this post was submitted on 22 Jun 2024
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politics

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242
Man with carload of weapons and ‘hit list’ that included Biden, Obama and Clinton gets years in prison (lawandcrime.com)
submitted 3 months ago by jeffw@lemmy.world to c/politics@lemmy.world
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[–] Potatos_are_not_friends@lemmy.world 64 points 3 months ago (1 children)

However, the took a strange turn when Xiong began railing about the state of politics in the nation’s capital, rattling off right-wing conspiracy theories, and telling the deputy that “getting a hotel would not be necessary” for his trip.

“Xiong began to attempt to control the conversation and began talking about his disapproval for government due to the sex abuse of children, some of which that has occurred by President Biden,” investigators wrote.

MAGA trump supporters who are PoC or a minority always makes me confused. They really aren't realizing these rallies, they're the butt of the joke, being uncle ruckus.

[–] jeffw@lemmy.world 28 points 3 months ago (2 children)

I mean, the man clearly had some mental illness going on. I dont think it’s all well thought out

[–] ObsidianZed@lemmy.world 23 points 3 months ago (2 children)

As easy as it would be to dismiss a lot of people like this as having mental illnesses, he just sounds like you're typical conspiracy believing, far right, Trump supporter. The mental illness may have come into play when he actually decided to act on it, but make no mistake, many, many others are believing and repeating the same rhetoric and just not demented enough to act (yet), and they don't deserve the easy out of "mental illness."

[–] lennybird@lemmy.world 6 points 3 months ago (1 children)

I look at it the other way: right-wing conspiracy theories pander to textbook mental illness. They're more susceptible to such bullshit and thus it's like a magnet that attracts these deranged individuals.

One way or another I am personally convinced a large chunk of dyed-in-the-wool Trump supporters are not of mentally sound mind.

Drugs, head injuries, lead exposure, etc. You look at the average attendee of a Trump rally and they do not look physically healthy from the outset.

[–] ObsidianZed@lemmy.world 2 points 3 months ago

That's fair. It fits with their MO of taking advantage of those with disabilities or in already dire situations

[–] jeffw@lemmy.world 0 points 3 months ago (3 children)

He said he’s the only person left who can save the country… he talked about analyzing the White House grounds and imagined up a “weak point” in the security… this is not a typical thought pattern

[–] calabast@lemm.ee 5 points 3 months ago (1 children)

It does sound crazy, but some of their echo chambers have spent YEARS repeating two conflicting messages 1) we need to use violence to "fix" the country and 2) anyone who actually tries to organize any activity is an FBI member trying to arrest people. It's true that a sane person still wouldn't try to go kill politicians by themselves, but it's no surprise to me that some of those members eventually do come to the "I am the only person who can fix this" conclusion.

[–] jeffw@lemmy.world -4 points 3 months ago (2 children)

Blow my mind how bad some of you are at identifying textbook psychosis

[–] TheLowestStone@lemmy.world 4 points 3 months ago

Diagnosing people you've never met is generally a bad idea.

[–] ObsidianZed@lemmy.world 1 points 3 months ago

I think what we're getting at is there is a very fine line right now between a far right conspiracy theorist that's in too deep (think QAnon) and full blown psychosis. The minor difference being one is caused by indoctrination while the other is actual mental illness.

And while this case may be due to mental illness, I was simply saying that we shouldn't allow the other cases the easy out excuse of a mental illness as they need to be held accountable. Obviously this man will be held accountable but a mental illness lessens that by some degree.

[–] ObsidianZed@lemmy.world 2 points 3 months ago

True, but still only a few steps up from "someone just needs to put a bullet in Biden" which is a not too uncommon of a phrase in red districts.

[–] Oisteink@feddit.nl 0 points 3 months ago

He don’t sound sane, but from what little US politic I catch in news it’s pretty common far up into your law and political system. Maybe all the way to the top.

I believe your doing yourself a disfavour by assuming he’s criminally insane

[–] disguy_ovahea@lemmy.world 3 points 3 months ago* (last edited 3 months ago)

I’m not so sure. Dude had a grappling hook. That’s textbook preparedness. /s

[–] Jimbabwe@lemmy.world 25 points 3 months ago (1 children)

lol! All his meticulous planning and not even half a thought on how to shut the fuck up around cops.

Officer: “Sir I pulled you over because you were driving aggressi-“

Him: “I plan to do crimes!! Lots of them!”

[–] jaschen@lemm.ee -1 points 3 months ago

Probably got pulled over by the wrong cops. The right(bad apples) would have just let him go.

[–] Sanctus@lemmy.world 25 points 3 months ago

Our security agencies should be on red alert right now. He's not the only one drinking the kool aid.

[–] d00ery@lemmy.world 19 points 3 months ago (2 children)

It sounds like he needs mental help.

There's no mention of a lawyer or any support, the guys just completely dropped himself in it. Perhaps a very low IQ or some sort of mental health problems that prison is really not going to help.

This is far from normal behaviour.

[–] dirthawker0@lemmy.world 4 points 3 months ago* (last edited 3 months ago)

It's kind of a shame, dude is clearly mentally ill but there's no mention in the article of any attempts to treat it. Just straight to jail. If anything it's just going to worsen in prison and probably end up murdering someone and/or getting murdered.

[–] FanciestPants@lemmy.world 2 points 3 months ago (1 children)

Is a low IQ correlated to a person's propensity to commit violent acts? As a person with low IQ, I don't feel like prison is either less of a deterent from committing crimes, or less likely to be a reforming experience, but I've never been to prison and recognize that my impressions would only be an anecdote and not something to draw conclusion from.

[–] d00ery@lemmy.world 2 points 3 months ago* (last edited 3 months ago)

I honestly do not know how IQ and the ability to judge the future outcomes of ones actions tie together.

I do know that confessing to crimes, and then saying that he'll try to commit those same offences upon release is not a very sensible idea if he values his freedom from prison. On the otherhand perhaps the guy thinks his being a martyr for the cause and his openness will encourage others, time will tell.

[–] TransplantedSconie@lemm.ee 11 points 3 months ago (1 children)

Yes. Let's give the guy who's a few fries short of a happy meal just two years and no help with his psychosis. That should fix things.

[–] jeffw@lemmy.world 10 points 3 months ago (1 children)

To be fair, he probably would benefit more from psychiatric care. He was saying some pretty wild stuff. Being the only person left who can save us all or something like that?

[–] whyNotSquirrel@sh.itjust.works 7 points 3 months ago

that's ridiculous because I am the one!

[–] Ensign_Crab@lemmy.world 7 points 3 months ago

I knew it would be only two years before I opened the article.

[–] InternetUser2012@midwest.social 4 points 3 months ago

Probably best