Vulgar Display of Power

By now you've probably heard the news: Dimebag Darrell, former Pantera guitarist, was shot to death at point blank range during a concert with his new band. Apparently the fan was yelling something about how Dimebag shouldn't have broken up Pantera and then decided to rush the stage and kill four people before a brave cop in the area came in and shot the lunatic.

Sick, sick, sick, and straight out of a movie.

Now, obviously Pantera shouldn't have broken up. They were an awesome band, and the above CD absolutely dominated during high school. "Stronger Than All" is one of those great ass-kicking songs that will always hold a special place in my heart, and it's too bad they decided to end the team.

Of course, that in no way excuses the crazy murdering fan. Seems we've had a lot of trouble with "fans" recently, the recent brouhaha in Detroit coming to mind. The Dimebag shooting surprises me in particular, because at nearly every metal show I've been to (and I've been to a few), a full patdown has been involved. I think they do that at rock shows and rap shows now too. And idiots like this guy still pulls this off.

I predict that in the next five years a major athlete will get killed at a game. Probably basketball or baseball, as it's easiest to get to the players (and nobody cares about hockey and NFL players have pads and helmets). There are no x-ray machines or patdowns at games - seriously, if you hate Kobe, what's to stop you from walking into the Staples Center and blowing him away?

Weirdest part of it--Dimebag was killed twenty-four years to the day after John Lennon was shot.