A Cop in Every Mosque

A bit lost in my case for Mitt Romney was my offhand comparison of Mike Huckabee to Greg Stillson. But it is worth saying that Huckabee, though an amusing sideshow as a sideshow, is also a frightening prospect to contemplate as a potential nationwide political force. And, frankly, it just gets worse. Check out, for example, new Huckabee advisor Jim Pinkerton's explain to David Corn that we ought to put a cop in front of every mosque in America:

I also saw on TV last night that Huckabee's going beyond his new restrictionist line on illegal immigration to start talking about a broader crackdown on immigration in general, another Pinkerton signature. Plus Huckabee wants to change the constitution to make it accord more closely with the Bible. It's scary stuff.

Comments

Personally I hope Huckabee is their nominee. The problem with the Dems is they don't think big. They out to do everything possible to yoke the radical right/Christianist around the neck of the Republicans. The Republicans have spent the last 35 years successfully running against McGovern and the Republicans have handed the Democrats on a golden plate the same opportunity. Huckabee would make it that much easier.

Posted by Napoleon | January 16, 2008 8:39 AM

Huckabee as an immigration restrictionist is laughable.

Posted by Fred | January 16, 2008 8:46 AM

Pinkerton is a wimp. Sure, put a cop in front of every mosque. But ratchet it up a bit. Every hour or two have that cop slaughter a pig and toss its entrails on the front stoop. Geez, if you're going to advocate deterrence and intimidation do it right!

Posted by steve duncan | January 16, 2008 8:46 AM

Scary indeed, but the case for him winning the presidency overstates the influence of the Christian Right. No Republican is going to slam him for these positions in the primary, but any Democrat would be able to do just fine in pointing out these sorts of things. For this reason, "Hucklebee" would be easier to beat than Romney or McCain.

Posted by Adrock | January 16, 2008 9:04 AM

I have no interest in Huckabee - I'd vote for either Hillary or Obama over him - but presuambly the Constitutional amendment stuff refers to the Human Life Amendment or some such, no?

Posted by Al | January 16, 2008 9:06 AM

Some high-crime neighborhoods would love this idea. A big complaint of such areas is lack of police protection. They could just encourage their residents to open a mosque on every block. Each mosque would come with a police officer courtesy of the federal government. I am assuming this would be paid by the federal government and would not be an unfunded mandate.

Posted by Patrick | January 16, 2008 9:15 AM

Here's the quote, and the context, Al:

"[Some of my opponents] do not want to change the Constitution, but I believe it's a lot easier to change the constitution than it would be to change the word of the living God, and that's what we need to do is to amend the Constitution so it's in God's standards rather than try to change God's standards," Huckabee said, referring to the need for a constitutional human life amendment and an amendment defining marriage as between a man and a woman.

Posted by Freddie | January 16, 2008 9:16 AM

Somehow I don't think these are the positions Ross was thinking when he advised Huck to pivot after the Iowa win...

Posted by TW Andrews | January 16, 2008 9:23 AM

Thanks, Freddie. I don't really see the big deal re the amendments - it's pretty standard Republican fare (not that I support either amendment, mind you). The idea I saw somewhere yesterday that it's a coming theocracy is idiotic.

Posted by Al | January 16, 2008 9:27 AM

Yeah, Huckabee is quite straightforward about wishing to amend the Constitution to make it compatible with his particular set of assumptions regard God's will. I remain ignorant of the passages in the Bible that forbid abortion, but I am sure there is some great scholar out there who could direct me to them.

Posted by gerontion | January 16, 2008 9:28 AM

God, if you are up there, please do not allow your man Huckabee to become discouraged and drop out anytime soon. He is a bottomless vessel, a miracle.

What would anyone with a soul rather have on the front burner, health care reform through income tax credits and health savings accounts combined with reasonable expansion of SChip and other stopgap measures targeting children and other special need cases

-- or --

cops staking out mosques?

I can't wait for Rudy to jump back in.

Posted by rickhavoc | January 16, 2008 9:30 AM

"God's standards" could be construed to mean practically anything.

Until I see some specific details, though, I'm going to assume it's code for the standard anti-abortion and anti-gay positions that, as Al correctly points out, are well-established GOP planks.

Posted by James Gary | January 16, 2008 9:34 AM

Plus Huckabee wants to change the constitution to make it accord more closely with the Bible.

So... wait. I get not wanting him for his political views, but: I'm kind of assuming this quote refers to things such as abortion rights and gay rights. Opposition to either would put Huck squarely in the center of the Republican party -- these aren't extremist views within that camp.

So is the problem that he thinks a Constitutional amendment is the best political recourse? You know what? That's about as straightforward and honest a remedy (if equally unlikely) as one could pursue.

I mean, isn't it? In some ways, it's more respectable than trying to rig a court for certain specialized outcomes.

Posted by Brad L | January 16, 2008 9:38 AM

"I'm kind of assuming this quote refers to things such as abortion rights and gay rights."

I don't know why you stop there. This country is out of line with the Bible on pork and shellfish consumption as well.

Posted by Joel | January 16, 2008 9:48 AM

Until I see some specific details, though, I'm going to assume it's code for the standard anti-abortion and anti-gay positions that, as Al correctly points out, are well-established GOP planks.

Yep, but the Huckster opened the door to a wider interpretation, didn't he? If he's going to justify those positions by invoking his personal deity, then why no Kosher amendment? I bet that would go down well in swine-eating South Carolina.

