OL Kirk Barton (Don't tase me Bro!)

[sg86]

Jesus Christ. Watching scoop try to talk thru this shit and hear "hey insert username thanks for the $20". Maybe they've announced donating the money or something but just seems in poor taste if not. Hope they sre. Crimony.

I have no idea what they're doing with superchat money but I know they were asking people to refer them to a gofundme if one popped up so they could donate. So I guess the jury is still out?

Regardless, I will say, NevadaBuck has been pretty straightforward and fair thus far about it. He's making zero excuses for Kirk. The idiots on their board are another story, but I was legit surprised by NB's reaction being as cut-and-dry as it has been.

 

[Jaxbuck]

My sympathy ends at 100 mph ON THAT STREET, drunk, then killing a guy SITTING IN HIS FUCKING CAR.

You know what a "mistake" is? I was on 5th Ave in Grandview yesterday. I was 3 cars back at a stop light. A woman was trying to turn left and did so when the light turned yellow. A guy decided to beat the light and smashed head-on into to her, probably totaling both cars. They both got out and seeming ok. THAT was a mistake. What Barton did was a reprehensible act that deserves punishment.

And how do all us armchair psychiatrists KNOW he was an addict? I've known people who drink a lot and aren't addicts. Did he admit he was? Has he been in rehab? To be honest, I don't know and I don't care. Fucker needs to pay for his actions.

I'm going with his 20+ year history of abusing alcohol and his 3 previous DUI's along with this to say the guy probably had a pretty bad drinking problem.

No one has said he should or would be getting away with anything. He should be punished and almost certainly will be.

All I have seen anyone say is that when addiction destroys lives, it's tragic all the way around and yes, Barton and his family included. The original kid/young man that was Kirk Barton is the first person the addiction killed.

 

[knuckifyoubuck]

I'm going with his 20+ year history of abusing alcohol and his 3 previous DUI's along with this to say the guy probably had a pretty bad drinking problem.

No one has said he should or would be getting away with anything. He should be punished and almost certainly will be.

All I have seen anyone say is that when addiction destroys lives, it's tragic all the way around and yes, Barton and his family included. The original kid/young man that was Kirk Barton is the first person the addiction killed.

I went back to the first page of this thread, the third or fourth post is a Plain Dealer article about him, his father passing, and being a role model for his sister - have to agree with your last line.

 

[ORD_Buckeye]

If you have a drinking problem live in a big city where you don't have to drive. Don't live in a fucking suburb of a medium sized city with no public transit.

 

[GeorgiaBuck2]

I know many on here have always disliked Kirk, and I don't blame you. There have been multiple instances where he has acted like a dumbass. However I have heard a lot of people who personally know him who say he is overall a good dude, and that he has demons. Not sure what that means exactly but I believe he lost his dad at a young age. That's not an excuse for what he has done and It's clear he has a problem with alcohol. I enjoyed watching he and Nevadabuck's podcast and its a sad situation all around, none more so than for the family of the young man taken from them. Hopefully Kirk will find his much needed sobriety while deservedly serving a lengthy prison sentence. Very similar to the Henry Ruggs crash.

 

[Mike80]

I’ve been thinking about this tragic story off and on all day. As I said previously, I have dined with KB probably 4 or 5 times and happened to be on a flight to Vegas with him once by coincidence. We had mutual business contacts and partners. I also noticed his drinking problem and thought it basically confirmed what internet folks said he was like. But I actually witnessed it. And when I started tuning into his YouTube cast nightly around CFB playoff time and for the Michigan scandal updates, I saw that he definitely had a problem airing 2 casts in a row sober.

Then I decided I was going to approach him at one of the next dinners I had with him in attendance and ask him if he thought he had a drinking problem. I was going to try to intervene even though we’re definitely not friends. I was more of an interested observer trying to prevent what just happened SAturday morning. Unfortunately, that next time never came.

I feel like shit because I did not intervene despite being only acquaintances. Of course I don’t know how he would have taken any intervention let alone one from a not-quite friend. People - it is our duty to our fellow citizens to try to intervene in some sort of way to prevent this. Don’t miss the opportunity to save a life.

I get where you're coming from. Totally. I've stepped in two different times for people who needed to be helped. It's not easy and it can be very awkward. It even cost me a friendship from high school in one case, but the individual got the help he needed.

But you can't do this to yourself. It's not fair and you don't deserve it.

The individuals I did it for were both friends and people I'd known personally for a while. As you said you and KB were passing acquaintances but not much beyond that. It sucks and I totally understand playing the "what-if" game, but you don't deserve the guilt you're putting yourself through.

KB had dozens (if not more) people in his life who have seen this for years/decades and it seems none of them stepped in that we know of - and if they did, point #2, KB brushed them off - meaning he didn't want the help or didn't see the problem. As has been stated, no matter what you do or how persuasive you can be, there's nothing to be done unless that individual wants to help themselves out.

It's an absolute tragedy this kid died. Two lives ended Saturday night. But none of that is on you man. There's nothing you could have done short of taking KB's keys Saturday night and preventing him from getting behind the wheel.

