U.S. Judge Richard W. Roberts Expresses Political Sympathy With Gay Terrorist

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Floyd Corkins is the lunatic homosexual who, angry at Chick-fil-A and guided by the Southern Poverty Law Center’s “hate map,” sought to commit mass murder at the Family Research Council:

Corkins retrieved a firearm from his backpack and pointed it at the security guard. The security guard charged Corkins and a struggle ensued, during which Corkins fired three shots, striking the guard in the arm. Despite the gunshot wound and Corkins’ subsequent discharges of the gun, the security guard, Leonardo Johnson, heroically succeeded in disarming the defendant and forcing him to the ground and onto his belly.
According to a statement of offense, signed by the defendant as well as the government, Corkins targeted the Family Research Council because of its views, including its advocacy against recognition of gay marriage. He entered the building with the intention of shooting and killing as many employees of the organization as he could.
“A security guard’s heroism is the only thing that prevented Floyd Corkins, II from carrying out a mass shooting intended to kill as many people as possible,” said U.S. Attorney Machen. “Our entire community is thankful to the hero who stood up to this heinous attack. Today’s 25-year prison sentence demonstrates the steep price to be paid for turning to violence to terrorize your political enemies.”

One of those whom Floyd Corkins intended to kill — although he didn’t know her name — was an intern named Anna Maria Hoffman:

While interviewed by the FBI, Corkins admitted that he wanted to “kill as many as possible and smear the Chick-Fil-A sandwiches in victims’ faces, and kill the guard.”
I was one of those people who could have been his victim. I was on the 6th floor of the FRC building working on my pro-life internship assignments. I could have lost my life. . . .
It is time to stop Southern Poverty Law Center labeling FRC, and other organizations that just want to make society a better place, as “hate groups.” I only pray that people will learn from this shooting that wrongful labels and violence are not ways to solve political disagreements. Let’s stop the hate to prevent acts of violence like this shooting from occurring again.

Because Anna Maria and her sister Gabby are friends of mine, the hateful motivation of Corkins’ crime is particularly offensive to me, but I guess Judge Richard W. Roberts doesn’t really care:

Prosecutors sought a sentence of 45 years for the would-be mass murderer. Judge Roberts sentenced him to only 25.
In announcing his sentence, Roberts stated (in part):

You are not alone in criticizing those who oppose gay rights, but a man killing opponents does not change the opponents’ minds. It does not open their hearts. It does not bring about gay rights. If anything, it makes opponents more entrenched. If anything, it feeds whatever moral arsenal they perceive to fight against gay rights. Many indications show the opponents losing favor, but it has not been because of anyone killing them.
When a president thoughtfully spoke up, it shook loose many of the entrenched opponents in his faith community. When some women and men highly revered in America chose to come out, that added far more support for gay rights than murder ever will. That’s how we affect positive change in this country, not by shootings.

Ed Whelan is correct, if somewhat restrained, in calling these remarks “grossly ill-conceived.”

Why would a federal judge feel obliged to express sympathy with the motives of a political terrorist? How many other lunatics are out there, feeling the same kind of fathomless rage that inspired Floyd Corkins, who now have every reason to believe that if they act on that rage, a judge will sentence them leniently because “thoughtful” people share their hatred of people like Anna Maria Hoffman?

 

66 comments

  1. The term applies. What’s the difference between the Black Panther Party which so entranced Lenny & Pals back in the early 70s and the NoH8ers of today? Same radical tactics, same chic response.
    (At least the Panthers had a valid complaint to make about racial relations as demonstrated by the shock and awe they inspired in the sheltered upper Manhattan surroundings into which they were allowed. for the evening, like zoo animals.) But it’s the same radical tactic. Act/look outrageous and garner emotional/cultural sympathy and reverence from “chic” squares who have nothing to lose by applauding your little act.

  2. The only real difference between then and now is that now there are many more people who think they’re radical chic.
    The people of the van are now the radical chic. (Tom Wolfe was right about … everything!)

  6. Ask Washington State what they specify. Hanging is still a legal method of execution there, iirc. It could be that a short nylon rope will not stretch enough to save the crook. I have utterly no objections, however, to hemp.

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