The Fall of a Freeper

"Friends of Donald W. Matthews, a 61-year-old former Steelworker who quoted the U.S. Constitution like a preacher thumbing a worn Bible, say he was suspicious of government."

"But nobody knows why he chose a routine traffic stop Friday night to make his final stand, fatally shooting a Massillon police officer in the back before he was killed himself in return gunfire."

http://216.109.117.135/search/cache?p=matsuidon+cop&ei=UTF-8&fl=0&u=www.keepandbeararms.com/news/nl/read_comments.asp%3Fnl%3D565471620186%26tmpD%3D8%252F12%252F2002&w=matsuidon+cop&d=29FF402AB2&icp=1&.intl=us

"I knew Don (aka 'Matsuidon'). We had correstponded for years."

http://216.109.117.135/search/cache?p=matsuidon+cop&ei=UTF-8&fl=0&u=www.keepandbeararms.com/news/nl/read_comments.asp%3Fnl%3D565471620186%26tmpD%3D8%252F12%252F2002&w=matsuidon+cop&d=29FF402AB2&icp=1&.intl=us

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/user-posts?id=34152

"No, they just usually decide to shoot cops when they get pulled over. We had a Freeper decide to do this recently."

...

"The guy's FR name was "matsuidon.""

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/744062/posts

I'm not celebrating this, but I wonder how many Freepers want to be like Matsuidon?

To: Poohbah
No, they just usually decide to shoot cops when they get pulled over. We had a Freeper decide to do this recently.

He wasn't a FReeper. He lurked, he made a few posts.

By a standard that includes him ... You're a FReeper... I'm a FReeper... Murrymom's a FReeper...

Do we really want to go there?
30 posted on 09/03/2002 8:15:37 PM PDT by IncPen
< Post Reply | Private Reply | To 13 | View Replies >

From your last link.

*He wasn't a freeper* Bwahahahhaaaa!

Painful looking in the mirror isn't it freeptards?

nt

Like depression, for example. :)

Mental illness is a sad thing, and being a FReeper is a leading symptom of gross psychosis. We should take pity on them in their illness.

Sounds like one of those militia sorts.

I feel terrible for the cop and the loved ones the cop leaves behind.

I feel bad for Matsuidon as well. He must've had some real mental problems.

I will keep my comments about the freeper to myself.

Almost all of them are condemning the cop who got killed for infringing upon the Freepers rights. WTF? He shot the cop in the back! Probably when he was walking back to his car to call in the stop and/or write up the ticket(s). The freeper was obviously sick in the head. I feel so bad for that cop's family and friends.

that is so far over the edge, I think they are past the point of no return.

What a shame for everyone involved. Yet, once again the freepers expose their true selves. What sick, ugly people. They remind me of the orks in Lord of the Rings.

My older step-brother's a cop, and I'm sorry, there is nothing anywhere that makes it okay to shoot one, let alone in the back. Not a freakin' thing. Did he actually think he was brave, shooting a cop in the back?

I'm so sorry for the officer's family and loved ones. I cannot even begin to imagine how they feel.

and felt that the cop had infringed on his rights. The right to speed, I guess.

http://www.adl.org/learn/safety/safety_bulletin.asp

And forgive him.

This is sad, but this is what the evil administration has caused. The distrust of our elected officials, the obsessive fight to protect the constitution and the hate that divides the people. Economy sucks, gas prices and utility prices sky high, no end in sight, what more can these folks "f" up?

And yes, lurking freepers, I blame Bushco for the misery in this nation and for this man's death. The public desperation is palpable, the fear caught in most folk's throats is choked back only by their inability to accept just how screwed up things are. Like a bad dream, they hope to wake up and find that things are not as bad as they really are. The nightmare continues and some can't take the horror.

God rest his soul. :cry:

were active even before Bush took office.

It has just become more hate filled, heated and the desperation more extreme, imho.

Go here instead: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x4176178

admin. Whether it be by believing their lies and having their hearts broken by the truth or by believing their lies and spewing their hate.

