Census worker hanged with the word ‘fed’ scrawled on his body.
By on Sep 23rd, 2009 at 6:00 pm
Census worker hanged with the word ‘fed’ scrawled on his body.
The AP is reporting that Bill Sparkman, a 51-year-old part-time Census field worker and occasional teacher, was found hanged to death in Kentucky with the word “fed” was scrawled on the dead man’s chest. Investigators are still trying to determine the motive, but “law enforcement officers have told the agency the matter is ‘an apparent homicide.’” “Our job is to determine if there was foul play involved — and that’s part of the investigation — and if there was foul play involved, whether that is related to his employment as a census worker,” said FBI spokesman David Beyer.
Update A subsequent investigation concluded the Sparkman committed suicide.
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someone from the FBI should pay a visit to Michelle Bachman’s house
September 23rd, 2009 at 6:02 pmHow soon till they tell me that he did it himselfs to make the kooks and weirdos look bad?
September 23rd, 2009 at 6:03 pm“Our job is to determine if there was foul play involved — and that’s part of the investigation — and if there was foul play involved, whether that is related to his employment as a census worker,”
– - Looks like Chief Inspector Clouseau now works out of Kentucky.
September 23rd, 2009 at 6:06 pmIt would be easy to make rash pronouncements about this case, given all the antipathy directed towards the Census by some on the Right. But let’s wait until an investigation has determined what was behind this case.
September 23rd, 2009 at 6:06 pmThis comment has been voted down. Click to read.
Who didn’t see this coming?
How many more people will have to die before the mainstream media actually starts questioning some of the radical statements from Republicans like Michelle Bachmann?
September 23rd, 2009 at 6:07 pmI was going to post a comment on the “solidarity with Bachman” article below, but it’s more relevant here.
September 23rd, 2009 at 6:09 pmShe was the one who told people that census workers would be collecting information to lock up republicans in “re-education camps” when the time came from this administration.
Any questions now Fox news?
Politically Superior says:
Let’s not jump to conclusions yet.
– - NOW is the time to jump to conclusions. Jumping to them later when the facts are in is rather pointless, don’t you see that?
September 23rd, 2009 at 6:10 pmIs this the start of Civil War 2.0? I hope not.
September 23rd, 2009 at 6:11 pmSo it begins?
September 23rd, 2009 at 6:12 pmThis comment has been voted down. Click to read.
This comment has been voted down. Click to read.
Why are we trying to help these people? Census workers should avoid heavily redneck right-wing Republicans areas. If they don’t want to be counted, and thus lose their representation and federal assistance, so be it.
September 23rd, 2009 at 6:16 pmArctic Ghetto says:
Is this a test? Come on TP you posted this way to early.
– - Too early? The guy will still be dead tomorrow. What’s early is how we react to the story. Or don’t.
September 23rd, 2009 at 6:16 pmInvestigators are still trying to determine the motive…
*******************************************************
Who’s investigating this case…the Keystone Kops? I’d have thought that the word “FED” pinned to the man’s chest would be a pretty damn good indicator regarding a likely motive.
Let’s look at it this way…if the word in question had been an epithet aimed at the victim’s race or sexual orientation, would the motive be similarly indeterminate at this point? Maybe…but I very much doubt it.
September 23rd, 2009 at 6:17 pmIn any case, this man was the victim of another’s fear and distrust of his own government.
A very sad thing.
September 23rd, 2009 at 6:20 pmWhat that spokesman said isn’t doubletalk. They really have to make sure someone didn’t murder him for whatever other reason, and hang the ‘Fed’ sign on him in trying to throw the cops off the real trail.
It doesn’t look good. But if his girlfriend’s husband or his wife’s lover did it…
September 23rd, 2009 at 6:20 pmI would caution people that evidently this report is based on a second-hand statement by one police officer and it isn’t even clear that “FED” was on the victim’s chest.
I’m as disgusted with Bachman’s paranoid hate speech as anyone, but I’m not sure this is what it seems to be yet.
