Decline of the GOP episode XV

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Bamaro

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Suspect in arson attack at Gov. Josh Shapiro's home was 'harboring hatred'

The man charged in the arson attack on the home of Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro told police was "harboring hatred" for the public official and would have hit him with a hammer had he encountered him in the residence, court documents say.

Cody Balmer, 38, faces multiple charges in connection with the April 13 attack, including attempted murder, aggravated arson, burglary and terrorism, among other charges, according to Dauphin County District Attorney Francis Chardo.

Balmer's mother told several news outlets that her son struggles with his mental health and that she had recently tried to get him assistance.

“He wasn’t taking his medicine, and that’s all I want to say,” Christie Balmer told the Associated Press from the family home in Harrisburg.

Balmer, who described himself as a certified master mechanic on social media, has previously been charged with assault and forgery as well as several traffic violations in Pennsylvania. He received 18 months of probation for the forgery charge and has a pending assault charge for which he was scheduled to appear in court this week.

In June 2023, Balmer and a woman split and filed a custody suit in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania. Balmer took primary custody of a 5- and 2-year-old, according to court documents. The woman did not immediately return messages seeking comment on Monday.

Several posts on Balmer's Facebook page appear to mock former President Joe Biden including a 2021 meme that said, "Joe Biden owes me 2 grand," and "RIP Joe Biden... Whoops that's in may, #Notmypresidenteither."

But Balmer does not appear to be a Trump supporter either. In a March 2021 response to a meme he posted about gas prices, Balmer wrote: "Buck 85, but I said the same (expletive) when Trump took office. I don't play favorites especially since they all suck."
Online records show Balmer is registered as an active voter, but did not declare a political party; he last voted in the 2022 General Election.
Suspect in arson attack at Gov. Josh Shapiro's home was 'harboring hatred': Live updates
 

selmaborntidefan

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These scruple-deficient Republicans will say absolutely anything because they know their cult mob followers will believe it.
You know, I've gotten used to lying politicians but goodness gracious.....look, I don't even blame Trump for the economy cratering in that it was due to something out of his control (as opposed to, say, now).

But why not just say nothing at all on it?

By the statistical factors, the economy under Biden entering the election WAS GOOD. But the voters didn't believe that, meaning all the "let me sell you this bridge" folks accomplished nothing. I mean, just turn the page and go on. Winning the election isn't enough for some folks, it has to be revised.
 
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selmaborntidefan

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Not to be mean, but what does this have to do with the decline of the GOP?

Nothing indicates this was a Republican or that this was politically motivated. Indeed, most of these "political assassination attempts" aren't even really politically motivated.

Although I have an honest question: what is this latest obsession with hitting politicians with HAMMERS? Pelosi's husband and now this. Are these folks who can't own guns or what?
 

Crimson1967

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Not to be mean, but what does this have to do with the decline of the GOP?

Nothing indicates this was a Republican or that this was politically motivated. Indeed, most of these "political assassination attempts" aren't even really politically motivated.

Although I have an honest question: what is this latest obsession with hitting politicians with HAMMERS? Pelosi's husband and now this. Are these folks who can't own guns or what?
Some guy killed his family recently and said it was part of a plan to parlay that into killing Trump. (Not sure of the exact details but that’s the gist of it).

So the other side will take it and run with it and blame the party leaders for fostering hate when really it’s just some nut.
 

selmaborntidefan

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Some guy killed his family recently and said it was part of a plan to parlay that into killing Trump. (Not sure of the exact details but that’s the gist of it).

So the other side will take it and run with it and blame the party leaders for fostering hate when really it’s just some nut.
Booth's killing of Lincoln - coincidentally, 160 years ago today - was OBVIOUSLY political. And probably so was the Czolgosz murder of McKinley, and Sirhan killing RFK for his pro-Israel stance would qualify.

But MOST of the political murders or attempted ones (at least in America) have almost nothing to do with politics and more to do with fame. Oswald, Bremer, Hinckley, Crooks, Zangara, Moore, Fromme, Torresola-Collazo.... most were to call attention to a cause or gain fame.