Posted by pseudonymous in nc | January 16, 2008 9:50 AM

What, exactly, does he think that cop would be able to do to prevent terrorist attacks? Stand outside and twiddle his thumbs while terrorists are inside hatching plots? Does he think people are too stupid to find somewhere else to meet anyway?

It would have a "norm setting" function, he says, and in a way he's right. It would send the message to every Muslim, in this country and abroad, that the United States government views them as an enemy and is standing at the ready to kill them.

Anyone think this will discourage would-be terrorists? Anyone?

Pinkerton really is dumber than a box of hammers. Huckabee is in serious trouble if his campaign is being guided by people like this.

Posted by Jason C. | January 16, 2008 9:51 AM

Quite simply, if it is true that amending the Constitution for theological reasons is presently a mainstream Republican position, then mainstream Republican thought is contrary to the pluralist foundations of the United States.

Posted by LMA | January 16, 2008 9:58 AM

If he's going to justify those positions by invoking his personal deity, then why no Kosher amendment? I bet that would go down well in swine-eating South Carolina.

See, that is exactly why the Constitution thing isn't actually scary. His views are scary. Wanting to amend the Constitution is a mitigating factor, not an aggravating one.

Posted by Brad L | January 16, 2008 9:59 AM

I think Pinkerton is overreading Durkheim.

Posted by Matt Weiner | January 16, 2008 10:05 AM

If the definition of "Durkheimian" is "asinine", then I think he's using the word correctly.

Posted by tgb1000 | January 16, 2008 10:11 AM

It's not a cop in front of any mosque, that is beyond useless. You need an FBI agent in every mosque, and a complete ban on foreign born imams, especially those trained in Saudi Arabia. You also need a national imman certification colledge that will train imams to play up the communitarian aspects (5 pillars and rituals) and prohibit the war against humanity suras.

Hey, nash your teeth and stomp your feet all you want, it worked for the French. And before you bring up the rioters, the way a conservative brings up Chapaquitic when he wants to dismiss a liberal argument he can't beat, remember that in the surveys that followed the guys on the street were specifically not mosque attenders. Hummmmm.

Islam is not Christianity. How is it different? What is a good muslim? Learn about it.

Posted by Northern Observer | January 16, 2008 10:22 AM

I hope advocating political positions for religious reasons isn't forbidden by the constitution. I mean, what happens if a guy is against torture because he thinks it's against God's will? He's supposed to be shut out of the debate?

I get that it's good to have reasons that are publicly debatable, but there are going to be some positions that are going to be supported by intuitions that differ from person to person and that can't be justified by more fundamental intuitions (say, that pain is bad). Why aren't those shut out of the debate also? I mean, they're not rationally debatable but are instead foundational positions.

Posted by Bobcat | January 16, 2008 10:39 AM

...that is making sense now, a cop in front of every mosque to show 'em that we will kill them if they...come outside before the call is over...come outside with their shoes not on their feet but on their hands(showing shoe soles is very, very, insulting),...well, shoot, if that works as a preventive measure maybe we should put a police man in front of the door of every despondent, loner, young adult-to adult, white, male, gun owner and actually save some lives. Go Huck.

Posted by andr | January 16, 2008 10:42 AM

Any candidate needs to moderate his message for the general election. Huckabee would have a real hard time doing that. He'd be another Goldwater.

Posted by mad6798j | January 16, 2008 10:54 AM

The only Democrats I know who are scared of Huckabee are the ones who have never really lived in the middle of the country. There are a lot of crazy Christians out there, but there aren't THAT many crazy Christians.

Posted by Nathan | January 16, 2008 11:47 AM

"What, exactly, does he think that cop would be able to do to prevent terrorist attacks?"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This same mindset resulted in a ban on possessing fingernail clippers on an airplane. As if 3 or 4 guys armed only with Revlon nail clippers are going to inflict crippling wounds on everybody on the plane and then beat down the cockpit door. Bin Laden won on 9/11. He succeeded in inducing a hysteria and fear in 300 million people that will eventually render much of the Constitution null. We'll never kill enough people nor destroy enough infrastructure to sate our anger and assuage our dread. Game over.

Posted by steve duncan | January 16, 2008 12:03 PM

"You need an FBI agent in every mosque, and a complete ban on foreign born imams, especially those trained in Saudi Arabia.......Hey, nash your teeth and stomp your feet all you want, it worked for the French. "
Posted by Northern Observer | January 16, 2008 10:22 AM
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Don't know about the French experience. How would we do this and maintain claim to religious tolerance? Would rabbis, priests and other clerics from foreign lands also be screened for advocating policies or beliefs found on some sort of official "Threatening Religious Views & Practices" manual?

Posted by steve duncan | January 16, 2008 12:12 PM

"How would we do this and maintain a claim to religious tolerance?" Well, "we," meaning this guy and his friends, wouldn't. They don't want to.

If you ask them with sarcastic intent "What, do you think we should kill all the Muslims?" some of them equivocate while others say "Of course." A lot scarier than Huckabee in my opinion.

Posted by roac | January 16, 2008 12:54 PM

Hey Steve - "Religious tolerance" is a meaningless catch-phrase. Would it be "religiously intolerant" for the government to prevent reinstitution of the ancient Aztec/Mexican practice of human sacrifice?

Let's be clear: nothing in the US Constitution forbids immigration restrictions on Saudis, or infiltrating FBI agents into mosques where violence and sedition are being preached.

