for 6 DEC 07: PROTECT THIS JUNK

Before we learned about Wednesday's sad news in Omaha, we received answers about another shooting case - one that some people suspect the news media have been covering up. But I'm not sure there's really a big cover-up here. To borrow a phrase, a shooting on the hand isn't worth a news conference by a Bush.

BLOG EXCLUSIVE: A Talbot County Sheriff's officer told your blog Wednesday the recent shooting at a Box Springs junkyard only left a man shot in the hand -- and that man was a would-be burglar. In Saudi Arabia, this would be considered merciful. They chop off the hands of thieves there....

Deputy Charlie Wesley says David Mathis was shot during November, as he attempted to steal junkyard items. Wesley did not recall exactly when in November it happened - and when we talked, he was on his cell phone getting his oil changed. So probing too deeply could have led to grease stains on evidence.

Deputy Charlie Wesley told me David Mathis wound up at Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta. But he said it was because Mathis "was kicked out of The Medical Center.... kicked out of Saint Francis," for being "belligerent." Well, how ARE you supposed to fill out all that paperwork when you've been shot in the hand?

The deputy says it's not clear whether the owner of the Box Springs junkyard or an employee shot David Mathis. But either way, the Sheriff's Department has decided NOT to press charges against them -- while it's charging Mathis with burglary. You can almost feel a new public service campaign starting here: "Cops Against Copper Theft."

You'll recall we received two e-mail tips about this shooting in the last ten days [27 Nov/2 Dec]. One said the junkyard owner is a former Talbot County commissioner. I've also read online the owner's name is a "Mr. Sizemore" - but then again, that report also claimed David Mathis was shot twice in the back.

Do a Google search for "Talbot County" and "Sizemore," and you actually will find details of a shooting - but from a long time ago. A Henry Sizemore who lived "just west of Box Springs" shot and killed a man in April 1899. I thought those historical reenactments in the South only involved Civil War battles.

But I digress: some people in Talbot County apparently think the Sheriff did a favor to a former county commissioner, by not filing charges of shooting David Mathis. But I suspect other people would say the sheriff did more than that -- he did every private property owner a favor. Now they don't have to apologize for sleeping with guns under their pillows.

The decision by the Talbot County Sheriff admittedly runs counter to what other authorities do in this area. Take the case of Phenix City grocery store owner Don Ford, who was charged with shooting an attempted robber. Ford wound up in poor health, lost his business - and the prosecutors that some said persecuted the wrong man still have their jobs.

THE BIG BLOG QUESTION returns after a long absence, to hear from you about this. Should the Box Springs junkyard owner be charged, for the shooting of a possible burglar on the hand? Or should the junkyard staff be praised, for being excellent shots?

E-MAIL UPDATE: One reader seems less concerned about the Ledger-Enquirer's news content, than with other things....

My morning paper had 11 of the same Kodak sale papers..Whew,poor paperman having to deliver a ton of unwanted inserts...So,the person who folds the Sunday TV guide and does not know how to match the corners also can't count on Wednesday...Probably a computer with a paper folding and counting virus..

My sympathies to you - but look at this another way. Maybe someone close wants you to buy them a new digital camera.

I've wondered why newspapers (in Columbus and other cities) sometimes give you two or three copies of some circulars. But then again, I also wondered Wednesday why they're called "circulars" when most of them are square-shaped or rectangular.

There are times when multiple inserts can be a good thing. Ask anyone who clips coupons from the Sunday papers - the people still in mourning because the Atlanta newspaper isn't available in Columbus anymore, with coupon sections that are much better.

Wash that newsprint off your hands now, before you review other Wednesday headlines:

+ Former Columbus police officer Larry Lightning pleaded guilty to charges of possessing crack cocaine. He faces at least five years in federal prison - where "Lightning trackers" may give him a different sort of storm.

+ Russell County Sheriff Tommy Boswell told the Redneckin blog his department currently has no Tasers, and has no plans to buy any. His officers still can stun people the old-fashioned way - by shuffling their feet, to create static electricity.

+ Russell County Commissioner Peggy Martin recovered from surgery, after she was bitten by a Rottweiler. It's one thing to be suspicious of politicians - but please don't teach your dogs to follow your example.

+ WLTZ visited newly board-certified chemistry teacher Chris Spraggins at Columbus High School. His classroom includes the periodic table of the elements - on a toilet seat! Hopefully his students haven't felt inspired (ahem) to bring samples from home for analysis....

+ Auburn University finalized a new contract with head football coach Tommy Tuberville. It includes a progressive salary increase -- enough to match Alabama's Nick Saban, in betting on the outcome of the Iron Bowl.

(The evening news also showed Tommy Tuberville promoting the upcoming Chick-Fil-A Bowl in Atlanta, by standing next to a cow mascot. Did Tuberville dare bring up the fact that he does commercials for Ziegler luncheon meats?)

THE BLOG OF AMERICA: First daughter Jenna Bush visited the Ellen DeGeneres Show - and on a dare, she phoned her parents at the White House in the middle of the program. If a Democrat was in the White House, things would have been different. That President would have asked Ellen why she's a union-buster, during the Writers' Guild strike.

+ President Bush refused to back down on Iran, saying the Tehran government needs to "come clean" on its nuclear program. That's funny - Democrats in Congress want Mr. Bush to come clean, on when he decided the program wasn't making nuclear weapons.

+ King Bhumibol of Thailand marked his 80^th birthday. He's been on the throne 61 years - staging a longevity race with Queen Elizabeth that makes "Survivor" challenges look exciting.

+ The U.S. Postal Service announced it will release a postage stamp showing Frank Sinatra. Sinatra probably wanted that stamp released while he was alive - but under the rules, he actually could NOT sing he did that "My Way."

+ Brad Pitt admitted in an interview that acting is becoming "less a focus" for him. If I had Angelina Jolie as the main woman in my life, I'd probably say the same thing....

+ Maggie Rodriguez was named a co-host of the "CBS Early Show," and declared it her "dream job." If she thinks she'll ever have more viewers than NBC's Today Show, she's really dreaming....

+ Monday night's football thriller between New England and Baltimore was the highest-rated program in cable television history. How will Sponge-Bob Square Pants top this - by having Victoria's Secret models swim with him?

+ The four finalists were named for college football's Heisman Trophy. But the way this season has gone, the award probably will be given Saturday night to someone who isn't on the list.

(BLOGGER'S NOTE: We posted this entry early because of our Blog Exclusive story. Friday's entry should be visible here between 8:00-8:30 a.m. ET.)

Today's main entry was the result of blog readers' tips. To offer a story tip, make a PayPal donation, advertise here or comment on this blog, write me - but be warned, I may post your e-mail comment and offer a reply.

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