Student, 21, is Arrested in 5 State Bombing Spree

NY Times | May 8, 2002 | Jodi Wilgoren

[at bay]

Life without possibility of parole. For his father, too.

[Oldeconomybuyer]

Another dysfunctional radical leftwing socialist anarchist family drama. The Helder's and the Lyndh's have many things in common, including a terrorist son facing many years in prison.

[Freedom'sWorthIt]

Missing for 3 weeks? Found the truth about life? Sounds like he got mixed up with some kind of guru.....either of the Shirley MacLaine, there is no death, New Age / Old Age Hindusism - reincarnationism ---- Nirvanah (sp?) ----- etc.

Could be from books or could be from association with some "guru". Will be interesting to find out.

[sakic]

Why his dad?

[Trust but Verify]

Why assume the parents are responsible for these actions? By ALL accounts, this was a normal kid until just recently. Did the parents do something within the last couple months to make this young man do what he did?

My guess is this kid just wanted attention, was trying to impress someone, or just had his mind filled with nonsense from some radical-left group.

How long do we blame parents for the actions of their adult kids?

At this point in time, there is NO evidence this is another Walker-Lindh family.

[tdadams]

Here's something about Mr. Helder I've yet to see reported anywhere: The email address he lists in his ICQ (internet chat) information is dirdjew@hotmail.com. Other information indicates this was listed while he was in high school. Maybe someone should have taken note of his anti-semitism.

[Oldeconomybuyer]

At this point in time, there is NO evidence this is another Walker-Lindh family.

(AP)...with his father telling CNN "he is just trying to make a statement about the way our government is run."

Does that ring any Marin county bells?

[sausageseller]

Why his dad?

"I really want you to know that Luke is not a dangerous person," Cameron Helder said in a brief statement outside his home

SS. His dad is a delusional liar too!

[sausageseller]

At this point in time, there is NO evidence this is another Walker-Lindh family

"I really want you to know that Luke is not a dangerous person," Cameron Helder said in a brief statement outside his home SS TRY again. You missed it!

[linn37]

I saw the father read the statement above on TV.I think his boy has caused him concern in the past by the way his shoulders slumped and the pain and concern in his voice. It was stupid of him to remark that the son is not dangerous but I will cut him some slack on it.

They had a clip of the son being taken into custody last night he was all smiles and seemed happy to be there. I think he's a nut looking for attention its just a shame he had to injure and scare people to get it. I wonder how much he will laugh in Prison?

[WilliamWallace1999]

Has anyone noticed the media is NOT labeling him a left-wing radical nutcase. If they had found fundamental religious info or swastikas in his room, this would instantly have been part of the VRWC. BUT NOOOO, he is just labeled as a misguided and mentally ill VICTIM of society since he is a new-age leftie flake.

[linn37]

yeah I caught that too maybe daddy has been teaching the boy some anti-government pablum. But hey I tell my kids that taxes are bad,government spending is out of control and just last night I had to explain to the 8 yr old that global warming is a theory not a fact.

[Trust but Verify]

This family is as surprised as anyone their son might be involved in something like this. What would YOU say? "Might as well keep running, son, because I'm disowning you as of this moment. You're on your own, bucko. Might as well just blow your brains out right now."

The Lindh's allowed their 16 year-old son to traipse off to YEMEN! This kid was in a small univeristy just over the state line from his house. Everything seemed just fine until he disappeared from school. You gonna blame his parents for that?

[Trust but Verify]

It sounds like that was the case until very recently, doesn't it? Please provide any eveidence you have that this spree the kid went on was in any way fomented, endorsed or approved of by the father.

This is a 21 year-old college student who doesn't even live at home! The worst you can say about the father is that he seems to not know what his son was up to.

[sausageseller]

I see the statement of the father and the statements of Johhny Walker parents about their sons as evidence.

How would anyone in their right mind think Helder is not "dangerous"?

Do you believe both are just good boys?

[Dudoight]

This could be the onset of bipolar illness, which can throw some one into intense irrational thinking. He the right age for it. It is more common than we know, though most people don't go around setting pipe bombs. But most certainly the brain chemistry changes with demonstratve affective changes both the subject and those around him/her notice. It can have a sudden onset.

[Oldeconomybuyer]

I think Luke wants people to listen to his ideas

I have a feeling that very soon many people will listen to his ideas, and that this art student-turned-pipe bomber will enjoy a large and supportive audience for his anti-government views in the prison shower.

[Trust but Verify]

Never said that. Am not defending the actions of the sons, nor the actions of the Walker-Lindh family, which is seriously screwed up.

Mr Helder probably had no reason to beleive his son was a dangerous person. Maybe he's in denial, or maybe he said that in hopes there would be no violence when the authorities located his son.

Again, do you have ANY evidence the Helders knew their son was capable of carrying out such a dastardly plot? People he was currently living and going to school with seemed completely taken by surprise.

[Quilla]

I saw that clip as well and was shocked to see this kid smiling as much as he was. I'm pretty certain he'll go with the insanity defense. Incidentally, on my way to work this morning, our local news reported that rural mail customers in Alabama should use extreme caution when checking their mail today. I can't decide if they suspect an accomplice or we're just a little slow here in Bama today.