 

[MililaniBuckeye]

His bail was set at $500,000 today. If I were the judge, I doubt I'd let him out on bail. It's not a simple case of negligent homicide, but rather a case of the offender getting shit-faced drunk, driving down the road at 100+ MPH in a suburb, and crashing into an occupied parked vehicle. And he's had three previous instances getting arrested where he was drunk. Yeah, I think no bail would've been the better call...

 

[Captain Buckeye]

No, and I'll explain why you (and millions upon millions of others) are wrong.

Mistakes are things we make, errors or lapses in judgements, that have unforseen consequences. You can also toss in minor ignorances and simple oversights.

This is a pattern of behavior that has lead to an eventuality. Self destruction that has sadly also destroyed the life of another with it.

No.... this is not a "mistake". You drank in wild excess, then got behind the wheel of a vehicle. Something he has done for years. Only this time, the numbers game finally reached its finality.


Mistakes are forgivable - this isn't.

When you stop absolving people of awful, often times repeated choices, you'll be shocked at the difference it makes in holding yourself and others accountable.

Kirk should be held to the fullest account the law allows. Sadly the law isn't always synonymous with justice.

No, and I'll explain why you (and millions upon millions of others) are wrong.

Mistakes are things we make, errors or lapses in judgements, that have unforseen consequences. You can also toss in minor ignorances and simple oversights.

This is a pattern of behavior that has lead to an eventuality. Self destruction that has sadly also destroyed the life of another with it.

No.... this is not a "mistake". You drank in wild excess, then got behind the wheel of a vehicle. Something he has done for years. Only this time, the numbers game finally reached its finality.


Mistakes are forgivable - this isn't.

When you stop absolving people of awful, often times repeated choices, you'll be shocked at the difference it makes in holding yourself and others accountable.

Kirk should be held to the fullest account the law allows. Sadly the law isn't always synonymous with justice.

My sympathy ends at 100 mph ON THAT STREET, drunk, then killing a guy SITTING IN HIS FUCKING CAR.

You know what a "mistake" is? I was on 5th Ave in Grandview yesterday. I was 3 cars back at a stop light. A woman was trying to turn left and did so when the light turned yellow. A guy decided to beat the light and smashed head-on into to her, probably totaling both cars. They both got out and seemed ok. THAT was a mistake. What Barton did was a reprehensible act that deserves punishment.

And how do all us armchair psychiatrists KNOW he was an addict? I've known people who drink a lot and aren't addicts. Did he admit he was? Has he been in rehab? To be honest, I don't know and I don't care. Fucker needs to pay for his actions.

What Barton did is the very definition of a mistake per the dictionary. It’s no doubt normal if you believe it’s unforgivable because right now it probably is. However, I’m of the belief most things are forgivable. I’m just not quick to wish him harm because I couldn’t get sober for 10 years myself. I see this incident and I know that could’ve been me in some capacity very easily. I was fortunate I didn’t make the life changing mistake over that decade. It could’ve been me. It could’ve been any of us who struggle with alcohol.

Anyway, Barton is going to certainly pay and he should.

I suppose as someone who’s a recovering alcoholic like I am (I didn’t have an urge to drive) I at least sympathize with what he must have thought the minute he woke up sober the next day in jail. That “holy shit” what did I do must have been overwhelming. All because he couldn’t control his addition and now someone is dead and his family is in serious despair.

I think of that young man first, Barton’s family (wife and three young kids), but also what a waste Barton made of his life from what appears like an inability to control his addition.

It’s just not good for anyone all the way around.

 

[osuvictory1]

I’ve been thinking about this tragic story off and on all day. As I said previously, I have dined with KB probably 4 or 5 times and happened to be on a flight to Vegas with him once by coincidence. We had mutual business contacts and partners. I also noticed his drinking problem and thought it basically confirmed what internet folks said he was like. But I actually witnessed it. And when I started tuning into his YouTube cast nightly around CFB playoff time and for the Michigan scandal updates, I saw that he definitely had a problem airing 2 casts in a row sober.

Then I decided I was going to approach him at one of the next dinners I had with him in attendance and ask him if he thought he had a drinking problem. I was going to try to intervene even though we’re definitely not friends. I was more of an interested observer trying to prevent what just happened SAturday morning. Unfortunately, that next time never came.

I feel like shit because I did not intervene despite being only acquaintances. Of course I don’t know how he would have taken any intervention let alone one from a not-quite friend. People - it is our duty to our fellow citizens to try to intervene in some sort of way to prevent this. Don’t miss the opportunity to save a life.

As an acquaintance there is very little you could do. You are in no way responsible.

Those who interacted with him daily probably should have tried to intervene. Such as his business partner, Nevada Buck who had to notice his drinking, especially when podcasts were cancelled because Kirk was too intoxicated. He had at least the opportunity to threaten a partnership break up unless he got help, and even broken it off for the sake of Kirk.

