Move Over Santa Claus

Yes, we pelt Santa with snowballs. Yes, we were the first city to have a judge and a jail cell in our stadium. In fact, just last night former Eagles and Bears QB Jim McMahon, in an interview at Wrigley Field during the Phils-Cubs game, said there was no comparison between Philly fans and Chicago fans, calling Philly fans "rabid." Guilty. But apparently being guilty in Philly doesn't mean much.

New Jersey National Guardsman Michael Redrow was found guilty of two assault charges for beating a man in a parking lot at Citizen's Bank Park before a Phillies game when the man wouldn't give Redrow a beer (Full article). Redrow and another man fractured the victim's skull and put him in a coma for several days. Redrow's attorney made a sentencing plea and won. For hospitalizing a man and potentially affecting the victim for the rest of his life, Redrow was sentenced to ... {drumroll} at least one year of active duty in Iraq.

What?

Redrow is an active member of the NJ National Guard. We're fighting two major wars. He would have been sent to Iraq or Afghanistan as a normal part of his Guard commitment anyway. He was a member of the Guard prior to this incident and actually had to postpone his deployment to wait for his sentencing. This is the "penalty" that Philadelphia Common Pleas Judge Lillian Ransom felt was appropriate for this hooligan? WTF?

Yeah, lowlifes like Redrow give sport-loving Philly fans a bad name. But Judge Ransom, Assistant District Attorney Randy Hsia and this kind of decision are what make the entire city a laughing stock.

It's not only unfair to the victim, it's downright disrespectful to every other Guardsman and soldier who has volunteered to serve their country.

I am appalled. Judge Ransom, you should be ashamed.