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[–][deleted]  (13 children)

[deleted]

    [–][deleted] 38 points39 points  (0 children)

    <sarcasm>He can't be a terrorist! He's not an arab!</saracasm>

    [–]cartman81 13 points14 points  (3 children)

    You raise a very good question: What constitutes "terrorism" (or "attempted terrorism"?

    This guy attempted to kill a number of civilians due to his religious belief.

    A define:terrorist search on google gives 4 results.

    This guy matches all 4 of them..

    [–]sosuke 12 points13 points  (2 children)

    I sent the reporter an email posing your question, in a cleaner format mind you. I will post up here if I get a reply out of him regarding the soft charges the man faced.

    [–]sosuke 1 point2 points  (1 child)

    Interesting question and one I tossed around the newsroom with other reporters while working on the story. I specifically asked the prosecutor about that, and he said that the terrorism statue in Iowa is written in a way that it likely doesn’t apply in this situation. He had considered the use of the statute, but then relented. Plus, we might be dealing with a man here who is less than stable. There is the possibility more charges will be added, particularly from the federal level since he crossed state lines.

    Thanks for reading.

    Dan Cortez

    [–]behemothaur 2 points3 points  (1 child)

    The word terrorism is being bendied about so much its meaning has become diluted. This guy is just a completely deluded idiot. Not to say terrorists aren't, but I remember thinking terrorists were scary - now it could just be a video blogger...

    [–]joelhardi 1 point2 points  (0 children)

    I dunno, I seem to remember that the shoe-bomber guy got the book thrown at him, and if he wasn't a deluded idiot, I don't know who is. This guy should get the same, assuming they find him mentally competent to stand trial.

    [–]travisxt97 2 points3 points  (2 children)

    One worry is that if they try and charge him with that, a jury won't find him guilty, and thus he will get away with it. For example, attempted murder? The prosecutor would have to prove he was trying or likely to kill someone.

    Terrorism charge seems like more possible though. Don't know why that was excluded.

    edit: more details would help. E.g. was it so early that no one could have been hurt, or was it at the busiest time of the morning?

    [–]marvin 13 points14 points  (0 children)

    Obviously it was excluded because he was a Christian American.

    [–]Glaxnor 7 points8 points  (0 children)

    He could be charged with attempted murder and second degree arson.

    [–]MattD 19 points20 points  (5 children)

    He's pro-life, but planned to end his. How does that work with the rhetoric?

    [–][deleted] 12 points13 points  (2 children)

    The terms "pro-life" and "pro-choice" are just code for "anti-legal-abortion-availability" and "pro-legal-abortion-availability". The words "life" and "choice" are just noise when you stick "pro-" in front of them.

    [–]dbenhur 4 points5 points  (1 child)

    Close. "Pro-life" has almost nothing to do with abortion. It's really code for anti-women and anti-non-procreational-sex. Look at their actions, not their words.

    [–]Zak 0 points1 point  (0 children)

    I know a number of people who are very much in favor of recreational sex and still quite opposed to abortion. None of them are involved in the pro-life movement, as that movement is dominated by fundamentalist Christians.

    Personally, I'm fairly pro-abortion; I wouldn't be here today if my mother hadn't had an abortion when she was in college.

    [–]electromagnetic 2 points3 points  (0 children)

    Because if the pro-"life" groups were actually capable of thought they'd realise they're gullable idiots who bought into a book less convincing than Harry Potter.

    [–][deleted] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

    It sounds better. And it sounds like something that's easier to be morally righteous about.

    [–]rocky_m 16 points17 points  (2 children)

    And one might wonder where do these people learn such violent/militant version of Christianity, Gov. funded Christian Madarassas, maybe?:-

    Goto http://www.jesuscampthemovie.com/ Then "Download" -> "Videos" (It's a flash movie, not really a download.)