I blame this admin for all the ills in this world, including this man's death. I pray for his soul, just as I pray for the souls of all those in freeper land that are consumed with the hate and believe in the evil admin.

I pray for yours that you don't appreciate that he is a victim, just as the tortured ones are victims of the lies and hate of this admin.

What's up with the "I'll-pray-for-you" folks? :eyes:

I won't excuse this socially marginal Freeper for his murdering a cop. But let's not pretend that the environment that surrounded him didn't feed his weakness and his wickedness. Let's not pretend that we don't have a responsibility to replace that environment of hate with one of love.

Have we not come to such an impasse in the modern world that we must love our enemies - or else? The chain reaction of evil - hate begetting hate, wars producing more wars - must be broken, or else we shall be plunged into the dark abyss of annihilation.
--Martin Luther King, Jr.

... for people to offer unsolicited and very sanctimonious "I'll-pray-for-you" (because you need it) sentiments. That's not "love of humanity" it's arrogant.

Irony is cool. Unremitting cynicism about other people's grief and compassion is not. My experience is that when someone says "I'll pray for you" they generally mean exactly that and nothing else. There might be some exceptions, but I tend to give DUers benefit of the doubt.

<< My experience is that when someone says "I'll pray for you" they generally mean exactly that and nothing else. >>

And mine is the opposite. What a wonderful world you live in.

:shrug:

As sad as it is, the only experiences I've ever had with people saying "I'll pray for you" have happened when they were going out of their way to be condescending and judgemental without, in their minds, seeming to. Most people who say that do NOT understand how utterly offensive a statement it is.

The only times I've ever heard anyone say it is when they are trying to say "I think you're a sickfuck sinner but I'mm too Christian to actually say it." They usually do this when they find out I'm gay.

The phrase "I'll pray for you", to gay people, has a very different meaning.

like when someone loses a relative or is facing a health challenge. sometimes it's hard to know what to say, so people tend to use cliches, "i will pray for you" or "you are in my prayers," etc.

No need to broadcast it to anyone. That's calling attention to oneself and not addressing the pain the person is in.

the much less sanctimonious "I'll keep you in my prayers" if someone has to say something to me in this vein.

It suggests a genuine sentiment of caring for someone rather than judging them.

Every experience I've had with the phrase "I'll pray for you" has been negative. As if the person was in SUCH a better place with God that they could pull some strings for me.

No thanks. I'm prefectly happy with my relationship with the big guy. I don't need your oh-so-superior "intercession."

It is my action and I can offer it all I like. I pray for more love and understanding in this world, that is not a bad thing and I don't know why it bothers you so.

<...that is not a bad thing and I don't know why it bothers you so.>>

Don't play that "who-me" game. Any reasonable and thinking person can easily tell what the meaning and intent was. It's arrogant, sanctimonious, and judgemental. It's a put-down. It's a snub.

"I'll pray for you... you need it."
"I'll pray for you, sinner."
"I'll pray that you come to your senses."
"I'll pray that you become as good a person as I am."
"I'll pray for your evil wretched soul."
"I'll pray that you give up your wicked ways."
"I'll pray that you find Jesus and welcome him into your heart."
"I'll pray for your salvation... otherwise you're doomed."

:puke: It's disgusting!

<< It is my action and I can offer it all I like. >>

Got entitlement?

I will be certain not to say "god bless you" when you sneeze. And I will try to be mindful that I should rephrase the saying to "you are in my prayers" and that I not say anything like, "have a nice day" "have a safe trip" "hope your day gets better" or any other kind thought. Praying is how I deal with the hate. It is my action, it is my answer.

You may want to put me on your ignore list if my posts offend and disgust you so. :shrug:

Sorry that anger and hate are what you believe to be the correct emotions to rely on in finding an answer to the crisis our world is in. I would say I wish you well, but that might be too "doe eyed" of me and condescending so I will simply say "peace".

<< 50. My aren't you hostile. >>

Hostile?

<< I will be certain not to say "god bless you" when you sneeze. >>

Thanks. I appreciate that. -- It's pretentious and showy. It makes about as much sense as saying to someone "Hey, you sneezed and I heard you." (and Aren't I special for being the first one to publicly bless you?)

