Hummer-driving, Bushmaster-toting freeper kills wife, shoots Judge

this is that story about the sniper who shot a judge in reno last week. it's kind of interesting--the dude apparently was worth 9 million bucks, owned a pawn shop, and by all appearances seems to have been the paradigmatic freeper



"U.S. Rep. Jim Gibbons, R-Reno and candidate for governor, said he has known the Mack family for years, and he said the news of the crimes was 'an absolute surprise.'"

"My heartfelt sympathy goes out to all the victims of this week's violent and tragic events," Gibbons said Friday. "The family and friends of Charla Mack are in my prayers."

"Darren and Charla had their only child in December 1997. Charla became a stay-at-home mom.

The couple lived a lavish lifestyle, enjoyed trips on cruise ships and had a $500,000 line of credit with a local bank.

She drove the Lexis. He drove a burnt-red colored Hummer.

The couple lived in their $1.6 million Tudor-style 5,700-square-foot home on Franktown Road, nestled against the foothills of Washoe Valley. The home had five bedrooms and baths, three fireplaces, an in-ground swimming pool and an exercise room. After they split, Darren Mack moved into a townhouse in an exclusive gated community, where he paid about $3,300 in monthly rent.

He was a sportsman and a hunter, and owned two memberships, worth $70,000, at the Canvas Back Gun Club and two shares of stock in Stillwater Farms, court records show.

He owned a .40-caliber Smith and Wesson handgun, records show. Police said he also owned a Bushmaster .223 semi-automatic rifle and possessed a federal firearms license and permit to carry a concealed weapon."

http://news.rgj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060618/NEWS01/606180377

Yeah, they voted for the W. Probably bought the hummer with their tax break.

Any where close?

I must read site as they will be all over this.

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you can read all about it on RGJ.com (the Reno newspaper). Preponderance of the evidence supports my opinion--plus, one look at his smug, smirking mug tells you that he's a freeper. Notice that I say "freeper," not "Freeper"--whether or not he belongs to the institutional form of Freeperdom, he is still a freeper

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posts!

It make the ironic part so true to form.

to reestablish republican family values? What a laugh.

they both use the same shape

U.S. Rep. Jim Gibbons, R-Reno and candidate for governor, said he has known the Mack family for years,

and he drove a hummer (none of us ever would)

"Aside from the swingers' clubs and dating Web sites, Darren Mack's life revolved around family" (first line of the article. Typical Freeper family values)

Mack's message to the world, sent though his Bay Area cousin just after the shooting, was that the family court system in Reno is unfair and unjust. Mack had been actively denouncing Weller for months through a Web blog and through friends. (Those damn Activist judges!)


But they also reveal a millionaire who fought, and then ignored, Weller's order for child support and alimony payments, a man who gave the banks and the courts conflicting financial statements about his net worth. He painted himself wealthy to acquire a hefty line of credit while married, but rewrote his personal value and filed for bankruptcy after he was ordered to pay child and wife support. (typical rich repug behavior. to be honest, I did know a dem who who would quit his job every time the child support order would catch up with him)

Darren also was politically active on the state level, lobbying to protect the pawn industry, (bloodsuckers of the poor)

Alfredo Alanso, a lobbyist for the industry, said he often saw Darren at hearings. (tied to Lobbyists)

That's just from the first half of this article. I'll find his voter registration and post that for you too, kay?

:eyes:

They sleep with women and then fight like hell when the woman "is with child". Bob Barr is another one of them.

Who'd rather kill than cough up a few bucks to take care of his responsibilities?

The indictment reads like the GOP platform.

women? Bet this guy was anti-abortion all the way!

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

except that the ride isn't all that great, considering the cost.

"U.S. Rep. Jim Gibbons, R-Reno and candidate for governor, said he has known the Mack family for years, and he drove a hummer (none of us ever would)..."

i never understand the utter contempt that so many people have for hummers- i have a good friend who has one- it was and is a good deal for him, because of the tax incentives in place when he bought it- mostly for business.
there are lots of cars that use more gas- and at least they are american made.

if somebody needs a big vehicle for their business, and they can afford it, and the fuel- i don't begrudge anyone their choice of automobiles.

it's supposed to be a free country, after all...

attitude. It also represents the absolute gluttony and stupidity of American People. If anybody wanted to use a symbol for American, gluttony, ignorance, "look at me, I'm cool, I'm tough, I'm a bad ass MF", the Hummer is it. First of all, it isn't a vehicle that was designed to drive the kids to the soccer field, nor was it designed to be used by consumers driving to their offices.

