On the fundamental unfairness of life, and the irresponsibility of those with whom we have to share this planet and the roads we've lain upon it.

David Cantu felt the draw to serve his country. He had other options. His sister is, I believe, working toward her PhD in a biotech-related subject. Given that, it's obvious that David was no dummy for whom military service was the only option.

Nonetheless, he felt drawn to serve, and serve he did. David finished up his course work and took an early out from high school so that he could enlist in the Marines as soon as possible. Promotions come slowly in the Marines, but nonetheless he achieved the rank of Lance Corporal in a short period of time.

At the age of 19, when his peers were hitting the beach, knocking down a couple of cold ones and introducing themselves to the comely young things that inhabit such areas, David was ducking mortar blasts and covering his buddies' backs. Cover their backs he did well--his superiors had nothing but good things to say about him, despite his relative youth.

David survived the crucible of combat and came home. After all that he had experienced, the first thing he wanted to do was call his girlfriend and tell her how much he loved her and ask her to marry him. She said "yes" and everything fell into place for David. The only thing remaining was the cross country drive home.

At some point during that drive David stopped for gas, then called his now fiance' and told her he was on the way. Within minutes of that phone call David was dead. Killed by a stone drunk who sideswiped him, sending him end over end off of the highway.

Pissed of yet? You should be. But it gets better.

The guy who killed David says it was David's fault. Huh?? Stone drunk boy says David swerved toward him, and totally ignoring the laws of physics, sent himself tumbling off of the highway.

David's family has been through more than any family should ever be asked to endure. First, the uncertainty of a son deployed to a combat zone, then the death of a son, and now the utter weaseling of attorneys who want their son's killer to walk.

My advice to the killer: Be a man. You did it, suck it up.

Infuriating.

http://www.news-leader.com/today/20050603-ParentsDWIdrive.html

http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/local/articles/0601roberts01.html

http://springfield.news-leader.com/news/today/20050604-Guiltypleainman.html