<< And I will try to be mindful that I should rephrase the saying to "you are in my prayers" >>

That's an improvement, but still showy and flaunting.

<< and that I not say anything like, "have a nice day" "have a safe trip" "hope your day gets better" or any other kind thought. >>

Oh whaaah! -- I do not believe that you can't see the difference between "I'll pray for you" and "have a nice day". Give me a break!

<< Praying is how I deal with the hate. It is my action, it is answer. >>

Okay. Does announcing your intentions to someone that you intend to pray over/about them make your prayer any more effective?

<< You may want to put me on your ignore list if my posts offend and disgust you so. >>

Oh good grief! Please don't martyr yourself by voluntarily falling on my ignore-sword. Why should I put you on ignore? What makes you think that all your posts "offend and disgust (me) so"?

Right now we are in disagreement on this issue. There may be others. Or maybe not. Who knows? -- Why should I put you on ignore because of this disagreement? :eyes:

<< Sorry that anger and hate are what you believe to be the correct emotions to rely on in finding an answer to the crisis our world is in. >>

Ah... there we go. It's MY anger and hate, eh? Obviously if I find overt and pretentious "I'll-pray-for-you" comments to be offensive, then LOGICALLY, surely... I'm all in favor of "anger and hate". :eyes:

<< I would say I wish you well, but that might be too "doe eyed" of me and condescending so I will simply say "peace". >>

"I wish you well" is so much nicer than "I'll pray for you"... and it doesn't seem at all to be condescending. "Peace" is nice too.

What was "doe-eyed" was your overly-obvious and intentional attempts at trying to be all innocent-looking. It was a reference to the dramatic and not so understated efforts at trying to come off as the victim of a gross distortion and misunderstanding.

:freak:
Just remember to take time to breath. :hi:

... when YOU rant it's okay. But when I respond to your rant sentence-by-sentence, then you think I'm over-doing it? You think I'm out of control? You think I need to "get a grip" and breathE into a paper bag?

It's okay for you to MAKE a dozen points, but I can't respond a dozen time without being faulted for it?? Give me a break!

I guess I'll just have to take that last post of yours as your tuck-tail sour-grapes parting-shot. See ya round!

I'll pray for you! :rofl:

And if you want to talk about sanctimonious dribble and superior posts, I would suggest you read your own. You never responded, you attacked and judged. Judging from your judging, I would say you are one angry, anti-religious, judgmental poster, but heck, that is just me.

Have a good life, may your ulcers be small and one day, may you find peace and enlightenment! :hug:

Attacking the messenger and cheap-shot personal comments like that do not do anything to advance your point of view.

But if you think it works for you... if that's all you can do... then go ahead and knock yerself out.

Everyone of your posts is angry and attacking, nothing rational, nothing pleasant, nothing reasonable. That you now try the "doe eyed" post of whatever could you mean, is just silly. Others have even responded to your silliness asking why you taken my written words so personal.

BTW - my post was not made to you, that you jump in and judge my words because you want to and now pretend superiority is laughable. Have a great day and enjoy kicking whatever makes you angry, that is, if it works for you. :hi:

... then you should click alert on those posts and let the moderators deal with them.

<< Everyone of your posts is angry >>

In your opinion. You're free to feel that way.

<< and attacking, >>

Attacking what? YOU, personally? NO. -- Attacking and refuting your point of view and your arguments perhaps... but not you personally.

<< nothing rational, nothing pleasant, nothing reasonable. >>

From your perspective, I can see how you might see it that way.

<< That you now try the "doe eyed" post of whatever could you mean, is just silly. >>

I'm sorry, that sentence makes no sense.

That's the second time you've repeated the words "doe-eyed" to me. Obviously my use of that phrase to describe your attempts at feigning innocence has struck a nerve with you. There are only two explanations for your behavior. 1) My assessment was right on target, or 2) you think that "doe-eyed" means something else. --- Do you not know what it means?

