Boards > Current Events > Skinhead plot foiled

TheFuckOffKid

NEWSWIRE

Australia

OCT 27, 2008 01:43 PM

WASHINGTON - A plot by two Neo-Nazi skinheads to assassinate Barack Obama and kill dozens of other African Americans has been foiled, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms said Monday.

Daniel Cowart, 20, of Bells, Tenn., and Paul Schlesselman, 18, of West Helena, Ark., were charged Friday with making threats against a presidential candidate, illegal possession of a sawed-off shotgun and conspiracy to rob a gun store.

In court records unsealed Monday, agents said they disrupted plans that included robbing a gun store and targeting an unnamed but predominantly African-American high school.

MSNBC.

crispy

NEWSWIRE

Philadelphia, PA

OCT 27, 2008 01:46 PM

That's some scary shit, man.

What's even more scary is that there are hundreds, if not thousands, of people just like that out there.

Coyotemike

USA

May 2006

OCT 27, 2008 01:49 PM

crispy said:
That's some scary shit, man.

What's even more scary is that there are hundreds, if not thousands, of people just like that out there.

It is scary, but if I remember an article I saw not too long ago (I should really start keeping track of these things, but it's been about 4 months) there aren't that many skinheads/klanfucks/etc out there. Their numbers have been shrinking for the past few decades, to the point that gatherings that once drew hundreds now might get 20 idiots.

mydogfarted

Oakland, NJ

June 2003

OCT 27, 2008 01:52 PM

*sigh*

Why do I fear this is not the first round of hate-based assassination plots against Obama we're going to hear about?

Shal

Los Angeles, CA

October 2002

OCT 27, 2008 01:55 PM

So here's what I'm guessing happened.

An 18 year old and a 20 year old in extremely rural Tennessee (and I have family in one of the towns mentioned.. the entire COUNTY population is like 10,000 people) shaved their heads, did a bunch of meth, gave each other swastika jail tats, and decided they were going to tell all their buddies that they were going to rob a gun store to get weapons and then go kill 88 black people AND Barack Obama.

Someone tipped off the cops, the ATF got involved, and suddenly these two pathetic excuses for human beings are some sort of race war masterminds heroically brought down by law enforcement.

Shal

Los Angeles, CA

October 2002

OCT 27, 2008 01:55 PM

mydogfarted said:
*sigh*

Why do I fear this is not the first round of hate-based assassination plots against Obama we're going to hear about?

Because it's not.

Jace

San Francisco, CA

February 2004

OCT 27, 2008 02:04 PM

Yeah... if Barack Obama does get elected as our next president, the secret service is going to have some serious work to do. To be fair, the secret service is already doing an insane amount of work protecting the guy.

Here's a telling snippet of the e-mail all students at my university received from campus police the day before Obama's first rally on our campus:

- Entrance to the Quad will be located at the north end, between Ross Hall and Mackay Mines Building. Attendees who wish to gain access to this area will be searched, and umbrellas, backpacks, larges purses, briefcases, etc., will not be allowed. Signs and banners are also prohibited at the request of the campaign.

- Morrill Hall will be closed to the general public. Staff will be subject to search and movement inside the building will be extremely limited.

- Buildings facing the Quad (Clark Administration, Jones Visitor Center, Ross Hall, Scrugham Engineering, Paul Laxalt Mineral Engineering, and Mackay Science) will be open as usual; however occupants will not be able to enter or exit these building from the from or onto the Quad. In addition, blinds, drapes, and windows facing the Quad will be closed and must remain closed until the event has concluded.

And it really is unfortunate.

Katieesq

USA

June 2008

OCT 27, 2008 02:08 PM

How does this compare to previous presidents? I know Obama got a secret service detail earlier than any presidential candidate in history, but how stringent has security been for other candidates/presidents?

Salem

SUICIDEGIRL

Mississippi, USA

OCT 27, 2008 02:15 PM

jeez, thats not all that far from where i live

s5

STAFF

San Francisco, CA

OCT 27, 2008 02:18 PM

Shalome said:

So here's what I'm guessing happened.

