the two gunmen escaped and have not been caught yet. My hope is that the tough-guy robber who fired the "warning" shot got to read the same article that I did -- or a similar one in a Denver newspaper. An even bigger hope is that the guy is not a psychopath or sociopath and hence has a conscience. I have a pretty good vocabulary but I cannot find a word to describe a grown man who would aim and fire a gun at a defenseless 4-year old child.
Coward comes to mind but this guy is far worse. If the act was on purpose then the best I can come up with is sick, demented, cowardly asshole. If instead, the shot was intended as a *warning* or to scare the parents then I'll scale it back to irresponsible, deranged and despicable asshole. I am sure that Denver's finest are hard at work following up leads in an attempt to catch these two morons.
It would be a low blow (and possibly inaccurate) to turn this into a 'why-are-there-so-many-handguns-in-America' sermon so I'm not even going there. I'm not completely sure why this story of an event over a thousand miles from me has stirred me and caused me to take pen in hand -- well not exactly but I like that expression.
There are two main reasons for this post: It's a good, real life story that deserves to be told and spread right across the country. Not so obvious is the message to and about good parents. It is not clear where Ricardo's dad is but clearly, Rosa Caldera and *somebody* else have instilled in this boy the Right Stuff! One can only speculate as to the upbringing of the criminal who fired that gun. I almost pity him. I do pity him. Remarkable as this sounds, the guy actually has an opportunity; He can turn himself in... or not ... and make this the pivot point of his miserable life. It's an understatement to say that he needs help.
Speaking of miserable, and I don't want or need anyone's pity, things have been less than good for me lately. I've decided to take this story (of the Caldera family and the close call on a child's life) to heart and carry it with me through the Christmas season. I will tell my nieces and nephews the traditional Christmas stories -- but the most special story this year will be of an amazingly brave young man and his selfless act of courage on the day he saved his younger brother from injury and possibly death. Thank you, Ricardo. You are an inspiration to boys, girls, men and women all across the country. Hell, make that the whole world.
User Reviews
Submitted by peckerhead (user info) at 2005-12-04 10:11:33 EST (#)
Ranking: -1
"Teach your parents well, their children's hell will slowly go by,
and feed them on your dreams, the one they pick, the one you'll know by.
Don't you ever ask them why, if they told you, you would cry,
so just look at them and sigh and know they love you."
-Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young
Submitted by Berty (user info) at 2005-12-03 17:57:34 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Dude. Let it go.
Submitted by peckerhead (user info) at 2005-12-03 16:20:43 EST (#)
Ranking: -1
You know, I really had intended for this post to be a feel-good and inspiring post heading into the holiday season -- and I'll be damned if I will let the negativity (partly mine) get in the way of that. I don't care if I have to come back here a hundred times; This post WILL end on a positive note.
Berty: I make no apology to you but point well taken about getting overly emotional (maudlin) -- especially here on Ubersite.
Dervel: I don't pretend to have your writing abilities. May I humbly suggest that you be just a little more constructive in your criticism's and/or critiques?
Tell me, what was the "moral" of the story(?) (I am unaware of a single moral or that my post lead up to it. Also, and I am curious about this: Why do you not like stories with morals? Do you find them offensive? Maybe there is a problem here and something for *you* to work on. don't know.
I maintain that I was not "moaning". I was merely pointing out that of 26 reviews on my first post, yours was the only -2. Had your comment been the typical and standard "auto -2 for first post, newbie" or even "-2 Die", I would have laughed and taken it in stride.
Instead, your quip about "...a fascinating examination into the life of the dull and unimaginitive" or words to that effect seemed pretty harsh. You basically insulted me, my co-workers -- many of whom I will meet tonight at our annual Christmas party -- and the company I work for, which incidentally has plants in Europe. Very quickly: The workers of this company, the tradesmen, are highly skilled and routinely work to tolerances of +/-.0002" (The bearings on your car might have tolerances this tight.) Our calibration standards are measured in millionths of an inch.
Long story short: If you were to accompany me and my wife to this Christmas party and actually meet my friends and co-workers, I think you would find them anything but dull and unimaginative. An industrial company does not survive and thrive for 85 years with employees who are dull (lack vision) and unimaginative (hold the status quo). If the story (my first), and it's characters came across as dull or unimaginative it was due to my poor writing abilities.
Again, it wouldn't have killed you to give a little constructive advice. e.g. "You could have done a more lively and better character description by .... " or "Your story would have been more livey and interesting if you had .... "
I must go now. I apologize for engaging in the petty exchanges or if I insulted you in any way. I'm sorry you didn't like the post. I'll try to do better in future posts. I wish you, and Berty and all members of Ubersite all the best of the holiday season. Take care.
Submitted by Wisher (user info) at 2005-12-02 02:35:12 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
I've said enuff about this
Submitted by peckerhead (user info) at 2005-12-01 14:13:00 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by Dervel (user info) at 2005-12-01 12:24:37 (#)
Ranking: 0
Dervel, your Ass-Holiness, I humbly acknowledge your NON-apology. Look guy, I don't have time for this; I'm on my way out the door to my real-life job. That's right, I actually *have* a real life -- unlike most of you internet faggots.
