Today, just like every week day, I got in my truck and drove to work. I'm a resident of Collier county Florida, Naples Park to be more precise. The district that had elected Connie Mack to the US House on various occasions. Today, a man assaulted me, for no other reason I can conclude than the fact that on the back of my truck is a Obama/Biden 2012 Magnet I received for my $3.00 donation.
I commute about 3 miles to my office in North Naples off of Old US 41. As I was making a left turn from Immokalee road onto US 41 North, I noticed a man driving a bright blue Toyota Yaris, and he was looking at me angrily. I looked again and he was shouting and waving and pointing his fingers at me while driving. I am not that confrontational of a person. In these situations I have always avoided problems and altercations. I flashed a peace sign and smiled. I sped up a bit and hoped this was the end. A few second later the fellow sped up got next to me again and was shouting and waving his fingers again. I kinda gave a shrug to imply "like hey, leave it alone, whatever, sorry!" and he threw his sandwich at my truck. He then sped up rapidly, cut in front of my vehicle and slammed on his brakes. Luckily, I am a veteran commuter of the New Jersey Turnpike, so I easily foiled his maneuver by steering away from him and merging into the other lane. I sped up and looked ahead and saw that the next traffic light was red. At this point, more traffic got around us and I was able to maneuver in such a way that kept him away from me as we both slowed and approached the traffic signal. I hung back about an 1/8 of a mile from the signal to maintain distance from this lunatic. As the light turned green, I began to proceed, when I saw the man jump out of his car, and run across 3 lanes of traffic to try and drag me out of my truck. I assume drag me out of my truck and beat me was his goal, not getting my contact info so we could have internet debates. I was able to swerve and avoid him. I slammed the gas pedal and bolted to work. It was a harrowing experience and I hope none of you ever have to experience it. Unfortunately under the circumstance I was unable to read the man's license plate.
I did not cut him off. I do drive a large vehicle, I may have come into his lane a teencie bit while making the turn, but to me it just seemed like an over reaction if I just popped into his lane a bit. Was the man a ardent Chevy enthusiast? Offended by my ford? Was it my Wyoming bumper sticker? Was it my Support USA Gold Cup Soccer Sticker? In all likelihood it was my Obama/Biden Magnet, because no other acts I committed would have warranted a man charging at me in traffic!
I thought about it. I asked people I respected and trusted. I thought "the police wont do anything in this county," especially since I had not gotten his license plate...
Finally, I decided to go to the sheriff's office on my lunch break. The deputy told me there is NOTHING I CAN DO. He said if I had any more run-ins with this man to call the police right away.
What a stupid thing to say. This violent lunatic attacked me, my property, and I am supposed to wait for him to do it again, so I can get more info about him?
The deputy said, usually these guys cool off and are never heard from again. Never heard from again! I said to the deputy, "This guy ran through three lanes of traffic on rt 41 and you think this is a guy blowing off steam?" he said, "well I hope so." So there you have it, your Collier County Sheriff's Hope.
Dear America. This is your Right Wing. This is your Conservatism. This is why we can't have nice things.....
This is not an Isolated incident. It's a statistic. The right wing is violent and something needs to be done.