re: #14 Walter L. Newton

I hope someone has more evidence than cause and effect from a vague un-detailed 6 paragraph newspaper article if you’re going to be judged on something.

I’m not trying to make any converts here. My point is that he was probably influenced by the current right wing extremist rhetoric. That is the only source of what seems to have influenced him. Here’s more:

In the criminal complaint, Box alleged that on Tuesday afternoon, someone at a St. Louis-area mosque told the FBI a caller identifying himself as “Roman” threatened to burn a copy of the Quran and videotape it for distribution to three television stations. Searches of Conaway’s house later found a new Quran on a barbecue grill above sticks and twigs, next to a gasoline can and matches, Box wrote.

In the criminal complaint, Box alleged that on Tuesday afternoon, someone at a St. Louis-area mosque told the FBI a caller identifying himself as “Roman” threatened to burn a copy of the Quran and videotape it for distribution to three television stations. Searches of Conaway’s house later found a new Quran on a barbecue grill above sticks and twigs, next to a gasoline can and matches, Box wrote.

The caller also pledged to “start a war between Christians and Muslims,” ”kill President Obama and other government officials to start a war,” end the military conflict in Afghanistan and ensure North Korean leader Kim Jong Il would “have some pain and cry,” Box wrote.

“I want to start an apocalypse,” Box said the caller proclaimed.

Federal agents notified by the mosque about the threats traced the number on the mosque’s caller ID to Conaway’s home, where he emerged with the bulky belt he told agents were packed with explosives, according to Box.

Warning that he had Army experience with explosives, Conaway threatened to commit suicide and blow up the neighborhood as well as the agents negotiating with him, Box wrote. The neighborhood was evacuated.

The man’s wife and son stayed with the unarmed Conaway but were not held against their will, FBI Special Agent Stu McArthur said. Shortly after he released the two, authorities honored their pledge to take him to a mental hospital rather than jail, Box wrote.

Conaway admitted to investigators that he made various statements alleged by the person at the mosque, though he denied threatening Obama, Box wrote. The agent also said Conaway confessed to wanting to burn the Quran “to incite conflict with Muslims.”

Conaway cast himself as “anti-government” and, just hours before he called the mosque, was barred by a judge from having contact with his grandchildren, Box wrote.

“I humbly apologize for my actions,” Box quoted Conaway as saying.

So yes. Ideologies aside, I think it’s plainly obvious that he was not influenced by MSNBC.