What do you say we just do that thing where we stay off of each others posts... agreed? (I've already started.)
P.S. You have a funny definition of "moaning".
Submitted by Dervel (user info) at 2005-12-01 12:24:37 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
I'm sorry? You're moaning about a -2 I gave you in February?
Which, incidentally, is the only one I've ever given you.
Well, I feel I must apologise. I feel terrible. Really, I do.
I'm sorry.
I'm sorry I didn't like your story about the practical "joke" and I'm sorry I didn't like reading a rehashed newspaper article on "the little boy who could."
I humbly ask for forgiveness, which shouldn't be too difficult for a well-balanced adult such as yourself, to bestow.
Submitted by peckerhead (user info) at 2005-12-01 11:52:44 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
In reverse order: Dervel, I could care less what you like or dislike. You -2'd my first post (the only one) and here you are again. Go back and slam some of my other posts if it will make you feel better.
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Submitted by Berty (user info) at 2005-12-01 04:53:02 (#)
Ranking: -2
Why the fuck are you saying 'thank you Ricardo'? What did he do for you? Was it your family member he sheilded?
I mean you don't know the facts, for all we know that mother was running after the robbers with a big fucking knife screaming bloody murder. There are no details.
How dare you leap to a conclusion because of a glitzy fucking report on the telly? How dare you allow them to take away your judgement. I'm offended by your tone and your post.
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Berty, have you taken your medication today? Do you know how to use Google-search? I do. After reading the story in a newspaper, I searched the Internet and found at least half a dozen reports corroborating what I had read. The Principal of Ricardo's school along with a Denver police officer were convinced enough that Ricardo had done a good thing to award him at a general assembly of all the students in the school. Does it not occur to you that these officials would have done some corroboration on their own -- before taking this sort of public risk?
You're right. I was not a first hand witness. I did not see the event and I did not hear the gunshot. How dare I leap to a conclusion because of a glitzy fucking report on the telly? Guess what, asshole: I DIDN'T SEE THIS STORY ON TV! You're pretty good at leaping to conclusions yourself, aren't you.
Now for your most inane question: Why did I say - and title the post "Thank you, Ricardo"? In a world full of negative people like you and negative or upsetting news stories, out comes a story of a young boy willing to put his life on the line in an attempt to save his young brother. This made me feel good. It inspires me to know that there are members of the younger generations being raised correctly... learning the difference between good and evil ... and on their way to becoming worthwhile citizens.
Sorry pal, but there really is nothing you or Dervel can say or type that will have any lasting effect on me or others here at Uber, who wish to post something positive on occasion. My post is what it is. Take it or leave it.
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Thanks to all the adults for the positive comments; glad you enjoyed the post.
Submitted by Dervel (user info) at 2005-12-01 09:34:23 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Well, thank you Ron Burgundy.
Stories with morals piss me off.
Submitted by TheSpook (user info) at 2005-12-01 09:19:03 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
It was probably immigration.
Submitted by JMG114 (user info) at 2005-12-01 08:24:31 EST (#)
Ranking: 1
"It's a good, real life story that deserves to be told and spread right across the country."
It does, although it stikes me as the sort of thing that would be all over Fox.
Submitted by Berty (user info) at 2005-12-01 05:52:43 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by Wisher (user info) at 2005-12-01 05:44:50 (#)
Ranking: 2
Submitted by Berty (user info) at 2005-12-01 05:39:48 (#)
Ranking: 0
Anyway, you've got to reign in your emotions and your judgement on this sort of thing otherwise you end up with dead brazillians stinking up the tube.
*******
It's much more entertaining to sit back and watch you demean yourself with each additional comment.
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Ooooh, handbags at thirty paces.
Girlish sniping aside, it's poor form to go around assuming you know all the facts when you clearly don't. That you would condemn a man you don't know for a situation you know nothing about based on the dubious 5 minute clip you saw on an unreliable news cast... Well I'm afraid that's not good enough.
Submitted by Nellypaal (user info) at 2005-12-01 05:46:08 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
He's gonna have a kick-ass scar for the rest of his life too.
Damn, I want a bullet wound.
Submitted by Wisher (user info) at 2005-12-01 05:44:50 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Submitted by Berty (user info) at 2005-12-01 05:39:48 (#)
Ranking: 0
Anyway, you've got to reign in your emotions and your judgement on this sort of thing otherwise you end up with dead brazillians stinking up the tube.
*******
It's much more entertaining to sit back and watch you demean yourself with each additional comment.
Submitted by Berty (user info) at 2005-12-01 05:39:48 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Anyway, you've got to reign in your emotions and your judgement on this sort of thing otherwise you end up with dead brazillians stinking up the tube.