Do you know what is preached in the average US mosque? Do you have any idea how many US citizens have ended up dead over the past 17 years in the US due to Moslem crazies who had logged serious mosque time? Would it surprise you to learn that there are 0 documented cases of Moslems being murdered in the US due to religious/nationalistic reasons, but that, even excluding 9/11, there are tens of cases of non-Moslems being murdered by Moslems here (most of them immigrants, btw) for such reasons? Do the names Ari Halberstam and/or Ariel Sellock mean anything to you?

Wake up. The constitution is not a death pact. There is no legal or moral obligation to "tolerate" Islamists in the US.

Posted by Eagle613 | January 16, 2008 1:03 PM

Do you have any idea how many US citizens have ended up dead over the past 17 years in the US due to Moslem crazies who had logged serious mosque time? ... even excluding 9/11, there are tens of cases of non-Moslems being murdered by Moslems here

Tens, huh? Did you know that lightning kills an average of 73 people/year? I refuse to go around in perpetual fear of lightning.

Posted by Brad L | January 16, 2008 1:16 PM

Well, I'll admit I've never previously read that much of Pinkerton's stuff, but this bit is quite appalling ignorant.

Unless I'm missing something, there's an absolutely negligible rate of any Muslim terrorism in America over the last several decades (except for the Black Muslims, who are really more of a UFO-cult than a branch of Islam).

And it's pretty silly to even consider the 9/11 attacks as being "Muslim terrorism" since they were much more analogous to someone launching a commando-raid into some enemy country than "domestic terrorism" in any normal sense of the term.

In fact, I think you can make a pretty good case that there's a vastly longer and greater history of *Mormon* terrorism in America than *Muslim* terrorism. Maybe we need FBI infiltration of all the LDS churches. And the notion of the Republicans nominating some probable "Mormon-terrorism sympathizer"---politically 100% fatal!

Maybe that'll be the next Huckabee attack on Romney...

Posted by RKU | January 16, 2008 1:30 PM

I'd posit some acts of violence in this nation have root causes in sermons or schooling conducted in "mainline" churches. Do we query every abortion clinic bomber or arsonist as to where he attended church, trying to discern or prove the genesis of his hatred was the Main Street Baptist Church? Do we similarly investigate every gay-bashing act of violence for the same motivations? And once proven post police at the door of every Baptist church? All based on the handful of criminal cases with tenuous connections to fire and brimstone sermonizing at some evangelical congregations?

Posted by steve duncan | January 16, 2008 3:38 PM

If you're scared of radical Islam, there's a very simple solution. Liberalize all the laws regarding porn, stripping, prostitution, etc. Why do you think the strict Muslim countries keep their women all covered up? Because they know the choice between

(a) an infinite banquet of easily available sex

and

(b) a steady diet of re-reading a centuries-old book, praying five times a day, and constantly washing your feet

is no choice at all.

Let Muslims have a good look at the options - a life of pious asceticism, or a life of secular hedonism.

Posted by Jason C. | January 16, 2008 4:16 PM

Unless I'm missing something, there's an absolutely negligible rate of any Muslim terrorism in America over the last several decades

Didn't you hear Eagle613? There are TENS of cases of Muslims killing non-Muslims here. Tens.

Posted by Jason C. | January 16, 2008 4:19 PM

Good lord, folks. Denial runs deep, eh? Here's a very quick, incomplete list. Please note that this excludes the 9/11 attacks.

March 1977: Hanafi Muslims seized three buildings in Washington, including the headquarters of B'nai B'rith, holding hostages for 39 hours, killing one.

November 1990: El Sayyid Nosair assassinates Rabbi Meir Kahane.

February 1993: WTC Bombing I - Ramzi Yusuf, the mastermind of the operation, declares the towers not a civilian target but a military one, by virtue of the fact that it might house a “Zionist official.”

June 1993: on a planned “day of terror,” the United Nations complex, the Lincoln and Holland tunnels, and other New York landmarks were to be bombed simultaneously. One plotter stated: “Boom! Broken windows. Jews in the street.”

March 1994: Rashid Baz leaves a mosque and opens fire on a van carrying Orthodox Jewish boys across the Brooklyn Bridge, murdering 16-year-old Ari Halberstam.

July, 1997: Ghazi Ibrahim Abu Maizar arrested before he could bomb a NYC subway train. Maizar stated he hoped to kill as many Jews as possible.

July 1997: Ali Hasan Abu Kamal shoots seven tourists atop the Empire State building, killing one and severely wounding another.

July 2002: Hesham Mohamed Ali Hadayet murders Yakov Aminov and Victoria Hen in Los Angelas at the El Al ticket counter.

August 2003: Mohammend Ali Alayed decapitates his friend Ariel Sellouk, a Moroccan Jew. Alayed murdered Sellouk after becoming a more devout Moslem in a Houston mosque.

June 2004: Ahmed Hassan Al-Uqaily arrested near Nashville, TN for purchasing illegal machine guns, reportedly threatened to kill Jews.

March 2006: Mohammed Taheri-azar charged with nine counts of attempted murder for running down nine UNC-Chapel Hill college students.

July 2006: Naveed Afzal Haq murders Pamela Waechter and seriously wounds five others in the Seattle Jewish Center shooting.

August 2006: Omeed Aziz Popal runs down two people in front of the San Francisco Jewish Center. He kills one, and injuries fourteen during his attack.

December 2006: Derrick Shareef a/k/a Talib Abu Salam Ibn Shareef planned to set off at least four and possibly more hand grenades and improvised explosive devices at an Chicago-area shopping mall. He was convicted in 2007.

December 2007: Two men accused of plotting to launch Jihad-style attacks on L.A. area synagogues during the Jewish High Holy Days plead guilty on Friday to conspiring to levy war against the United States.

