Man pleads guilty to 'domestic terrorism'
Published: Nov. 30, 2012 at 2:25 AM
ALBANY, N.Y., Nov. 30 (UPI) -- A 60-year-old retired pharmacist pleaded guilty in an Albany, N.Y., courtroom to using mercury as a weapon in a case described as "domestic terrorism."
Martin S. Kimber of Ruby, N.Y., pleaded guilty to two counts of using chemical weapons and a third for consumer-product tampering in a federal courtroom in Albany, for leaving mercury three times in 2011 and once in 2012 in the Albany Medical Center's hospital men's bathroom, the emergency department, on a pedestrian ramp and in the cafeteria in a cooler, fruit bowls, salad bar and toasters.
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"I certainly think that citizens should take a breath of relief that he's locked away," Benedict told the Albany Times Union. The attacks were "not directed against any one individual but broadly dispersed against anyone who might be in a position to come into contact with it -- and in that instance, we believe, a form of domestic terrorism. What he was endeavoring to do was cause panic at the hospital so individuals would be afraid of gaining treatment there and would stop coming."
http://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2012/11/30/Man-pleads-guilty-to-domestic-terrorism/UPI-22381354260332/His attorney said the perp's life had spiraled out of control because of alcholism.
Prior to 911, this would never have been described as "domestic terrorism." It just would have been one more vindictive nutcase or drunk feeling wronged and acting out.
What in hell differentiates an unstable alcoholic nursing a grudge (but not nursing his booze) from "domestic terrorism?"
This is not an attack on the U.S. or on Americans simply because they are Americans. He tried to mess up someone he thought was overcharging him. (If he's an alcholic, I don't imagine his pharmacy has been doing well financially.)
I am far more intimidated by government's throwing around the term "domestic terrorism" than I am by this guy's actions.
BTW, what makes something "domestic terrorism," as opposed to plain ole "terrorism?" No person of Arab origin or other Muslim involved?
Because when a American citizen who had come here from the Middle East tried to cause an explosion in Times Square, it was described as simply "terrorism," as far as I recall.