Class warfare+corrupt police+possible family of terrorists=MESS

[Aragarthiel]

Three men were out fishing at a popular recreational lake. The houses around the lake are, naturally, very nice and very expensive, some bordering on McMansions. It tends to be a quiet neighborhood, so they have no concerns about staying out late on the lake.

Until shots were fired at them.

They could tell which house the shots came from, due to a silhouette of a man standing on a balcony of one of the larger lakeside homes, holding what appears to be an assault rifle. They pack up and leave, returning later with a local ranger.

Police are called and they knock on the door of the house. The homeowner states that he's a prominent doctor at a local hospital and is on call, could the officers come back in the morning?

The officers left.

The community is outraged by this, calling for justice and doing research of their own. It turns out that several members of the family have been arrested for "terroristic threats," but it never goes far. Similar incidents have occurred at the lake before, but fishermen had never actually been shot at before.

A month later, a suspect is finally arrested.

There are many apparent issues wrong with this. I personally believe that we're likely looking at a family of terrorists, but since they're rich, local law enforcement lets them roam free. Many are present in the medical community, and from what I gather, they are all living under the same roof with what is likely a sizable arsenal.

News report from the shooting

News report of the arrest

A look at the family

An example of the family's antics

The man featured in the story in the last link was only arrested YESTERDAY for something that happened A YEAR AGO.

[Gravekeeper]

There are many apparent issues wrong with this. I personally believe that we're likely looking at a family of terrorists, but since they're rich, local law enforcement lets them roam free.

Not that I'm excusing anything the guy did, but this is not terrorism. The guy is bipolar with a drinking problem and some pretty obvious anger management issues. Also the arrest article indicates it was a pistol, not an assault rifle, and that it was fired 10 feet ahead of the boat not at the fishermen. Which seems to indicate "Get off what I think is my property".

[NecCat]

There are many apparent issues wrong with this. I personally believe that we're likely looking at a family of terrorists, but since they're rich, local law enforcement lets them roam free. Many are present in the medical community, and from what I gather, they are all living under the same roof with what is likely a sizable arsenal.

Terroristic threats have nothing to do with terrorists the way that word is used by the media and the public, so I'm not sure where you are getting the idea this is a family of terrorists.

One of the family is positively diagnosed as bipolar, an illness with strong genetic ties, so it possible that both of the 20 some boys are affected. Bipolar is an illness that is notoriously difficult for patients to consistently stay on their medication, many having an on again off relationship with medication. It seems, from what is reported so far, that this is a family that is aware of the problem with one or more members, that have the means and knowledge to try and help that member out, keep them out of jail, and try to rein in any unacceptable behaviour. They probably are receiving special treatment from the police because there are doctors in the family, and the family has some money. That is nothing new.

Mental illness doesn't excuse putting public at risk, or threatening to. It doesn't excuse assaults, it doesn't excuse firing a gun at the public, even just 'warning shots'. It should entitle the ill person special treatment by the law, and in this case by special I mean effective treatment, rather than a goal of getting the violators off the street and locked up as punishment.

[Aragarthiel]

It's not specifically the attempted shooting that makes me think terrorism, but the actions of each of the family members. Like in the example story I posted. Who really goes to a gun range in the South (especially being foreign, since this is the Racist Capitol of America here, and I know more than my fair share of trigger-happy rednecks), complains that a legitimate offer is too good to be true, and threatens to blow up the place and kill everyone there?

There may not be arrest records to back up each account of a family member making terroristic threats, but that's part of the problem. It's not that it's not happening, there's proof that they at the very least have serious anger problems. They're rich and likely know someone who gets them out of trouble.

Just wanted to add- at least one of the fishermen had a bullet whizz by his head, I thought that was in the first news article. It might have been another local news station that wrote about that, though.

NecCat, you ninja'ed me.

You're right about one thing- terroristic threats don't necessarily make a terrorist. I have no idea what else to call these people though because it goes beyond anger into stupidity. They know that they have problems, they know they're rich, and they know that the police won't do anything no matter what happens, so they run around shooting at people who are likely to be carrying themselves. Plus, it shouldn't be as hard for someone in the medical community to remember to take their meds, especially when the whole family is in the field. But whether they're on meds or not, this whole family has made it clear that they shouldn't be allowed to practice medicine or own firearms, and that makes the lack of police involvement incredibly dangerous. That lake is very popular, so people are there every day. It's only a matter of time before some teenager out swimming gets killed because this family was allowed to do what they've been doing.