It may not have the worst gas mileage, but it has poor gas mileage. It does get subsidies because it is so heavy it qualifies as a "farm vehicle", which in itself is a sin. My husband hauls construction materials back and forth in a mini van. So much for the "need".

The Hummer is pure "look at me, I a cool" and so very superficial.

Does your friend care about the thousands killed over the oil in the ME that is used to run his hummer? Does he have any loved ones fighting this war? What is his contribution to "keep the steady flow of oil" coming to the US from the ME, or is he just on the "give me" end. Hey, if somebody wanted to sacrifice life, limb and/or loved one to secure oil from the ME, I'd say that they were fucking crazy, but I would have some respect for that person because at least they are willing to "pay" for their wants and are not passing the bill to others.

Instead of trying to be part of a solution, his ego means more to him so he becomes part of the problem. Anybody now adays buying the big ass SUVs are dirt as far as I am concerned.

as my friend is to own and drive a hummer.

btw- sanctimony is very unbecoming.

that he can to drive a Hummer. And you are free to defend him. If I am being sanctimonious, then I guess that is what I will continue to be, because it clears my conscience to know that I, have not deliberately and unnecessarily contributed to the oil companies profits and the taking of people's lives to primp up my ego.

Knowing that buying that Hummer is just what oil companies want us to do and then to go and actually do it.......well, there really are no words.

blind uninformed hate and sanctominy are very unbecoming.

educate yourself- honestly next time. :hi:

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Hummers get 8 miles to the gallon. EIGHT.

If there's more of a gas-guzzling road hog on the road, I don't know what it is.

...and maybe insecure about the size of their penises. They remind me of that commercial with the greedy guy with his dirty paw in the shrimp tray. No sense of moderation or proportion. And that tax break "for business" bullshit is flat-out egregious. The things end up costing nothing--no wonder the bastards can afford the gas, when they got the fucking car for free!!! And half the time, they aren't even using it for business....you don't actually HAVE to!! All you have to do is OWN a business.....it's a give-away to the GOP faithful, that nonsense law. Fortunately, they FINALLY tightened the loophole, but they still have a ways to go--I think they ought to require that people paint their business name on the damn thing, that would cut down on the total bullshit:

Hummer tax break gets hammered
By Jay MacDonald • Bankrate.com

One year ago, you could have driven your new three-ton, business-use SUV through a little-known tax loophole and written off the entire purchase price in the first year.

But Congress has tightened that controversial loophole for high-end luxury SUVs, though many of the rank-and-file heavyweights will still breeze through with the same 100-percent write-off in the year of purchase.

The furor all started a couple years ago when some sharp-eyed accountants and their professional clients discovered a glitch in the tax code that proved big enough to drive a Hummer through, tax free.

The tax provision's original intent back in the 1970s was to enable small farmers and self-employed workers to buy a truck or van without having to fork over the luxury car tax that was then in effect and has since expired. At the time, it made perfect sense to qualify the vehicles by weight because no luxury cars exceeded the 6,000-pound gross vehicle weight threshold.
http://www.bankrate.com/brm/itax/biz_tips/20030403a1.asp

I know a shitload of stay-at-home spouses who drive all over hell in their LEXUS SUVs, that they got "for free."

weanie (no pun intended) and chicken(hawked) out.

I know the other poster who is defending (his friend?), so so Republican to me that I finally confronted them about it. So far, they have called me (indirectly) untruthful, hateful, ignorant and of course sanctimonious.

or is that how you explain away your apparent lack of them?

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is to call anyone who disagrees with your almighty opinion a republican...

terrific strategery...

:rofl: :rofl:

driver that she encounters.
One of the many reasons that I love her.

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to retain their wealth, something that many lower and middle class people don't have the income to do.

Wow, your comment about women is slimy, especially since it isn't something that isn't known like the term "Penis Envy" is known and used all over.

You are taking this personally, which really reinforces my thinking that you are acting like a Republican.

When it comes to people losing their jobs for building Hummers, well they just have been a recent addition since Hummers haven't been on the roads for a very long time. So I guess losing a newly acquired job isn't so bad when you think about how many lives have been lost to secure our supply of oil for gas hogs.