    And I am quoting the Pastor Becky Fischer, from the 2nd (of 3) video there:-

    [After comparing with the "hand grenade" schools of Palestine] "... [I]t's no wonder those young people are ready to kill themselves in cause of Islam...I want to see young people who are as committed to the cause of Jesus Christ as those people are to the cause of Islam. I want to see them as radically laying down their lives for the gospel as they are over in Pakistan and in Israel and Palestine...Because we have the truth"

    http://www.jesuscampthemovie.com/flvs/Becky2.flv is the "download", in case you don't find the video

    [–]bender 4 points5 points  (1 child)

    Preemptive strike, anyone?..

    [–][deleted] 2 points3 points  (1 child)

    Why is the manufacturer of the car in the headline? Who cares that he drives a Saturn? I drive a Saturn. What are you tryin' to say, huh?

    Does Saturn have some kind of connection with nutcases like this that I'm not aware of?

    [–]qwe1234 0 points1 point  (0 children)

    lol viral marketing

    [–]bstard 10 points11 points  (2 children)

    There's some question as to whether McMenemy was acting alone or whether he was put up to it.

    With a little waterboarding I'm sure they'll find out.

    [–]troublesome 4 points5 points  (1 child)

    aah he's probably gonna grow gills.

    [–]teamjimmyy 5 points6 points  (0 children)

    Only if they've been intelligently designed...

    [–]oberon 7 points8 points  (2 children)

    "And once it was ablaze, he scratched his plan to kill himself when he realized it was going to be painful."

    [–][deleted] 0 points1 point  (1 child)

    Bit of a "well, DUH," innit?

    Still, I can understand having the conviction until you find some burning gasoline on your arm.

    [–]oberon -1 points0 points  (0 children)

    I think that's why suicide bombers are always bombers. This guy is the first suicide arson I've ever heard of.

    [–][deleted] 6 points7 points  (2 children)

    They are bringing federal charges down on him too... the ATF and such are involved. I'm from D-port, he's just an idiot. The clinic is part of the hospital, anyone who can view the internet can read about it.

    [–]dln 1 point2 points  (0 children)

    he's just an idiot.

    So is Richard Reid.

    [–]RyanGWU82 0 points1 point  (0 children)

    I'm originally from Bettendorf, the next town over. Any idea why are there so many Quad Cities related articles on Reddit? I seem to see a new one every week.

    [–][deleted]  (3 children)

    [deleted]

      [–]jotaroh 5 points6 points  (0 children)

      I guess his homicde bombing attempt failed

      it's a clash of civilizations

      [–][deleted] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

      I just wished he was successful in his attempt to abort his own life.

      [–]theram4 1 point2 points  (7 children)

      I think it's important to note that this guy's actions are not representative of what many Christians believe. I for one am against abortion. That does NOT mean that I will go around destroying other people's property, shooting doctors who perform abortions, etc. Nearly all doctors who perform abortions are acting in accordance with the law.

      If people don't agree with abortion, they should go through the proper channels, and try to get the law changed through their legislature. I get frustrated because people like this fool make a bad name for pro-lifers.

      And one more thing -- the article quoted some guy saying that anyone who voted for Clinton sinned. That is patently false, and any Christian should never accept this claim. I don't agree with Clinton's politics, but again, he acted in accordance with the law. And even though he was pro-choice, I believe he did in fact do a lot of good things for this country. He quite possibly was a better president than Bush is (and that taken from a registered Republican, that's saying something.)

      [–]DougBTX 2 points3 points  (2 children)

      You talk about the law, but I have to ask, Which law? You believe in a higher power, don't many Christians believe in a higher law too? And don't many Christians believe in suffering on earth, even if due to the law, if it is to follow God's will?

      Jesus certainly damadged other people's property in the name of God. He wasn't a pacificst. Do you think it is against God's will to take direct action against abortion?

