Another homeless person beaten to death.

Lakeland - A group of bay area teens are charged with killing a homeless man.

It happened Saturday night in the 1300 block of North Combee Road in Lakeland.

Blood stains on the sidewalk mark the spot where 52-year-old Joseph Ruba was killed.

Polk County Deputies say, he was jumped by a group of teens.

Investigators say, 18-year-old Christopher Decatur started the fight.

"The other kids come over, two more of then begin to beat the homesss man. And they beat him, they beat him, they beat him. A neighbor sees or hears this and runs outside," said Grady Judd, Polk County Sheriff.

One of the witnesses was Genesis Feagle. She says, she broke up the fight.

"I was sitting in my room watching T.V. and my dog started going crazy barking out the window. I looked out the window and I see a bunch of group of guys surrounded in a circle kicking some guy," said Feagle.

Genesis' sister called 9-1-1. But it was to late. Ruba was beaten to death.

http://www.myfoxtampabay.com/dpp/news/local/polk/teens-beat-homeless-man-to-death-4-18-2010

Horrible little monsters. Sorry for the Fox source, and according to the news report on the tv right now, the last teen has turned himself in (not in article).

:cry:

They're horrifying. Homeless people are our friends. They just don't happen to have homes right now.

Sick.

Especially as one of my best friends was from Polk County Florida (one of the few GoPers and Xtians that actually tried to live up to Christ, much to the chagrin of the right wing), but, Plok County Florida combines the worst of KKK teabaggers (they named their county seat after a tree black people were hung on, the Mulberry tree) and Suburban trash. I wish I was surprised.

I guess there's nothing more to add which everyone else isn't already thinking.

When do you hear Olbermann talking about the real cause of homelessness? When do you hear Rachel making a big report on it?

Hartmann? Big Ed???


The lack of concern, the lack of making a big issue of it, gives the impression that homelessness is OK, that homeless people are alone and have NOBODY in their corner. So, bullies do what bullies do.. they pick on those who are vulnerable.

It will change ONLY when "liberals" and "progressives" decide to take our side, and force changes.

Very strange...:crazy: :silly: :wtf:

The fact remains.... and this is repeating what is obvious.... LIBERALS DON'T TAKE HOMELESSNESS SERIOUSLY.

GOT IT?

Strange, yes! WHY the hell don't liberals take it as seriously as other issues that are campaigned on???? Hmmmmm?

Where is Olbermann on this? Where is Rachel? Where is Ed Schultz?

You can call me silly, crazy, and what the fuck me, but that doesn't change the fack that liberals have let this happen.

Now, have fun with your attacks.

Let me know when you are able to have actual concern for the most vulnerable people.

That's why I posted it.

You can imagine, that as a homeless person, stories like this scare the hell out of me.

AND, I realize just how alone I am.

again..you're not alone. :)

that I regret that when events like this happen, they do so without my ability to intervene.

I truly hope things improve for you and that you never have to face that kind of violence. I fear becoming homeless. I've been poor before but never homeless.

I hope you never experience this... as you can see, so many are willing to kick others when they are down.

:pals:

As for the people on TV, they can address only so many topics at once, and their topics tend to be driven by what's in the news.

Liberals didn't let this happen. Everybody did.

first you mis-read a post, then snark?

Thanks for proving Bobbie's point so poignantly. A sandwichboard couldn't be as effective. :rofl:

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But that liberals aren't taking YOU seriously.

:rofl:

Read it again. Slower if it helps to digest it.

:crazy: :silly: :wtf: :eyes: :eyes: :eyes:

And the sad thing is that the homeless, or should I say human beings without proper shelter, given the smallest support, organize themselves and attempts to resolve their own difficulties. In my city, we have 'tent cities' numbers of homeless driven from place to place. They police themselves admirably and are very activist. There is a magazine "Real Change" that the homeless will sell for a buck and keep a quarter. (it's good reading) We have a (one) converted motel, with a waiting list that provides shelter for a small number of homeless trying desperately to succeed.

We have a 'wet house' for intractable alcoholics, they are not required to be sober, merely non-violent. This is an excellent idea. In-- as we should-- setting aside the stereotype of all homeless as substance abusers, I don't want to set aside those afflicted with addictions who are also homeless.

Part of the activism that liberals should embrace is picked up by churches, who will provide food and clothes at certain times. I post this because there are things we can do, things we should do, things we should support. That hotel I mentioned? The neighborhood it nests against raised holy hell trying to stop it. This particular neighborhood is considered middle to upper middle class and fairly liberal. Didn't stop the not-in-my-backyard mentality. I'm happy to report after what is it now 15 years? 20? The neighborhood's fears are all unrealized. The motel is a success story of it's kind.
We can do more, and we can do better.

:grr:

:scared:

That's one f**ked up state.

....says the poster from Texas.

:evilgrin:


No...just busting your chops....Welcome to DU.

Be sure to check out the Texas forum.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topics&forum=180

:hi:

are happening more and more often lately. This man posed no threat to these kids and yet they just had to attack him. I'm anti death penalty, but they should be put away for life, no matter their ages.

There is no movement to put a stop to the prejudice.

in a town just about 12 miles from me. A gang of high school thugs beat to death a Mexican immigrant who had a wife and two kids. The kids got off easy, two years in prison, but the federal govt. is also filing charges. Anyway it turned out that four cops have been charged with withholding evidence that could have put those kids away for life. All this because he was homeless and Mexican.