[PRCo] Re: Coatesville Arson

[Phillip Clark Campbell]

> ----- Original Message ----

> From: John Swindler <j_swindler at hotmail.com>
> To: pittsburgh-railways at dementia.org
> Sent: Sunday, February 22, 2009 7:11:45 PM
> Subject: [PRCo] Re: Coatesville Arson
> 
> 
> Hi Phil
> 
> 
> 
> I am reminded of the admonition:  "be careful what you wish for - you just might 
> get it".
> 
> 
>
> 
> So when people 'wish' for and undefined 'change', they just might get something 
> far different.  
> 
>
Mr.Swindler;


Point well taken. 


> 
> As for Coatesville and Wampum, those are singular instances.  It's the murders 
> in Homewood and North Philadelphia that go on almost daily.  The Post Gazette is 
> available on line, and while checking for PAT news, one is struck by realization 
> that this is not the Pittsburgh I remember from 40/50 years ago.  Certain 
> neighborhoods are much more violent today.
> 
> 

Another old saw concerning change:

"The only thing constant is change."

Yes; those are singular incidents.  Good old neighbors change for the worst;
some of the 'then' worst change for the better.
Still nothing new under the sun;  we tend to summarize on personal experience
which is very very far from the big picture isn't it.  These singular incidents
are hardly 'new to the world;'  they have happened in previous generations
and will happen again.

Enjoyed your comments on the Army trains;  especially the action you took
to keep it operating smoothly.  You needed highly reliable people where ordinance
is involved didn't you.


Phil



> 
> The trouble with history is that, with few exceptions, there really isn't much 
> new under the sun.
> 
> 
> 
> Cheers
> 
> John
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> > Date: Sun, 22 Feb 2009 10:54:06 -0800
> > From: pcc_sr at yahoo.com
> > Subject: [PRCo] Re: Coatesville Arson
> > To: pittsburgh-railways at dementia.org
> > 
> > Mr.Swindler;
> > 
> > 
> > There are more than exceptions available aren't there. As we observed 
> elsewhere
> > we are expecting great change with our new president but official historians 
> say
> > we are still struggling with the same social ills of President Lincoln. 
> Actually,
> > many of those 'ills' are millenia old aren't they. Same for crime.
> > 
> > King Solomon said: "There is nothing new under the sun." While the specific
> > reference is to human creative ability (actually, lack thereof) it can also be
> > 'applied' to the destructive ability of 'humans.' Murder started with Cain and
> > Abel and has been with us ever since at all ages. However, it is
> > always startling when the murderer is young isn't it. You will find the same
> > with every generation since time began; it's not new is it.
> > 
> > 
> > Phil
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > > ----- Original Message ----
> > > From: Phillip Clark Campbell 
> > > To: pittsburgh-railways at dementia.org
> > > Sent: Friday, February 20, 2009 11:35:48 AM
> > > Subject: Re: Coatesville Arson
> > > 
> > > This made national news as well.
> > > 
> > > 
> > > Phil
> > > 
> > > 
> > > 
> > > 
> > > 
> > > 
> > > ----- Original Message ----
> > > > From: John Swindler 
> > > > To: pittsburgh-railways at dementia.org
> > > > Sent: Friday, February 20, 2009 6:46:13 AM
> > > > Subject: [PRCo] Re: [PRCo]
> > > > 
> > > > Motive? Didn't have a life, and way too much free time on his hands.
> > > > There's a lot of that going around. Our society has become way too 
> wealthy.
> > > > 
> > > > It was some 35+ years ago that Geissenheimer commented "didn't know
> > > > any young railfans that got themselves into trouble". Of course the
> > > > nit-pickers will come up with exceptions, but what Harold was trying
> > > > to say was that hobbies and sports, etc can help keep kids out of trouble. 
> 
> > > > I doubt if there are any ax murderers or arsonist on THIS list.
> > > > 
> > > > 
> > > > 
> > > > Cheers
> > > > 
> > > > John
> > > 
> > > > 
> > > > > To: pittsburgh-railways at dementia.org
> > > > > From: fwschneider at comcast.net
> > > > > Subject: [PRCo] 
> > > > > Date: Thu, 19 Feb 2009 22:13:29 -0500
> > > > > 
> > > > > Since this was on this website, I'll ask John Swindler openly if he 
> > > > > saw the news today ...
> > > > > 
> > > > > This didn't break in time to make the Lancaster papers but it is on 
> > > > > Comcast's home page late tonight ...
> > > > > 
> > > > > Roger Barlow, age 19, was arrest for setting 7 arson fires in 
> > > > > Coatesville in the last year. He is considered a "pyromaniac who set 
> > > > > the fires so he could watch the homes burn." He is in jail in lieu 
> > > > > of $9,000,000 bail. That's a lot of zeros. No motive given.