Did he mean for his bombs to go off or

[Raven]

was he just incompetent?

[TNLib]

1. I think he was incompetent

nt

[Siwsan]

2. From reading his writings, I'm voting for incompetent

For someone born and educated in the United States, his writings are more like the ramblings of someone for whom English is a 3rd language. And not just SOME of his writings - ALL of them.

I'm betting we will be seeing an insanity plea.

[anarch]

3. and honestly, an insanity plea would probably not be unfounded...

I wonder, can someone be held responsible for inciting a mentally ill person to commit violence?

[Siwsan]

5. In a just world, I'd say yes.

But as we are experiencing, our world is no longer acquainted with justice.

[world wide wally]

9. He has to be insane or stupid to vote for Trump in the first place

[Siwsan]

13. Well, yes, there is that, too.

The more I read about him, the further down the sanity scale he's sliding.

[jberryhill]

4. It. Doesn't. Matter.

First off, please understand: It makes no difference to anything of consequence. He sent explosive material through the US mail for the purpose of creating alarm and fear.

My opinion is that he did not make functional devices, and that he knew his devices were not functional. If you really try to make a functional bomb, as someone without relevant knowledge and experience, you are most likely to hurt yourself before you manage to hurt anyone else.

One thing you'll find missing from the subsequent findings is any mention of him going out and testing any devices prior to making and sending these.

But, again, it really doesn't matter one way or another whether he meant for his bombs to go off. Some people here at DU have an odd emotional attachment to the notion, because it makes some sort of difference to them.

[Yonnie3]

7. His intent was clearly to terrorize.

I also don't understand the importance some attach to the actual functionality of the devices.

[asiliveandbreathe]

8. Exactly - intent.....+1000 eom

[PoliticAverse]

11. That is to say, regardless, he's going to be doing a lot of prison time. n/t

[defacto7]

12. I wanted to ask your opinion...

The one loose end I'm not getting is the un-postmarked postage on at least one package that was shown. What's that about? Maybe it was a prop. I don't get it.

[2naSalit]

16. They didn't fit in

the machine that cancels the stamps so it was probably one of those that don't have the canceling mark. Odd shaped stuff doesn't always have the cancellation marks.

[defacto7]

17. Ah... I didn't know that. Thanks.

[defacto7]

6. I think he was seeking attention.

Seems like a lot of psychological cues, not too smart but certainly capable of perceiving that he's not getting the attention he deserves. His van is a good tell to his obsession to be noticed.
He's certainly no candidate for a legal definition of insanity. Sure he's out of his mind but not insane.

[TeamPooka]

10. He sent bombs to either kill or scare and indimidate. It's called terrorism. nt

[defacto7]

14. Yep...

[OnDoutside]

15. If the FBI lab says they were viable, then he is even more screwed.