But, right wing hate speech has already led to murders this year so it’s not surprising that we jump to conclusions.
September 23rd, 2009 at 6:22 pmI’m saving this one in my “Civil War II” file.
Thanks for all the hopeful admonitions about caution.
September 23rd, 2009 at 6:22 pmI can delete it later, if warranted.
I believe, and fear, that we’re going to see a lot more of this. This is the fruit of the extreme rhetoric of Michele Bachmann, Glenn Beck, and the rest of the gang. Of course, they’ll angrily deny any responsibility.
September 23rd, 2009 at 6:24 pmIf this what it looks like Michelle Bachmann and her ilk must accept responsibility. Their continuous pandering to the lowest common denominator of Republican supporters. These people are easily whipped up into a paranoid, delusional state. These people make good fodder for Fox News but lack the capacity to understand political hyperbole and differentiate that from a true threat! Bachmann especially has ratcheted up the irrationality quotient for the census!
September 23rd, 2009 at 6:24 pmIt would be, bluestocking, which is why it would also make an exquisite misdirection ploy in an unrelated crime. Lots of things could have happened. Robbery, domestic conflict, mistaken identity, drug deal gone bad… I’m not trying to indict the character of the unfortunate victim; I’m just saying the temptation is great to judge without all the facts and should be resisted.
Remember how foolish the righties looked when that idiot girl scratched a backwards “B” in her cheek and claimed Obama supporters attacked her and they all shrieked indignantly?
I think we ought to approach this soberly and let the facts guide our response as they emerge.
September 23rd, 2009 at 6:24 pmPolitically Superior says:
Young Republicans: Opposed to gay marriage, in favor of lynching census workers.
September 23rd, 2009 at 6:25 pmWell ya know some o’ dem back woodsmen are none to fond of any kind of fed, be they revenuers or counters. If’n I was one o’dem counters, I’d want a posse ta foller me to ensure my safety. Yep that’s what I’d ask fer.
Dumb hillbillies. Never did make the connection twixt the countin’ and money. Oh well must be Repuglicans.
September 23rd, 2009 at 6:26 pmThe radical reichwingnut fringe and Beckerheads are coming unleashed. The FBI should be monitoring the Beck show as well all hate talk on the right and left. Let’s be fair.
September 23rd, 2009 at 6:27 pmSad no matter what but this is pretty much Deliverance territory so I wouldn’t read anything into the news at the moment other than that the poor guy is dead. You have a lot of people down there whose dislike of the federal government dates back long before anyone heard of Obama and tends to have more to do with the assumption that everyone working for the government is with ATF or DEA than anything else.
September 23rd, 2009 at 6:28 pmI will make this one prediction:
IF this turns out to be what it appears, and a Census worker was murdered because of anti-government fervor whipped up by some who should have been more responsible with their rhetoric, those people who should have been more responsible, will fail to take any responsibility for their role in creating the atmosphere necessary for such a heinous crime.
September 23rd, 2009 at 6:30 pmLet’s not jump to conclusions yet.
—
September 23rd, 2009 at 6:31 pmYou mean like gay marriage yielding the erosion of society? It is okay as you mature so does your capacity for consistency of thought…
Odd that I can’t find anything about this story on the fox site…..
September 23rd, 2009 at 6:32 pmYou stupid piece of useless, sh|t!
How is Sept. 12 “too early” a$$h0le licker? Where do you get a major in assh0le stupidity??? You phucktard!!!!
From the AP:
Why did it take 11 days for this story to surface??????
September 23rd, 2009 at 6:32 pm#4/#22
Couldn’t have said it better. There will be plenty of time to condemn Bachmann and her ilk if investigations confirm our suspicions about this hanging. Until then may cooler heads prevail.
September 23rd, 2009 at 6:35 pmbecause there’s nothing more dangerous,
than actually knowing who we are.
