Could SWAT-Gate Be Another Right Wing Prank?

Gus

WingnutsJune 2012 • Views: 32,664

Could SWAT-gate Be Another Right Wing Prank?
Posted on June 16, 2012 by Matt Osborne

So we know how these types of games get played: right wing activists make the news they want to see with a sinister stunt, the right-wing blogosphere goes ballistic, spends weeks roaring about their victimization, and their yarns get days and days of mainstream coverage. Only later, when said media finally examines the facts, do we find out that we’ve been had once again. Why would anyone expect SWAT-gate to be any different from James O’Keefe in his pimp costume, the Shirley Sherrod video, or Michelle Malkin’s #TwitterGulag?

I have listened to all the evidence they have provided while claiming ‘liberal activists’ are responsible for these ‘swattings’ (hoax calls to 911 meant to bring armed police to an address). I have not seen or heard any evidence of any specific person being responsible. But I do hear obvious similarities between the SWAT caller…

Continue reading at Osborne Ink.

Is SWAT Just Another Right Wing Prank?

Video

The right-wing blogosphere has burned with outrage for weeks over allegations that liberal activists targeted them with SWAT calls. But a simple comparison of voice recordings suggests that someone may have been making up their “news.”

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72 comments

researchok Sat, Jun 16, 2012 2:06:52pm

You know, I want to roll my eyes whenever I read stuff like this- can you blame me?

Then I think about the sewers some of the right wing have begun to inhabit and I have to say, 'Yeah, it's possible. Damn'.

Those of us to the moderate, science based right of center are being drowned out by the moron brigade of the hard (read: stupid) right.

And that means everyone loses out. Even the left benefits from challenge and loyal opposition.

Charles Johnson Sat, Jun 16, 2012 2:18:42pm

I think Osborne's on to something. The voices sound amazingly similar.

Cap'n Magic Sat, Jun 16, 2012 2:26:32pm

With number portability and E911, the quick question comes was the calls placed from a throwaway number or spoofed caller ID?

wrenchwench Sat, Jun 16, 2012 2:30:37pm

From Stranahan's site:

Swatter Reward For Info That Convicts This Coward
May 28, 2012 By admin 24 Comments

I’m personally offering $1000 and my friend Brandon Darby kicked in $1000 and thanks to people who have committed in, the reward commitment is at $1225 $2550! Over $8000! I still need to add up everything, but BlogWorldExpo has committed $5000! (See below if you want to help.)

First, Mike Stack was swatted last June. Then, Patterico was swatted a week later. Last night, Erick Erickson had an attempted swatting. And then on my podcast interview with Patterico last night, someone who seems to be the swatter called into the show, admitted to swatting Pat, laughed, and lashed out at Michelle Malkin.

I’m not a wealthy person but I can do something so I’m offering $1000 of my money to the person that supplies the piece of information that brings about the arrest and conviction of whoever is behind these behind these swatting. Call it my investment in the First Admendment.

Other people have committed to chip in — the reward will be the total of all money collected from these commitments.

Email any tips here to me Lee@Stranahan.com

UPDATE : Wow. Within 10 minutes of posting, 2 people had offered to kick in a little commitment. Obviously, no money is needed now — we’re paying after a conviction. So if you want to commit, either email me at Lee@Stranahan.com or leave a comment that includes your correct email address and I’ll get it organized to contact you when we get this guy,

Two weeks later:

[...]

Some people think the calls sound like former Raw Story editor Ron Brynaert. Patterico has written about Ron and why he believes Ron may be the SWATer.

What’s interesting is that on Friday night after CNN did two segments, Ron Byrnaert — who is @RonBryn on Twitter — did a flurry of tweets that decried his lack of involvement. That in itself is weird.

[...]

Whole thing stinks.

JeffFX Sat, Jun 16, 2012 2:59:09pm

It would be terrific if the person or people behind this did some serious prison time.

It's easy to assume it's a wingnut prank since the right is so visibly insane in this country, but there are still some insane lefties out there.

BobKincaid Sat, Jun 16, 2012 4:05:19pm

True enough, JeffFX, but the issue presently under scrutiny is the uncanny similarities between the voices. Sounds like Osborne may well have pinned this one down, if any law enforcement are interested enough to pursue it.

