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Sunday, June 07, 2020

My Friend Bob Steele Physically Attacked & Injured By BLM Protesters

I should be in South Bethany Beach, DE right now nursing a chilled adult beverage, listening to music on the radio and hearing the sound of the surf pounding on the beach…That was the plan for the evening, but I’m not…Instead, I’m nursing two busted lips a swollen jaw and cuts to the inside of my mouth that probably should be stitched up at the local ER! My hippie van driver’s door latch is damaged, to what extend I don’t know right now but I can’t get in and out of the door! For those of you that want to see how it all happened apparently, there are pictures and videos of the incident on the Frederick Scanner Fb page. AND I’m extremely angry! More on that later…At roughly 8:30 this evening this aging hippy ran afoul of a 3-400 person protest that blocked Route 70 at the intersection of Route 40 in Frederick MD. Understand I was doing 65-70 MPH as I encountered this sea of people blocking the Eastbound side of the interstate. As I tried to maneuver around them a young white girl with a BLM sign told me I was not allowed to continue down the interstate and had to get off at the Route 40 Interchange. I took exception to her standing in front of my van on a 6 lane Federal Interstate (defense highway for those that know what that is), and told her in no uncertain terms to get out of my way. She got right in front of the van to block me as I inched forward. As I told her to get out of the way yet again a crowd of 15 to 20 young men of color ran up to the van and told me I had to get off the interstate. I told them I would be happy to move if they could get the girl out from in front of the van. At that point, several of the young men tried to open my locked driver’s door that I had luckily locked at the beginning of the trip. They darned near ripped the door handle off the van. I can only assume they were going to open the door and discuss with me topics such as the 200 years of slavery they had personally experienced, maybe the fact that my 1987 van violated their concept of what I should be driving, possibly they wanted to discuss the fact that Washington Bullet Wes Unseld had passed away yesterday, or possibly they just wanted to kick some old white dude’s ass. Not really being interested in any of those topics and not really wanting to get into a political discussion with a crowd of angry young men of color I decide it would be wise to move on off to the off-ramp. At that point, the crowd parted briefly and I was sucker-punched by one of the nice young men without provocation, without cause, and I guess because he just wanted to coldcock an old white dude. I quickly had blood running down my face, my mustache turned a fashionable shade of crimson and I immediately felt a shooting pain across my jaw where the young gentleman decided his fist should be placed with great force. Reeling from the blow, I stepped on the gas, the crowd was throwing stuff at the van and kicking the sides. As I drove away, the group dispersed as quickly as it had assembled, and as I rolled up the off-ramp flipping them off in a last act of defiance all the while dialing 911. At the top of the ramp were a number of Frederick County Sheriffs' deputies blocking access to the Westbound side of the interstate. I talked to one officer who took down my information and apologized for the treatment I had received at the hands of the “peaceful protestors” (my words not his). I told him no need to apologize I said, "you have to deal with this for the rest of the night, I don’t". After refusing medical treatment (I had no idea the cuts in the inside of my lip were so large or so deep). I looked down to Route 70 and noticed the throng had moved to the Westbound side of the Interstate and that side was now at a complete standstill.
Those of you that don't know me, I am a radio air personality, I have been in the business of entertaining and information for 46 years. in addition, I have been involved in many protests, marches, and sit-ins, and covered many more for a wide variety of news organizations from local to national, hell, I grew up in the 60s and 70s (BTW my news credentials were on the dashboard of the “Hippie Van” in full view of the crowd of nice young men of color). Understand, we are not talking about a newbie to protest movements here...My creds of being on both sides of the protests in DC, Largo, MD, Gainesville, FL, College Park, MD, and others are without question. Further, I have analyzed the video of the cop with his knee on the neck of the handcuffed George Floyd in Minneapolis from all angles. Finally, I absolutely believe in our constitutional right to protest things we personally object to. There are a lot of people that have died for that right and privilege


Here are some thoughts in retrospect:

1) A peaceful protest is way more effective than a violent one. The results from Martin Luther King, Gandhi, Nelson Mandella, and others certainly prove the effectiveness of non-violent protests.
2) I firmly believe the riots we are seeing in our cities are coordinated and instigated by outside forces.
3) There are paid instigators all over the country inciting violence.
4) How does a pallet of bricks just happen to appear?
5) I believe the cop that killed George Floyd is guilty of first-degree murder. I also believe he won’t last more than 24 hours in a general prison population anywhere in this country, and his death will not be pretty
6) There are a lot of people going freaking stir crazy because of the lockdown from the COVID 19 Virus quarantines
7) Because you are pissed off at the world does not give you the right to be violent. Nor does it give you the right to drag me out of my van. Nor does it give you the right to violate my personal space, Nor does it give you the right to strike me!
8) I think that burning and looting because you are pissed off about something is simply wrong. Who do you hurt? 
9) Back to me…I have a right to roll down Highway 70 unimpeded by your sorry asses at the 70 MPH speed limit I I so choose.
10) If you get in my way and I accidentally hit you, well, it sucks to be you! 