NOT men(except maybe woody allen)...if you're going to use a term, and act like you know what you're talking about- at least try to have a clue next time...
:rofl: :rofl:....

and as for tax breaks- guess what...? Liberals, including myself and my hummer-driving friend, take advantage of available tax-breaks ALL the time.(or do you know someone who DOESN'T claim the mortgage-interest deduction...?)

and as for hummers being a recent addition to a product line- that doesn't mean that the jobs are necessarily new- existing auto plants get re-tooled to make new models/product lines all the time...the lucky ones, that is.

and why is a women allowed to talk about penis size, but if a man brings up vagina size it's "slimy"...? with a hypocritical attitude like that, someone might be led to believe that you're embarrassed about having one (btw- that's a condition known as "penis envy"...but don't worry- LOTS of angry women have it :hi: )

commercials????? Being around guys a lot, I hear them talk about their penis and it's size and bragging about how big it is ALL OF THE TIME (when men start joking around of course). I have NEVER heard women joke about overstretched vagina's, nor have I seen any commercials about it....Have you????

We all take advantage of some "general" tax breaks, true, BUT the tax attorneys and CPAs don't make the big bucks from those tax breaks, its the one like the "Hummer" tax break. The point is how much do you really CARE about the war in Iraq and the whores running the companies making billions on this war and are, in part, responsible for this war starting. We the "average citizen" don't have much ammunition in our arsenal to combat the Gigantic Corporations sponsoring and initiating laws. We can buy economic cars though, we are in control of that. When we ignore being able to do that and choose to buy the "poster" vehicle for the Corporate Executive Whores and American Gluttony, how could we justify that? Those vehicles and others like them are directly responsible for blood being split in the ME, and if that doesn't bother you or your friend than you have no souls.

As for the jobs, well I am sure that other jobs can be found or the plant can be retooled for "hybrids", killing two birds with one stone.

Make as many "excuses" for "your friend" as you want. I will say, to the day that I die, People that buy Hummers are "all about themselves" and don't really care too much about the consequences of their actions. And like Bush don't think too far ahead about the ramifications of their actions.

People don't NEED gas guzzling vehicles, they want them....HUGE difference.

if you're going to throw the term around- you might want to do a little research as to what it really means...
:rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

points that are "convenient" for you as well. Driving a Hummer (or any other vehicle like it) when our best are fighting, being maimed and dying for the gas and oil that that we refuse to wean ourselves off of so that we could send more young people over to Iraq.

I haven't heard one good reason why it is O.K. to be part of the problem instead of the answer except for - I can, its my right, so I will -

...quite like a Hummer...

so I understand why you take such delight in having a friend who feels the need to drive a compensa-...uh...er...Hummer

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you oughta know by now.

A spokesman for Weller said in a statement that the judge had been harassed before the shooting.

A member of a fathers' advocacy group told Weller that an "angry man" he identified as Darren Mack was starting a campaign against Weller, using friends, associates, the media and anonymous Internet blogs to try to ruin his reputation, said Jim Denton, a Las Vegas political consultant.
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-judge15jun15,1,7777216.story?coll=la-headlines-nation


Not trusting to anonymous blogs, I actually checked Judge Weller's campaign finance reports. He pretty much self-funded his race, so the blogger (most likely Mack, based on other news stories) is not only an idiot in claiming that campaign contributions from lawyers influenced him, but is also an idiot who relies on lazy readers. Checking the facts is easy. You should try it.
Every family court judge has people who hate him. It goes with angry people. The fact is that a lot of people going through a divorce want to destroy the other party and they get angry when the courts don't help them do it.
http://marc.perkel.com/archives/000938.html

typical freeper behavior

political affiliation doesn't mean a thing.

Assigning labels like this based on an article is pointless. If this is how one defines a freeper or even a repuke, then you're more or less saying that every man in similar circumstances is one...which is not true.

Facts work far better than assumptions.

Even if the guy is a republican, that's a rotten way to define an entire political party or group of people. It's a pretty damn wide paintbrush you're using.

It is a consequence of the disease.

:eyes:

I had a sick bastard of a husband who beat the hell out of me for two years when we were married. He called himself a democrat and voted straight party ticket every time.

Sorry, your assertion doesn't even stick to the wall.

