With the greatest of respect to previous posters, I am firmly of the opinion that we
should try to understand what drove these two criminals to their actions. It's important for three reasons:
1. We can identify the sources of such influence, and take steps to monitor and/or control them;
2. We can better understand the effects of such influences on individuals, and thereby perhaps better identify those "at risk" from exposure to such influences;
3. The old principle of "know your enemy" still applies, and is always worth pursuing.
For example, it's pretty clear that John Mohammed (or Muhammad - I've seen both spellings used) was influenced by the so-called
"Five Percenters", a radical offshoot of American Islamic groups. They have some
very wierd beliefs, including, for example:
- "That the blackman is god and his proper name is ALLAH. Arm, Leg, Leg, Arm, Head."
- "the Original Man (blackman) [is] the Supreme Being, God. Supreme means the most high, being means to exist. God, therefore is the name given to the highest form of existence: the
Blackman. This supreme form of life is the vehicle through which Allah's will is made manifest. There is no substance in the Universe or world that the Original Blackman's body does not consist of. Even the forces we see around us, above us and below us have their beginning with us."
You will note how these kooky beliefs tie in with the message allegedly left at the scene of one of the shootings, on a Tarot card, reading (IIRC) "Dear Policeman, I am God". Want to know more? See their Web site at
http://www.allahsnation.net/index.html.