"I'd posit some acts of violence in this nation have root causes in sermons or schooling conducted in "mainline" churches. Do we query every abortion clinic bomber or arsonist as to where he attended church, trying to discern or prove the genesis of his hatred was the Main Street Baptist Church?" Where is the data? How many abortion clinic attacks have there been during the relevant time frame? And how many fatal attacks against Moslems in the US during this time? 0. There are less than 3 million Moslems in the US, but the evidence is that they are responsible for the vast majority of religiously motivated murders in this country. So please, deal with the data. Stop mouthing stupid platitudes as a substitute for empirical analysis.

Posted by Eagle613 | January 16, 2008 4:30 PM

Eagle613, the grand wizard will be very disapproving of all the spittle on your hood.

Posted by steve duncan | January 16, 2008 4:47 PM

Arsons and bombings at clinics can cause widespread destruction. Over 200 of these crimes have been committed against reproductive health care clinics since the mid-1970s.

A chronology of abortion related arsons and bombings follows.

DATE STATE/PROVINCE/TERR. TYPE EST. DAMAGE CASE STATUS
5/2007 Virginia ARSON Remains open
7/2005 Florida ARSON Remains open
1/2005 Washington ARSON $500,000 Remains open
7/2004 Florida ARSON Remain open
1/2004 Florida ARSON Remains open
9/2003 Indiana ARSON $2,000 Remains open
5/2003 Florida ARSON Remains open
1/2003 Illinois ARSON Remains open
6/2002 Texas ARSON Remains open
6/2001 Washington ARSON Remains open
6/2001 Washington BOMB $6,000 Remains open
4/2001 Kentucky ARSON Remains open
5/2000 New Hampshire ARSON $20,000 Remains open
4/2000 Kentucky ARSON Remains open
4/2000 Florida ARSON $2-3,000 Remains open
8/1999 New Hampshire ARSON Approx. $20,000 Remains open
7/1999 California ARSON Minimal damage to the clinic. Approx $100,000 damage to the building housing the clinic. Benjamin Matthew Williams and James Tyler Williams pled guilty and were sentenced to 21-30 years in jail for this fire and three synagogue arsons.
5/1999 New Mexico ARSON $5,000 Ricky Lee McDonald pleaded guilty and was sentenced to five years in jail.
4/1999 Wisconsin ARSON $500 Remains open
3/1999 Wisconsin ARSON Minimal Peter Quinn, 17 admitted to this arson. He is being charged in state court as an adult.
3/1999 New Mexico ARSON $3,000 Ricky Lee McDonald pleaded guilty and was sentenced to five years in jail.
3/1999 North Carolina BOMB Minimal Remains open
3/1999 South Dakota ARSON Minimal Martin Uphoff was convicted of using explosives during a felony, and vandalism to a facility providing health care services (a FACE charge). Uphoff was sentenced to 60 months for the felony and 6 months for the FACE charge, to be served concurrently.
3/1999 Wisconsin ARSON $1,000 Peter Quinn, 17 admitted to this arson. He is being charged in state court as an adult.
9/1998 North Carolina ARSON $17,000 Remains open
9/1998 North Carolina ARSON $7,000 Remains open
9/1998 North Carolina ARSON $200 Remains open
3/1998 California ARSON $5,000 Remains open
12/1997 New York ARSON Minimal Remains open
10/1997 Oregon ARSON $5,000 Remains open
8/1997 Alabama ARSON $250,000 Remains open
5/1997 Oregon ARSON $400,000 Remains open
5/1997 Washington ARSON $1,500 Remains open
3/1997 Montana BOMB $2,000 JohnYankowski apprehended at clinic; convicted and sentenced to 5 years in prison.
3/1997 California BOMB $1,000 Container of flammable liquid thrown through the window.
3/1997 California ARSON Unknown Peter Howard, a local activist, put 13 gas cans and 3 propane tanks in his truck and drove it thru the clinic door. He was caught on the scene, pled guilty and was sentenced to 15 yrs in prison and fined $16, 320.87 for damages and restitution.
3/1997 North Carolina BOMB $50,000 Remains open
3/1997 Iowa BOMB Unknown Remains open
2/1997 Virginia ARSON $25,000 James Anthony Mitchell of VA pleaded guilty and was sentenced to ten years in jail in September 1997.
1/1997 Georgia BOMB $90,000+ 2 explosions. Eric Robert Rudolph is serving a life sentence for the bombings at Olympic Park, a gay bar, and two abortion clinics including the Georgia clinic.
1/1997 Oklahoma ARSON $7,000 A juvenile was convicted in this and other arsons and bombings. Name sealed due to age.
1/1997 Oklahoma BOMB $2,500 A juvenile was convicted in this and other arsons and bombings. Name sealed due to age.
11/1996 Missouri ARSON $75,000 A juvenile was convicted in this and other arsons and bombings. Name sealed due to age.
9/1996 Oklahoma BOMB $1,000 A juvenile was convicted in this and other arsons and bombings. Name sealed due to age.
7/1996 Washington BOMB $50,000 Brian Rattigan, Verne Jay Merrell, Charles Barbee and Robert Berry were convicted of conspiring in the bombing of the clinic and a bank robbery.
7/1996 Idaho ARSON $50,000 Remains open
5/1996 Idaho ARSON $400 Remains open
11/1995 Florida ARSON $100 Remains open
11/1995 Florida ARSON $400 Remains open
9/1995 Wyoming ARSON $50,000 In October 1997, Richard Thomas Andrews was indicted for setting three fires to clinics in Redding and Chico.
8/1995 Oregon ARSON $200 Remains open
8/1995 Florida ARSON $100,000 Remains open
8/1995 Florida ARSON $40,000 Remains open
5/1995 Ohio BOMB Minimal Remains open
3/1995 Virginia ARSON under $5,000 Jennifer Spearle and Ryan Clark Martin were convicted.
2/1995 California ARSON $300 Remains open
2/1995 California ARSON $500 Remains open
2/1995 Virginia ARSON $500 Remains open
2/1995 California ARSON $1,000 Remains open
2/1995 New Mexico ARSON $5,000 Ricky Lee McDonald arrested by Services ATF 2/24/95 and convicted.
2/1995 California ARSON Minimal Remains open
2/1995 California ARSON $50,000 Remains open
1/1995 Pennsylvania ARSON unknown Remains open
1/1995 New Mexico ARSON Minimal Ricky Lee McDonald arrested by ATF 2/24/95 and convicted.
12/1994 Kansas ARSON $3,000 Remains open
12/1994 Virginia ARSON $400 Jennifer Spearle and Ryan Clark Martin were convicted.