Now let’s talk about my newfound anger! I was willing to give the protestors all over the country a bye because I think the killing of anyone in the “protective” custody of police in the way George Floyd was killed is a crime. A criminal act to revenge a criminal act is nothing more than anarchy! We are a nation of laws…and maybe it’s time to look at those laws to make sure they are fair and equitable across the board. BUT when people decide that the law doesn’t apply to them and they violate basic human rights and decide they can do anything they damn well please including attempting to pull me out of my van because of the color of my skin, well I have a basic problem with that. So now I’m angry! And the person to blame is the guy that sucker punched me this evening! I don’t blame all people of color for this act I blame him! He is the asshole that punched me for no reason! So here is my question which will certainly go unanswered because he can hide in his anonymity…Now that you have punched a White Guy does that somehow bring back the life of anyone who has wrongfully perished in police custody? I think not…so now you are on the exact same level as the four police officers that killed George Floyd! I know, as do you, that had you and your friends been able to get me out of the van, I wouldn’t be in any shape to be writing this tonight! And more than likely your anger would have been the end of my life! So before you do this again, and while you and your buds are hi-fiving each other over the “fun” you had tonight, you got to wonder what I’m doing to prevent this from happening to me and my family the next time. See how this works? One wrong, no matter how tragic, does not justify another! That is nothing short of revenge. There are bad apples in every crate…one individual does not represent an entire race! Martin Luther King, Gandhi, and Nelson Mandella warned against that. To the guy that thought it would be cool to sucker-punch me tonight...so we all understand where I'm coming from…# All Lives Matter! Your’s, Mine, The Cops, and everyone else…you have no right to take the law into your own hands, And you sure as shit have no right to punch me!

35 comments:

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
TheRealRay said...

Antifa and blm are terrorist. Why did the police allow the riot on a interstate ?...if you had been black and the rioters white the police would have arrested a whole bunch of white people... but now I guess it's okay to indescribably commit crimes against whites huh ?

Anonymous said...

These radicals demand respect and some form of "reparations" for something that happened hundreds of years ago that they have no clue about since that is no longer taught. And, do these idiots even attend school. That being said, they want respect yet taxpayers and hard working Americans still have to feed, clothe, and provide housing...wtf is that? Unruly and irresponsible to say the least, drain on society and incorrigible at most.

Anonymous said...

Local a jackson is crying on facebook because they are so "misunderstood." Yes they are misunderstood. We will never understand how anyone could ever prioritize a murder victim based on who the murderer is. That is of the devil and not the way a Godly person would ever think.

Anonymous said...

Sorry that happened to you. All lives matter. Do not spend any time or money on BLM racist agenda.

Anonymous said...

Social distancing. The guru doctor answer to crowds and riots is “ always a higher possibility of transmission of the virus in a closer proximity” that is all he said on it after shutting down the country’s. What happened to you is the new hoax until election. This is the last and final push for them White House

Unknown said...

And we can't conceal carry for personal protection in Md. Time to break these violent protests up with whatever force necessary.

Anonymous said...

People have a right to be afraid. These are violent marches. Stop with lying about “peaceful protests”.

Unknown said...

Thanks Joe for re-posting this! Violence should have no role in a protest over the murder of George Floyd! Anger yes, protests yes...the violence and assaults on innocent bystanders simply because of the color of their skin is uncalled for and wrong! I was lucky, others may not be so! What is really sad about this incident is that I am having to fight MY anger over the assault and focus on the issues on our national plate right now. It would be easy to go get a concealed carry permit, or buy a "Saturday Night Special" to add to the under the seat first aid emergency kit I currently carry in the van and be "ready" for the next time...but what does that solve? I become part of the problem rather than part of the solution. People need to take a breath, take a step back from the brink and focus on the underlying issues! This anger is unhealthy and charts a course for destruction of the country!

JoeAlbero said...

8:49, Let me just say this. Now I know this is going to stir the pot for several reasons but can ANYONE blame law enforcement when Governors and Mayors defund the police? Look, there are some bad cops but truth be told there is a massive majority of great cops. It's OK to disagree with them in so many ways but their job is HORRIBLE and all of you know, none of you would want to pull up to a car accident where someone's been decapitated or someone who's hung them self, a woman being raped and in shock, the list goes on and on. No, I'm not making excuses but for those Good Cops, the way elected leaders are treating them is a load of sh!t! Let's also keep in mind, when you have a thousand irritated protesters doing crap like this and you only have a few cops at that location t would be stupid to jump right in, sorry Bob. It's time for Trump to call in our armed forces and stop this in its tracks. The world is laughing at us.

JoeAlbero said...

I'll add, and Liberals want to take away our guns! Now, more then ever, it's time to defend ourselves, period. If enough people like Bob had their weapon and could defend himself this crap would end immediately.

JoeAlbero said...

