As former MLB pitcher John Rocker once said so eloquently, the New York City subway is "depressing."
The Washington Free Beacon opposes all forms of public transportation for this reason, but we also understand that hardworking men and women depend on government-funded cattle cars to get to work every day. Unfortunately, that means many good patriots must subject themselves to the Democratic Party’s pro-crime agenda and face violence and harassment from those who should be locked away in prison.
They must face violence and harassment, that is, unless an Adonis happens to be riding the subway at the same time. Daniel Penny fit that role in May, when an unhoused Michael Jackson impersonator boarded his subway car and threatened to kill surrounding passengers.
Penny, a former Marine, sprung into action. He proceeded to put the deranged individual in a chokehold, potentially saving several lives.
But in today’s world, no good deed goes unpunished. The unhoused Michael Jackson impersonator tragically died shortly after police and paramedics arrived, and far-left, anti-American prosecutor Alvin Bragg brought charges against Penny more than a week later, accusing him, disgracefully, of second-degree manslaughter and negligent homicide. Penny faced years behind bars for what any sane person would consider a heroic action.
Thankfully, a jury of Penny’s peers in deep-blue Manhattan agreed. Prosecutors couldn’t even prove Penny was responsible for the mad man’s death. He was acquitted in December. And even after Bragg turned his life upside down, Penny emerged with no regrets.
"I'll take a million court appearances and people calling me names and people hating me, just to keep one of those people from getting hurt or killed," Penny said in an interview shortly after the verdict.
After Penny left court he was spotted in a local pub, beer in hand. We can’t imagine how good those sips of freedom tasted. But we’re happy to buy Penny his next round, not just to celebrate his heroism, but also his newfound title: Washington Free Beacon Man of the Year.