Prideful, Arrogant Marriage Equality Advocate Sat, Jun 16, 2012 4:31:07pm

We really need to pursue this story. We need to get a wave of enthusiasm to investigate. If it is a bunch of democratic pranksters then they get punished, liberals will be shaming them all over the news and Internet about how they make the left look bad and a lesson is learned. However if it was a wingnut prank then they won't really get punished and they will still not learn anything!
Hey wait, that doesn't sound quite right.

The Questionable Timing of a Flea Sat, Jun 16, 2012 4:31:45pm

Something I honestly don't understand: how do you via "prank" get the SWAT called? Around here SWAT are almost never first responders...generally it's sent to the scene after a 1st responder makes a verification of threat that calls back and the SWAT is sent out...

Is it different out in California?

Douchecanoe and Ryan Too Sat, Jun 16, 2012 4:51:34pm

re: #8 The Ghost of a Flea

Something I honestly don't understand: how do you via "prank" get the SWAT called? Around here SWAT are almost never first responders...generally it's sent to the scene after a 1st responder makes a verification of threat that calls back and the SWAT is sent out...

Is it different out in California?

For certain kinds of threats, calling back for verification may not be a viable option. You can probably word it in such a way that the 911 dispatcher would feel more comfortable asking to send the SWAT team directly than following established procedure, since following procedure and getting someone killed would not look good on the evening news.

Charles Johnson Sat, Jun 16, 2012 4:58:03pm

I think I'll promote this to get more feedback on the voices.

darthstar Sat, Jun 16, 2012 5:04:13pm

re: #8 The Ghost of a Flea

Yeah, the whole SWAT thing doesn't make sense to me. Paramilitary police units aren't exactly interested in taking down bloviating douchebags on the internet.

Dark_Falcon Sat, Jun 16, 2012 5:04:22pm

I'm not going to weigh in on the voices, I'm not really skilled enough at distinguishing between other people's voices to be able to speak authoritatively.

Charles Johnson Sat, Jun 16, 2012 5:08:26pm

I don't think all the swat callers are the same person - pretty sure I hear at least one other person in that bunch. But at least one of those callers sounds *very* similar to Brandon Darby in my opinion - same timbre and phrasing.

It's not proof, of course. But something stinks here.

goddamnedfrank Sat, Jun 16, 2012 5:12:10pm

I said awhile ago that the responses of these guys to being swatted just don't seem genuine. It seems to me that I would be interested in finding the actual culprit, not second guessing the police and lambasting them publicly for failing to follow up on leads I supply. It doesn't make sense for a genuine victime to publicly naming their own suspects, thus alerting them.

re: #8 The Ghost of a Flea

Something I honestly don't understand: how do you via "prank" get the SWAT called? Around here SWAT are almost never first responders...generally it's sent to the scene after a 1st responder makes a verification of threat that calls back and the SWAT is sent out...

Is it different out in California?

A lot of the terminology being thrown around isn't accurate at all. The Patterico call wasn't to 911 but to the Lomita County Sherrif's main line. Similarly it's possible, likely even that the term swatting is being used to broadly refer to any false phone report that generates a police response, whether or not an actual SWAT unit is involved.

Dark_Falcon Sat, Jun 16, 2012 5:12:13pm

re: #13 Charles Johnson

I don't think all the swat callers are the same person - pretty sure I hear at least one other person in that bunch. But at least one of those callers sounds *very* similar to Brandon Darby in my opinion - same timbre and phrasing.

It's not proof, of course. But something stinks here.

It's a bunch of screaming wingnuts; of course it stinks.

darthstar Sat, Jun 16, 2012 5:14:04pm

Even if it isn't Darby, there are now people who believe it's him and now he can go around complaining about having his reputation soiled. I call that poetic justice.

darthstar Sat, Jun 16, 2012 5:15:17pm

Scamman...sometimes you just can't make this shit up.
Image: AvjHBAWCIAABmgn.jpg

Killgore Trout Sat, Jun 16, 2012 5:18:10pm

re: #13 Charles Johnson

I don't think all the swat callers are the same person - pretty sure I hear at least one other person in that bunch. But at least one of those callers sounds *very* similar to Brandon Darby in my opinion - same timbre and phrasing.

