The Shooter and the Guard

After the shooting at the Holocaust Museum in Washington yesterday some on the left immediately blamed the "right wing" for the tragedy and even tried to claim this shooting justified the Homeland Security report earlier this year that sought to make terrorists out of every person to opposed abortion or supported the 2nd Amendment. It looks like their characterization of the shooter was a bit off:

The man accused of opening fire at the Holocaust Museum in Washington, DC on June 10, James W. von Brunn, left a trail of unhinged writings around the internet.

The anti-semitism of von Brunn is the first thing one notices when visiting these bizarre websites. However, like those of most "white supremacists", many of von Brunn's political views track "Left" rather than "Right." Clearly, a re-evaluation of these obsolete definitions is long overdue.

For example, he unleashed his hatred of both Presidents Bush and other "neo-conservatives" in online essays. As even some "progressives" such as the influential Adbusters magazine publicly admit, "neoconservative" is often used as a derogatory code word for "Jews". As well, even a cursory glance at "white supremacist" writings reveals a hatred of, say, big corporations that is virtually indistinguishable from that of anti-globalization activists.

"Left" and "right" are not as easily defined these days as they used to be, but you can read that stuff on the wacky left Daily Kos every day. Some of the most vicious anti-Semitism comes from the left.

The guard who died, Stephen T. Johns, is being described as a hero today, though the details of just what happened are still a little murky. It's unknown if Johns ever had a chance to react to the shooter, but as I read some of the details that are known, one obvious inadequacy in the Museum's security program stands out:

"Immediately upon entering the front doors of the museum, he raised the rifle and started shooting," D.C. Police Chief Cathy L. Lanier said of von Brunn, 88, adding that he "was engaged by security guards, and there was an exchange of gunfire."

When the smoke cleared, von Brunn was critically wounded. The only casualty among the guards was Johns, who lived in Prince George's County. At least one bullet from a small-caliber rifle hit Johns in his upper-left torso, according to Johns's employer, the Wackenhut security company.

"Two other . . . armed security officers opened fire with their service revolvers," the company said. "The intruder was hit at once" and wounded. ...

"It's a heavy loss," said Assane Faye, the Washington district director of the Security, Police and Fire Professionals of America.

Like other guards at the museum, on Raoul Wallenberg Place SW near the Mall, Johns underwent training for which he received the D.C. police designation of "special police officer," which permitted him to carry a revolver on duty.

Faye said that during contract negotiations with Wackenhut two years ago, the union pressed for company-issued protective vests. Although Wackenhut seemed open to the idea, vests have not been issued, Faye said.

"I hammered this in our negotiations two years ago because of how sensitive that museum is," he said. "Our guards needed more protection." He said that one of the guards at the museum was "verbally assaulted by one guy walking by, saying anti-Semitic remarks. For that reason, I made that the center of the negotiation."

Authorities said Johns was not wearing a protective vest.

I don't know enough about the weapon involved to know if a vest would have stopped the bullet, but it surprises me that in a high profile target like the Holocaust Museum the guards would not be provided with vests as standard issue.

I'll bet they will be very soon.