It bears noting that John Brown was hanged on December 2nd, 1859. He was executed by the Government of Virginia, with the direct the blessings of President Buchanan and the Federal Government, even though the crimes were Federal and had taken place on Federal property. Buchanan was afraid a Federal trial would bring out a huge abolitionist protest, but if Virginia killed him he could avoid that during an election year. The crimes charged were murder, insurrection, and treason. In December of 1860 South Carolina would vote to secede from the Union and the Civil War would commence. Union Troops would sing:
John Brown's body lies a-mold'ring in the grave
John Brown's body lies a-mold'ring in the grave
John Brown's body lies a-mold'ring in the grave
His soul goes marching on
Glory, Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory, Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory, Glory! Hallelujah!
His soul is marching on
He captured Harper's Ferry with his nineteen men so true
He frightened old Virginia till she trembled through and through
They hung him for a traitor, themselves the traitor crew
But his soul is marching on!
(chorus)
John Brown died that the slave might be free
John Brown died that the slave might be free
John Brown died that the slave might be free
But his soul is marching on!
The stars above in Heaven are looking kindly down
The stars above in Heaven are looking kindly down
The stars above in Heaven are looking kindly down
On the grave of old John Brown
(chorus)
John Brown's knapsack is strapped upon his back!
John Brown's knapsack is strapped upon his back!
John Brown's knapsack is strapped upon his back!
His soul's marching on!
(chorus)
His pet lambs will meet him on the way
His pet lambs will meet him on the way
His pet lambs will meet him on the way
They go marching on!
(chorus)
They will hang Jeff Davis to a sour apple tree!
They will hang Jeff Davis to a sour apple tree!
They will hang Jeff Davis to a sour apple tree!
As they march along!
(chorus)
Now, three rousing cheers for the Union
Now, three rousing cheers for the Union
Now, three rousing cheers for the Union
As we are marching on!
(chorus)
There is a wide consensus that nothing moved the meter towards civil war like John Brown's failed raid and especially his subsequent execution. I do find it incredibly ironic that someone hung for insurrection and treason would become a hero to, and whom they would sing songs about, those killing their brothers for insurrection and treason.
I wonder if things would have been different if Kaczinski had the courage of his convictions and used a less cowardly medium to express his political views? History can only be understood when enough time and distance has passed to understand broader implications. For those implications to manifest a certain level of theatre is required. I don't believe Ted understood that. When seemingly random people were blowing up no one had any sympathy for him at all, and now his death is practically anonymous. I would say his example is text book study of what not to do to advance your beliefs. John Brown was exstatic when he learned they meant to publicly execute him. His last words were:
"I, John Brown, am now quite certain that the crimes of this guilty land will never be purged away but with blood. I had, as I now think, vainly flattered myself that without very much bloodshed it might be done."
That, my friends, is how it's done. From evil villain to hero of marching armies in no time at all. Bombing seemingly random people is more than just a retarded way to be ignored and anything you say to be discarded...