Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

tulipsandroses

(5,127 posts)
Fri Jul 10, 2020, 11:07 PM Jul 2020

Costco Ken tries to explain his meltdown


Man shown in viral Costco video shares what he experienced

A man in Southwest Florida has received attention in a video that went viral after being posted to the internet. He was shown angrily yelling toward a fellow customer at a Costco after she asked him to wear a mask and follow the store’s policy. Now, the man was able to share his side of the story and explain how the video’s attention has affected him.

Dan Maples in Bonita Springs says his life has been turned upside down. He lost his job and says people are leaving him disturbing messages, telling him they wish he contracted the coronavirus. It all happened after a video shared online showed him enraged at a Costco at Gulf Coast Town Center in Lee County recently.

Maples spoke to radio host Trey Radel on the Drive on 92.5 FOX News Friday, and told him there is more to the video that was shared.

“What you don’t see in the video is me pleading with the person to please stop and get away from me,” Maples told Radel. “I got backed into a corner. It was not something I deal with on a daily basis, someone screaming at me and filming me and trying to rally a mob against me.

Maples says what was shown in the video is not a depiction of how he normally behaves.

“I lost my control,” Maples said. “I gave someone else the opportunity and power to escalate my emotions.”

Maples says it all started when an senior citizen asked him to put on a mask in the back of the store.

“Tthe woman was telling me she had cancer,” Maples said.

Maples says he thought back to his dad.

“I’m sorry I’m not as sensitive about that,” Maples said. “That’s something if you say to me when I watched my dad die in my arms, then, why are you at Costco?”


Maples says he was wearing a mask but took it off.

“I can’t breathe when I have the mask,” Maples said. “I feel like I’m suffocating. I feel claustrophobic, drowning type thing.”

The man behind the camera says he cut in to help the woman, and Maples screamed.

But Maples has a different account of the interaction at Costco.

“Runs and screams at best of my recollection, ‘9,000 new cases, 9000 new cases. This man isn’t wearing a mask,’” Maples recalled.

Once the video surfaced Tuesday, Maples says he quickly learned he lost his job.

“Things are tough enough,” Maples said. “Initially, losing my job causes a lot of panic. Because, at this point, we rely on that and immediately causes panic. ‘Hey, I just got fired.’ My son goes, ‘Hey, dad, you’re a failure.’”

Ted Todd insurance agency in Bonita Springs, Maples former company, says this behavior is in direct conflict with its company values.

Maples said he’s now receiving threats. He says that is something that really needs to be changed in society.

“Society needs to look at the bigger picture and the toll it takes on people,” Maples said. “It’s not a meme. It’s a life. I worked so hard for so long to become who I was, and, now, it’s all for nothing.”

The man behind the video did not want to be identified in fear of safety for him and his family. Costco did not want to comment on the video, but their policy states customers and employees are required to wear a mask inside the store.

Now, Maples is looking for some form of recourse.

“At this point, I want my life back,” Maples said.