September 23rd, 2009 at 6:36 pmDraw donsclusions, don’t draw conclusions the real big picture is some piece of sh-t killed this poor man. My thoughts first go out to his family and friends. For the moment, screw the politics.
September 23rd, 2009 at 6:36 pmIt appears they didn’t release the details of the murder until today.
September 23rd, 2009 at 6:37 pmHi fear nada
September 23rd, 2009 at 6:38 pmI’ll teach you fear. Are you ready? Actually we both know that this is just new verse same as the first. So what is your next name gonna be?
fear everything says:
SQUIRREL!!!
September 23rd, 2009 at 6:40 pmfear nada says:
MORON
September 23rd, 2009 at 6:40 pmi see some motive all right.
it has a “30.” immediately to its left,
and a dead squirrel clamped in its mangy muzzle.
September 23rd, 2009 at 6:40 pmThis comment has been voted down. Click to read.
fear nada says:
Is it physically painful to you to be so stupid? Dont you get embarassed being such an ignorant punkass troll and worthless pile of dogshit? Did you take pills or special classes to be so stupid or was it a gift? Why dont you just STFU since you are far too stupid to be in an adult conversation
September 23rd, 2009 at 6:41 pmhihacked name of Fl business? Real owner of Fl business? Bullshit brow sweater?
September 23rd, 2009 at 6:42 pmF ried
Eggplant
Noshur,
right kws???
gfy – dolt.
September 23rd, 2009 at 6:42 pmHey kwsventures,
Is this your company or are you dragging their name into the ditch???
KWS Ventures
September 23rd, 2009 at 6:42 pm5247 Mare Creek Dr
Crestview, FL 32539-8887(Fort Walton Beach, FL Metro Area)
Phone: (850) 423-0606
having been both places,
and
speaking as an ordinary white guy,
i’d sooner take a stroll after dark on Chicago’s South Side,
than down a county road in rural Kentucky.
September 23rd, 2009 at 6:44 pmi’ll have to be excused for 44
intended “delight”, but was peckish for a little
noshur.
goatfish sounds good for some reason.
September 23rd, 2009 at 6:45 pmMaybe the billyhill couldnt spell teacher but could spell fed
September 23rd, 2009 at 6:46 pmDr Venture is just an ignoramus who knows he is too stupid to contribute so acts the troll since it is all he is capable of
September 23rd, 2009 at 6:47 pmThis comment has been voted down. Click to read.
PoliticallySTUPID
Watch out moron. You might offend humanity with your abject stupidity
September 23rd, 2009 at 6:48 pmThis comment has been voted down. Click to read.
Politically Superior:
September 23rd, 2009 at 6:50 pmWhich of the regualrs are homosexual?
I recommend clicking on the link above that gives some background on the victim.
He sounds like a remarkable man.
September 23rd, 2009 at 6:51 pmHey, stupid, what part of NO don’t you understand. Gosh, you are dumb. Scary dumb.
—
September 23rd, 2009 at 6:51 pmAn easy solution would be to point us all to that web presence of that business you have worked so hard to build. Weird what with that name coincidence…
Here we are, the 21st century. Not only are people being killed because of racism and fear of a government they are a part of, we have people playing dumb like it is a surprise.
kws, go find a very deep dark hole to hide in. People like you are responsible for this. You have no empathy, no compassion, no heart. You revel in this sort of thing. May you have it visited on you in equal measure at some time in your pitiful existence.
September 23rd, 2009 at 6:52 pmToo late.
September 23rd, 2009 at 6:52 pmSo if you fear nada I suppose you wouldn’t mind a chat?
September 23rd, 2009 at 6:52 pmtime to frog walk batshit shelley cuffed and stuffed down the steps of the capitol.
September 23rd, 2009 at 6:52 pmfear everything, if it hurts your eyes to see the truth (not surprising for a troll) you can just click on over to Drudge or Freepers.
Problem solved.
September 23rd, 2009 at 6:53 pmwanna see “fear nada” disappear?
September 23rd, 2009 at 6:54 pmask him for a credible link to his drivel. apparently, he fears that.
