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November 9, 2009
Great Moments in "Psychologically Disturbed" Gunmen Committing Mass Murder
When John Wilkes Booth opened fire on President Abraham Lincoln in Ford’s Theatre in April 1865, the media was puzzled.“True, the actor was outspoken in his Confederate sympathies and viewed himself as a Southerner,” said someone who knew him, “but that was no reason he might want Lincoln to be dead.” The day before he went on his shooting spree, Booth hoisted a big Confederate flag outside his hotel room. After he leaped onto the stage he shouted, "Thus ever to tyrants!" the motto of the rebel state of Virginia.
The New York Times reported that Booth was psychologically unstable and was frightened of the Civil War coming to an end and having to face a peacetime actors’ surplus. “His political views had nothing to do with the motives for this tragic act,” it said, quoting experts. -- RubinReports:
Posted by Vanderleun at November 9, 2009 10:09 AM. This is an entry on the sideblog of American Digest: Check it out.
Your Say
“His political views had nothing to do with the motives for this tragic act,”
Oh, really? The last entry in Booth's diary reads, in part, as follows:
"The country is not what it was. This forced Union is not what I have loved. I care not what becomes of me. I have no desire to outlive my country."
Posted by: Robert at November 9, 2009 12:12 PM
This is not a test! There are satirical points flying overhead! Repeat this is not a test!
Posted by: monkeyfan at November 10, 2009 1:49 PM