An 18 year old and a 20 year old in extremely rural Tennessee (and I have family in one of the towns mentioned.. the entire COUNTY population is like 10,000 people) shaved their heads, did a bunch of meth, gave each other swastika jail tats, and decided they were going to tell all their buddies that they were going to rob a gun store to get weapons and then go kill 88 black people AND Barack Obama.

What is it with white supremacists. They're always the furthest thing from "supreme".

Varuka_Salt

I'm lost

October 2006

OCT 27, 2008 02:32 PM

s5 said:

Shalome said:

So here's what I'm guessing happened.

An 18 year old and a 20 year old in extremely rural Tennessee (and I have family in one of the towns mentioned.. the entire COUNTY population is like 10,000 people) shaved their heads, did a bunch of meth, gave each other swastika jail tats, and decided they were going to tell all their buddies that they were going to rob a gun store to get weapons and then go kill 88 black people AND Barack Obama.

What is it with white supremacists. They're always the furthest thing from "supreme".

Generations of inbreeding.

TheFuckOffKid

NEWSWIRE

Australia

OCT 27, 2008 04:45 PM

Shalome said:

So here's what I'm guessing happened.

An 18 year old and a 20 year old in extremely rural Tennessee (and I have family in one of the towns mentioned.. the entire COUNTY population is like 10,000 people) shaved their heads, did a bunch of meth, gave each other swastika jail tats, and decided they were going to tell all their buddies that they were going to rob a gun store to get weapons and then go kill 88 black people AND Barack Obama.

Someone tipped off the cops, the ATF got involved, and suddenly these two pathetic excuses for human beings are some sort of race war masterminds heroically brought down by law enforcement.

Sounds likely.

I just can't think in recent memory where I've heard of even remotely semi-credible death-threats being uttered during a US Presidential campaign.

Katieesq

USA

June 2008

OCT 27, 2008 04:52 PM

TheFuckOffKid said:

Shalome said:

So here's what I'm guessing happened.

An 18 year old and a 20 year old in extremely rural Tennessee (and I have family in one of the towns mentioned.. the entire COUNTY population is like 10,000 people) shaved their heads, did a bunch of meth, gave each other swastika jail tats, and decided they were going to tell all their buddies that they were going to rob a gun store to get weapons and then go kill 88 black people AND Barack Obama.

Someone tipped off the cops, the ATF got involved, and suddenly these two pathetic excuses for human beings are some sort of race war masterminds heroically brought down by law enforcement.

Sounds likely.

I just can't think in recent memory where I've heard of even remotely semi-credible death-threats being uttered during a US Presidential campaign.

I wouldn't be surprised if Bush had a few in 2004, but I have no evidence.

phrogg

Greenville, SC

August 2005

OCT 27, 2008 04:57 PM

Katieesq said:

TheFuckOffKid said:

Shalome said:

So here's what I'm guessing happened.

An 18 year old and a 20 year old in extremely rural Tennessee (and I have family in one of the towns mentioned.. the entire COUNTY population is like 10,000 people) shaved their heads, did a bunch of meth, gave each other swastika jail tats, and decided they were going to tell all their buddies that they were going to rob a gun store to get weapons and then go kill 88 black people AND Barack Obama.

Someone tipped off the cops, the ATF got involved, and suddenly these two pathetic excuses for human beings are some sort of race war masterminds heroically brought down by law enforcement.

Sounds likely.

I just can't think in recent memory where I've heard of even remotely semi-credible death-threats being uttered during a US Presidential campaign.

I wouldn't be surprised if Bush had a few in 2004, but I have no evidence.

I'm not proud to say it, but there was a time - right after Katrina and the non-response - when I believe I would have gone for his throat.

Shal

Los Angeles, CA

October 2002

OCT 27, 2008 04:58 PM

TheFuckOffKid said:

Shalome said:

So here's what I'm guessing happened.

An 18 year old and a 20 year old in extremely rural Tennessee (and I have family in one of the towns mentioned.. the entire COUNTY population is like 10,000 people) shaved their heads, did a bunch of meth, gave each other swastika jail tats, and decided they were going to tell all their buddies that they were going to rob a gun store to get weapons and then go kill 88 black people AND Barack Obama.