 

[Captain Buckeye]

As an acquaintance there is very little you could do. You are in no way responsible.

Those who interacted with him daily probably should have tried to intervene. Such as his business partner, Nevada Buck who had to notice his drinking, especially when podcasts were cancelled because Kirk was too intoxicated. He had at least the opportunity to threaten a partnership break up unless he got help, and even broken it off for the sake of Kirk.

Just listened to the first minutes of their reaction to this news and I think NB alluded that he’d talked to Kirk about his alcohol issues. Some people just need rock bottom and unfortunately rock bottom has different depths for different people. Kirk’s rock bottom is about as low as it gets (outside of death).

 

[Thump]

As an acquaintance there is very little you could do. You are in no way responsible.

Those who interacted with him daily probably should have tried to intervene. Such as his business partner, Nevada Buck who had to notice his drinking, especially when podcasts were cancelled because Kirk was too intoxicated. He had at least the opportunity to threaten a partnership break up unless he got help, and even broken it off for the sake of Kirk.

Ken is only looking out for one person,….Ken.

 

[Steve19]

My father's family included many alcoholics and Appalachian moonshine distillers. I realized that I had that potential from the age of 16. I did not ever drink in moderation from the age of 16. My favorite poor man's beverage was Mad Dog 20/20. At the age of 18, when I was ejected from Ohio State, I knew I had to do something about it and I have been completely sober and without alcohol since I was 19.

My brother became an alcoholic, then a heroin addict while stationed in Europe with the Army. He got off heroin cold turkey but then returned to alcohol for the next 30 years. It took him until the age of 52 to get off alcohol. By that time, his liver was gone and, although he qualified for a transplant through the VA, he could not be helped because of the hepatitis he got while a heroin addict. He died from liver failure in great pain before he reached 60, his body swollen beyond recognition and his complexion green.

I share this because I know alcoholism from the inside. It is an illness. However, it can be defeated, one day at a time. No diagnosed alcoholic makes a mistake and drinks too much because every alcoholic knows that even one drink is too much.

Kirk Barton has not just killed someone. He has without doubt left wreckage through his life, as my brother did. He most certainly knows that he is an alcoholic. He did not make a mistake. He made a selfish choice...a choice that it sounds like he made often because those around him excused his behavior.

He is someone who has made the choices, often selfish choices that brought him to this place and time. Consider how he stole and sold Ohio State materials. I get that he didn’t achieve his dream to be an NFL star. How many of us achieve our childhood dream?

Jail sentences are not just punitive, they protect society from exactly this kind of behavior. Convictions set an example for others who are tempted in the face of extreme temptation, to drink.

I am not saying that alcoholism is easy. I am not saying that alcoholics are evil people. I greatly admire anyone who fights that daily battle. By the same token, if the people around him had given him the support to not drink, which he needed, instead of a pat on the back as a nice guy, this would not have happened.

 

[Buckeneye]

What Barton did is the very definition of a mistake per the dictionary.

"misunderstanding. 2. : a wrong action or statement proceeding from faulty judgment, inadequate knowledge, or inattention."


No, Bartons actions are not even close to dictionary definition.

He did not make a mistake in driving to a location. He did not make a mistake in getting belligerently hammered. He did not make a mistake getting behind the wheel. He did not make a mistake driving 100+mph.



These were all actions done with intention, knowing full well the potential consequences. There is no error or fault in judgement from a lack of knowledge. This is the end result of a near lifetime of action with minimum to no defintive consequences.

Three dui's. Three. This was a matter of mathematical eventuality. As Steve said above, prison is not punitive. Had Barton been in prison for his crimes, the other party would still be alive.


I've grown up with addiction on both sides *of* both sides of my family. I've buried several family and friends over it's self destructive nature. One that also can invite violence towards those that are in proximity to the addict.

I have and will always maintain this - your addiction gives you no right, excuse, justification or other to inflict physical and mental harm on anyone else beyond yourself. Most especially the former. Once you cross that line, as Kirk has done, the fabric of your life is at the mercy of those who would either take pity or deem it worthy to spare you.



Drunk driving and killing someone is one of the most ultimate selfishnesses I can think of. You had such little regard for the lives of others, what logic does it follow that others should regard yours?
Rhetorical, that last bit. I'm just making my closing point.

Good on you for finding sobriety and bless your journey and continued strength. Unfortunately, Kirks weakness has cost the life of another.

 

[johnson2443]

Something to note, is that in the state of Ohio a law was passed in December and just recently implemented (April or May I believe) that adds increased minimums to accidents involving alcohol where somebody is killed, and jail time/fines are particularly increased if somebody has multiple DUI’s. Just something to keep in mind regarding the legal issues of this terrible news.

 

[colobuck79]

Something to note, is that in the state of Ohio a law was passed in December and just recently implemented (April or May I believe) that adds increased minimums to accidents involving alcohol where somebody is killed, and jail time/fines are particularly increased if somebody has multiple DUI’s. Just something to keep in mind regarding the legal issues of this terrible news.

Seems spot on for the subject case.