[link:https://www.winknews.com/2020/07/10/man-shown-in-viral-costco-video-shares-what-he-experienced/|
50 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Costco Ken tries to explain his meltdown (Original Post) tulipsandroses Jul 2020 OP
Whiny little snowflake ain't he? nt Phoenix61 Jul 2020 #1
The classic conservative playing the victim and pivot the conversation away from the real problem mitch96 Jul 2020 #49
Poor snowflake wants his life back RainCaster Jul 2020 #2
Do these wingers not have the internet, know nothing of cell phone... brush Jul 2020 #39
But there is no penitence, no regret for his actions RainCaster Jul 2020 #45
They're always the victim. lunatica Jul 2020 #47
I saw the video lapfog_1 Jul 2020 #3
bullshit edhopper Jul 2020 #4
My parents are dementia patients in a memory care facility ibegurpard Jul 2020 #5
Melt into oblivion I_UndergroundPanther Jul 2020 #6
When Your Son Says: "Hey dad You're a Failure" Stallion Jul 2020 #7
His son is smarter than he is, GulfCoast66 Jul 2020 #8
if he really said that Skittles Jul 2020 #32
Excuses and lies Johnny2X2X Jul 2020 #9
😆🤣 "My son goes, 'Hey, dad, you're a failure.'" nt live love laugh Jul 2020 #10
An old lady with cancer ran at him and he got scared? dawg day Jul 2020 #11
I really hate it when people question why someone is in a store Skittles Jul 2020 #20
He made himself look like a bigger asshole.He should have quit while he was ahead tulipsandroses Jul 2020 #27
He's sorry. He's sorry he got caught on video, that is. davsand Jul 2020 #12
He chose to intimate that women and man filiming. Period. JDC Jul 2020 #13
funny he fails to mention musette_sf Jul 2020 #14
I haven't heard about a gun in this incident - Ms. Toad Jul 2020 #17
The folds on his shirt as he walks appear to reveal a concealed pistol NutmegYankee Jul 2020 #48
Awwww... fuck him. n/t kysrsoze Jul 2020 #15
...sum'pin, sum'pin karma---sum'pin else female canine. 3Hotdogs Jul 2020 #16
Having a hard time summoning up a "womp" Blue Owl Jul 2020 #18
People who die from COVID-19 want their lives back, Ilsa Jul 2020 #19
I am easily claustrophobic, small elevators terrify me, as does tight spaces. Blue_true Jul 2020 #37
... Cirque du So-What Jul 2020 #21
So, we're supposed to feel sorry for him because he doesn't give a fuck Crunchy Frog Jul 2020 #22
Big Whiny Fucking Victim sounds just like trump.. Cha Jul 2020 #23
There is a raccoon in my yard with 6 fleas playing tiny violins alittlelark Jul 2020 #24
He's a liar and a bully. Mariana Jul 2020 #25
"My son goes, 'Hey, dad, you're a failure." greenjar_01 Jul 2020 #26
it was an attempt to garner sympathy , I thought the same thing, lol Demonaut Jul 2020 #30
Chin up, Fisty McScreamer-man... Baked Potato Jul 2020 #28
fuck the little snowflake, his son is right, he's a loser Demonaut Jul 2020 #29
Probably should have just worn the mask instead of being BusyBeingBest Jul 2020 #31
This message was self-deleted by its author geralmar Jul 2020 #33
My guess is he likely spewed a lot of anti-mask stuff at work. Blue_true Jul 2020 #38
My guess that is that the employer already saw him as a liability grantcart Jul 2020 #43
Could this be ANY more obviously written by a non-English speaker? renate Jul 2020 #34
Another "victim" Zambero Jul 2020 #35
Bullshit. dalton99a Jul 2020 #36
The dad part reminds me of someone I know who messed up and then made up. Scurrilous Jul 2020 #40
Don't be a bitch vercetti2021 Jul 2020 #41
Womp womp. MrsCoffee Jul 2020 #42
"Society needs to look at the bigger picture and the toll it takes on people." Make7 Jul 2020 #44
This idiot deserved to be fired Gothmog Jul 2020 #46
Mr. Maples, the families of 136,000 dead Americans want their lives back too. KY_EnviroGuy Jul 2020 #50

mitch96

(13,926 posts)
49. The classic conservative playing the victim and pivot the conversation away from the real problem
Sat Jul 11, 2020, 07:20 AM
Jul 2020

Wear a mask and there would not be a problem... That "I can't breath with a mask" ploy does not cut it... uff
m

brush

(53,918 posts)
39. Do these wingers not have the internet, know nothing of cell phone...
Sat Jul 11, 2020, 01:03 AM
Jul 2020

videos, or of youtube? There have been so many of these videos over the last few months of these uncorked rants by out-of-control idiots who soon get doxxed and lose their jobs, you'd think they'd have seen some of them and know what can happen.