It's not proof, of course. But something stinks here.

I think this is a tenuous stretch at best. Darby has some sort of light accent, probably southern that none of the 9-11 callers have.

Gus Sat, Jun 16, 2012 5:19:46pm

re: #13 Charles Johnson

I don't think all the swat callers are the same person - pretty sure I hear at least one other person in that bunch. But at least one of those callers sounds *very* similar to Brandon Darby in my opinion - same timbre and phrasing.

It's not proof, of course. But something stinks here.

Yeah. It's hard to make a reasonable conclusion here but he does entertain an interesting probability. Most of the people involved are what could be called professional liars. One thing is for sure and that's this whole thing smells including the allegations from the so called victims.

Charles Johnson Sat, Jun 16, 2012 5:21:31pm

re: #14 goddamnedfrank

I said awhile ago that the responses of these guys to being swatted just don't seem genuine. It seems to me that I would be interested in finding the actual culprit, not second guessing the police and lambasting them publicly for failing to follow up on leads I supply. It doesn't make sense for a genuine victime to publicly naming their own suspects, thus alerting them.

Good point. If you had really been the target of something like this, it would be really stupid to go public with all your leads.

Of course, bear in mind that some of those people do appear to be really stupid.

wrenchwench Sat, Jun 16, 2012 5:23:11pm

re: #6 BobKincaid

Welcome, hatchling.

Charles Johnson Sat, Jun 16, 2012 5:27:53pm

re: #18 Killgore Trout

I do hear the same slight drawl in one of the swat callers, in several of the audio clips.

Killgore Trout Sat, Jun 16, 2012 5:32:02pm

I don't. The 9-11 callers seem mostly California/suburban stoner accents.

Youtube Video

Charles Johnson Sat, Jun 16, 2012 5:36:41pm

This segment, for example - the voices are very similar, and yes, I hear a drawl in the swat caller:

Youtube Video

Killgore Trout Sat, Jun 16, 2012 5:36:51pm

This dog ain't gonna hunt.

freetoken Sat, Jun 16, 2012 5:39:59pm

I've lost the picture on all these fake-gates... it's hard to tell what is important anymore.

re: #23 Killgore Trout

I suppose one could put it all down to stoned, idled youth.

Still, I'm at a loss to understand why CNN would let Erik Son of Erick go on about this. I can only imagine that both are looking for the next big story. Frankly, anything the right-wing outrage machine starts to churn I ignore now out of habit.

Lidane Sat, Jun 16, 2012 5:41:09pm

re: #1 researchok

Those of us to the moderate, science based right of center are being drowned out by the moron brigade of the hard (read: stupid) right.

You're not just being drowned out. You're being pushed out. The anti-science moron brigade of the hard right are the ones writing the state GOP platforms and holding the party by the balls. They're the ones Mitt Romney is aiming for, because he needs them to win.

And that means everyone loses out. Even the left benefits from challenge and loyal opposition.

Well, sure. That's only true, however, if the right are actually interested in challenge and loyal opposition instead of just being a bunch of revanchist, atavistic obstructionists.

Charles Johnson Sat, Jun 16, 2012 5:41:43pm

re: #19 Gus

Yeah. It's hard to make a reasonable conclusion here but he does entertain an interesting probability. Most of the people involved are what could be called professional liars. One thing is for sure and that's this whole thing smells including the allegations from the so called victims.

I have personal experience with the total lack of integrity these people have, and while I have not really been following every little twist and turn of this swatting story, there are several aspects of what I've read that just don't smell right to me.

Dark_Falcon Sat, Jun 16, 2012 5:42:56pm

BBL

Kragar Sat, Jun 16, 2012 5:44:13pm

I can't prove they're lying, but they can't seem to prove they're telling the truth. Based on their track record, I'll call it bullshit unless real proof comes up.

freetoken Sat, Jun 16, 2012 5:46:13pm

re: #30 Kragar

The RW outrage machine has cried wolf about 1000 times too many.

Lidane Sat, Jun 16, 2012 5:47:30pm

re: #30 Kragar

I can't say prove they're lying, but they can't seem to prove they're telling the truth. Based on their track record, I'll call it bullshit unless real proof comes up.