A better question would be which ones aren’t?
—
September 23rd, 2009 at 6:54 pmOkay which ones aren’t and how can you tell?
An even better question would be what does it matter?
September 23rd, 2009 at 6:54 pmfear nada says:
“Which of the regualrs [sic] are homosexual?
A better question would be which ones aren’t?”
why, you looking for a date, beyotch? do what every other repukeliscum does and hangout in an airport bathroom.
September 23rd, 2009 at 6:55 pmkwsventures,
So you admit you are dragging the name of this company
KWS Ventures
5247 Mare Creek Dr
Crestview, FL 32539-8887(Fort Walton Beach, FL Metro Area)
Phone: (850) 423-0606
into a sh|t lined ditch, right?
I’m sure they would like to stop your stupid, racist, fascist sh|t!!!!!
And sue you into a sh|t lined ditch.
September 23rd, 2009 at 6:55 pmPS. you sad, sad loon.
September 23rd, 2009 at 6:55 pmfear nada says:
My GOD you are stupid. You wouldnt know the truth if it slapped your face and slept with your rubber dolly. You are an incredibly stupid piece of garbage. Just STFU. The only thing you accomplish here is showing how staggeringly stupid you are. This may or may not be what it looks like but you CERTAINLY are what you look like. Stupid, brainwashed and pathetic
September 23rd, 2009 at 6:56 pmThis comment has been voted down. Click to read.
why do so many hateful righty dummies
rush to the defense of murder?
September 23rd, 2009 at 6:57 pmThis comment has been voted down. Click to read.
fear nada fears me….
September 23rd, 2009 at 6:58 pmfear nada says:
A better question for who? Oh of course cowardly closet case morons like YOU. The stupidest people on the planet. Desperatly wishing it werent pictures of Tom Cruise you were masterbating to while you cry at night about how lonely, stupid and pathetic you are
September 23rd, 2009 at 6:58 pmHave you ever looked at a PlayBoy?
September 23rd, 2009 at 6:59 pmWhy isn’t this a national story? Beck is so interested in kooky conspiracies, why isn’t he on this case?
http://www.political-buzz.com/
September 23rd, 2009 at 6:59 pmJust the mention of Shame Handjobbity and KKKarl and the trolls show up like it’s rush hour at Grand Central Station!!
September 23rd, 2009 at 7:01 pmfear nada fears todos.
September 23rd, 2009 at 7:01 pmhAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAH, thew assclown @71 is asking me for proof? that’s rich.
other than her ginning up fear of the census in general? you’re right, i have nothing http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ga_hsdGRew8
September 23rd, 2009 at 7:01 pmnot to fill in for backup here,
but,
given the locale, that man may have been killed by a redneck weed farmer too.
it’s wrong no matter how you slice it though,
and only a sociopathic righty would appempt to detract from that.
September 23rd, 2009 at 7:01 pmLet’s go fear nada… Please tell me you aren’t a wannabe. Oh yea you are that same wannabe…
September 23rd, 2009 at 7:01 pmappempt.
i’m funny.
September 23rd, 2009 at 7:02 pmShh. I think I hear them. Listen. That way. Tapping sound. Mens restroom.
fear nada, go in there and see if they are looking at Playboy magazines.
September 23rd, 2009 at 7:03 pmfear nads
has neither the nads, nor the brains, to hold his own here.
September 23rd, 2009 at 7:04 pmfear nothing is “standing up for” batshit crazy shelley because in his delusional world, once she finds out he stuck up for her, she’ll want to sleep with him.
September 23rd, 2009 at 7:04 pmfear nada says:
Which of the regualrs [sic] are homosexual?
A better question would be which ones aren’t?
How in the world could that possibly matter? I’d love to hear your answer.
