I'm still thinking about Jared Loughner, the crazy guy who shot Congresswoman Giffords.
(By the way, the Federal Marshalls released a new, more neutral mugshot.
Old Mugshot: Crazy eyes! New Mugshot: Bratty Eyes
He's less slappable in the new mugshot. Or maybe more? I can't decide.)
At any rate, what brought him back to mind was Joe Biden's statement about Egypt. At some point, and I can't say specifically when, because I was by the Equator being pummelled by the Sun, Joe Biden remarked on how much the people wanted reform. He cited a case of a 26-year old Tunisian setting himself on fire in protest.
I believe it happened. I believe it was a result of repression. But aren't there a group of people in the middle east saying, "Did you hear about that crazy college kid who set himself on fire?" "Oh, yes, that kid's obviously mentally ill."
And worse, somewhere across the seas a Dopple-Biden is claiming Jared Loughner sacrificed himself in a noble effort to rid the people of an agent of our evil government. An unsettling thought.
Yeah, unsettling. Why did you do that to me?
(Loughner has the same smug grin in both head shots - that's almost creepier than the eyes.)
Posted by: magpie | February 23, 2011 at 10:30 AM
Well, he ain't cute, that's for sure.
Posted by: Hattie | February 23, 2011 at 04:07 PM
Buddhist monks aren't crazy. I remember this photo very well and he was protesting the war in Viet Nam.
According to a fire dept pal of mine, this is not such an unusual method of suicide among Asians. Sorry to be gross, but that's how some house fires get started.
Posted by: Becs | February 23, 2011 at 05:05 PM
Crazy? Yes. But at least he didn't hurt anyone else.
Posted by: Caroline | February 23, 2011 at 07:38 PM
Magpie - I thought it first the smirk was a one-sided smirk. It seems in the second photo it's only on one side.
http://www.mocklog.com/photos/crazy_face/
Hattie - I wondered if maybe only half his face looked crazy, so I made that photo series above.
He does look remorseful on one side.
Becs - Wow. How can that be? Then again, if you are struggling with excessive guilt, I can see the Voice telling you that you must die in the most painful way possible.
Caroline - Oh, I completely agree.
Posted by: TheQueen | February 24, 2011 at 10:32 AM