[Panacea]

Not that I'm excusing anything the guy did, but this is not terrorism. The guy is bipolar with a drinking problem and some pretty obvious anger management issues. Also the arrest article indicates it was a pistol, not an assault rifle, and that it was fired 10 feet ahead of the boat not at the fishermen. Which seems to indicate "Get off what I think is my property".

Except that the lake is county property, and someone clearly needs to make Kinnan Ghali aware of this fact.

Clearly from the four articles the OP linked to Kinnan Ghali is an asshole. Being bi polar does not justify or excuse his actions. He's a bully with an entitlement attitude, and if he isn't smacked down hard soon, he'll make good on his threats.

However, I don't have an issue with the cops on the night in question The first article makes it clear Dr. Ghali was talking to his lawyer. The police need a warrant to enter the home, can't force anyone in the home to come outside, and no one has to talk to the police.

The Ghali family actually followed the best practice of "if you're being investigated by the police shut the fuck up."

The only thing that bothers me is the lack of action on Kinnan Ghali in the gun store. If the cops weren't going to follow through, notifying the store owner should have happened.

[Gravekeeper]

You're right about one thing- terroristic threats don't necessarily make a terrorist. I have no idea what else to call these people though because it goes beyond anger into stupidity.

"Assholes" should suffice. To be bluntly honest there's nothing unusual about the family. Its not like we haven't heard news stories about people with mental issues/drinking problems/anger management issues doing assholish things or losing their shit in public.

Terrorist is a very specific definition. It requires an objective or change the terrorist is trying to bring about through violence and fear.

Like in the example story I posted. Who really goes to a gun range in the South (especially being foreign, since this is the Racist Capitol of America here, and I know more than my fair share of trigger-happy rednecks), complains that a legitimate offer is too good to be true, and threatens to blow up the place and kill everyone there?

A bipolar drunkard with anger management issues who is off his meds. I'm also going to object to your "foreign" comment. Having a non-English name does not mean you are foreign.

He complained the offer wasn't true after calling Glock, who advised him that it was likely a scam. So you can't blame him for that impression. You can blame him for his reaction to it. But he didn't just pull that out of thin air. That's what he was told by the manufacturer themselves.

To be perfectly honest, the fact it occurred at a gun range doesn't really have much baring on the situation. The internet is full of videos of people going absolutely ape shit in places of business over the slightest customer service issues. He was going ape shit over the perception that the business had tried to screw him over to make a sale. The fact the product was a gun doesn't really change anything.

Except that the lake is county property, and someone clearly needs to make Kinnan Ghali aware of this fact.

Yes, that's why I said "Get off what I THINK is my property". -.-

[Aragarthiel]

I'm also going to object to your "foreign" comment. Having a non-English name does not mean you are foreign.

I only used the term "foreign" because I know for a fact that they are Middle-Eastern, I'm just not sure of their nationality. The possibly deceased brother mentioned in the third link had a blog that, IMO, proves that point (if you check it out, some older posts sound pretty crazy). And out here, it DOES matter that it was a gun range, because that's most likely where someone would encounter an armed redneck with a vendetta against anyone who appears foreign (and I say that meaning actually foreign, I know some people who don't know the difference between Mexican and Asian). Living here, he should know how stupid it is to say anything even mildly inflammatory while there.

I'm not sure about the "asshole" thing, I know some assholes and these take it to a whole new level. Maybe "insane" would be about right?

A lot of this has to do with the area. I don't know if I'm presenting it well enough, but this is "I stand for God, my country, my family, and my guns, in that order" territory. Acting the way they have will only end badly for them, once they come across the wrong person.

[NecCat]

I only used the term "foreign" because I know for a fact that they are Middle-Eastern, I'm just not sure of their nationality.... And out here, it DOES matter that it was a gun range, because that's most likely where someone would encounter an armed redneck with a vendetta against anyone who appears foreign (and I say that meaning actually foreign, I know some people who don't know the difference between Mexican and Asian).

