heroes « POWIP

6Feb/106

James Shore – Hero

On Wednesday of this week, James Arthur Ray was arrested on 3 counts of Manslaughter stemming from the tragedy in Sedona, AZ, over which he presided. I am informed that immediately following the indictment, but prior to his arrest, James Arthur Ray was tipped off that he would be arrested. So, his attorneys arranged to have him come to Arizona in anticipation of his arrest. The thought was to save him the negative PR of press covering his arrest in front of his giant mansion. That is, if there was to be a perp walk, there would be no mansion in the background or helicopter vantage coverage - I would suggest to avoid viewers from recalling memories of OJ Simpson-esque cinematography.

Through the power of the intartubes, however, I present the following for your viewing pleasure:

James Arthur Death Ray Perp Walk

That day, James' widow reported his arrest as "bittersweet". Sweet in that we all hope for Justice - and, in accordance with the debt Mr. Ray incurred payable to Society, it seems the wheels of Justice have finally drawn him close. Bitter, because it reminds us all that this unnecessary happening has resulted in far-reaching damage - both for the living and the dead. You see, Alyssa is focused on providing for her children first and foremost - and that takes the sort of energy that leaves none for fantasies of vengeance... no matter how understandable those fantasies might be.

Here is a picture of the whole (entire and unbroken) Shore family:

The Whole Family - James and his Beloved Treasures

Here is the image of the Ugliness that caused his death (image courtesy of The Salty Droid - The Windy City Avenger):

What Fraud Looks Like when The Piper Arrives to Collect

This is what the victims of negligence at the hand of Death Ray look like on a sunny, Summer day, out and about with their father... Daddy behind the camera:

"2006 balloon fiesta kids" - so entitled by James Shore

Will they remember that day? Or will they recall the last time they saw their father... he in state at the funeral home? Which will be seared into their memories?

On Thursday, I had the honor of remembering James a little bit to some of the local media. The buzz they were most interested in had to do with the public revelation and acknowledgment that James Shore died a Hero's Death... something we had inferred all along.

Here is audio of the attorney representing the women whose life was saved by James Shore.

Here is a companion story, featuring a long-time friend of James Shore testifying to the nature of his character.

Here is a quote from a witness of the aftermath...

Ray was standing about 10 feet away, watching, Bunn (a participant) said. "He didn't do anything, he didn't participate in helping. He did nothing. He just stood there."

James Arthur Ray did not deserve to share the same tent with James Scott Shore. One is a scoundrel... a coward... a fraud... James Shore was honest... courageous.... the Real Deal.

The starkest contrast for me is the SELFISH, SELF-CENTERED, EGOTISTICAL make up of James Arthur "HGH, Calf Implants, Hair Club for Men" Ray that was revealed in what he failed to do when the going got brutal WHEN COMPARED TO the SELFLESS and HEROIC fabric of the man we loved, James Scott Shore.

It reminds me of this quote from Patton:

Battle is the most magnificent competition in which a human being can indulge. It brings out all that is best; it removes all that is base. All men are afraid in battle. The coward is the one who lets his fear overcome his sense of duty. Duty is the essence of manhood.

James Arthur Ray could learn a lot from James Scott Shore. To begin with, he could have learned humility, love, courage, and selfless giving. But, alas, James Scott Shore (the dedicated husband and doting father of three) was never invited to appear on Oprah.

There are Heroes among us... they are few and far between to be sure. And far too often they die giving their lives for friends... demonstrating that "Greater Love" which a certain Emmanuel taught us... woe unto those whose negligence causes the lives of heroes to be spent on our behalf - and stolen from us all.