Now commenters are demanding I take down this article for spreading HATE! You jackasses have to be kidding me!

Anonymous said...

Bullshit 9:04. Carry. You don’t need that piece of paper to tell you can. Carry. You have to depend on you and only you to defend yourself, your property, and family. It’s your 2nd amendment right.

Anonymous said...

Blocking ANY traffic anywhere without a permit (like for a parade) should NEVER be allowed.

There is nothing pieceful about that.

Bring out fire hoses and snow plows and clean it up - they are trash so treat them like it.

Anonymous said...

Yep it's hate alright. we hate violence of any kind unlike the worshipers of blm who pick and choose what violence is acceptable based on WHO is committing the violence.

Anonymous said...


Who instructed the cops not to interfere with those blocking the interstate? They should have been cleared out. They certainly didn't walk to the blockage spot. They were creating a danger to themselves as well as to vehicles. Along the way they were interfering with the civil rights of others to move about freely?

County sheriff?

MSP?

Larry the Lockdowner?

Anonymous said...

It’s only hate when discussing the racial attacks on whites which are the overwhelming cases

Anonymous said...

Well said Joe. If they keep on messing, they are going to awaken a “sleeping giant”,; the phrase used by the Japanese Admiral in response to the carrying out the attack on Pearl Harbor. Let them keep on messing. The “sleeping giant” may awaken.

Anonymous said...

there would of been bodies run over on that interstate! obviously none of the dumbocrats have jobs if all they do is protest day and night! a product of their enviroment!

Anonymous said...

Exactly. If people stop listening to government and start READING YOUR CONSTITUTION. We ALL can carry piece of paper or not. As you said. The government won't protect you. ITS ALL ON YOU. I carry EVERYTIME I'm in public. I'm not becoming a victim because we have COWARDS in the REPUBLICAN party who won't DESTROY the Democrat party.

Anonymous said...

They have awakened not so much a sleeping giant but have awoke the ones formerly know as The Woke. They have also awoken other races and other ethic groups such as the Latinos. They now have only behind them a small minority of misfit whites who because of their own failures and inadequacies in life get- as per former msnbc democrat gatekeeper chris matthews - a "thrill up" their legs by riling up blacks and letting them get blamed for all the violence and destruction

Anonymous said...

Run em over

Anonymous said...

This civil unrest has little to do with BLM or the white liberal children Anti-Fascists there is no Antifa these kids are pawns in an older and deeper sleeper cell of Anarchists that in the 80's espoused a " NO BUSINESS AS USUAL" doomsday policy that the pandemic scare and these events have made possible. They are cult of end day pessimistic Nihilists that have no values or loyalties or desire to usurp wealth or power. They seek only to corrupt reality as you know it. Your morals your values your convictions beliefs and complacent comforts and any hope and sense of purpose in your being. It's the rapture with no redemption or heavenly ascent and a genocide of all human existence.

Anonymous said...

Anybody that’s ever attended school with blacks understands the harassment and bullying that they’re responsible for

Anonymous said...

Joe, just keep doing what you do. Sun light is the best disinfectant.

Anonymous said...

9:13 "People have a right to be afraid" what kind of statement is that?

Anonymous said...

Gotta admit that was an entertaining read.

Anonymous said...

Black younger individual punched you, got it, def uncalled for and he should have repercussions (but won’t).

I’m sure, by reading all of this, you had as big a chip on your shoulder as they did (well at least coming in, and again clearly now that you are home).

But one question, you say “15-20 young men of color” approached you, but the pics and videos looks like 15 total people (from the drivers side that we could see anyways), and seems like half of them are white.

Sure, minor detail, but #FakeNews is ALL about “minor details” (on both sides), why your recap read like 1 white chick and 15-20 black guys, yet the pics don’t seem to indicate that?

Serious question.

Anonymous said...

What's that Got To Do With anything 5:35 ??? Weather It's 20 Or Just 1 ...last time I checked ITS AGAINST the Law To Stand And Block Traffic Let Alone TELL me Where I Have To Go ! ... Not Other Drivers Would Deal With This Like Bob Did ,Trust Me On That !!

Anonymous said...

Well if they do disband the police like they want to, we will be able to run them over without worrying about the police.

Anonymous said...

8:09, I assure you many drivers dealt with it better than Bon did. Reports sound like it was a 10 min affair, was Bob only one on road for that 10 mins, or the only one that got into an altercation?

And what my question had to do with the topic was explained. Don’t contribute to #FakeNews.

Everyone needs to take a giant step back and realize we all on this ball, destined for the same thing..,whatever that is.

Unknown said...

Gotta love all of the " anonymous" comments......

Anonymous said...

The city knows where those bricks came from. Some camera had to catch who ever it was that dropped them there for the rioters. I believe they know, but will not expose their identity.

Anonymous said...

[ what kind of statement is that? ] Ummm ... how is it not true?

maria said...

10:00 protesting IS their job....theyre paid to be there and wreak as much havoc and violence as they can.