12/1994 South Dakota ARSON $1,000 Remains open
11/1994 California BOMB Minimal Remains open
10/1994 California ARSON $500 Remains open
10/1994 Montana ARSON $100,000 In October 1997, Richard Thomas Andrews was indicted for setting three fires to clinics in Redding and Chico.
10/1994 California ARSON $35,000 In October 1997, Richard Thomas Andrews was indicted for setting three fires to clinics in Redding and Chico.
10/1994 California ARSON $3,000 In October 1997, Richard Thomas Andrews was indicted for setting three fires to clinics in Redding and Chico.
8/1994 Ohio ARSON $100 Remains open
8/1994 Minnesota ARSON $373,000 Remains open
7/1994 Virginia ARSON $10,000 Remains open
12/1993 New York ARSON $150 Janet Smith was arrested for throwing two molotov cocktails.
11/1993 Pennsylvania ARSON $500 Remains open
10/1993 Texas ARSON $20,000 On 3/14/94, Joshua Graff pled guilty & was sentenced to 39 months in prison.
9/1993 Pennsylvania ARSON $130,000 Remains open
9/1993 Illinois ARSON $7,500 Remains open
9/1993 California ARSON $1.4 million Remains open
9/1993 California BOMB $1,000 Remains open
8/1993 Florida ARSON $500,000 Remains open
5/1993 Idaho ARSON $100,000 In October 1997, Richard Thomas Andrews was indicted for setting three fires to clinics in Redding and Chico.
5/1993 Oregon ARSON $5,000 Remains open
3/1993 Montana ARSON $100,000 In October 1997, Richard Thomas Andrews was indicted for setting three fires to clinics in Redding and Chico.
2/1993 Texas ARSON $625,000 Remains open
2/1993 Florida ARSON $70,000 Remains open
12/1992 California ARSON $50,000 Remains open
11/1992 California ARSON $175,000 Rachelle Shannon pled guilty on 6/7/95 to 6 arson incidents and 2 acid incidents. Shannon was convicted of attempted murder of Dr. Tiller of Wichita, KS.
11/1992 Illinois ARSON $2,500 Remains open
9/1992 Virginia ARSON $25,000 Remains open
9/1992 Nevada ARSON $5,000 Michael Andrew Fix was arrested on 9/28/92 by NV State Police. He was convicted in state court and sentenced to 2 years in prison
9/1992 New Mexico ARSON $500 Remains open
9/1992 Nevada ARSON $600 Michael Andrew Fix was arrested on 9/28/92 by NV State Police. He was convicted in state court and sentenced to 2 years in prison.
9/1992 Oregon ARSON $1,000+ Rachelle Shannon pled guilty on 6/7/95 to 6 arson incidents and 2 acid incidents. Shannon was convicted of attempted murder of Dr. Tiller of Wichita, KS.
8/1992 California ARSON $5,000 Rachelle Shannon pled guilty on 6/7/95 to 6 arson incidents and 2 acid incidents. Shannon was convicted of attempted murder of Dr. Tiller of Wichita, KS.
8/1992 Nevada ARSON Minimal Michael Andrew Fix was arrested on 9/28/92 by NV State Police. He was convicted in state court and sentenced to 2 years in prison.
8/1992 Oregon ARSON $2,500 Rachelle Shannon pled guilty on 6/7/95 to 6 arson incidents and 2 acid incidents. Shannon was convicted of attempted murder of Dr. Tiller of Wichita, KS.
7/1992 California ARSON $9,000 Remains open
6/1992 California ARSON $70,000 In October 1997, Richard Thomas Andrews was indicted for setting three fires to clinics in Redding and Chico.
5/1992 Toronto ARSON Remains open
3/1992 North Dakota ARSON $2,000 Remains open
3/1992 Oregon ARSON $225,000 Rachelle Shannon pled guilty on 6/7/95 to 6 arson incidents and 2 acid incidents. Shannon was convicted of attempted murder of Dr. Tiller of Wichita, KS.
3/1992 Ohio ARSON $1,000 Remains open
1/1992 Montana ARSON $75,000 Attributed to Richard Andrews though he was not charged due to statute of limitations.
1/1992 Texas ARSON $300,000 Remains open
11/1991 Florida ARSON Minimal Remains open
8/1991 North Carolina ARSON $50,000 Remains open
5/1991 Alabama ARSON $80,000 Remains open
3/1991 New Jersey ARSON $500,000 Alan Weiselberg pled guilty to insurance and mail fraud. It was a prosecutorial decision not to prosecute on the arson charges.
3/1991 North Carolina ARSON Minimal Robert Hugh Farley arrested 3/91. Committed to mental institution.
3/1991 North Carolina ARSON $100,000 Robert Hugh Farley arrested 3/91. Committed to mental institution.
2/1991 Ohio ARSON $250,000 Remains open
2/1991 Arizona ARSON $300 Remains open
2/1991 Ohio BOMB $10,000 Remains open
11/1990 Indiana ARSON $10,000 Closed - statute of limitations.
9/1990 Massachusetts ARSON Minimal Closed - statute of limitations.
9/1990 California ARSON $50,000 David Brian Martin arrested for burglary; authorities ruled case not abortion-related.
8/1990 Washington BOMB $400 Closed - statute of limitations.
7/1990 California ARSON Minimal Closed - statute of limitations.
7/1990 California ARSON $30,000 Closed - statute of limitations.
5/1990 Oregon ARSON $15,000 Daniel J. Carver indicted by state 6/1/90. Apprehended and pled guilty. Sentenced to three years in prison.
5/1990 New York ARSON Minimal Shari DiNicola, arrested 5/28/90. Self-committed to mental institution. State will not prosecute
3/1990 Arizona ARSON Minimal Closed - statute of limitations.
12/1989 Missouri ARSON $100,000 Two juveniles arrested on state juvenile charges for vandalism.
10/1989 New Jersey ARSON Minimal Marjorie Reed pled guilty to this and multiple other arson charges in 1992.
9/1989 Michigan BOMB $300 Closed - statute of limitations.
9/1989 Pennsylvania ARSON $5,000 Closed - statute of limitations.
7/1989 New Hampshire ARSON $1,000 Closed - statute of limitations.
3/1989 Florida ARSON $50,000 Closed - statute of limitations.
3/1989 Tennessee ARSON $12,000 Closed - statute of limitations.
3/1989 Florida ARSON $60,000 Closed - statute of limitations.
3/1989 Florida ARSON $50,000 Closed - statute of limitations.
12/1988 Texas ARSON $25,000 Closed - statute of limitations.
12/1988 Texas ARSON $2,000 Closed - statute of limitations.
12/1988 Texas ARSON $65,000 Closed - statute of limitations.
10/1988 California ARSON $50,000 Shannon Taylor convicted in state and sentenced to 8 years in prison.
6/1988 California ARSON Minimal Shannon Taylor convicted and sentenced to 8 years in prison.