Submitted by Berty (user info) at 2005-12-01 05:38:54 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
In fact, I'm probably being a little hard on the burgalar by calling him an idiot. I mean granted, I wouldn't bring a gun with me when I was robbing somebody's house, I mean the best it's going to do is exacerbate things, but then I'm an Englishman.
When you think about it in American terms, it's a simple accident that could happen to anybody. Like speeding past a school or similar.
Submitted by Berty (user info) at 2005-12-01 05:35:25 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Are you passive aggressive or something? The boy did cover his brother and took a bullet that would have killed him. No other details matter. He's a selfless, noble person, and deserves much more than an internet post. The only tone that's offensive and unfounded is yours.
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For all you know the 9 year old was trying to scramble under the 4 year old, or he fell or something. Maybe the idiot with the gun just tripped.
You can't go judging shit because you don't know the facts, that applies to both positive and negative stuff. You know, cause otherwise you'd have a double standard and I am a man of principle.
It's the principle you see.
Submitted by Wisher (user info) at 2005-12-01 05:29:25 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Submitted by Berty (user info) at 2005-12-01 04:53:02 (#)
Ranking: -2
Why the fuck are you saying 'thank you Ricardo'? What did he do for you? Was it your family member he sheilded?
I mean you don't know the facts, for all we know that mother was running after the robbers with a big fucking knife screaming bloody murder. There are no details.
How dare you leap to a conclusion because of a glitzy fucking report on the telly? How dare you allow them to take away your judgement. I'm offended by your tone and your post.
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Submitted by Berty (user info) at 2005-12-01 04:39:59 (#)
Ranking: 2
The other day my mates and I where sitting around getting wasted. Me and my mate Steve started fooling about with a fork and I ended up getting jabbed in the forehead. We put the fork down and went back to ISS Pro. It was a scary moment.
Think about this, he nearly jabbeed me in the fucking eye. Soon after on bonfire night they strapped three huge rockets together with masking tape and one went off a few feet nearby to them, they weren't even drunk, but they stopped strapping fireworks together.
Point is that people are really, really dumb. Often they don't look at what they're doing and think about the possible repurcussions. This thing is the same, some twat didn't think about what he was doing and nearly killed two children with a moment of thoughtlessness, yet many of us will drive above the speed limit on the way back, Cali will probably instigate another potential gun battle at 30,000 feet or some other dumbass thing that puts other's lives at risk for no reason.
*************
Are you passive aggressive or something? The boy did cover his brother and took a bullet that would have killed him. No other details matter. He's a selfless, noble person, and deserves much more than an internet post. The only tone that's offensive and unfounded is yours.
Submitted by Berty (user info) at 2005-12-01 04:53:02 EST (#)
Ranking: -2
Why the fuck are you saying 'thank you Ricardo'? What did he do for you? Was it your family member he sheilded?
I mean you don't know the facts, for all we know that mother was running after the robbers with a big fucking knife screaming bloody murder. There are no details.
How dare you leap to a conclusion because of a glitzy fucking report on the telly? How dare you allow them to take away your judgement. I'm offended by your tone and your post.
Submitted by Berty (user info) at 2005-12-01 04:39:59 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
The other day my mates and I where sitting around getting wasted. Me and my mate Steve started fooling about with a fork and I ended up getting jabbed in the forehead. We put the fork down and went back to ISS Pro. It was a scary moment.
Think about this, he nearly jabbeed me in the fucking eye. Soon after on bonfire night they strapped three huge rockets together with masking tape and one went off a few feet nearby to them, they weren't even drunk, but they stopped strapping fireworks together.
Point is that people are really, really dumb. Often they don't look at what they're doing and think about the possible repurcussions. This thing is the same, some twat didn't think about what he was doing and nearly killed two children with a moment of thoughtlessness, yet many of us will drive above the speed limit on the way back, Cali will probably instigate another potential gun battle at 30,000 feet or some other dumbass thing that puts other's lives at risk for no reason.
Submitted by Wisher (user info) at 2005-12-01 04:13:57 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
I saw that on CNN yesterday & have been thinking about it all day, the same thoughts as you. The older brother should be given something special, maybe by the city or his school, like a medle of bravery (like the lion got from the Wizard in Oz) or hopefully someone will set up a trust fund so he can have his college paid for. It's a wonderful story.
You said: I have a pretty good vocabulary but I cannot find a word to describe a grown man who would aim and fire a gun at a defenseless 4-year old child.
That's what i've been thinking all day, and can't come up with an answer. It makes no sense...
Submitted by crazyaardvark (user info) at 2005-12-01 01:51:25 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
I would have pushed my brother in the way so I could escape...but that's twins for you.
Submitted by Banga3386 (user info) at 2005-12-01 01:31:44 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
This is a really great story, thank you for sharing it with us.
Banga
Submitted by peckerhead (user info) at 2005-12-01 00:58:00 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Thanks Manda; I've been trying to find a half decent pic of the boy. Here's about the best I could find: http://www.denverpost.com/search/ci_3260480
Submitted by MandaPanda (user info) at 2005-12-01 00:50:21 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Amen to that.