<< Others have even responded to your silliness asking why you taken my written words so personal. >>

And I've answered those folks too. Did you not see? -- What's your point?

What is your point?

I could care less about your assessment or your judgment. Do you not see the hypocrisy of your posts. You jump on my post because you allege that it is sanctimonious, yet your posts are filled with anger, judgment and a huge helping of superiority that result in your "message" (whatever it was) being lost in your rants. :shrug:

May you find the answers you are looking for and may you find peace. May the day after tomorrow be a better day for you than today and may you enjoy some moment in life that was not overly analyzed, preplanned or expected.

<<What is your point?>>

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=104&topic_id=4179888&mesg_id=4185197

"I Think It's Pretty Damned Pretentious Myself, Bucky...for people to offer unsolicited and very sanctimonious "I'll-pray-for-you" (because you need it) sentiments. That's not "love of humanity" it's arrogant."

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=104&topic_id=4179888&mesg_id=4185978

"Any reasonable and thinking person can easily tell what the meaning and intent was. It's arrogant, sanctimonious, and judgmental. It's a put-down. It's a snub."

<< I could care less about your assessment or your judgment. >>

Well thank goodness for that! If you COULD "care less" then at least I'm not COMPLETELY at the bottom. I'm glad to see that there's still more room for you to care less.

I'm puzzled though... for someone who claims to care as little as you do, you certainly are spending a lot of time and energy in this thread. Why? -- Logic tells me that you care more than you're willing to admit.

<< Do you not see the hypocrisy of your posts. You jump on my post because you allege that it is sanctimonious, yet your posts are filled with anger, judgment and a huge helping of superiority that result in your "message" (whatever it was) being lost in your rants. ;shrug; >>

So what you're saying is... it's okay for you to insult people, but it's not okay for them to be upset about it or to react strongly to it. Got it.

(And you accuse ME of being a hypocrite? Funny!)

<< May you find the answers you are looking for and may you find peace. >>

:puke: You assume I'm looking for answers or that I lack answers. You assume that I'm lacking peace and in search of it. How utterly contemptuous of you! What an arrogant thing to say!

<< May the day after tomorrow be a better day for you than today >>

Oh brother... has anyone seen my insulin syringe?

<< and may you enjoy some moment in life that was not overly analyzed, preplanned or expected. >>

And shall I also "remember what peace there may be in silence"?? :shrug: Were you trying to channel Max Ehrmann?

Hypocrisy drips from every word you type. Go have a fun life. Go enjoy your rants and your anger.



Those are your words, not mine. You sure seem to have fun insulting others just on a weem and out of your own convulted concept that you are right and everyone else is wrong. Practice what you preach or do unto others. You need to try a little harder to not be what you have accused me of being.

So rant on however you like, pick my words and read them as you will. Pleasant journeys to you in this world and may you find whatever it is you are looking for.

of Arwladen's posts.

Okay?

Could you explain to me the wisdom of arwalden's posts?

I see no wisdom and only assaults. Maybe you could help me better understand the rants of arwalden?

not gain wisdom. You have to be OPEN to learn.

Let's pray for that. Okay?

Or are you and arwalden the only one's entitled to opinions and all other opinions that differ from your's are wrong and thus the person inferior and beneath you?

What else are prayers FOR?

" I'll pray for you, that it all works out"?

Why must one's intent to pray be publicly announced? Why is that such an important part of the ritual? Is public approval necessary? Is the appreciation of the prayer target necessary to make it all worthwhile?

it could just be someone letting you know that they are going to do something...
I'll tell you what...
I won't pray for you if it will make you feel better.

doesn't do a thing for the person hearing the information and it's too much information about the person saying it.

Some people aren't strong enough to respond to hatred with love. However, I'm glad that you are strong enough.

Only a fool keeps "turning the other cheek" and showing compassion and understanding to one's enemies. I'm no fool.

Please don't over simplify what I'm saying. My point is that what you put in your heart when you act in the world matters. If you fight for justice with bitterness in you, you will reap bitterness. If you fight with love in your heart, there is hope for a better outcome.

