Buz Aldrin....

[JA]

Also had he gone/run inside he would have left his companion/(daughter?) (the lady in the yellow T-shirt and orange pants) on her own. Not the done thing especially as she was helping escort/assist him.

Best
JA

[Multiverse (Grant)]

And another thing....I don't class Buzz's reaction as violence as some express it here, he was under intense attack - the delusional guy was violent & Buzz under attack responded in self defence.

[JA]

Originally Posted by Multiverse

And another thing....I don't class Buzz's reaction as violence as some express it here, he was under intense attack - the delusional guy was violent & Buzz under attack responded in self defence.

Right On Bro.

Best
JA

[GrahamL]

Several years ago ?


If he had gone inside or (somwhere safe ) and run back out to clock that guy hes in a whole lot of trouble he didn't do that .
He stayed in a public place and was confronted twice that i can see .. had to smile when this bit unfolded .. he knew .. advised well how to deal with idiots .

[gary]

The mistake the guy made was calling Buzz a coward.

By the time he was only 23 years-old, he had flown 66 combat missions in
F-86 Sabres in Korea and shot down two MiG-15 aircraft.

He had been awarded two Distinguished Flying Crosses and three Air Medals.

One is awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for "heroism or extraordinary
achievement while participating in an aerial flight".

Dare say there wouldn't be a court in the United States that would find him
guilty of punching the guy.

[Multiverse (Grant)]

Originally Posted by gary

The mistake the guy made was calling Buzz a coward.

By the time he was only 23 years-old, he had flown 66 combat missions in
F-86 Sabres in Korea and shot down two MiG-15 aircraft.

He had been awarded two Distinguished Flying Crosses and three Air Medals.

One is awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for "heroism or extraordinary
achievement while participating in an aerial flight".

Dare say there wouldn't be a court in the United States that would find him
guilty of punching the guy.

Great info on Buzz & his career there Gary.
23 years old, I wonder what the confrontational nuisance guy was doing at 23 yrs old, online gaming in his bedroom of his parent's house perhaps?
I did know Buzz came through the ranks of the US Air Force.
Buzz put his life on the line numerous times fighting for his country even before the Apollo program, then has to continually get accosted by these unfortunate delusional people.

[RyanJones]

Why do you think there are so many a-holes around that feel that they can intimidate and harass people ? They regularly do it to police and other emergency service personnel as well ? Because our world has become so sensitive that they know they can get away with it. Well not this time ....

That’s not to say I condone violence to solve problems per say but sometimes a little bit of a old school “ handling things “ is needed.

P.s. - Good hit, but I still prefer the first time he “ landed it “

[astroron (Ron)]

The fact is that that clown had been stalking Buzz for months,attacking verbally at every oppotunity,from book signings to public outreach events.
He wanted Aldrin to admit to being a liar,and when he went as far as standing face on in front of Buzz and uttered those words "Aldrin you're a liar" that's when Buzz smacked him,and rightly so.
He is lucky it was only one punch.
Did you hear the cry baby say,look he hit me like some school boy instead of a much younger man than Buzz Aldrin.
If I'd have been there and a bit younger I would have given him a smack as well.

[bigjoe (JOSEPH)]

Originally Posted by gary

The mistake the guy made was calling Buzz a coward.

By the time he was only 23 years-old, he had flown 66 combat missions in
F-86 Sabres in Korea and shot down two MiG-15 aircraft.

He had been awarded two Distinguished Flying Crosses and three Air Medals.

One is awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for "heroism or extraordinary
achievement while participating in an aerial flight".

Dare say there wouldn't be a court in the United States that would find him
guilty of punching the guy.

EXACTLY..NO COURT.. A true Hero
Who put his life on the line many times!
BUZZ was continually HARRASSED AND CONFRONTED for months by this young LOONEY.
What sort of person does that to a 90 year old War Hero etc!

Bigjoe.

