If you haven’t heard by now, there was several shootings at the Halloween event in the Castro last night. Today, the story is making nice soundbites across the blogosphere. If you read this blog on a regular basis you know where my insight comes from.
“Halloween in the Castro” used to be a really fantastic slice of San Francisco attended primarily by the neighborhood’s local gay/lesbian community. Over recent years the event has become a spectator event with 80% of current attendees from out of town. Since 2002, much violence has resulted, ruining this once-special event.
While I am a huge fan of Halloween, I hope they cancel the event next year. I hope they increase the police presence and flat out turn people away. Call me a party-pooper but at least folks won’t get hurt for just trying to have some good old fashioned fun. The event is no longer about the neighborhood getting together for a night of innocent revelling. Instead, it’s a bunch of condescending outsiders looking for an excuse to cause mayhem. Well, here’s your sign. We don’t want you. If you can’t behave like a civilized human being, stay your ass at home and cause grief in your own neighborhoods.
Two wrongs don’t make a right but I can’t help it. My grandmother was a big believer in an “eye for an eye”. I don’t condone violence however, it’s times like these that make me doubt that conviction. Sometimes a good ass-whoopin’ is the only way to get thru to a pig-headed fool.
Hearing about this made me relieved that my trip out there was pushed off into limbo. Sad, when someone is glad they didn’t make it out to SF. I just don’t get people sometimes – a few years ago there was a random shooting in Detroit during the 4th of July fireworks. Last I heard they hadn’t caught the guy. But the only way to win is for the decent people in the world to not give up.
Oh yes, I always go trick or treating with a loaded semi-automatic- just in case someone gives me disgusting candy. Sounds like they need to cancel Halloween in the Castro for a while.
it went south for halloween in the castro in about 1998, I’d say. that’s when the loser breeders started overwhelming it. I still remember fondly the castro halloween of 1995. I was dressed as the flying nun, sitting on top of the signal box on castro and market, smoking a big illegal cuban cigar.
It’s sad when local celebrations get “hijacked” and trouble ensues. Maybe things should be cancelled for a year of two.
Heck Moby….I hadn’t heard about the shooting. Damn…its sad when people can’t get together to have fun. I can’t say that I disagree with you personal sentiments one bit.
PS. Moby. what program are you using to get previews of commenters in your sidebar? Would it be a free installation. Just curious. I like it and wouldn’t mind doing something like it . Email me. Hope all is well. Looks like BrettC is hot on the track for SF Pride next June, after talking with him today.
Tony – the one I’m using is specifically designed for WordPress however, I know there are some that work w/Blogger. Do a google search for “recent comment plugin blogger” and see what you get.
Plugins are meant to be free so don’t even consider sites that try and charge you. Plugins are almost always free.
Wow, that is just ridiculous. People today are getting so psychotic thanks to drugs and the Christian zealots out there. For the reason of keeping people safe, I hope they do cancel it.
My last Halloween in Castro before moving to New Orleans was 1999. I remember quite a few disrespectful straight people pointing and laughing at the fags. It was so offensive. I wouldn’t want to see it gone but something should change.