Guess not. Poor sap. He screwed his own life up.

lunatica

(53,410 posts)
47. They're always the victim.
Sat Jul 11, 2020, 02:01 AM
Jul 2020

Sound familiar? It does to me. Someone else made them lose their cool. Too much pressure to wear a mask. A woman demanded something. Poor guy. Everyone else MAKES them do it.

lapfog_1

(29,227 posts)
3. I saw the video
Fri Jul 10, 2020, 11:11 PM
Jul 2020

HE was advancing on whoever filmed him.
HE was in a fighting stance.
HE was not in any corner.
He was yelling and not wearing a mask.

Asshole.

ibegurpard

(16,685 posts)
5. My parents are dementia patients in a memory care facility
Fri Jul 10, 2020, 11:13 PM
Jul 2020

That has had a huge outbreak. Both have tested positive but are so far asymptomatic. There have been five deaths due to this outbreak since Monday. Fuck this asshole.

Stallion

(6,476 posts)
7. When Your Son Says: "Hey dad You're a Failure"
Fri Jul 10, 2020, 11:16 PM
Jul 2020

he wants society to change to be a more caring, understanding society-apparently every one but himself

Skittles

(153,205 posts)
32. if he really said that
Sat Jul 11, 2020, 12:22 AM
Jul 2020

I get the feeling "failure" encompasses behavior prior to this disgusting meltdown.

Johnny2X2X

(19,139 posts)
9. Excuses and lies
Fri Jul 10, 2020, 11:17 PM
Jul 2020

This guy is pathetic. Lies about what we saw with our own eyes and then makes a bunch of half assed excuses. This clown has a son, he needs to start acting like a father and take some responsibility.

dawg day

(7,947 posts)
11. An old lady with cancer ran at him and he got scared?
Fri Jul 10, 2020, 11:19 PM
Jul 2020

>>“The woman was telling me she had cancer,” Maples said.

Maples says he thought back to his dad.

“I’m sorry I’m not as sensitive about that,” Maples said. “That’s something if you say to me when I watched my dad die in my arms, then, why are you at Costco?>>>


That's some of that great Christian compassion. And what does the woman saying that to him have to do with his father dying?


What a Trump-addled lout.

Skittles

(153,205 posts)
20. I really hate it when people question why someone is in a store
Fri Jul 10, 2020, 11:47 PM
Jul 2020

besides being none of their business, not everyone has family or friends available to do all their shopping needs, NOR SHOULD THEY NEED TO

tulipsandroses

(5,127 posts)
27. He made himself look like a bigger asshole.He should have quit while he was ahead
Sat Jul 11, 2020, 12:02 AM
Jul 2020

So now the world knows you were screaming at an old lady with cancer.

davsand

(13,421 posts)
12. He's sorry. He's sorry he got caught on video, that is.
Fri Jul 10, 2020, 11:21 PM
Jul 2020

Act like an asshat in public these days and chances are good somebody will capture it on video. I guess he'll know better next time.

No sympathy from me.




Laura

JDC

(10,135 posts)
13. He chose to intimate that women and man filiming. Period.
Fri Jul 10, 2020, 11:22 PM
Jul 2020

He was the aggressor and now he's sorry, not for his actions, but for the consequences. Would you want that guy working next to you knowing he could lose it like that? I know I wouldn't. Fired due to volatility and poor judgement.

Ms. Toad

(34,109 posts)
17. I haven't heard about a gun in this incident -
Fri Jul 10, 2020, 11:42 PM
Jul 2020

and in the videos I've seen there isn't a clear view of his back.

Where are you getting that info from?

NutmegYankee

(16,201 posts)
48. The folds on his shirt as he walks appear to reveal a concealed pistol
Sat Jul 11, 2020, 02:10 AM
Jul 2020

Inside waste band style, 2 o'clock position. Speculation, but would fit with the man's personality and his choice of words seems like concealed carry training.

Ilsa

(61,698 posts)
19. People who die from COVID-19 want their lives back,
Fri Jul 10, 2020, 11:46 PM
Jul 2020

You a-hole, Maples. The masks are to decrease transmission of a deadly disease, but he doesn't care.

