218 Comments
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Spleen Victoria's avatar

The true surprise here isn’t that this happened, it’s that the child was actually Muslim and Palestinian instead of Indian, Sikh, Egyptian, First Nations, South American or just had dark hair. Hate like this often doesn’t bother to check passports. Hate crimes against Sikh people especially tend to thrive when geopolitical conflicts rise. Those two guys in the bar in Kansas come to mind.

Jen's Taking Greenland's avatar

I doubt this guy really likes Jews any more than Muslims.

But I am sure he watches Fox and his TV is never off.

Ingie's avatar

Not that this story can be worse, but Plainfield isn’t even rural, it’s collar-county suburban Chicago, 15 minutes down the road from me

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Oct 16, 2023
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Ingie's avatar

Well said - and horrifyingly true

Biff52 vrag naroda's avatar

Well, fuck. That guy doesn't look any less "there" than I do.

LuluBean12 StarGeezer's avatar

He looks a hell of a lot older than 71.

Trish Quintenz's avatar

Hate does that to a person.

Bitter Scribe's avatar

I REALLY hope his attorneys plead him out and don't take him to a trial that involves a lot of Muslim-bashing. He's going to prison for what little remains of his life. Put him there and get this over with to keep from tormenting the parents any further.

mvario's avatar

I'm guessing that right-wing media, likely Fox played its part in this.

Robert Eckert's avatar

Some fringe outlet he was listening to had a made-up story about how the Muslims had called for a "national day of jihad" throughout America for October 13. He took $1000 out of the ATM in case the whole grid was taken down. On October 14 he was baffled that nothing had happened and decided They must be planning something really really big.

Morbidly Curious Wine's avatar

That sweet faced adorable little boy will never grow older while that evil, twisted MFer will continue his pathetic existence at taxpayers' expense. If there is any justice, the rest of his miserable life will be a horror show.

Bitter Scribe's avatar

Well, I don't imagine it'll be any bed of roses.

Cleora's avatar

The first news I saw on this story said the boy and his Mom lived in the landlord's property for 2 years with no incidents. That tracks well with many stories of violent murder. "He was a nice, quiet [whatever person] until..." But, I dont believe people snap. They simmer, then they boil, all the while waiting. This guy looks like he boiled a long time!! And I'll bet there were incidents (red flags). Under-breath mutterings, refusing to respond to things wrong on the property, and other people knowing his tenants were in danger!

LuluBean12 StarGeezer's avatar

I hate all the "he was a nice quiet etc" stories.

When we moved into our house in 1985, I swear there was a quiet guy competition going on, yet none of them committed murders or hate crimes. They just didn't do small talk and only said "hi" the first time they saw you during the day.

Frank Lee's avatar

I cannot comprehend the level of uncontrollable hatred and rage you must have in your heart to stab a child not once but 26 times all because of a religion that the child doesn't really comprehend and you at 71 certainly don't. Heartbreaking.

IAmArlo's avatar

This is the inevitable result of playing everything for political power consequences be damned.

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Oct 16, 2023
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IAmArlo's avatar

To clarify, my comment is about neither Hamas nor Israel but about politicians who take positions on the conflict that are personally advantageous. Vaccines are another great example where pursuit of political power ran counter to public good.

Glennis Waterman's avatar

I was in a bar earlier last week, just after the Hamas attacks, and I was shocked and saddened by people who I consider friends talking about "bombing it [Gaza] into a parking lot" or "nuking it until it's glass." At one point I told someone what he was advocating was a war crime. He said, "Well, wasn't what Hamas did a war crime?" and I said, 'Yes, of course it was. But that's no reason to commit another one."

Permanently Confused@68's avatar

He did what Drumpf, and many of his followers, would love to do.

Bagels of Doom's avatar

meanwhile, I always get the Chicago suburbs containing "oak" completely mixed up, Robyn.

Bagels of Doom's avatar

in Plainfield? Jesus Christ. on the other hand, I remember very very well when New Lenox was plastered with Nazi flyers and whatnot maybe fifteen years ago and was told that the whole area was hit with this nonsense.

Mavenmaven's avatar

The Trumpists are concerned about how these Moslems messed up this white man's life.

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Oct 16, 2023
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Mavenmaven's avatar

Totally agree, but I hope you recognize that I was being darkly sarcastic here

Wookiee Monster's avatar

Definitely a case of “this is your brain on Fox.”

And thus begins another week where I wonder if we deserve to survive as a species.

Aquaman, Real Estate Investor.'s avatar

Oh we'll survive.

Oh, sorry, deserve? That supposes that there is some grand moral arbitration, a supreme being who looks upon us and judges.

I think we can be collectively ashamed of our species not doing better?

Tina Mouse's avatar

God Angrily Clarifies 'Don't Kill' Rule

Published September 26, 2001

still holds.

https://www.theonion.com/god-angrily-clarifies-dont-kill-rule-1819566178

Sister Artemis's avatar

Wow, that's a flashback. And a timely one.

It must be one of the longest pieces The Onion ever ran.