12/1987 Alabama ARSON Minimal Closed - statute of limitations.
10/1987 Minnesota ARSON Minimal Closed - statute of limitations.
9/1987 Minnesota ARSON Minimal Closed - statute of limitations.
9/1987 Minnesota ARSON $5,000 Closed - statute of limitations.
9/1987 Minnesota ARSON Minimal Closed - statute of limitations.
8/1987 North Dakota ARSON $500 Scott Garman pled guilty. Sentenced to 2 months in prison, 2 years probation, and $215 fine. A juvenile was tried in state court and sentenced to two years deferred sentence and 100 hours community service.
7/1987 California BOMB Minimal Dorman Owens, Joanne Kreipel, Cheryl Sullinger, Randy Sullinger, Chris Harmon, Robin Harmon and Erick Svelmoe were convicted of conspiracy and were given sentences ranging from 149 days to five years.
6/1987 Ohio ARSON $1,000 Marjorie Reed pled guilty to this and multiple other arson charges in 1992. She served 5 years and was released in September 1997.
3/1987 Ohio ARSON $1,000 Marjorie Reed pled guilty to this and multiple other arson charges in 1992. She served 5 years and was released in September 1997.
1/1987 Minnesota ARSON $1,500 Mark J. Bundlie confessed to arson. Committed indefinitely to state institution.
1/1987 Illinois ARSON Minimal David Holman pled guilty. Received 18 months imprisonment and 3 years probation.
12/1986 California ARSON $35,000 Frederick Gordan Tipps arrested. Pled guilty to arson to cover burglary.
12/1986 New York BOMB Minimal In connection with this and other New York bombings, Dennis John Malvasi pled guilty to 3 counts & received five years in prison; Carl Cenera pled guilty and received three years in prison; Frank Wright, Jr., pled guilty and received two years in prison.
12/1986 Michigan ARSON $750,000 Closed - statute of limitations.
12/1986 Illinois ARSON Minimal David Holman pled guilty. Received 18 months imprisonment and 3 years probation.
11/1986 Illinois ARSON Minimal David Holman pled guilty. Received 18 months imprisonment and 3 years probation.
10/1986 New York BOMB $10,000 In connection with this and other New York bombings, Dennis John Malvasi pled guilty to 3 counts & received five years in prison; CarlCenera pled guilty and received three years in prison; Frank Wright, Jr., pled guilty and received two years in prison.
6/1986 Missouri ARSON $100,000 Closed - statute of limitations.
6/1986 Kansas BOMB $100,000 Closed - statute of limitations.
5/1986 Ohio ARSON $200,000 Marjorie Reed pled guilty to this and multiple other arson charges in 1992. She served 5 years in prison and was released in September 1997.
12/1985 Ohio ARSON $35,000 John Brockhoeft pled guilty to one count arson in connection with multiple cases. Sentenced to 7 years in prison. Released in 1995.
12/1985 New York BOMB Minimal In connection with this and other NY bombings, Dennis John Malvasi pled guilty to 3 counts and received 5 years in prison; Carl Cenera pled guilty and received 3 years in prison; Frank Wright, Jr., pled guilty and received 2 years in prison. Donald C. pryor, Jr. pled guilty but died before sentencing.
12/1985 Ohio ARSON $20,000 Marjorie Reed pled guilty to this and multiple other arson charges in 1992. She served 5 years in prison and was released in September 1997.
12/1985 Ohio ARSON $75,000+ John Brockhoeft pled guilty to one count arson in connection with multiple cases. Sentenced to 7 years in prison. Released in 1995.
10/1985 Louisiana ARSON $20,000 Brent Paul Braud, Derrick James Jarreau, John David Newchurch, and Charles Albert Cheshire Jr. each pled guilty to one count. Braud and Jarreau were sentenced to 2 years in prison and a $50 special assessment Newchurch was sentenced to 5 years, subject to review after a psychiatric exam.
10/1985 Louisiana ARSON $300,000 Brent Paul Braud, Derrick James Jarreau, John David Newchurch, and Charles Albert Cheshire Jr. each pled guilty to one count. Braud and Jarreau were sentenced to 2 years in prison and a $50 special assessment. Newchurch was sentenced to 5 years, subject to review after a psychiatric exam. Cheshire was sentenced to 5 years and ordered to pay $314,000 in restitution.
10/1985 North Carolina ARSON $75,000 Closed - statute of limitations.
3/1985 California ARSON $10,000 Shane Cameron arrested. Convicted on unrelated arson charges.
2/1985 Texas ARSON $1,500,000 Closed - statute of limitations.
1/1985 Washington, DC BOMB $100,000+ Kenneth Shields and Thomas Spinks.
12/1984 Florida BOMB $100,000+ Matthew Goldsby and James Simmons convicted in U.S. District Court; sentenced to 10 years in prison and $353,073.66 in fines. (Assessed only $350). Kathren Simmons and Kaye Wiggins convicted for conspiracy, received 5 years probation and $2,000 in fines. (Assessed only $50).
12/1984 Florida BOMB $225,000+ Matthew Goldsby and James Simmons convicted in U.S. District Court; sentenced to 10 years in prison and $353,073.66 in fines. (Assessed only $350). Kathren Simmons and Kaye Wiggins convicted for conspiracy, received 5 years probation and $2,000 in fines. (Assessed only $50).
12/1984 Florida BOMB $100,000+ Matthew Goldsby and James Simmons convicted in U.S. District Court; sentenced to 10 years in prison and $353,073.66 in fines. (Assessed only $350). Kathren Simmons and Kaye Wiggins convicted for conspiracy, received 5 years probation and $2,000 in fines.
12/1984 Maryland BOMB $150,000 Kenneth Shields and Thomas Spinks pled guilty to conspiracy in connection with this and 9 other cases. Shields received 15 years and was ordered to pay $55,000 in restitution. Michael Bray entered Alford plea, in which the defendant does not admit guilt but acknowledges he would be found guilty if tried, and was sentenced to six years.
11/1984 Maryland BOMB $300,000 Kenneth Shields and Thomas Spinks pled guilty to conspiracy in connection with this and 9 other cases. Shields received 15 years and was ordered to pay $55,000 in restitution.