[Peter Ward]

Originally Posted by xelasnave

If he is a Christian he is also a hypocrite.

.....

Alex

Far from it. There are cases of righteous anger in the good book. JC himself literally "turned the tables" on a number of ratbags.

Review the video. Dr Aldrin has gone out of his way not to confront that nutter, who finally got in his face and not only insulted Buzz, but all of the incredibly dedicated people who worked for a defining event in human event in human history.

As far as the courts go, this is not the first time some nutter has received swift justice from Buzz. The Judge saying Aldrin was an American hero, and if you insult him in that way you deserve what's coming.

[xelasnave]

So a funny start to the day I wanted to leave at the front gate for Sydney at 8 am but I found myself at the front gate at five minutes to eight and had to wait for five minutes before I left.

I did not realise this fellow had been annoying Buzz for months and months. This fact may prevent a defence of provocation as although I am not familiar with the legislation referred to in this thread often one finds the qualification is that the accused must have done all in his power to head off the problem. Letting this guy harass for months and not seeking an injunction then may prevent the defence suggested earlier.

Anyways as I have made clear he should not have struck out for many reasons ..he did do wrong...and although his response is to another wrong it was not right...

The message that comes is a punch out of the blue is ok ..it is not.
Alex

[Peter Ward]

Originally Posted by xelasnave

.........

Anyways as I have made clear he should not have struck out for many reasons ..he did do wrong...and although his response is to another wrong it was not right...

The message that comes is a punch out of the blue is ok ..it is not.
Alex

You are entitled to that view Alex, but I think you are plain wrong.

Biblical scholars agree that when Jesus overturned the tables on the money changers he displays form of anger that is not sinful but rather rooted in a strong sense of justice on behalf of those being taken advantage of by the temple authorities.

While Buzz is hardly JC, his anger was justified. The US courts have also already ruled on Aldrin's behalf on this on a previous occasion.

BTW what would have you done in regard to that knife wielding nutter in Sydney yesterday?? Lots of luck slapping and injunction on him.

My hat goes off to the guys who clocked that guy with a chair and subdued him.

Justice can be swift and fair.

[FlashDrive (Poppy)]

@ Peter Ward ... +1 for your comments.

Col...

[xelasnave]

Hi Peter
As hard as you may find this to believe I know nothing of any news from Sydney or elsewhere so I can't comment on other situations.

We all see things differently and indeed handle things differently and although I can't tell you how I would handle the situation you mention and although I don't know many of the facts relating to the months leading up to the Buzz incident I will venture how I would have acted with Buzzes annoying character...firstly I would not have taken him seriously and had a great deal of fun playing with him..if he wanted me to sweare on the Bible I would say sure which side ..both sides sure..next if he wanted to raise issues like the fluttering flag I would agree that the flag did flutter and that he has discovered something important and should work out why the flag fluttered on the Moon and further that his observation certainly precludes the notion of the landing being filmed in a studio cause there certainly is no wind in a studio. .why let fools upset you..particularly when they are only looking for attention which is so easy to capitalise upon...

I think it is nice everyone recognises that Buzz is a hero and even an old man and offer their respect for the great man he is..but he made the wrong response...and sure we can forgive him and say the other guy deserved what he got ( perhaps more in my view) but none of these things should take us away from the fact he threw a punch out of the blue and to some degree that says to others that a violent response is somehow justified or that those of hero status can enjoy higher mitigation than those less famous.

As to the Bible ..unfortunately it is hard to know what Jesus said given nothing he said was recorded in writing by an eye witness or in fact was anything recorded until generations after his death but I do think the turn the other cheek thing and love your fellow man and to forgive is perhaps the parts worth remembering.

And I know pretty well everyone here fails to see my point and I understand why as no one wants their hero charged with doing anything wrong and hasten to overlook his human shortfalls but clearly resorting to violence is no answer given the facts...I presume Buzz had helpers so the big question is why did they not head the problem off when it first arose...