Someone tipped off the cops, the ATF got involved, and suddenly these two pathetic excuses for human beings are some sort of race war masterminds heroically brought down by law enforcement.

Sounds likely.

I just can't think in recent memory where I've heard of even remotely semi-credible death-threats being uttered during a US Presidential campaign.

Methheads yelling that they're going to do something when they demonstrably don't have the actual means nor organized plans to do so is not semi-credible.

hk85

Guerneville, CA

October 2007

OCT 27, 2008 05:00 PM

TheFuckOffKid
agents said they disrupted plans that included robbing a gun store

Wasn't there a recent Darwin award winner that tried to rob a gun store? Anyway, these two seem like the type that would be in the running if their plot wasn't foiled.

MrStitches

Brooklyn, NY

November 2003

OCT 27, 2008 05:02 PM

Is there something symbolic about white tuxedos that I'm not catching or are they just dapper?

TheFuckOffKid

NEWSWIRE

Australia

OCT 27, 2008 05:12 PM

Shalome said:

TheFuckOffKid said:

Shalome said:

So here's what I'm guessing happened.

An 18 year old and a 20 year old in extremely rural Tennessee (and I have family in one of the towns mentioned.. the entire COUNTY population is like 10,000 people) shaved their heads, did a bunch of meth, gave each other swastika jail tats, and decided they were going to tell all their buddies that they were going to rob a gun store to get weapons and then go kill 88 black people AND Barack Obama.

Someone tipped off the cops, the ATF got involved, and suddenly these two pathetic excuses for human beings are some sort of race war masterminds heroically brought down by law enforcement.

Sounds likely.

I just can't think in recent memory where I've heard of even remotely semi-credible death-threats being uttered during a US Presidential campaign.

Methheads yelling that they're going to do something when they demonstrably don't have the actual means nor organized plans to do so is not semi-credible.

I've watched too much West Wing.

Abracadabra4

Tampa, FL

December 2007

OCT 27, 2008 05:18 PM

Shalome said:

TheFuckOffKid said:

Shalome said:

So here's what I'm guessing happened.

An 18 year old and a 20 year old in extremely rural Tennessee (and I have family in one of the towns mentioned.. the entire COUNTY population is like 10,000 people) shaved their heads, did a bunch of meth, gave each other swastika jail tats, and decided they were going to tell all their buddies that they were going to rob a gun store to get weapons and then go kill 88 black people AND Barack Obama.

Someone tipped off the cops, the ATF got involved, and suddenly these two pathetic excuses for human beings are some sort of race war masterminds heroically brought down by law enforcement.

Sounds likely.

I just can't think in recent memory where I've heard of even remotely semi-credible death-threats being uttered during a US Presidential campaign.

Methheads yelling that they're going to do something when they demonstrably don't have the actual means nor organized plans to do so is not semi-credible.

I totally agree with you Shalome, not much of a real threat. Its the people who don't tell their friends, brag and get off on meth that we have to worry about. Timothy McVee is the prime example. According to everything I read about the OKC Bombing there were only two people who knew about it and only two were involved with the planning and execution.

As for the Secret Service, they are really good. A big kiss for all the Secret Service Agents out there Well, a kiss for all the girl agents out there......

Shal

Los Angeles, CA

October 2002

OCT 27, 2008 05:50 PM

Well, now that I've read the official affidavit, it's even sillier.

Extremely shortened version:

About a month ago Cowart and Schlesselman met via the internet while talking about beliefs and views regarding "White Power" and "Skinhead" views. They began discussing going on a "killing spree" that included killing 88 people and beheading 14 African Americans.

The individuals discussed doing home invasion robberies to fund their "killing spree." They emailed each other hand-drawn plans of how they would break into houses and a gun shop.

They decided their killing spree would include targeting "a predominately African-American school," and then going state to state while robbing individuals and continuing to kill people.

Their final act of violence would be to attempt to kill Presidential Candidate Barack Obama using rifles that would be stolen from a gun shop along the way.

Their plan was to drive their vehicle as fast as they could toward Obama while shooting at him with rifles from the windows of the car. Both individuals stated they would dress in all white tuxedos and wear top hats while shooting..

