Corkins and Dorner

No, it's not a law firm. These guys don't have much use for the law. Frankly, they're both nuts. But they have resources. And inspiration, too

You may recall the case of Floyd Corkins, but there's a better chance you don't, because it hasn't been widely reported. Corkins went to the offices of the Family Research Council with murder on his mind:

Floyd Corkins pleaded guilty to one federal count of crossing state lines with guns and ammunition. He also pleaded guilty to one count of intent to kill while armed and one count of committing an act of terrorism with the intent to kill.

Those last two counts are District charges.

He is scheduled to be sentenced on April 29.

Corkins was charged in August with opening fire inside the lobby of the Family Research Council building. A security guard was wounded but managed to wrestle away the gun. No one else was hurt.

And for a guy who had murder on his mind, he had a surprisingly personal touch in store for his planned victims:

Prosecutors say Corkins, who had been volunteering at a center for gay, lesbian and transgender people, was carrying ammunition and Chick-fil-A sandwiches in his bag. Chick-fil-A was making headlines at the time because of its president's stated opposition to gay marriage.

Corkins intended to smear the sandwiches in the faces of his victims to make a statement about gay rights opponents, he acknowledged during a hearing Wednesday.

According to the plea agreement, he told FBI agents who interviewed him after the shooting that he wanted to use the sandwiches to "make a statement against the people who work in that building ... and with their stance against gay rights and Chick-fil-A."

Smearing a pickle-laden sandwich on someone's wounds is a particularly nice touch. So, how did Corkins get to the Family Research Council? Well, he had resources:

In a statement released after Corkins' plea, the head of the Family Research Council blamed the shooting in part on the Southern Poverty Law Center, which has labeled his organization a hate group.

In his plea agreement, Corkins acknowledged he identified the Council as "an anti-gay organization" by visiting Southern Poverty's website. The head of the Council, Tony Perkins, called on the group to stop labeling his organization and others hate groups because of their stance on gay issues. A spokeswoman for the Alabama-based Law Center did not immediately return a telephone message.

Conveniently for Corkins, the SPLC provided a map to where he should go:

Haters gonna hate

It's probably impertinent to ask this, but how do we interpret this resource? Is it a list of groups that hate? Or a list of groups we're supposed to hate? Unsurprisingly, the SPLC would rather not say.

Meanwhile, out in L.A., there's a massive manhunt underway for a rampaging ex-cop, Christopher Dorner, who is simultaneously (a) out for revenge and (b) not lacking for inspiration:

 An ex-Los Angeles police officer who authorities say went on a killing spree to punish those he blamed for his firing killed three people, set off a manhunt that stretched across three states and into Mexico, and stirred fear throughout the region.

And he has his reasons, which he laid out in an incoherent manifesto:

I am here to change and make policy. The culture of LAPD versus the community and honest/good officers needs to and will change. I am here to correct and calibrate your morale compasses to true north.

He also gives more shout outs than you get at the end of a John Feinstein book:

Mia Farrow said it best. "Gun control is no longer debatable, it's not a conversation, its a moral mandate." 

Sen. Feinstein, you are doing the right thing in leading the re-institution of a national AWB. Never again should any public official state that their prayers and thoughts are with the family. That has become cliche' and meaningless. Its time for action. Let this be your legacy that you bestow to America. Do not be swayed by obstacles, antagaonist, and naysayers. Remember the innocent children at Austin, Kent, Stockton, Fullerton, San Diego, Iowa City, Jonesboro, Columbine, Nickel Mines, Blacksburg, Springfield, Red Lake, Chardon, Aurora, and Newtown. Make sure this never happens again!!!

That would be Diane Feinstein, not John. But he's just getting started:

Mr. Vice President, do your due diligence when formulating a concise and permanent national AWB plan. Future generations of Americans depend on your plan and advisement to the president. I've always been a fan of yours and consider you one of the few genuine and charismatic politicians. Damn, sounds like an oxymoron calling you an honest politician. It's the truth.

Hillary Clinton. You'll make one hell of a president in 2016. Much like your husband, Bill, you will be one of the greatest. Look at Castro in San Antonio as a running mate or possible secretary of state. He's (good people) and I have faith and confidence in him. Look after Bill. He was always my favorite President. Chelsea grew up to be one hell of an attractive woman. No disrespect to her husband.

Gov. Chris Christie. What can I say? You're the only person I would like to see in the White House in 2016 other than Hillary. You're America's no shit taking uncle. Do one thing for your wife, kids, and supporters. Start walking at night and eat a little less, not a lot less, just a little. We want to see you around for a long time. Your leadership is greatly needed.

And there's more:

Chris Matthews, Joe Scarborough, Pat Harvey, Brian Williams, Soledad Obrien, Wolf Blitzer, Meredith Viera, Tavis Smiley, and Anderson Cooper, keep up the great work and follow Cronkite's lead. I hold many of you in the same regard as Tom Brokaw and the late Peter Jennings. Cooper, stop nagging and berating your guest, they're your (guest). Mr. Scarborough, we met at McGuire's pub in P-cola in 2002 when I was stationed there. It was an honor conversing with you about politics, family, and life.

Feel the love, all of you. Meanwhile, there's this insight:

Wayne LaPierre, President of the NRA, you're a vile and inhumane piece of shit. You never even showed 30 seconds of empathy for the children, teachers, and families of Sandy Hook. You deflected any type of blame/responsibility and directed it toward the influence of movies and the media. You are a failure of a human being. May all of your immediate and distant family die horrific deaths in front of you.

That LaPierre must be a really bad guy.

So, what does all this mean? I'd suggest the following:

• First of all, none of the recipients of Dorner's admiration are responsible for what he's done. Let's say that from the outset.
• Also, the SPLC isn't responsible for Floyd Corkins, either.
• We need to get out of the business of blaming other people for the actions of crazy people. Whatever you think of Wayne LaPierre, he wasn't responsible in any way for what happened in Newtown. Sarah Palin wasn't responsible for inspiring Jared Loughner, the guy who shot up a strip mall in Tucson, hitting former Rep. Gabrielle Giffords in the process.

There's more to be said about this. Probably tomorrow.