SC veteran arrested for threatening to kill Obama

[RandySF]

GREENVILLE, SC (RNN) - Secret Service agents arrested a 77-year-old South Carolina man after he told a VA nurse that he wanted to shoot the president, according to an affidavit.

U.S. Secret Service spokesman Ed Donovan confirmed Wednesday that Michael Stephen Bowden of Woodruff was arrested Nov. 18 for the threats against President Barack Obama.

According to the affidavit, a nurse at the Veterans Administration clinic in Spartanburg, told authorities that Bowden "had made threatening statements" directed at Obama during a routine check-up. During the exam, the nurse reported she asked him if he had had any suicidal thoughts, and he responded, "Yes, I would like to shoot the President, then myself."


http://www.wistv.com/Global/story.asp?S=13565262

[nadinbrzezinski]

1. Hmm torn on this

suicidal thoughts you say... he should have been turned over to the psych team...

And AFTER clearing from them...

[justiceischeap]

12. No, HERE'S an interesting scenario

He goes to the psych team, gets lost in the shuffle and released, takes a bus to DC with his semi-auto weapons and attempts to kill the POTUS. He gets suicided by cop, people who didn't report the treat lose their jobs...

In some instances it's better safe than sorry.

[Barack_America]

2. There's an interesting twist to this story...

From the article...

"Bowden allegedly told another nurse he was "thinking of traveling to Washington, DC, to shoot President Obama because he is not doing enough to help African-Americans."

[NuclearDem]

10. There's no interesting twist to this story

A man threatened to assassinate the President.

I don't care for the reason why, he threatened to assassinate the President.

[Barack_America]

14. I'm guessing you haven't worked with many elderly VA patients.

His threat had to be taken seriously, and was, but I'd bet money that this story is more about dementia.

The "interesting twist" was that this appears not to be your run of the mill teabagger egged on by the right.

[GSLevel9]

3. he needs to have his meds upped, not be arrested. nt

[defendandprotect]

4. But, of course, people like O'Reilly and Faux News having nothing to do with this--!!!

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

5. Why do so many whack-jobs come from South Carolina?

The Civil War ended nearly 145 years ago people.

[jberryhill]

9. Naw, it's just been a 145 year beer break /nt

[cliffordu]

6. Hmmm How about a 77 year old codger???

I dunno if it's currently germane to the conversation to link his veterans status to this....

Senile???

[B Calm]

7. As a veteran myself, I'm embarrassed. . .

[blonndee]

8. It gets even worse, This wasn't a one-time statement. He apparently told another

nurse the same thing. Then:

"A day later, Secret Service agents responded to Bowden's home, where he admitted to the allegations, and said in a sworn written statement, "If I had the opportunity to put Obama against the wall and shoot him, I would. I would kill, if possible, the president for what he has done to this country."

During a search of his home, agents found three semi-automatic handguns and a semi-automatic rifle near Bowden's bed, all of which were fully loaded and ready to fire. In another bedroom, agents found nine rifles, two shotguns and a handgun, as well as a loaded shotgun near the front door.

Bowden was arrested and charged with threatening to take the life of, kidnap, or inflict bodily harm upon the President of the United States. On Nov. 18, he appeared before a judge, who ordered him to undergo a psychological evaluation.

If released pending the psych evaluation, Bowden would not be allowed to leave South Carolina without permission, and must refrain from possessing a firearm."

[B Calm]

11. I think he should lose his VA benefits. There's a line and he's crossed it!

[Vickers]

13. Fuck him. Lock him up. n/t