11/1984 Washington, DC BOMB Minimal Kenneth Shields and Thomas Spinks pled guilty to conspiracy in connection with this and 9 other cases. Shields received 15 years and was ordered to pay $55,000 in restitution. Michael Bray entered Alford plea, in which the defendant does not admit guilt but acknowledges he would be found guilty if tried, and was sentenced to six years.
11/1984 Maryland BOMB $50,000 Kenneth Shields and Thomas Spinks pled guilty to conspiracy in connection with this and 9 other cases. Shields received 15 years and was ordered to pay $55,000 in restitution.
11/1984 Texas ARSON $400,000 Closed - statute of limitations.
9/1984 Georgia ARSON $8,000+ Closed - statute of limitations.
9/1984 California ARSON $125,000+ Closed - statute of limitations.
9/1984 Georgia ARSON $5,000 Closed - statute of limitations.
9/1984 Texas ARSON Minimal Closed - statute of limitations.
9/1984 Texas ARSON Minimal Closed - statute of limitations.
9/1984 Texas ARSON $90,000 Closed - statute of limitations.
9/1984 Texas ARSON $10,000 Closed - statute of limitations.
8/1984 Texas ARSON $30,000 Closed - statute of limitations.
7/1984 Maryland BOMB $50,000+ Kenneth Shields and Thomas Spinks pled guilty to conspiracy in connection with this and 9 other cases. Shields received 15 years and was ordered to pay $55,000 in restitution.
7/1984 Washington, DC BOMB $40,000 Kenneth Shields & Thomas Spinks pled guilty to conspiracy in connection with this and 9 other cases. Shields received 15 years and was ordered to pay $55,000 in restitution.
6/1984 Florida BOMB $200,000 Matthew Goldsby and James Simmons were arrested. U.S. Attorney declined to prosecute because of changes in insanity law. Both men and their girlfriends were prosecuted and convicted in district court. See 12/84 Florida cases.
5/1984 Oregon ARSON $1,000 Closed - statute of limitations.
3/1984 Washington ARSON $55,000 Curtis Beseda convicted in U.S. District Court; received two consecutive 10-year terms, 5 years probation, and ordered to pay $295,000 in restitution.
3/1984 Washington ARSON $10,000 Curtis Beseda convicted in U.S. District Court; received two consecutive 10-year terms, 5 years probation, and ordered to pay $295,000 in restitution.
3/1984 Washington ARSON $70,000 Curtis Beseda convicted in U.S. District Court; received two consecutive 10-year terms, 5 years probation, and ordered to pay $295,000 in restitution.
2/1984 Maryland ARSON $100,000 Kenneth Shields & Thomas Spinks pled guilty to conspiracy in connection with this and 9 other cases. Shields received 15 years and $55,000 in restitution. Michael Bray entered Alford plea, in which the defendant does not admit guilt but acknowledges he would be found guilty if tried, and was sentenced to six years.
2/1984 Virginia ARSON $1,000 Kenneth Shields & Thomas Spinks pled guilty to conspiracy in connection with this and 9 other cases. Shields received 15 years and $55,000 in restitution. Michael Bray entered Alford plea, in which the defendant does not admit guilt but acknowledges he would be found guilty if tried, and was sentenced to six years.
1/1984 Delaware ARSON $100,000 Kenneth Shields & Thomas Spinks pled guilty to conspiracy in connection with this and 9 other cases. Shields received 15 years and $55,000 in restitution. Michael Bray entered Alford plea, in which the defendant does not admit guilt but acknowledges he would be found guilty if tried, and was sentenced to six years.
12/1983 Washington ARSON $45,000 Curtis Beseda convicted in U.S. District Court; received two consecutive 10-year terms, 5 years probation, and ordered to pay $295,000 in restitution.
5/1983 Virginia ARSON $250,000 Joseph Grace convicted in state court. Regarding this and other arson charges, he was sentenced to 10-20 years in Virginia state prison. Scheduled for release: April, 1999.
10/1982 New Jersey ARSON $100,000+ Closed - statute of limitations.
6/1982 Virginia BOMB $18,000 Don Benny Anderson & Matthew Moore convicted in state court. Both pled guilty and received 30 years, to be served consecutively with 30-year sentence received by Anderson, Matthew Moore and brother Wayne Moore for kidnapping of Illinois physician and his wife.
5/1982 Florida ARSON $340,000 Don Benny Anderson & Matthew Moore convicted in state court. Both pled guilty and received 30 years, to be served consecutively with 30-year sentence received by Anderson, Matthew Moore and brother Wayne Moore for kidnapping of Illinois physician and his wife.
5/1982 Florida ARSON $122,000 Don Benny Anderson & Matthew Moore convicted in state court. Both pled guilty and received 30 years, to be served consecutively with 30-year sentence received by Anderson, Matthew Moore and brother Wayne Moore for kidnapping of Illinois physician and his wife.
1/1982 Illinois ARSON $100,000+ Closed - statute of limitations.
4/1981 Michigan ARSON $30,000 Closed - statute of limitations.
2/1979 New York ARSON $100,000+ Peter Burkin entered clinic during working hours, set it on fire and injured himself, risking staff & patients' lives. Acquitted of attempted murder and arson; found not guilty by reason of insanity on charges of arson and reckless endangerment.
6/1978 Iowa BOMB Unknown Closed - statute of limitations.
6/1978 Ohio BOMB Unknown Closed - statute of limitations.
5/1978 Vermont BOMB Unknown Closed - statute of limitations.
2/1978 Ohio ARSON Unknown Closed - statute of limitations.
2/1978 Ohio BOMB $3,000 Closed - statute of limitations.
2/1978 Ohio ARSON $200,000 Closed - statute of limitations.
2/1978 Ohio ARSON $100,000+ Closed - statue of limitations. (Man entered clinic, blinded a technician by throwing chemicals, and set center on fire, destroying it. Clinic was full of patients at the time; they escaped without injury).
11/1977 Ohio ARSON $4,000 Closed - statute of limitations.
8/1977 Nebraska ARSON $35,000 Closed - statute of limitations.
5/1977 Vermont ARSON $100,000+ Closed - statute of limitations.
2/1977 Minnesota ARSON $250,000 Closed - statute of limitations.
3/1976 Oregon ARSON $19,000 Joseph C. Stockett was convicted and served two years in prison.