Ted Bundy
Dennis Rader
Charles Whitman
George Hennard

All Republicans.

prove it either. :)

but that this particular killer is interesting because he seems to be such a quintessential freeper

There are aspects of this person that can lead a person to think that, but I'm just not willing to plant a label on him because he does something so horrific.

I could pull up a dozen articles of people doing horrible things to other people and many at DU would say 'well, that's typical freeper behavior'.

I'm just not a person who is so quick to apply labels.

and the ones who spew this type of hatred (not to mention killing the wife and shooting the judge) were all 'freeper' types, no matter what their political affiliation.

Freeper does not mean Republican by the way, it's a mutant subgroup.

Freepers are all criminals at some level.

They cheat on taxes.

They cheat on contracts.

They cheat on child support.

They cheat on their wives and/or husbands.

They sexually abuse underage persons.

They're generally the kind of guy that would fuck a person in the ass and not even have the god damned common courtesy to give him a reach around.

And a pretty good idea of WHAT you are.

And you aren't a Democrat. That's about as diplomatic and profanity devoid I can be about it.

:sarcasm:

Horrible crime, but his political leanings don't mean a thing. It was a bad divorce that took it's toll on everyone involved. If it's true that he murdered these people, he'll pay the price for it. Repubs aren't the only ones who murder.

but this story does paint an interesting portrait of a "freeper gone wild"

I view them as wildly pro-bush to the point of worship along with rabid literal christianity. Mostly middle class types who are dumb and drink a lot of kool-aid.

This guy sounds more like a rich asshole who was pissed at his ex-wife. No political affiliation one way or the other comes to mind. If this guy was a true repuke, wouldn't he have just bought off the judge or got the case moved to a court more to his liking? Not that he's a dem or anything like that...he just strikes me as someone who wanted to kill his ex-wife and the judge for a perceived wrong.

i thought about making the distinction in one of the posts above...

anyway, this guy is the nouveau-riche, small-business, lengthy-male-member type, whose parents were hard-scrabble types who worked their asses off (one of the articles recounts their rise from rags to riches)

They have NO compassion for the less fortunate or social conscience. It's a "me" thing. This guy fit the criteria 100%.

I really don't know any rich Dem. assholes, but then... I don't get out much anymore. :shrug:

have assholish personalities. but the odds are, of course, that assholes are GOP

Most assholes I knew were repuke freeper types :)

What's strange to me even now...one of the nicest ladies I met was what I would consider a freeper. She loves bush and is an avid christian to the max. Still, she was as nice as they come. It was hard to have a political discussion with her because she wore a smile on her face just about the entire time. Kinda leaves you scratching your head.

but, well there are people of all types.

Ever been to Boca Raton?

Democratic does. Why do you defend the Republicans so strongly? I would say the odds are most abusive people are Republicans if they are political at all. Granted there are always exceptions but the majority have demonstrated time and time again their Compassion.....

I didn't read anything in this article that indicated his political affiliation. It's easy to make assumptions and to automatically think the worse without giving much thought.

That has nothing to do with defending repubs or anyone else.

As with any segment of the population, you will always find bad apples. If this guy did in fact kill his ex-wife and the judge..it sure didn't happen because he's a republican. It happened because he's a sick bastard who was pissed off and the only way he could express his rage is by killing them.

I'm not comfortable painting these kinds of brush strokes on an entire segment of the population. That's like the repukes saying homosexuals are pedophiles...that's how they operate. No way in hell am I going to be like them.

It's always a little disconcerting to find some of the same characteristics at DU.

he's even on america's most wanted :eyes:

the article says:
"Darren was a marvelous father, he was like a kid with them," Darren's mother, Joan Mack, said Saturday"

opensecrets.org shows his mom's name, place of employment, amount donated and who got the money:

MACK, JOAN
RENO,NV 89509
PALACE JEWELRY & LOAN/PRES. LOAN CO
5/30/2003
$3,000
Gibbons, Jim

MACK, JOAN
RENO,NV 89509
PALACE JEWELRY & LOAN/PRES. LOAN CO
1/13/2004
$1,000
Gibbons, Jim

MACK, JOAN R
RENO,NV 89509
PALACE JEWELRY & LOAN/PAWNBROKER
3/21/2002
$300
Berkley, Shelley