Anyways a great thread and although I find that I am the only person prepared to make an unfavorable call..maybe Jeremys comment indicates something more my side ..I don't know..but being the only person with my stand does not cause me to think my views are not reasonable....

Alex

[LewisM]

Originally Posted by Peter Ward

You are entitled to that view Alex, but I think you are plain wrong.

Biblical scholars agree that when Jesus overturned the tables on the money changers he displays form of anger that is not sinful but rather rooted in a strong sense of justice on behalf of those being taken advantage of by the temple authorities.

While Buzz is hardly JC, his anger was justified. The US courts have also already ruled on Aldrin's behalf on this on a previous occasion.

BTW what would have you done in regard to that knife wielding nutter in Sydney yesterday?? Lots of luck slapping and injunction on him.

My hat goes off to the guys who clocked that guy with a chair and subdued him.

Justice can be swift and fair.

I was actually thrilled to see civilians finally having the balls to stop this maniac rather than being retards filming it on their phones (as you can see the gutless wonders on the side doing)

[xelasnave]

And I have no problem Peter that you think I am wrong and to all I engage here or elsewhere ever please remember I don't take things personally so you can call me whatever you like if it makes you feel better ..my response is one of smugness as I know if someone can only attack me and not the case being argued I have achieved victory upon the issue of the first insult.

Have a great day folks.
Alex

[Peter Ward]

Originally Posted by xelasnave

And I have no problem Peter that you think I am wrong and to all I engage here or elsewhere ever please remember I don't take things personally so you can call me whatever you like if it makes you feel better ..my response is one of smugness as I know if someone can only attack me and not the case being argued I have achieved victory upon the issue of the first insult.

Have a great day folks.
Alex

Curious response Alex. I did not attack you. I simply stated I thought you are wrong.

If you said 8x7=20 I'd say the same.

My argument was/is clear:
1) You can be a Christian, in fact Christ Himself, and have righteous anger
(no hypocrisy there)
2) This has happened to Aldrin before, the US courts vindicated his actions.

BTW..almost all news feeds in Oz are currently running the story on the knife wielding guy who was taken down in the centre of Sydney by some remarkably brave guys, who detained him until the police arrived.

I found their actions uplifting. It was not that long ago when London was confronted by three guys with knives on London Bridge.

One wonders how successful they may have been if they were confronted en-mass with the recent Sydney response.

[AndyG (Andy)]

Alex,

For me this is a matter of bullying and intimidation towards Buzz, which if I could connect briefly to aforementioned "experience", is something I look poorly upon. I respect Buzz, but I do not refer or revere him as a "hero", deserving of extra rights above the plebians.

Simply put, I'd defend you Alex, under the same circumstances, with the same methods as I'd afford Buzz if the situation arose. It's what any innocent person deserves in the face of unwarranted, unhinged abuse as discussed.

[xelasnave]

Originally Posted by Peter Ward

Curious response Alex. I did not attack you. I simply stated I thought you are wrong.

If you said 8x7=20 I'd say the same.

My argument was/is clear:
1) You can be a Christian, in fact Christ Himself, and have righteous anger
(no hypocrisy there)
2) This has happened to Aldrin before, the US courts vindicated his actions.

BTW..almost all news feeds in Oz are currently running the story on the knife wielding guy who was taken down in the centre of Sydney by some remarkably brave guys, who detained him until the police arrived.

I found their actions uplifting. It was not that long ago when London was confronted by three guys with knives on London Bridge.

One wonders how successful they may have been if they were confronted en-mass with the recent Sydney response.

Sorry Peter I did not mean to imply you did ..it was to cover other things I thought were shots.
I was on the road and trying to keep my end of the conversation up and as it goes when in a rush presumably can over the wrong way..I have just now got in at Sydney let me review things and hopefully straighten things up.
Alex

[xelasnave]

And I will look into the knife incident and make a comment later...not that what I think is important but hey I do like having a grizzle...maybe the incident provides further opportunity.
Alex