From: Eddie Griffin (BASG)
RE: Wichita Falls Hate Crime Shootings
Let me be very, very clear to say that the Tea Party had nothing to do with inciting the violent shootings of Ross Muehlberger in Wichita Falls, Texas on Tuesday night. Nevertheless, it proves the point that someone out there in the vast reaches of America was feeding on all this hateful rhetoric, and found this an opportune time to strike. There may be others.
No one wants to blame the Tea Party, because this rampage could happen anywhere, at anytime, and for any reason. Particularly, April 20, Hitler’s birthday, is attractive as a full moon on lunatic night. The Columbine shooters chose this day. So, the acts of Ross Muehlberger are not beyond the blue in the realm of understanding.
In case you missed the news and find yourself being accused of fueling the fire of a madman, here is the story: A 22-year old Iraq War veteran, with a history of mental problems and a long string of violent crimes, went on a shotgun shooting spree, shouting “White power.” One man was killed, and three women injured. Then, he killed himself.
(See http://www.timesrecordnews.com/news/2010/apr/20/several-may-be-wounded-shooting-incident/ and http://www.star-telegram.com/2010/04/21/2131129/2-dead-4-wounded-in-wichita-falls.html)
I reason that the shooter probably would have chosen this night anyway, because of its historical significance. That he was a white supremacist is evident. But he was not created by the Tea Party, but more likely by his experience in the Texas prison system, where white inmates are forced to join one of several supremacist gangs.
His crime, therefore, would be more akin to James Byrd who was dragged to death behind a pickup truck in Jasper, Texas. Byrd’s killers were also members of a prison white supremacist hate group.
No, it is not the Tea Party that creates these guys, but rather the Tea Party has given them refuge to do their dirty work.
The City of Wichita Falls is trying to heal. Everyone in the community is giving condolences to the family of the deceased and praying for the wounded. But a side dialogue is going on, full of anger and bitterness. Some have attributed this violence to the Tea Party. Supporters are responding with hostility. Some just simply want to heal.
There are more important issues in this story, such as: Why was Ross Muehlberger on the streets, anyway, having been previously charged with stabbing two men? Why was the judge so lenient with a known drug dealer with a violent history in reducing his bond? Didn’t they know that he was going to strike again?
This is where the real investigation of racism belong, not on the Tea Party, but upon lone wolves with violent intents inside it, under the cover of the organization's legitimacy.
Thank you for asking questions many of us in Wichita Falls are asking. I have a correction, though: Ross Muehlberger was not a veteran. The man he killed, Tim Donley, was the veteran.
ReplyDeletewhos the dumb ass that wrote this? i was a friend of ross, i do not condone what he did and i do not share the hate for others that he did. GET YOUR FACTS STRAIGHT BEFORE YOU WRITE ABOUT SOMEONE----- #1 ross is not an Iraq War veteran
ReplyDelete#2 he was never in prison ( he spent a little bit of time in county jail, 3 months total at the most)
#3 he was not a drug dealer nor was he ever charged with dealing drugs
if you have nothing else to do except write about someone else life that whom you have never even met than at lease get your facts right you sound like a freakin dumb ass
Thank you, Jenn for the corrections. When I first read the story, I got one impression. But when I read the 291 comments from the people in the Wichita Falls community, I came away with another impression. My heart and prayers go out to the family of the deceased, both men. I read the accounts of people who knew everyone in this tragedy, including Mia (whom I do not know, except by people's comments) Sure, I am a dumb ass by not getting all the facts straight. But that is the perils of early online journalism. I did not write the story. It was first mis-reported on the local news. I simply pick the story up, went to the local Wichita Falls newspaper and read the comments, streaming in. I am a blogger, the story behind the story.
ReplyDeleteThe fact that you would mention the name Ross Muehlberger in the same article as the Tea Party shows just what a complete idiot and a racist you are. I can't believe you have the audacity to suggest that Ross Muehlberger found refuge in the Tea Party. You are just like all other Obama Progressives Marxists. You can defeat the Tea Party's peaceful message on limited government so you have to attack the Party by suggesting they are racist, etc., in stead of engaging in an honest debate on the issues of government spending and limited government. Please prove the connection between the Tea Party and Ross Muehlberger. You won't be able to do it. There is no proof. What this article baseless article proves is that you are a racist thug.
ReplyDeletePrior to this writing, I published an article in the Fort Worth Weekly, warning that the hateful rhetoric inside the Tea Party movement would incite someone to act out their violent impulses. Why would Ross Muehlberger shout "White power" during his shooting rampage. White power is another phrase for white supremacy, and there are white supremacists inside the Tea Party. The problem is trying to separate the honest from the dishonest, the haters from the dissenters... be sure, the bad cannot find refuge among the good. Fact: There are racists hidden inside the anti-government forces, fueling the fire.
ReplyDeleteUmmm. Ross dated Afro-American women. Let's not oversimplify and slap on labels. This is not about white supremacy
ReplyDeleteI'm shocked that anyone would be fighting over something as ridiculous as the Tea Party and a killing that took 2 boys from their mothers. Please focus and stop trying to "outwrite" each other. This is a very sad time. I know the family of the shooter and Rossy was a very sweet little boy from a great family. None of us are perfect so stop judging please.
ReplyDeleteThe last words of Ross were "White power". What am I to think? The words of a dying man has more credence than all the words of the living. Ross knew what he was doing. His words were his own words, spoken out of his own mouth. Fact is: I warned the Tea Party that there were racist sentiments in the air around America. Pretending it does not exist only puts blinders on the problem.
ReplyDeleteYou are no journalist sir,and the mis-conclusions you reach come from a sick mind,get help Eddie.
ReplyDeleteorganizations legitimacey,How in the world do you connect what a mentally ill man did to the tea party movement? you are a journalistic fraud,do you just set around and dream up ways that white america has wronged or is wronging your black brothers and sisters?The world would be a better place if racist of your kind would put down the pen,and pick up a bible or other legitimate religous text,the koran or whatever and realize by means of an awakening that you will reap what you sow.you are your problem and your spreading your problems to weak,lost people as yourself,go to hell
ReplyDeleteI have read the bible six times over, and believe every word of it, from Genesis to Revelation. Do you hate me, because I tell you the truth, Paul asked. I ask also. The truth speaks for itself. I am not the sick one. People who shoot and kill other innocent people are the sick ones.
ReplyDeleteI was a victim from that night. No one from Muehlbergers family has apologized for his actions. I've only heard excuses. I walked away with my life and that I am thankful for.
ReplyDeleteMany of the Tea Party groups and right wing Republicans do incite racism and hate against minorities or liberals or anyone that doesn't think like they do. I think Mr. Griffin is merely trying to make a point that maybe there was a connection between this hate crime and the hateful propoganda put out by many Tea Partiers and right wing conservatives since the election of Barack Obama. Much of these groups' propoganda do encourage these crazy white supremisist types. White supremisist gangs do exist within the Texas prison and jail systems according to news accounts. Mr. Griffin has every right to blog about this subject. Mr. Griffin does not respond to anyone's comments with name calling or accusations. Why can't you folks that disagree with him show him the same respect?
ReplyDelete