MACK, JOAN R MS
RENO,NV 89509
PALACE JEWELRY AND LOAN/SECRETARY/J
1/26/2004
$1,000
Bush, George W

"Darren also was politically active on the state level, lobbying to protect the pawn industry, and founded the Nevada Pawnbroker Association, his brother, Landon Mack said."
http://news.rgj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060618/NEWS01/606180377

MACK, LANDON D MR
ZEPHYR COVE,NV 89448
A.A.P. INC./CEO
1/26/2004
$2,000
Bush, George W

my guess--he was as republican as his mom and brother, only a major tightwad--doing everything he could to not pay child support or alimony

That's too bad.
It would have settled this little argument right quick. :(

in upscale Reno believe me. Or any neighborhood in Reno.

Fine "family values and morals" those reTHUGS have-NOT! :puke:

MACK, JOAN R
RENO,NV 89509
PALACE JEWELRY & LOAN/PAWNBROKER
3/21/2002
$300
Berkley, Shelley


not a lot of $ but probably gave to whoever was supporting legislation favoring the pawn industry

...he's still a fugative, but it's from a few days ago: <http://www.cityofreno.com/res/police/news/?newsid=2057>

RPD News Release

RPD News Archive

June 18, 2006

RPD Logo Daily Update: Darren Mack Case

Daily Update, Darren Mack Case and Homicide Investigation
Media Inquiry Line ( 775 ) 334-3850

There are no significant changes or discoveries today in the Darren Mack investigation. The three major areas of focus are as follows:

The murder of Charla Mack: This investigation has progressed well for detectives. We currently have an active arrest warrant for Darren Mack for one count of open murder with the use of a deadly weapon. The FBI has an active arrest warrant for Darren Mack for the crime of unlawful flight to avoid prosecution. This is also in relation to the murder of Charla Mack.

The sniper-style shooting of Judge Chuck Weller: Darren Mack is the listed suspect in this case. At this time there is no arrest warrant in place for Darren Mack related to this shooting. The case investigation, however, is progressing well with several leads currently being followed up.

The manhunt for Darren Mack: Darren Mack is a fugitive from justice at this time. He is a man with vast resources, travel experience, and abilities. The search for Darren Mack is not limited to local, state, or national boundaries.

At this time the vehicle that Darren Mack was last believed to have been using is still outstanding. The vehicle is described as a 2006 Ford Explorer, silver in color, displaying Cal. license plates 5POR 272.

Anyone sighting this vehicle or Darren Mack should contact their local law enforcement agency immediately.

Darren Mack is still considered to be armed and dangerous.

Released by: Lt. Jon Catalano

everyone believes he made it out of the country very early. Also he could grow a beard in one day in high school... definitely has changed his looks am certain.

Horrible story... we're all horrified. The sniper shot he made from blocks away is frightening.

edited to say the owner of the "ranch" upscale brothel bragged that he was a patron a week prior. He was into the swinger scene and apparently wife tired of it as didn't feel it fit into motherhood. How her parents must feel hearing what their daughter was forced to do besides losing her I can't imagine.

Prospectors... hate that club... now I can shove it in husband's face.

club of millionaires who throw an indulgent party every year rather than give to charity. Asshole repukes all.. have refused to go for three years as made me physically ill.

"Asshole repukes all."

Cause there are some great single Democrats out there who would love to split half his assets with you....


:evilgrin:

And not to defend Mack, but the judge, Chuck Weller, has a reputation for being extremely abusive in the court room. As in bad parody of Judge Judy abusive. In addition to the impressive list of complaints the judge has against him in the short time he has served, the reaction among several of my co-workers (I work in a steel mill) who have been in family court under this judge has been that Weller has it coming. (And yes I'm cleaning up their comments quite a bit).

However, shooting the judge is out of line. I don't know if this guy is a freeper, but he does traffic with local Republican politicians. (And let me assure you Reno Republicans are as nuts as they get. A Nevada Democrat would be considered a Republican in almost any other state.)

if you can...please vote for him. A good friend and fighting the good fight!!!!

Tell everyone!!!

edited to ask...steel mill in Reno?

Yeah, I was surprised too. Aerospace stuff mostly. My guess is it's because of the naval air base in Fallon and the (now) closed air base in Stead.

