Well, here it is. A new year. We will all have to get used to placing the proper date on our checks and other correspondence. Again. In a few days we will have to get used to having Trump, again. Boy, that’s confusing. It will be interesting to see how his place in history is written, and what he chooses to do. It will also be interesting to see what he can do on the immigration “problems” and about crime and inflation. I hope our new President can discipline himself and lay his phone down and speak in a sensible way, not so much as he did in his last term.

It should be an interesting time for all Americans as we wait to see how all this pans out. Let me just say here, something needs to be done about the “shoot and run” crime affecting our country. Every morning when I get up there seems to be a new round of run and gun in Oklahoma City. Some “crazy” gets a gun and “evens” things up with a neighbor or some kin. Many times, innocent people are harmed, and the daily routine is vastly altered. I’m sick of it.

Eighty-four-year-old Richard Peliti and his wife Jackie, 70, were tired of it too. It is said that’s why they sought out a quiet and beautiful place out in the green beautiful countryside near Allen. There are too many guns and crime near their home in Oklahoma City. They bought a nice place between Ada and Allen and settled down to complete their retirement.

But, alas, we have these people around us too. Criminals such as Richard Chambers, a 42-year-old, heavily tattooed, dysfunctional man who was allowed by a Midwest City person who must have been compassionate to live in her backyard. Richard repaid her by killing her. He left her there, dead in Midwest City, and drove her car to Ada. In Ada he attracted attention, contacting people for some gas. He claimed he was out. I guess he wanted free stuff. There are plenty of gas stations in Ada. But he didn’t buy any. Instead. Chambers headed east for Allen.

His first stop was at a house where the lady of the house wouldn’t help him in his quest for some gas. She watched him go across the highway and confront the Peliti’s. He managed to get into their house and for whatever reason(s) murdered Jackie Peliti in cold blood. Mr. Peliti was seated in his recliner, watching TV. Chambers wasted no time killing Richard, shooting him several times in the head with his .22 pistol. I don’t think he got gas over there or what, but he soon left, roaming around Allen a bit before driving to Gerty.

News reports say he went on to Calvin. Later (I suppose he ran out of gas) he holed up out at Non where he was finally captured by a posse of lawmen. Last I heard he was in jail over in Ada.

I would like to know Richard Chamberlan’s history. His face was all tattooed up with “prison-looking” tattoos which alone would preclude any employment. It will be interesting to see what our law enforcement people do with this guy. Whatever it is, it can’t bring back the three lost lives he chose to take over a few gallons of gasoline.

You know as well as me that we live in a new world of guns. A lot of our druggies are armed to the teeth and don’t mind using their “equalizers” in our new America. In fact, I don’t remember a time when Americans were so much obsessed with guns and their rights to carry them around on their person or in their vehicles. I don’t look for that to change in the near future.

Be careful and stay safe. And be sure to go to church on Sunday.

Wayne Bullard, DPh

cwaynebullard@gmail.com