Letters to the Editor
An admission of guilt, disgust over duck kills
Posted on Nov 11, 2009 by Jeff Tecklenburg.
I am one of the people responsible for the duck killings at Bever Park. I would like to apologize for this senseless act that I have committed, and I know there is no way any apology could ever be big enough to take back the pain I have caused the people of Cedar Rapids. I would just like the people to know that I am also disgusted by what I have done and I am taking full responsibility.
Shayne Smalling
Twentynine Palms, Calif.
ctiger
11. Nov, 2009
Shayne, I left my thoughts about this on the article about your apology. Hope you will see them.
I wish you luck in the future and hope you will learn from your mistake and go on with a productive life.
Ann_Onamouse
11. Nov, 2009
You can find the article here…
http://gazetteonline.com/breaking-news/2009/11/10...
NE_Side
11. Nov, 2009
I think I would be more forgiving had he apologized BEFORE being formally charged with the crime. This sudden desire for leniency and forgiveness seems a bit self-serving to me.
That being said, anyone who would commit such a horrific act of violence has come serious psychological/psychiatric issues beyond a "senseless act."
ctiger
11. Nov, 2009
He came back here to face the music on his own. The law here would never have gone to the cost of extraditing him for this.
He is also not asking for leniency. He will have to take his punishment, once a jury imposes one.
NE_Side
12. Nov, 2009
I seriously doubt he came back to "face the music" on his own volition. The civil authorities (i.e., the CRPD) most likely contacted his military commanders in California and arranged for some sort of deal. The likely deal being an admission of guilt with a lesser civil sentence, thus allowing him to remain in the Marines. He certainly was NOT coming back on his own had he not been formally charged. I think you are being a bit naive if you think he had such a moment of remorse and regret.
I say if he wants to stay in the Marines then let's send him to the front lines.
ctiger
12. Nov, 2009
You really don't know what I think until I tell you, so it's presumptuous of you to call me naive.
You don't know anymore about this boys true motivations than anyone else, so more presumption on your part.
My statement about him was that I take his apology at face value, that means I don't engage in speculation. You however, seem quite avid to judge and condemn without any evidence to back you up your speculations.
Ann_Onamouse
11. Nov, 2009
Taking "full responsibility" means more than an apology. Outside of restitution, what have you done? Have you quit drinking? Have you received counseling, to get insight into why you allowed yourself to kill and maim defenseless creatures? It takes a real man to truly own up to his actions, and hopefully, you will do so. Please learn and go on with your life, but I would like to know more.
LivinInNECR
11. Nov, 2009
You don't quite understand it do you? You didn't only "cause pain"; people were genuinely in fear for their safety and the safety of their families and pets. What you did, in addition to killing innocent animals, was to disinegrate the trust people generally has with society. That goes much deeper than pain.
I am not alone in questioning your motivation in admitting your guilt now and I am not alone in my belief that you should be punished to the fullest extent of the law along with your cohort in crime, and should not be allowed to stay in the Marines.
I too hope you learn from your mistake but that doesn't excuse you from the due punishment.
Ann_Onamouse
11. Nov, 2009
Apparently you get negative hits for actually wanting someone to take FULL responsibility when they say" they take full responsibility".
Full responsibility is NOT just a letter to the editor, It is truly understanding your motives in doing an horrendous deed, and facing the ugliness inside of you and changing it. No easy task.
ctiger
11. Nov, 2009
You won't get any from me.
ctiger
11. Nov, 2009
Well now I get negatives for siding with you. It's well worth it, as I think you're absolutely right to ask the questions you did.
Ann_Onamouse
12. Nov, 2009
Thank you Ctiger, I'm inclined to think it is more a juvenile grudge thing than anything to do with my actual opinion..
Kinda like a slam book in grade school.
I didn't partake in those, either…
But I really would like to know these things, I don't want to doubt his sincerity.
ctiger
12. Nov, 2009
I think you're right, I detect several juvenile mindsets here.
Your questions to this young man are valid and I hope he answers them. It is important that he demonstrate not only regret, but the ability to understand the consequences of his actions.
jessieots
11. Nov, 2009
I wonder what the drill sergeant did to him when he found out? I hope there was a lot of laying in the mud and running!!
GrandpaR
11. Nov, 2009
Let's hope he'll come out of the service a better person than the one that went in… I'm sure he will. The deed he did was disgusting and I'm sure he has learned a lesson. Good luck young Man.
earthdog
11. Nov, 2009
Well said GrandpaR. Spoken like a decent and intelligent human being.
davefett
13. Nov, 2009
All I would add is, why now? Why did it take over a year for you to take "full responsibility"? Have you helped to identify others involved? you are obviously twisted and in need of some serious counseling. You need to think about all of the children that go to that zoo and love those animals and what they felt and thought when they heard what you and your punk buddies did. If you think that people are going to accept your apology at face value and that this is just going to be forgotten, you are way wrong. I would suggest not living in CR.
NE_Side
12. Nov, 2009
Ctiger, you said: "He came back here to face the music on his own. " How do you know this? You may BELIEVE he came here on his own, but you don't really KNOW this.
Now, I do have to back off my earlier statement saying he was NOT coming back on his own. You are correct, I do not KNOW this to be fact, it is however what I BELIEVE to be the case.
So, truth be told, neither one of us know his true motivations for this apology.