Blue_true

(31,261 posts)
37. I am easily claustrophobic, small elevators terrify me, as does tight spaces.
Sat Jul 11, 2020, 12:39 AM
Jul 2020

I got caught in a crowd of people once and had to fight mentally to keep from running, though I knew that situation would have made matters much worse.

I have several types of masks. I have zero issues with wearing any one of them, in fact, I can stay in them for hours.

Cirque du So-What

(25,989 posts)
21. ...
Fri Jul 10, 2020, 11:51 PM
Jul 2020

Honest. I ran outta gas. I had a flat tire. I didn't have enough money for cab fare. My tux didn't come back from the cleaners. An old friend came in from outta town. Someone stole my car. There was an earthquake, a terrible flood, locust's. It wasn't my fault!! I swear to God!!

Crunchy Frog

(26,659 posts)
22. So, we're supposed to feel sorry for him because he doesn't give a fuck
Fri Jul 10, 2020, 11:55 PM
Jul 2020

about people who have cancer, but still need to go shopping. Somehow I'm not feeling the sympathy.

Basically, don't be a dick in public, because it may get filmed and go public, and there will likely be consequences.

Cha

(297,761 posts)
23. Big Whiny Fucking Victim sounds just like trump..
Fri Jul 10, 2020, 11:56 PM
Jul 2020

Hey Maples.. you're the only one who took your "life" away.

Mariana

(14,861 posts)
25. He's a liar and a bully.
Fri Jul 10, 2020, 11:59 PM
Jul 2020

As dishonest and dishonorable as he's shown himself to be, I have to wonder how many insurance clients he's lied to and stolen from? If I were a customer of Ted Todd Insurance, and I had any dealings with Maples at all as a client, I think I'd want to have every word of every document thoroughly reviewed.

Response to tulipsandroses (Original post)

Blue_true

(31,261 posts)
38. My guess is he likely spewed a lot of anti-mask stuff at work.
Sat Jul 11, 2020, 12:43 AM
Jul 2020

Likely called people that wore them weak.

So when he blew up in public, his employer covered it’s ass and fired him.

renate

(13,776 posts)
34. Could this be ANY more obviously written by a non-English speaker?
Sat Jul 11, 2020, 12:28 AM
Jul 2020

My bet from the crappy syntax is that they are either Chinese or Russian.

Zambero

(8,974 posts)
35. Another "victim"
Sat Jul 11, 2020, 12:32 AM
Jul 2020

This guy is one of many out there who relish being "aggrieved", providing them a ready-made excuse to act out in a hateful and intimidating manner. If and when their antics backfire, out comes the victim card.

Scurrilous

(38,687 posts)
40. The dad part reminds me of someone I know who messed up and then made up.
Sat Jul 11, 2020, 01:16 AM
Jul 2020

Made up a totally crazy story that is to try and wiggle out of their mistake*, even dragging a dying parent in at one point. So yeah...his story sounds made up.

*Used their Miami Beach C. of C. work computer to argue online about Terri Schiavo leading to one annoyed pro-coma group to call for a boycott of Miami Beach. LOL This person all of a sudden had a parent on life support who would have been in the ground if not for their nightly hospital vigils to fend off staff unpluggers sooo...'I love precious coma life too.' 'Visit Miami Beach!' It was a great big lie. But the group...which was too small to influence anything anyway...was placated by the yarn.

vercetti2021

(10,156 posts)
41. Don't be a bitch
Sat Jul 11, 2020, 01:44 AM
Jul 2020

Take responsibility for your actions. You were not backed into a corner, you're liar and you are a failure

Make7

(8,543 posts)
44. "Society needs to look at the bigger picture and the toll it takes on people."
Sat Jul 11, 2020, 01:48 AM
Jul 2020

Says the man not wearing a mask during a pandemic despite it being the policy of the store he was voluntarily shopping at.

Latest Discussions»General Discussion»Costco Ken tries to expla...