Beltway Sniper Shootings-FR Commentary-Thursday, Oct. 17

FNC, CNN, MooseChief, Presstitutes | 17 October '02

[tomkat]

"To avoid multiple vanity threads regarding any news from press conferences, let's keep a live commentary thread going again today."
Peach

[Letitring]

I am so irritated. If the sniper stays in Moose country, he should be just fine. Otherwise, some of those other cops might actually catch him.

[Miss Marple]

Katherine Herridge making the point that the ATF guy wouldn't comment on whether the ammo was manufactured by the shooter.

[valleygal]

"ignorance is bliss"

Those were the same words tomkat used yesterday when I shared about people out here that are saying much the same thing. They don't want to know what goes on in the world and one said she knew her mother would call if "anything really bad happens."

I keep asking myself if I didn't have family in MD, would I be so obsessed with this. But then OCD runs in my family so I probably would!:)

Kidding aside, I now think this is most likely ME terrorism,
as well. The "ignorance is bliss" attitude will (hopefully) end if that is proven. Which is probably why wer're back to, "It's a man."

[hispanarepublicana]

Miss Marple says LEO's are back at Home Depot site and wondering what else they might be looking for. (Marks on the grass, maybe?)

[PLMerite]

"For all FReepers, can rifles/guns be custom-made so that no one would know the exact "model?" "

Yes. Someone with knowledge of gunsmithing and metalworking (and with the appropriate machine tools) can make just about anything. It's easier if you already have a barrel.

The Pakistanis in the NW Territories are famous gunmakers and during the Russo-Afghan war they turned out everything from pistols to full-sized heavy machine guns, all with very little advanced equipment.

The mob has made its own guns for years.

[Lil'freeper]

I hope they get him in VA. There's no hope for the death penalty in MD.

[Letitring]

I am beginning to think before it's over, sniper will be long gone and the police will have to start from square one and reinvestigate everything.

[md2576]

I copy.

[md2576]

Can the airsoft rifles be converted to shoot real ammo?

[valleygal]

We were briefly discussing Predator and Hunter drones yesterday here and links wer posted. I don't know if those sites will lead you anywhere, or not.

[bonfire]

Fox talking about the Tarot card linked to Internet games, FYI.

[Sacajaweau]

That's probably one of the reasons they're going...to talk to the investigators down there and review all their notes, to review faces and to ask the right questions.

I'd say there's some "gut feelings" to interrogating...kinda like Mom "looking in your eyes"...damn, didn't you hate that!!

Sac

[hispanarepublicana]

WHAT !?! What exactly are they saying?!?!

[WRhine]

If I heard the report on CNN right, the witness that ID'd the Van, Gun and Shooter may have fabribcated his entire story for some bizarre reason. It was suggested he was in the store when the attack occurred.

[PLMerite]

"Can the airsoft rifles be converted to shoot real ammo?"

I've never seen an airsoft rifle up close, but I doubt that anything made to shoot pellets would be stressed to handle live ammo. The interals would all be different, too, although maybe the buttstock and various other bits might transfer.

Easily/practically converted - no. Otherwise they'd be illegal.

[browardchad]

Tell me how Moose became King of the Investigation of multiple homicides in two States and the District of Columia? I really want to know.

Three theories:

1) It covers the butt of other agencies (especially the FBI), since he'll take the fall if the killer is not found, and the FBI doesn't need any more bad press.

2) Moose is a useful idiot, manipulated to think he is actually "in charge," while the real investigation goes on behind his back.

3) There is rampant in-fighting, disorganization and political pressure in this investigation, and the use of a "minority" police chief in a position of authority at least covers the politically-correct angle and keeps the press from bloodletting, as evidenced by the WP's kid glove treatment of Moose, even after he publicly bashed them in particular (they printed one critical piece, then let it drop; how interesting).

[jpl]

I hope they get him in VA. There's no hope for the death penalty in MD.

These guys killed an F.B.I. employee. If they get caught, they're going to get the federal death penalty, and sooner rather than later.

[bonfire]

Reporter said that the Tarot card may point to the fact that sniper plays video games because of the "I Am God" reference.

[Miss Marple]

I posted that suggestion yesterday as to why they didn't have a composite...there are people who want to seem important by being a "witness." Look at how many people claimed to have been closer to the WTC than they actually were (Chelsea Clinton comes to mind)...just to get on TV

IMPORTANT QUESTION PICKED UP ON ANOTHER THREAD: Has anyone noticed an increse in frequency in the broadcast of the Emergency Network announcement? ("In the event of a disaster, you will be given instructions, etc....")

[Letitring]

These Moose people rate right up there with Miami, IMO, when it comes to handling the press. So many times, in Miami, the cops have just so angered the press, they get no cooperation OR help from them. I know how obnoxious and WRONG the press is/can be. However, this is one time (the only time I can think of lately), they are trying to help investigate, turn over new leads, etc. They are actually working this case. I think it helped when THEY could and did help so much in Ca., they received praise, and I think they want to help here. Orange County has a savvy Sheriff, though and knew how to bring out the best in the media.