These guys were super-brave criminal masterminds. Totally not bored meth-heads. Not failed petty criminals, either:

On October 21 2008 Cowert and Schlesselman drove around the area looking for a house to rob. They decided on a house, but when they walked up to the house they saw two vehicles and a dog, so they decided to leave.

Then they drove to Wal-Mart where they bought nylon rope and two ski masks and talked about how they were going to use those things in a home invasion or gun store burglary.

"We're totally gonna rob this fuckin house! Oh, shit, they have a dog. Never mind, let's go to Wal-Mart instead. I bet if we had some fuckin ski masks and rope we could totally rob a house!"

Later in the early morning of 10/22/2008 while driving around, they shot a church window with a .22 caliber revolver.

At this point I am imagining them drunk and high and driving around yelling about how awesome they were, and to prove just how badass they were, they shot a fucking church window. Because that's only something REALLY BAD GUYS would do.

Then they drove back to Cowert's grandfather's house for the night. The next day, they bought window chalk and wrote racially motivated words and symbols, including swastikas, all over Cowert's car.

Brilliant move, guys. You spent two days maurading around a town with a population of 2000, shooting out church windows, painting swastikas on your car, and buying ski masks and rope at Wal-Mart.

They were taken into custody by the County Sherriff later that night.

No shit?

Heh.

wenis

San Francisco, CA

July 2006

OCT 27, 2008 05:57 PM

Rusty_metal_ass said:

s5 said:

Shalome said:

So here's what I'm guessing happened.

An 18 year old and a 20 year old in extremely rural Tennessee (and I have family in one of the towns mentioned.. the entire COUNTY population is like 10,000 people) shaved their heads, did a bunch of meth, gave each other swastika jail tats, and decided they were going to tell all their buddies that they were going to rob a gun store to get weapons and then go kill 88 black people AND Barack Obama.

What is it with white supremacists. They're always the furthest thing from "supreme".

Generations of inbreeding.

well think about it this way...how awesome would it be to have a third arm? that seems pretty supreme to me.

eating popcorn and playing video games all at once...boo yah!

Trauma

San Quentin, CA

April 2005

OCT 27, 2008 06:03 PM

Props to the secret service. They're going to need a small army to Guard Obama 24/7 if he becomes president. This won't be the last attempt on him we'll hear about. And the worst case scenario is : If he's assassinated, The Second U.S. Civil War begins. It's going to be a bloody race war and 100 times worse than what happened in Bosnia. Let's pray this doesn't happen.

Salome

SUICIDEGIRL

Illinois, USA

OCT 27, 2008 06:06 PM

Shalome said:

TheFuckOffKid said:

Shalome said:

So here's what I'm guessing happened.

An 18 year old and a 20 year old in extremely rural Tennessee (and I have family in one of the towns mentioned.. the entire COUNTY population is like 10,000 people) shaved their heads, did a bunch of meth, gave each other swastika jail tats, and decided they were going to tell all their buddies that they were going to rob a gun store to get weapons and then go kill 88 black people AND Barack Obama.

Someone tipped off the cops, the ATF got involved, and suddenly these two pathetic excuses for human beings are some sort of race war masterminds heroically brought down by law enforcement.

Sounds likely.

I just can't think in recent memory where I've heard of even remotely semi-credible death-threats being uttered during a US Presidential campaign.

Methheads yelling that they're going to do something when they demonstrably don't have the actual means nor organized plans to do so is not semi-credible.

Well, there have been a couple dumbshits throughout the campaign that have gotten wasted and talked about wasting Obama. Out of all the news reports I've read, this has been the most detailed and organized plot, at least as described.

This is not to say that those two guys aren't meth-head screwups. I'm just saying these two meth-heads, at least as reported so far, seemed to have their insane assassination plot more together than the others.They already acted violently against African-Americans by destroying a black church's property

bean

STAFF

Los Angeles, CA

OCT 27, 2008 06:07 PM

Shalome said:
Well, now that I've read the official affidavit, it's even sillier.

Extremely shortened version:

SPOILERS! (Click to view)