Eastside Defender

A few facts as reported by the StarTribune:

• A bicyclist hit by a car in northeast Minneapolis Monday night has died.
• Edward Joseph Gorecki, 51, was on his bicycle about 9:30pm [Monday, December 10th] at the intersection of NE Quincy and Broadway streets when he was hit by a vehicle driven by a 41-year-old woman.
• Finally, officers were able to stop the woman over a mile away at 18th and Fremont Ave. N. Officers cited her for drunken driving.

I guess it is small consolation that the cyclist was dragged only a block or two and not all the way the the North side.

Cue the jokes old Nordeasters make about the other side of the river. Maybe the complete facts of this case will contradict those tired stereotypes. I'm not saying, I'm just saying…

***UPDATE December 14th, 2007***

The dead cyclist had a troubled past. As reported in an NECP Weekly Update, Gorecki was a bad guy, too:

GORECKI, EDWARD JOSEPH (Four-time convicted felon: drugs (2), domestic
abuse/violate protection order, terroristic threats; also theft,
domestic abuse, domestic assault, disorderly)
2918 CALIFORNIA ST NE, MINNEAPOLIS, MN 55418
Booking Number: 2007004228
DOB: 6/25/1956
Date & Time Arrested: 2/9/2007 13:02
TERRORISTIC THREATS
ASSAULT/DOMESTIC
DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS (FELONY)

We're supposed to say, as good people, that we wish no harm upon anyone. But where the harm hits will affect our reaction. I'm not saying we should celebrate or send a thank-you note across the river, I'm just saying…

***UPDATE Dec 19th, 2007***

From an email being circulated by 2PAC:

As I a Native Nordeaster who takes great pride in our neighborhood, and who is also a NECP member. I have to agree with you and resign also. I believe in the purpose and mission of this organization. But due to the comments made by the Leadership of the NECP, regarding the recent death of another Native Nordeaster. I have lost all respect for the NECP.

It seems that some Nordeasters believe *their kind* deserve special treatment. That's exactly the kind of prejudice I attempted to call into question. All victims are equal. Where a person grew up should not influence our level of sympathy. But it does. Where a person lives should not influence our desire to hold them accountable for their crimes. But it does.

I would not respect an organization which selectively ignored its mission to track criminals. Sometimes the truth is painful, and the bad guy looks familiar. Let's have a discussion about our feelings and our prejudices. I'm not saying I can see what is in each of our hearts, I'm just saying…