It is not enough to say we must not wage war. It is necessary to love peace and sacrifice for it.
--Another MLK gem

What I'm talking about is fighting, but making that fight an act of love toward my fellow human beings. But let's also keep the old Chinese adage in mind: "Choose your enemies wisely, for you may become them."

You can call me a fool, but I think it's cowardly to be afraid to respond to evil with right. Any idiot can punch back, but that will only keep the fight going. If you want to see the conflict resolved, you have to hit back the right way and change the rules of engagement. That's what Dr King did. And altho it cost him his life, you can't say the progress he made wasn't tremendous and that it didn't change the world for the better.

Well, actually, I guess you could say that, but if you did, then you've already become one of your enemies.

The "let's-be-noble-for-the-sake-of-being-noble" approach is working so well, isn't it?

Yeah... Good luck with that.

about that losing approach we all know and despise so much.

... and lose every time, when the other side plays cutthroat and cheats and WINS every time.

Hey... we may be losing, but we're compassionate and "nice". Isn't that "nice"? We're the "nice" guys.

It's always better to be "nice" than to actually fight back, fight dirty, and win. That's not nice.

Nice = stupid. Nice = sucker.

i bet even gore would agree with that...now. all the faux etiquette just tells me what i alreay knew: the political class is most interested in preserving its power and priviledge. with some notable exceptions, of course.

Man o man. I'm sorry you live in such darkness.

"When I despair, I remember that all through history the way of truth and love has always won. There have been tyrants and murderers and for a time they seem invincible but in the end, they always fall - think of it, always."

- Mohandas Gandhi

sentiment. If we don't try to use empathy and understanding in approaching the issues before us, then we are doomed to fight the crusades all over again, whether it be by sword or words.

This man was disillusioned, desperate. Do I hate that he chose suicide by cop as an answer to his pain? Yes, but I also understand or at least try to understand that his state of mind at the time directly relates to the evil administration that is sucking the life out of this nation and I pray for his soul and those that do not try to understand and that play judge and jury with no conscience and with such superiority. Then I find myself praying for myself for following the same pattern, as their heartlessness evokes anger and judgment from me, it makes me just as culpable as they are. What an odd cycle.

I am spiritual and I am liberal. In my mind, the two positions are not apposite or contradictory. The fundies do not own religion or this nation. I can be patriotic, religious and liberal all at the same time, there is no conflict.

If I offer my hand in greeting to another and they refuse to take it, that is their choice. The offer is still made. So too is my offer of prayers, it is my action, my offer. That another does not accept the offer does not mean that I didn't make it in good faith or out of kindness, and it doesn't mean that I will not say the prayers. You have to wonder if folks that do get upset by the offer of prayers yell at others that say "God Bless you" after they sneeze?

Thank you for understanding. Yes, I feel compassion for this man. Compassion is a by product of love and to borrow the lyrics from a song "what the world needs now is love sweet love." If we don't try to fight the hatred with its counter emotional equivalent, love, then we are doomed to be consumed by the hatred and there is no hope at all for our nation or the world. Of course, this is all just my humble opinion. :hug:

It's a shame that love and compassion seem to equal weakness to some people. It's especially sad when you encounter that attitude on a liberal message board.
:(

In an effort to to try not to offend others and to use the criticism offered in a constructive manner, I will say that the whole world and all that make up her population are in my prayers. Maybe that will not come off condescending or sanctimonious. :shrug: All I can do is try. That is all any of us can do.

I do appreciate your support. :pals:

Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me!

obviously there was some projection going on.
i was talking with a friend the other day about her struggle to accept her sexuality. she grew up in the bible belt and she still remembers the messages from her childhood. she went to a church here in oakland recently, and again she heard those messages.
i told her my church celebrates gay pride, welcomes gay members, and our minister has two lesbian daughters.
i was blessed in some ways by not being indoctrinated with religion as a child, but getting to know my spiritual self as an adult has been a real blessing, especially in such a progressive church/community.
if nothing else...i've steered a few people to a place where they don't have to hear how evil they are in order to worship.

a part of the discussion regarding praying for the soul of a misguided freeper and praying that others might try a little understanding relative to the freeper and his desperation? I am confused and do not understand your reply.

and instead invest them.