I'm not an audio expert so I can't judge the voices, but given the constant RWNJ hysteria, I'm not convinced that anything they say is true without hard evidence.

wrenchwench Sat, Jun 16, 2012 5:54:41pm

Dobro slide to end all dobro slides.

Youtube Video

[deleted] Sat, Jun 16, 2012 5:56:33pm

Charles Johnson Sat, Jun 16, 2012 6:10:15pm

Oh brother.

Gus Sat, Jun 16, 2012 6:16:05pm

re: #34 Sully33

There are millions of people who sound alike... This means Jack and shit, and Jack left town...

Damn. We're crushed. I won't be able to sleep tonight.

Prideful, Arrogant Marriage Equality Advocate Sat, Jun 16, 2012 6:17:01pm

Someone brought up a good point. If wingnuts really were the victims of something they would make damn sure they did all they could to find out who it was and fast.
On the other hand if it was being perpetrated by a wingnut to give the left wing bad press in election year, i don't think there were many that were actually in on it. I think if it is actually wingnuts behind it, the wingnut "victims" truly do believe that it was liberal operatives.

goddamnedfrank Sat, Jun 16, 2012 6:17:16pm

Has this been mentioned yet, because it's more than a little bit suspicious:

On the evening Red State blogger Erick Erickson posted that the was a victim of a swat-ting, he pointed out that he previously contacted his local police department about the issue of swat-ting and that the nature of his work may provoke individual(s)to attempt to swat him.

Yeah, um Dudes, I mean officers, yeah I'm like likely to be swatted because I'm a very serious conservative commenter and stuff. Um, yeah, it's going around, liberals are like out there, swatting very serious commenters like me so I'm really scared it's going to happen soon so when it happens could you like not shoot me or something. I don't know it's going to happen, I just really suspect it enough to warn you that it may happen 'cuz that's like a normal thing to do, right? Totally.

Prideful, Arrogant Marriage Equality Advocate Sat, Jun 16, 2012 6:18:12pm

re: #34 Sully33

AND SHIT IS RIGHT BEHIND HIM! HA! Couldn't resist. It's amazing how amusing i find myself sometimes!

[deleted] Sat, Jun 16, 2012 6:23:16pm

Prideful, Arrogant Marriage Equality Advocate Sat, Jun 16, 2012 6:28:05pm

re: #40 Sully33

How did you make it interesting?

Killgore Trout Sat, Jun 16, 2012 6:29:33pm

Breaking Killgore exclusive expose: Swatter conclusively revealed

Youtube Video

[deleted] Sat, Jun 16, 2012 6:32:53pm

Charles Johnson Sat, Jun 16, 2012 6:34:13pm

I am no more tolerant of idiots than I ever was.

Prideful, Arrogant Marriage Equality Advocate Sat, Jun 16, 2012 6:35:43pm

re: #43 Sully33

Maybe it is an echo chamber, not sure your definition. However i can tell you there are a lot of echo chambers out there perhaps even some you like to frequent.

[deleted] Sat, Jun 16, 2012 6:36:03pm

Prideful, Arrogant Marriage Equality Advocate Sat, Jun 16, 2012 6:36:42pm

re: #44 Charles Johnson

Oops sorry.

Ben G. Hazi Sat, Jun 16, 2012 6:39:37pm

re: #40 Sully33

For someone who has only made 54 posts (and 40 Pages) in a little less than 4 years here at LGF, you sure have a inflated value of self-importance.

Edit: Sleeper troll went poof at Stinky's hand...

Killgore Trout Sat, Jun 16, 2012 6:40:00pm

Youtube Video

Bug box?

Prideful, Arrogant Marriage Equality Advocate Sat, Jun 16, 2012 6:41:17pm

re: #48 Gitarzan

Sully is 'THE MOST INTERESTING MAN ON THE INTERNET'

[deleted] Sat, Jun 16, 2012 6:41:50pm

Prideful, Arrogant Marriage Equality Advocate Sat, Jun 16, 2012 6:43:19pm

re: #49 Killgore Trout

That sir, is a might big butt plug.

Charles Johnson Sat, Jun 16, 2012 6:46:14pm

If this is how it's gonna be, then this is how it's gonna be. Seems like a strange place to make a final stand, but if that's how it is, just say so.

