As it’s quiet at work due to the Christmas period, I’m taking advantage by getting some writing done. Today I’m focusing on Gaige Grosskreutz and that, of course, touches on his criminal past and the various allegations and claims that you may have seen thrown around about him – many of which, are untrue.
While writing about Gaige Grosskreutz’s criminal past, it’s left me thinking about all three of them and what their intentions were that night.
Although I supported Kyle Rittenhouse throughout the trial, I do try and write fairly. I don’t just want to jump-kick someone when they are down or stick the skateboard in on them for the sake of doing so. The more I research about Rosenbaum and Huber for example, the more they come alive to me. When you read comments about them from friends and family, the more you realise that they left someone behind that loved them.
Gaige Grosskreutz was arrested for assaulting his grandma
The criminal pasts of these three guys obviously doesn’t justify their shootings, even if Kyle may have been doing society a favour in the eyes of some. However, the way their minds ticked was a huge factor that evening when it all kicked-off in Kenosha so I think it’s important to consider who they were on that night and before.
Although I maintain that Kyle reacted in the way that he did because he feared for his life, I continually keep placing myself in the minds of Rosenbaum, Huber and Grosskreutz. What was their intentions? Did they really want to hurt Kyle? Were they acting because the crowd may have been shouting certain things? Am I right with the original opinions that I came to during the trial?
During cross-examination Kyle Rittenhouse defense attorney Corey Chirafisi asked the Prosecution’s star witness, Gaige Grosskreutz: “It wasn’t until you pointed your gun at him, advanced on him … that he fired, right?”
“Correct” replied Grosskreutz.
One picture that continually sticks in my mind is the one where Huber is clutching his chest just before falling to the ground after he was shot. Each time I look at the videos and the photos of those involved, I’m left thinking the same thing: “If only you’d all stayed at home.” Kyle, himself, has repeatedly said he wished he’d never gone and that he never wanted to shoot anyone. I believe him a billion percent. As for the others, I’m unsure of what their intentions were that night. Rosenbaum was a nutcase, I think that’s fairly obvious, as for the other two, I’m not so sure at the moment.
We all have opinions and beliefs that we would stand up for. However, a very simple message that I have always drilled into my now grown-up kids is: “Stay away from trouble.” It’s what my late mother repeatedly told me as a young lad and she was right.
Trouble and drama finds you in life without having to go looking for it. Unfortunately, there are many who want to incite drama in the U.S. (and all around the world): the media, controversial groups, and high-profile, politically-motivated commentators with their YouTube channels and Podcasts that whip up their followers into a frenzy on a daily basis and then go silent when those at the bottom of the chain pay the price for letting off steam.
Nobody likes division. I certainly don’t. I’d rather buy someone with the opposite views to me a beer and ask them about their life and their family. I don’t care what their opinions are because I’ll always have mine, but I can still respect their right to believe whatever they like.
The more you shout at your opposition, the more you are falling into the trap.