Bad choice of words which reflect how false your position really is.

n/t

:rofl:

Now's not the time and place for a sermon about violence and guns. Must show restraint.

come to the point of suicide, they try suicide by police and the police know it.....

Donald Matthews was an out of control constitutionalist. He repeatedly threatened police officer to their face and made threats against them in public places. Matthews was kicked out of his gun club because of his extreme beliefs. He was a ticking time bomb ready to explode - and did.

Matthews lived in my area. I'm glad he is no longer around. It's too bad he took the life of an office. By the way, this story took place years ago. What brought it to the forefront today?

edit: Matthews was killed in the shootout

Always seemed dumb to me and I have no grudge against firearms. The problem with them is that they embolden cowards to act irrationally.

The Freeper world view holds sway over the White House, Congress, and in diluted form over the media and courts.

Still, they act like the world is out to wipe them all out.

On the other hand, liberals are suffering through the daily outrages of The Worst President Ever, and we're keeping our cool.

It's a psychological difference. Hot-headed white male dominance freak freepers go ballistic (literally) when challenged. Lash out and kill. That should be the Republican campaign slogan.

Liberals, knowing that the world is not theirs to trash, turn their pain inward and commit suicide or just get depressed.

(Does this remind you of Rove's "conservatives prepared for war, liberals offered therapy" quip?)

Liberals are perhaps the most enraged group in America right now. Also, Just look at the protesters against G8 or Iraq, just look at the fight we have put up and will continue to put up. When it is necessary, we rage against what is wrong.

Were a bunch of crybabies...they yell and whine and try to pick fights and then when someone says something back to them they scream "I have been assaulted"

It's a whole bully with the big mouth and nothing to back it up syndrome USUALLY...although clearly there are exceptions!

...to work so hard for the right to own a gun...and not have anyone to shoot!

This isn't going to happen a lot, but it probably will happen again. It's one reason why we shouldn't cultivate cultures of hatred in a civilized community. You never know what a person on the other keyboard is really like and capable of.

There are literally thousands of members on both sites (FR and DU). It's an almost certainty that at some point, a DUer is going to snap and do something equally stupid.

n/t

him.

Then again, if what happened to Andy is any indication of the freeper mentality, I'm not surprised that this happened.

Disclaimer: I have no idea whether or not any poster at freerepublic.com was involved in the stalking of Andy Stephenson. I do know, however, that the fucking assholes were extreme right-wingers. Andy's tragedy pissed me off and made me realize that the fuckers would think nothing of doing the same thing to me, or anybody else. I took the bumper stickers off my car because at this point in my recovery, I really can't afford to be run off the road by some crazy-ass right-winger...and some of them are entirely capable of doing so.

:crazy:

In death, we have a name.
His name was "Donald W. Matthews".
He was an american tragedy.
Now that he is free from his body,
may he ride with Jesus Christ.

he got on the down escalator on this one and not the up.

How bizarre is that!

That's where my husband grew up, where he marched in band, all that. How bizarre to have something so crazy happen there in suburban-land.

Of course, my in-laws are so Republican they get the party catalog, but I digress . . .

:eyes:

are nucking futz.

"To: Monitor
Wasn't there a movement among some linguists or philosophers which held that the key to much human misery was the verb, "to be" and its conjugates?

As I recall they tried to speak and write without ever using "be" or derivatives such as "is" (no, Clinton was not a member of this movement), "was", etc.

Reminds me of the fellow who (honest!) wrote a 50,000-word book without once using the letter "E". Since the book was about teenagers, he was really up against it. He refused even to use abbreviations such as "Mr." because when spelled out it contains an "E". Also numbers such as "7" for the same reason. Written in the days of typewriters, again as I recall, he tied the "E" key down on the keyboard to prevent an accidental "E" creeping in...

--Boris
38 posted on 09/04/2002 8:13:45 AM PDT by boris
< Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies >"

And make donations to DU in his memory.

This has become a flame-war on an unrelated topic.