[joonbug]

Some comments on the sniper, watching from far away in New Zealand. Serial killers usually have some type of pattern to their victim selection - race, gender, age, etc - unlike the DC sniper. They usually continue their killing until caught. They are driven by some very sick and dark compulsion to kill and are unable to stop. The sniper is not doing any of the above. Perhaps the sniper is a terrorist as many suspect. If so, then he/she is a "soldier" of sorts (although in a deranged army). Soldiers have the discipline to follow their orders meaning that the sniper could stop killing at any time and leave the area or move on to something else, unlike a serial killer. My personal opinion is that the sniper is a terrorist rather than a sicko serial killer. And look at the terror and panic now in the DC area - the exact goal of terrorism. What do others think?

[blam]

"What do others think?"

The same as you.

[swarthyguy]

Terrorist cell(s).

[tall_tex]

I tend to agree, if it were a looney, he would keep shooting, that is how they get thier jolleys.

He, she, it or them, seem to be very dedicated to thier mission. Looneys are looneys, and tend to continue upon thier chosen path until they are apprehended, or turned in by a fiend or family member.(Granted there are exceptions)

Hope you are enjoying your beautiful spring weather. I was lucky to be in Tahiti during January a number of years ago, beautiful area of our world. Tom

[backhoe]

My personal opinion is that the sniper is a terrorist rather than a sicko serial killer. And look at the terror and panic now in the DC area - the exact goal of terrorism. What do others think?

I think that way, myself. And whether or not he's a genuine terrorist, the effect ( terrorism ) is the same...

[slimer]

I agree with your observations. This person is or persons are highly disciplined. Leads me to believe that they are organized and have a well thought out plan. Our government does not want people to panic, so they are down playing the terrorism angle.

Any way you look at it, it is terrorism and it is having the desired effect. I expect that this is just the beginning.

[Palladin]

Good observations, joon. I have heard several professionals state the same thing on TV--this perp is too disciplined to be a lone crazy. He has all the earmarks of a soldier on a mission. Maybe the mission is completed now, and he has returned to his handlers to be debriefed. Since this one-man campaign was so successful in instilling fear and terror into the hearts of thousands, and has disrupted the economy temporarily in one large area, it may be deemed a viable model for the next incursion.

[garbanzo]

You make too much sense to be a journalist or a TV commentator. My guess is that he's laying low or has been extracted or awaiting new orders. Can anyone tie the start of the shootings to reports from "Osama Bin Laden"? It may be a drop signal to begin predefined attacks.