Posted by steve duncan | January 16, 2008 4:52 PM

steve duncan:

Good one!

But don't forget also those Mormon assassinations/car-bombing against those people in Arizona (?) during the 1980s (?) who were investigating the historical origins of the LDS church...

Posted by RKU | January 16, 2008 5:31 PM

So please, deal with the data

Ok. Using your list, I counted 8 definite murders. So far, over those 20 years, we are at:

Lightning: 1400
Murders of this kind: 8.

Further, your list is replete with foiled attempts, which suggests that current law enforcement is actually working reasonably well.

Posted by Brad L | January 16, 2008 5:34 PM

"November 1990: El Sayyid Nosair assassinates Rabbi Meir Kahane."

I call this one an act to protect the US national security. Guy should have been immediately made a Muslim saint and given the Medal of Honor by the President.

These freak show anti-Muslims are a joke. Why doesn't he try listing the crimes committed by radical right wing - or just ordinary - CHRISTIANS against everybody else? It would probably outnumber Muslim crimes by several orders of magnitude even on a per capita basis. The abortion business would just be the tip of the iceberg.

Posted by Richard Steven Hack | January 16, 2008 6:31 PM

Yes! Greg Stillson! I don't know why I hadn't seen it before recently, but when I was watching Huckabee on TV the other day, that same thought occurred to me. Maybe it was the people on stage with him (though none of them looked like Hell's Angels...).

Posted by Eric | January 16, 2008 9:15 PM