The fact a VP is chosen by the President in this country largely mitigates the idea of "if I kill the leader, someone opposite will take his place."
 

Crimson1967

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Czolgosz was a staunch anarchist. But I think anyone who kills someone with tons of witnesses and no chance of escape has to be a little crazy. Same for Sirhan. At least Oswald gave himself a chance to get away.
 

cbi1972

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Undeniably true. I started going to church with my wife before we were even married and even now, I see people at Easter I don't even recognize. I ask my wife (who has been going to mass at this church for 40 years now) who these people are and she doesn't know either.
Some are people who go to please family members. If they are anything like me, they try to remain invisible and hope nobody says or asks anything that creates an uncomfortable situation.
 

selmaborntidefan

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Czolgosz was a staunch anarchist. But I think anyone who kills someone with tons of witnesses and no chance of escape has to be a little crazy. Same for Sirhan. At least Oswald gave himself a chance to get away.
Here is the gun that Leon used on display in the Buffalo History Museum.

IMG_1588.jpeg
 

Crimson1967

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People who think justice too slowly today would have loved this case.

September 6, 1901-Czolgosz shoots McKinley.
September 14-McKinley dies.
September 16-Czolgosz indicted for murder.
September 23-Trial begins
September 24-Trial ends and he is convicted
October 29-Czolgosz dies in the electric chair. Execution takes place in Auburn. (In NY but just thought it was funny).

So just 45 days after McKinley died, his killer is executed.
 

Bamaro

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Not to be mean, but what does this have to do with the decline of the GOP?

Nothing indicates this was a Republican or that this was politically motivated. Indeed, most of these "political assassination attempts" aren't even really politically motivated.

Although I have an honest question: what is this latest obsession with hitting politicians with HAMMERS? Pelosi's husband and now this. Are these folks who can't own guns or what?
Time will tell but it appears that he was right wing (leaning?) while also being generally anti politician, not to mention having mental issues. 🤷‍♂️
 

selmaborntidefan

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Time will tell but it appears that he was right wing (leaning?) while also being generally anti politician, not to mention having mental issues. 🤷‍♂️
I don't know the level of that yet.

And btw - I'm not even saying "you're wrong".

But thanks for the clarification, too. While I don't consider it unreasonable that he MAY be to the right, well, who knows? (You realize if Harris had chosen Shapiro this would be ten times the story is is now?)
 

selmaborntidefan

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Time will tell but it appears that he was right wing (leaning?) while also being generally anti politician, not to mention having mental issues. 🤷‍♂️
Turns out that he’s pro-Palestinian…… which might explain his anti-Biden remarks. Or perceived pro-Trump stance.


The suspect in the arson attack at the Governor’s Residence targeted Josh Shapiro due to his perceived stance on Palestine, according to a search warrant obtained by PennLive.

The suspect, Cody Balmer, called 911 following the attack early Sunday, identified himself by name and told operators Shapiro needs to know he “…will not take part in his plans for what he wants to do to the Palestinian people,” the search warrant written by police said.

 

selmaborntidefan

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And all this time, I thought Donald Trump was the president win all of that stuff happened.

And if I recall correctly, which I may not, I’m pretty sure he was a Republican.
IMG_0664.jpeg
 
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Its On A Slab

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Follow me….. the head of the department of homeland security had her driver’s license, medication, apartment keys, passport, DHS access badge, makeup bag, blank checks, and about $3,000 in cash…. stolen…

That must have been one helluva bender.

My worst time in my early 20s, I only woke up in some stranger's yard in a part of town I didn't remember visiting. Short-changed a cabbie to get back to my car. But I still had my car keys and wallet. :D
 
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mdb-tpet

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I like Republicans that balance the budget. Or dont crash the economy.
And, I'll follow that I like politicians that show in practice that there are actually two sides to a balance sheet, which in good times together these two side should sum to close to zero for our government (to be clear, expenses AND income); however, every tax dollar SHOULD/CAN be an actual investment in our country one way or another, with the understanding that great things can and should be done by our government instead of just by the uber-rich philanthropists, oil barons, and rocker launchers to improve our country and planet.
 
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