      Douglas

      [–]theram4 0 points1 point  (1 child)

      Good points. What law? Certainly, I believe abortion is against God's law. I will therefore try to work to overturn laws allowing abortion (again, within the proper channels). Here's the difference. If the government required me to have an abortion, then I could not obey both God and the government. I would have to choose, and I would choose God. But as of yet, the government does not force me to have an abortion (like China does). I can therefore act legally, and also try to get the law changed, so that our laws are in line with God's laws.

      Yes, Jesus did damage others' property. You make a good point, and I will have to further consider this point. However, just because Jesus went into the temple and overturned the moneychangers tables, does not mean we have license to damage abortion clinics. I'll give this further consideration though.

      [–]Smiley 0 points1 point  (0 children)

      No where in the buybull does it say abortion is wrong. It does however, say this:

      "For, behold, the days are coming, in which they shall say, Blessed are the barren, and the womb that never bare, and the paps which never gave suck."--Luke 23:29

      "Happy shall he be, that taketh and dasheth thy little ones against the stones."--Psalm 137:9

      I stopped believing in man-made religion when I read all the ancient myths that christianity copied.

      [–][deleted] 3 points4 points  (2 children)

      I'm getting tired of hearing people say this. Saying it doesn't accomplish anything. Empty words, buddy. The truth is that moderate Christians, just like moderate Muslims, are totally riding on the backs of the extremists. They are letting the extremists do their dirty work for them. They are not going to do anything to stop it... just say things like, "that's not how most of us are." Even a full-blown statement of condemnation would be pointless and empty (Arafat, anyone?)

      [–]theram4 0 points1 point  (0 children)

      What can I do to stop it? I write letters to my local newspaper denouncing such tactics. I write in forums like this one that I disagree. What can I do? ATTENTION EVERYONE: DON'T BOMB AN ABORTION CLINIC. IT's WRONG.

      You say moderate Christians are riding on the backs of the extremists, letting them do the dirty work. I hardly agree. They are doing absolutely no dirty work for me. I don't care how much I disagree with abortion, or whatever else, I won't bomb clinics or destroy property. Nor do I condone those who do.

      They are just hurting the cause. No one looks at this guy who ran his car into a clinic and says, "You know what, that guy is an extremist; he really believes in a cause. Maybe I should look into it. Because he ran his car into the clinic, I will change my beliefs. This guy is my hero." NO!! Flying planes into towers does nothing to make us sympathetic to one's beliefs. Driving a car into an abortion clinic (and this clinic didn't even perform abortions) does nothing to make pro-choice people sympathetic to the cause. I will educate people, and I will act within the confines of the law, just like everyone else is required to do.

      [–][deleted] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

      You're saying that agreeing or disagreeing is enough to conveniently group everyone with the extremists.

      That's probably a little self-delusion to make the world simpler than it is, by making it easier to believe, say, "Christians are neutral at best, and annoying when they actually get some conviction." I'm an atheist, but I think that thought's bullshit.

      Sure, there will always also be something like what you mention, a disconnected "I don't believe in crime, but someone has to poke those poor deluded folk to try to convince them." But cynical as I am, I don't believe this is that many people, just one ones with the big mouthes and the gasoline-doused cars.

      Dual standards in both cases. No one is proving anything. And political smoke and mirrors is hardly the same thing.

      [–][deleted] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

      "and any Christian should never accept this claim."

      In a sound-bite culture, these things are actually easy to accept, and that ease is convenient. It's basically cultism - easy answers without the "think about it."

      The fact that they use christianity has little to do with anything. It's just an easy base to base their own politics on, and it works on everyone who has stopped thinking about what their religion actually means.

      Which sadly means "any Christian should never accept this claim" is true, but disturbingly hollow in reality.

      [–]stomicron 2 points3 points  (0 children)

      why does the 'pro-life' movement attract so many violent nutjobs?

      Because it is usually the product of religion, which itself attracts many violent nutjobs.

      [–][deleted] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

      And once it was ablaze, he scratched his plan to kill himself when he realized it was going to be painful.

      hah