Last night, PBS NewsHour anchor Ray Suarez noted the manhunt for alleged cop killer Christopher Dorner, a former Los Angeles police officer and former naval officer who left behind a rambling manifesto in which he called for an assault weapons ban and praised liberal politicians and journalists. Unfortunately for viewers, the taxpayer-subsidized network left out those details about the manifesto, even though the manifesto gave some pretty revealing insights into the political ideas that may have inspired Dorner to violence.
Here’s what Ray Suarez reported.
RAY SUAREZ: Thousands of police across Southern California, Arizona, Nevada, even in Mexico are conducting a manhunt tonight for a one-time police officer wanted in a shooting rampage.
The suspect is Christopher Dorner, a 33-year-old former Los Angeles police officer fired in 2009. Dorner allegedly shot an officer in Corona, Calif., overnight; 20 minutes later, police said, he pulled up to a police car in nearby Riverside and opened fire on two other officers, killing one.
On Sunday, he allegedly murdered a couple in Irvine, Calif.. The woman was the daughter of a former LAPD officer.
Los Angeles Police Chief Charlie Beck said today that Dorner's experience makes him much more dangerous.
CHARLIE BECK, Los Angeles Police Chief: Of course he knows what he's doing. We trained him. He was also a member of the armed forces. It is extremely worrisome and scary, especially to the police officers involved. The Riverside officers were cowardly ambushed. They had no opportunity to fight back, no pre-warning. Imagine, imagine going about your workday having to worry about that threat.
So, we’re supposed to think Dorner is a garden-variety disturbed individual going on a shooting spree, and while that is true, it's pretty clear from his manifesto that he has has liberal affinities, which some in the media seem to be hesitant to document in their reports.
For it's part, the NewsHour did mention the now-infamous Palin "crosshairs map" in a story on the April 15 Tea Party rallies in 2010, which then-DNC chair Tim Kaine said, “Could inspire violence.” In the aftermath of Gabby Giffords shooting in January of 2011, to the NewsHours’ credit, David Chalian and Terence Burlij wrote that “many on the left called attention to Sarah Palin's PAC depicting targeted congressional districts (of which Rep. Gifford's district was one) with the cross-hairs of a gun sight. That, of course, brought on a spate of stories despite their being no apparent connection whatsoever between Loughner and Palin.”
In this case, as with the FRC shooter Floyd Corkins, when the shooter happens to have left-leaning dispositions and actually admits to them, it's actually worth reporting because it's germane to the motive(s) behind the crime.
Below I've excerpted conservative blogger SooperMexican's examination of the Dorner manifesto. Warning: Contains strong language.
What’s the difference between posting 11 rambling pages and 21 rambling pages? Look at what’s taken out:Pro Gun Control:
Who in there right mind needs a fucking silencer!!! who needs a freaking SBR AR15? No one. No more Virginia Tech, Columbine HS, Wisconsin temple, Aurora theatre, Portland malls, Tucson rally, Newtown Sandy Hook. Whether by executive order or thru a bi-partisan congress an assault weapons ban needs to be re-instituted. Period!!!
Mia Farrow said it best. “Gun control is no longer debatable, it’s not a conversation, its a moral mandate.”
Sen. Feinstein, you are doing the right thing in leading the re-institution of a national AWB. Never again should any public official state that their prayers and thoughts are with the family.
Loves Obama:
You disrespect the office of the POTUS/Presidency and Commander in Chief. You call him Kenyan, mongroid, halfrican, muslim, and FBHO when in essence you are to address him as simply, President. The same as you did to President George W. Bush and all those in the highest ranking position of our land before him. Just as I always have. You question his birth certificate, his educational and professional accomplishments, and his judeo-christian beliefs. You make disparaging remarks about his dead parents. You never questioned the fact that his former opponent, the honorable Senator John McCain, was not born in the CONUS or that Bush had a C average in his undergrad. Electoral Candidates children (Romney) state they want to punch the president in the face during debates with no formal repercussions. No one even questioned the fact that the son just made a criminal threat toward the President. You call his wife a Wookie. Off the record, I love your new bangs, Mrs. Obama.
Fan of Joe Biden:
Mr. Vice President, do your due diligence when formulating a concise and permanent national AWB plan. Future generations of Americans depend on your plan and advisement to the president. I’ve always been a fan of yours and consider you one of the few genuine and charismatic politicians.
For Hillary 2016:
Hillary Clinton. You’ll make one hell of a president in 2016. Much like your husband, Bill, you will be one of the greatest. Look at Castro in San Antonio as a running mate or possible secretary of state. He’s (good people) and I have faith and confidence in him. Look after Bill. He was always my favorite President.
Anti-NRA
Wayne LaPierre, President of the NRA, you’re a vile and inhumane piece of shit. You never even showed 30 seconds of empathy for the children, teachers, and families of Sandy Hook.
MSNBC, CNN FAN:
Chris Matthews, Joe Scarborough, Pat Harvey, Brian Williams, Soledad Obrien, Wolf Blitzer, Meredith Viera, Tavis Smiley, and Anderson Cooper, keep up the great work and follow Cronkite’s lead. I hold many of you in the same regard as Tom Brokaw and the late Peter Jennings. Cooper, stop nagging and berating your guest, they’re your (guest). Mr. Scarborough, we met at McGuire’s pub in P-cola in 2002 when I was stationed there. It was an honor conversing with you about politics, family, and life.
Willie Geist, you’re a talented and charismatic journalist. Stop with all the talk show shenanigans and get back to your core of reporting.
Loves Piers Morgan:
…give Piers Morgan an indefinite resident alien and Visa card. Mr. Morgan, the problem that many American gun owners have with you and your continuous discussion of gun control is that you are not an American citizen and have an accent that is distinct and clarifies that you are a foreigner. I want you to know that I agree with you 100% on enacting stricter firearm laws
Radicalized by Trayvon Martin Propaganda:
Too bad Trayvon didn’t smash your skull completely open, Zim.
