Really, the blame the victim thing gets old. Let's stop bringing problem children to Athens.
Come on, now...there's a lot of blame to go around in both situations. While Bassett and Kozak were way out of line, there was no doubt some provocation on the other end. From what I've heard, both were highly provoked verbally (Bassett) and physically (Kozak) into the situation. We're not talking poor, helpless kittens here as the victims.
Reasonable points to raise, BBF, if you've heard exculpatory (triple word score) things from sources you deem reliable. You're probably right that nobody should come out smelling like a rose. From my understanding, though, nothing along the lines of provocation has been reported in Bassett's case except that the bouncer perhaps moved him out of the way when he cut in line. Not as much has been reported re: Kozak's case, which hasn't gone through court yet, and I haven't seen the police reports.
But there were preexisting, potential character issues with each of them before either set foot in Athens.
Regarding Kozak, I think it's fair to say that most of us have been involved in unpleasant interactions Uptown, but we didn't hit women or throw bricks. Nobody else was charged in connection with this incident, right? Legally speaking, there's no justification for major violence unless it's in self-defense or defending someone else. The dude (Kozak) is huge - I doubt that his physical well-being was seriously threatened. Maybe I'm wrong, though.
Does he really work at a Chick-fil-A? I don't believe there's one in Terre Haute, IN other than at Eastern Illinios University satellite location.
That tidbit was a joke. Maybe a bad one, but a joke nonetheless.