A lot of this has to do with the area.......

I find it hard to believe that in 'the area' the same family could be given preferential treatment by the local police force and yet be targeted by locals with a vendetta because they are foreign. The local police force is made up of local people with the same general attitudes as other locals, and if foreignerness is cause for vendettas it should preclude being treated extra well by them.

[Panacea]

Yes, that's why I said "Get off what I THINK is my property". -.-

Yeah, my comment was meant to be directed towards Ghali, not you. Poorly phrased, my apologies.

I only used the term "foreign" because I know for a fact that they are Middle-Eastern, I'm just not sure of their nationality.

If he was born in the United States, his nationality is "American."

The possibly deceased brother mentioned in the third link had a blog that, IMO, proves that point (if you check it out, some older posts sound pretty crazy).

Without a context, it's hard to judge.

And out here, it DOES matter that it was a gun range, because that's most likely where someone would encounter an armed redneck with a vendetta against anyone who appears foreign (and I say that meaning actually foreign, I know some people who don't know the difference between Mexican and Asian). Living here, he should know how stupid it is to say anything even mildly inflammatory while there.

I'm sorry, but I live in the South too. And yes, there are some pretty backwards, ignorant folks here. And some of them own guns. But I think you're painting everyone who lives down here with a pretty broad brush. Clearly your assumptions are a bit off, since nothing like what you suggest is what actually happened.

A lot of this has to do with the area. I don't know if I'm presenting it well enough, but this is "I stand for God, my country, my family, and my guns, in that order" territory. Acting the way they have will only end badly for them, once they come across the wrong person.

Maybe if they run into someone in the Klan, but even in the most hick counties they don't amount to much anymore. Unless the person is drunk, they'll probably just tell this asshole to leave, and then call the cops.

[Gravekeeper]

Living here, he should know how stupid it is to say anything even mildly inflammatory while there.

I'm not really sure what you're on about. This is an urban area that swings Dem. Not some redneck backwater in the hills with a population of 27, 25 of whom are related.

I'm not sure about the "asshole" thing, I know some assholes and these take it to a whole new level. Maybe "insane" would be about right?

Its really not a whole new level. I've seen people go into a violent rage over chicken McNuggets. There's ( perhaps sadly ) not much out of the ordinary about these stories except for your insistence that these people are "foreign". As if that somehow makes this different or worse?

A lot of this has to do with the area. I don't know if I'm presenting it well enough, but this is "I stand for God, my country, my family, and my guns, in that order" territory. Acting the way they have will only end badly for them, once they come across the wrong person.

Small rural areas, sure there might be attitudes like that. But this is a metropolitan area. -.-

[Aragarthiel]

I don't know why you guys are calling into question my knowledge of a lake that is a ten-minute drive from me. It is NOT a metropolitan or urban area. It may be close to one (as in, ten miles), but it is a rather heavily forested area with very little traffic.

Panacea, I wasn't talking specifically about the South. I was referring to my specific area, though from what I can gather, there are no other active users on this site from my area, so it's harder to paint an accurate picture. I'm not kidding that people around here are like that. My husband sees a customer come into his work regularly with Confederate Flag everything. Pants, hat, shirt, even his truck is painted like one. And nobody bats an eye. There are areas that are nice, like the lakeside properties, but the nearest urban center (not a metropolitan area, that would be Atlanta, two hours to the north) is undeniably a horrible place to live, even to the point of the news admitting it.

[Panacea]

Who really goes to a gun range in the South (especially being foreign, since this is the Racist Capitol of America here, and I know more than my fair share of trigger-happy rednecks), .

This statement by you has something to do with my reaction.

I still think you are painting your neighbors with a very broad brush.

[Gravekeeper]

I don't know why you guys are calling into question my knowledge of a lake that is a ten-minute drive from me. It is NOT a metropolitan or urban area.

You were specifically referring to the gun range, it is Macon. A metropolitan area with a Democratic mayor.

Panacea, I wasn't talking specifically about the South.

You specifically said:

Who really goes to a gun range in the South

So yes, you were. -.-