[MainFrame65]

I have a personal hypothesis about Mr. Mcveigh. I think that he actually thought of himself as a patriot, and an enemy of a rogue government rather than an enemy of the Country. Further, I think that he believed that he was running his own operation to punish an out-of-control government for its misconduct.

I think he believed that he had found the resources and support he needed through his militia contacts, when in fact the Al Quaida found him and used him for their own scheme, and then abandoned him. And I think the reason he stopped his appeals was that he finally realized what a mistake he had made, and simply never wanted the story to come out. I believe that his execution without extracting more information from him was a serious mistake, but typical of the justice department at the time.

Any thoughts on this?

[Wolfstar]

It's certainly a very plausible scenario. It wouldn't be too hard to manipulate a tightly wound "patriot" like McVeigh, who is seething with rage over Waco and other perceived signs of a "rogue" government. Also, as I mentioned in response to Poobah, there seemed to be clear suicide bomber characteristics to McVeigh's behavior.

[Mat_Helm]

I also believe this was a strong possiblity as to why he did not implicate anyone else. It may be that the CIA and or NSA has information that they have not shared because it may implicate their failure to act as well.

[aristeides]

Your theory doesn't explain why McVeigh changed his mind, and allowed his lawyers to make the final appeals in the last couple of months of his life, after the Justice Department admitted concealing evidence.

[twigs]

I think that he actually thought of himself as a patriot, and an enemy of a rogue government rather than an enemy of the Country. . . he was running his own operation to punish an out-of-control government for its misconduct.

I agree and have thought this for some time.

I think he believed that he had found the resources and support he needed through his militia contacts, when in fact the Al Quaida found him and used him for their own scheme, and then abandoned him.

Never thought of that. An excellent hypothesis! I want to think it over.

And I think the reason he stopped his appeals was that he finally realized what a mistake he had made, and simply never wanted the story to come out.

I have been thinking this awhile. In his mind a true patriot, he might well have had a difficult coming to terms with this himself, even though he never regretted loss of life, especially children.

I believe that his execution without extracting more information from him was a serious mistake, but typical of the justice department at the time.

I'm still suspicious of the fact that Chandra Levy was working on the McVeigh execution when she disappeared and Condit was on the intelligence committee. I'm not at all certain that these facts are unrelated.