Killgore Trout Sat, Jun 16, 2012 6:46:52pm

Censorship hangs heavy over the Troumiester this evening.
Silence!

Charles Johnson Sat, Jun 16, 2012 6:47:45pm

So is that my answer?

Ben G. Hazi Sat, Jun 16, 2012 6:48:00pm

re: #54 Killgore Trout

WTF dude?!?

Just knock it off, why don't ya?

Prideful, Arrogant Marriage Equality Advocate Sat, Jun 16, 2012 6:49:41pm

I thought you were just making funny KT i didn't know you were being serious.

Ben G. Hazi Sat, Jun 16, 2012 6:50:42pm

re: #56 Gitarzan

WTF dude?!?

Just knock it off, why don't ya?

Also, an addendum:

Me thinks it's time from someone to step away from the keyboard for a bit; please do, KT, because we don't want to see you do something you might regret.

Prideful, Arrogant Marriage Equality Advocate Sat, Jun 16, 2012 6:50:51pm

You are not a wingnut Killgore. I don't know why you would be upset here.

Ben G. Hazi Sat, Jun 16, 2012 6:58:22pm

re: #59 secretly funded by Barbra Streisand

You are not a wingnut Killgore. I don't know why you would be upset here.

KT's ostensibly a grown-ass man, so he can do what he wants; I just think he needs to lighten the fuck up over something that, in the greater scheme of things, isn't worth a hill of beans.

My "please don't go/don't flounce" reserve got drained by albusteve and Cato, among others, so pardon me if I seem a bit blunt.

Killgore Trout Sat, Jun 16, 2012 7:02:16pm

re: #57 secretly funded by Barbra Streisand

I thought you were just making funny KT i didn't know you were being serious.

I was just goofing around. People take this shit so seriously.

Killgore Trout Sat, Jun 16, 2012 7:02:57pm

Hey, account still intact.
/Win!

Killgore Trout Sat, Jun 16, 2012 7:03:45pm

re: #62 Killgore Trout

Hey, account still intact.
/Win!

Temporary win. It's only a matter of time.

Charles Johnson Sat, Jun 16, 2012 7:05:33pm

re: #63 Killgore Trout

Temporary win. It's only a matter of time.

You make the choice. Yeah, I'm irritated by the constant passive aggressive behavior, but if you're going to bail out it will be your choice. At least have the courage to make that choice honestly.

Charles Johnson Sat, Jun 16, 2012 7:06:48pm

Or you could re-think and realize that you're needlessly alienating friends. But I don't know if that's possible any more.

Randall Gross Sat, Jun 16, 2012 7:13:40pm

I hear some similarities between voices, but I'd like to hear some voice tracks from the guy the RWNJ blogs think is doing it (sorry forget the creep's name) as well just to compare.
It's close enough to say "hey, someone should make these comparisons in a real lab"

Charles Johnson Sat, Jun 16, 2012 7:55:10pm

Sigh. OK, if something happens in this thread that I should know about, I hope someone lets me know. I'm out.

celticdragon Sat, Jun 16, 2012 8:54:32pm

re: #63 Killgore Trout

This place is better with you. I would rather you not do something stupid.

JamesWI Sun, Jun 17, 2012 12:22:59am

re: #54 Killgore Trout

Censorship hangs heavy over the Troumiester this evening.
Silence!

I remember a while ago, you saying you wouldn't be accepted over at the Stalker Blog due to how you treated them in the past.

Don't worry. They'll accept you. You're pretty much one of them now.

Ayeless in Ghazi Sun, Jun 17, 2012 4:51:25am

Killgore - you need to increase your dosage ASAP. Twice a day from now on, after meals:

Youtube Video

Ayeless in Ghazi Sun, Jun 17, 2012 5:08:26am

re: #68 celticdragon

This place is better with you. I would rather you not do something stupid.

I would say he is providing entertainment with his stupidity. I hope he stays :D

CuriousLurker Sun, Jun 17, 2012 5:21:17am

re: #61 Killgore Trout

I was just goofing around. People take this shit so seriously.

Eshu's Hat (Otherwise known as KT's Intentional Ambiguity)

We're not as foolish as you might be inclined to think. //

Spy Mode Auto

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