The 'Phantom Patriot'

April 18, 2002 6:41 AM

The 'Phantom Patriot' wearing a skeleton mask, body armor and a costume emblazoned with the words "Phantom Patriot," infiltrated the 2,700-acre (1,090 hectare) Bohemian Grove, site of a secretive annual retreat featuring some of the most powerful men in the United States. He was arrested after a brief stand-off with police, and later told investigators he was prompted to act after hearing a Texas-based radio talk-show host discuss possible child sacrifice at the site.
posted by Stuart_R (13 comments total)

he was prompted to act after hearing a Texas-based radio talk-show host discuss possible child sacrifice at the site

And prosecutors refused to accept the guy is crazy ... he is looking at 12 years in another type of "all-male Bohemian Club".
posted by magullo at 7:01 AM on April 18, 2002

Arden said McCaslin's extensive preparations for the attack, including his decision to wear a bullet-proof vest, clearly indicated that he knew right from wrong and thus was beyond the reach of an insanity plea.

I would think the decision to wear body armour had a lot more to do with thinking he was batman, and thinking the "cultists" would attack him - than thinking he was doing something wrong.
posted by Stuart_R at 7:09 AM on April 18, 2002

McCaslin's defense lawyer argued that there was insufficient evidence to indicate that McCaslin intended to commit arson or other crimes when he entered the Bohemian Grove compound.

Setting fire to a building isn't evidence enough?
posted by JaxJaggywires at 7:14 AM on April 18, 2002

Pre-empting the dp complaints, gotta say this one is worth a rewind... comedy nutcases are the *best*
posted by bifter at 7:36 AM on April 18, 2002

*Whew* When I first glanced at this post, I was afraid "Phantom Patriot" had been announced as the title for Episode 3.
posted by straight at 8:11 AM on April 18, 2002

Of course, you're all assuming that child sacrifice DOESN'T take place at the site.
posted by HTuttle at 8:25 AM on April 18, 2002

I haven't seen it yet, but this seems like it might come from the wacky mind of Harry Shearer and his new movie Teddy Bear's Picnic.
posted by Fofer at 8:28 AM on April 18, 2002

The said Alex Jones is still out there, btw, selling videos and making personal appearances. Google "Bohemian Grove" and "sacrifice" and he's about all that comes up; well, him and David Ickes (who comes up in any weirdo search). When can we start holding these kinds of nutballs accountable for their actions?
posted by yhbc at 8:44 AM on April 18, 2002

If you want to read the FULL story of that grove, check out Them -- Adventures with Extremists by Jon Ronson. Jon, an English humor writer, actually infiltrated the Grove with Alex Jones. The book is an excellent piece of new journalism, very much in the tradition of Thompson, Wolfe/O'Rourke.
posted by ph00dz at 10:38 AM on April 18, 2002

by the way -- I should add tha the grove isn't a sinister as you might think, but IT IS REAL!
posted by ph00dz at 10:41 AM on April 18, 2002

Earlier thread from Jan. 24th on the "Phantom Patriot" arrest, with background on Bohemian Grove.
posted by sheauga at 7:31 PM on April 18, 2002

Hold on, YHBC, Alex Jones is the nutball? What about all the heads of state and American business leaders who go to Bohemian Grove to watch some high school pantomime with people in pagan costumes dancing around doing mock sacrifices? They're the ones you want to worry about - don't they have better places to network?
posted by skylar at 10:53 AM on April 19, 2002

Nutball. And clearly dangerous. In the case of the "Phantom Patriot", he only inspired one jackass to dress up like a Mexican wrestler and set fire to a building. The other type or crap he's peddling, though, is the same shit that inspired an even bigger jackass to blow up a building in my hometown, seven years ago today.
posted by yhbc at 11:08 AM on April 19, 2002