David Bobzien you say? Unfortunately I'm in a different district. I'll spread the word though.

asswipe that inherited aerospace company in Reno. Bragging to me that "Bush is going to take us to Mars!" (meaning "I'm worth a fortune now")

The company I work for is actually owned by some German investment group. ThyssenKrupp I believe.

Repugs have got to be the most dissatisfied, unhappy, frightened, inadequate excuses for humans that have ever lived.

many "poor" Democrats kill their spouses....or whoever. Just cause this guy is a Republican and he went berserk doesn't mean that all Republicans are the only ones capable of murder like this.

I hate it when Dems show shortsightedness and hypocrisy when something like this happens.

So you mean to tell me that only Republicans murder people?

To think that political opinions have anything to do with why someone kills somebody is misguided at best. To think that repubs murder significantly more than dems is just not bound in reality (or dems more than repubs either). Political viewpoint and ability to murder are completely unrelated.

They aren't greedy, they believe in housing the unsheltered, feeding the hungry and caring for the sick and elderly. These aren't Republican values.

Those bastards manning the phones at ENRON and chuckling over Grandma Millie losing her life savings were not Democrats, I'll wager.

I'll continue to believe in my thesis until I am proven wrong.

I'm not going to argue that as far as political affiliations go democrats are far more tender towards his common man. But politics and political beliefs have absolutely nothing to do with the tendency for a husband or wife to kill their spouse or anyone else for that matter. To think otherwise is just misguided and foolish in my opinion.

But since it is extremely doubtful that anyone will ever do a legitimate poll on such an absurdity to determine the real ratio, then it is also extremely doubtful that you will ever have the proof you seek. But common sense is enough proof for me in forging my own opinion on the matter.

for the bluest cities - detroit, DC, NOLA

Of course, in the red states, and if you're a well off Republican, you can make that cocaine bust and DWI's disappear right off with a little palm-greasing and the right connections.

gave DA the slip today saying he was going to turn himself into authorities in PV Mexico.

cunning devil?

Just his attitude of entitlement. Arrogant, self-indulgent. Pushed his wife into swinging, then when she had their child she wanted to stop swinging as incompatible with her perception of motherhood. So he said he was going to continue without her. Ten million dollars and yet incensed to the point of rage and ultimately murder at a temporary order of $120 thousand per year child and wife support, or roughly 1% annual his net worth. Which sounds amazingly fair.

The primary character attribute of a right-winger is ego-centrism. What happens to them is the only thing that matters in the least. The rest of the world totals absolute-zero on the relevance scale, and the means by which they service their ego are immaterial, only the result to them.

Now, there are plenty of Democrats who could no doubt do the same thing, but everything I read about this guy points to a right-wing mindset. I was wondering if the judge was a winger too as it seems that more than one person found him to be a power abuser. Could be wingnut v wingnut here. With a dead wife and a motherless child as the fallout.

I've always found one of the hallmarks of repubs to be their tendency to stereotype and generalize, as in "All African-Americans are ; or "All gays are..." or "All Hispanics are..." etc etc.

Sad to see folks here engaging in not too dissimilar forms of stereotyping...

Some repub husbands cheat on their wives and commit domestic violence. So do some husbands who are Democrats and some who are independents. And I haven't seen anyone prove a link between this guy's political leanings and his actions.

Grandmothers who bake cookies commit mayhem and murder too, so I guess it's not good to generalize about anything at any time for any reason, ever. Why, I bet there are tens of thousands of al Qaeda members who have never committed murder too.

Like I said, I have a feeling that this Darren Mack is a Republican. And if you don't like stereotyping Republicans, then rest assured we'll stop when they do. You'll likely have a long rest because it's what they do, from Ronald Reagan and 'welfare queens' to Newt Gingrich and Susan Smith. They look for ugly paint anywhere they can find it, and they'll make up some if they can't. Some of us are tired of not fighting back in kind. It's sad that it has to be this way, but look at the alternative.

Finding the right balance between principle and pragmatic politics is hard and its the subject of endless debates here at DU (such as those relating to the DLC, etc). I view myself as a pretty pragmatic Democrat, but ultimately the principle of judging individuals as individuals outweighs my pragmatic side. In short, I'd rather not give up my principles to achieve them (ie. I'm not into the lets destroy the village to save it kind of thinking)

Generally, I don't pay mind to potential political affiliation when reading a story about someone killing somebody. A murderer's a murderer. Politics is another game altogether.