September 23rd, 2009 at 7:04 pmWayne A. Schneider
Wayne you know how much I respect your sophisticated nonsophmoric approach but you are not dealing with an adult mind here. Expect nothing remotely intelligent as a response. It might be best if I just continue to lay the Jersey punk hammer down on this lame ass…
Best to the two of you…
September 23rd, 2009 at 7:07 pmWayne A. Schneider says:
Really? You would love to hear his answer? You are saying you want to voluntarily take your mind into that sad disturbing place where fearnads thinks that statement makes sense? As for ME. I will pass
September 23rd, 2009 at 7:07 pmI hope fear todos realizes that, if he gets at all aroused by pictures of Crazy Shelley, that would be pornographic, and it means he’s gay.
September 23rd, 2009 at 7:07 pmhe’s trolling for dates, wayne
September 23rd, 2009 at 7:07 pmSee the one that fears nothing elects to vote down rather than engage. What does that say of fear?
September 23rd, 2009 at 7:08 pmyou know, ralph,
September 23rd, 2009 at 7:09 pmshe’s such a tart, always appearing with her pearl necklace, worn tightly around her neck so her eyes bug out of her head. very freudian. no wonder rubes like fear everything fantasize about batshit bachmann.
Which of the regualrs [sic] are homosexual?
– - We’re ALL naked, gay, Bhuddist sailors in wheelchairs.
September 23rd, 2009 at 7:11 pm****
any comment
congresswoman bachmann?
:|
September 23rd, 2009 at 7:11 pmFrom watching the wingnuts over the past years, I’ve learned to be skeptical about lurid crimes chock full of political references. But it’s not looking good so far…
September 23rd, 2009 at 7:12 pm***
send all the troll urls to the f.b.i.
**
they all sound like suspects to me.
:|
September 23rd, 2009 at 7:14 pmSo here’s the deal fear nada.
September 23rd, 2009 at 7:15 pmI have a free meal awaiting me at a local pub. I’ll be back in due time. I figure we need to talk otherwise you just became a new toy. I will screw with you relentlessly till you change names yet again unless you can pony up some balls and some effort to be a positive contributor. Opposing ideas are great. Lame ass crap not so much. So do we wanna come to an understanding or will you just be choosing a new name yet again when I am done. We have done this dance way too many times and you know how it always ends…
This would make sense – given that the infamous twajie (among others) is also Floridian. Maybe Reggie knows more about their peninsular “he-man-everything-haters” club.
September 23rd, 2009 at 7:15 pmA federal employee is lynched and the media turns a blind eye.
A couple of bored, none-too-bright workers for a community organization are caught on tape looking none-too-bright, and it hijacks the national press.
What the hell is wrong with the level of discourse in this country?
September 23rd, 2009 at 7:17 pmHe was found September 12th… ???
September 23rd, 2009 at 7:19 pmCongratulations Michelle Bachman, you’ve done your job and now some innocent has died because of it.
Republicans are scum.
September 23rd, 2009 at 7:22 pmwhere’d my new boytoy “fear everything go? is he out toe-tapping at the local truck stop’s mens room?
September 23rd, 2009 at 7:28 pmthe rightwingers at redstate are already sure it’s a false flag operation designed to make them look bad:
http://blahgblog.wordpress.com/2009/09/23/census-worker-found-dead-rightwingers-worry-this-could-make-them-look-bad/
September 23rd, 2009 at 7:32 pmthey think that about everything.
September 23rd, 2009 at 7:36 pmIt’s possible. After all, they know that they’d certainly be capable of something like that. But I think it’s unlikely.
Still, I’m comfortable waiting for more definitive information to come out of the investigation before reaching a conclusion.
September 23rd, 2009 at 7:41 pm(Just to be clear: I meant that the right-wingers know that they would be capable of such a false-flag operation. I don’t know if that was confusing.)
September 23rd, 2009 at 7:44 pmralph the wonder llama @ 106:
Ya, definitely. It is too early to say anything definitive about the motive here.
But it is interesting to see how they react to it. And you’re right, their reaction says a lot about them and the way they think.
September 23rd, 2009 at 7:44 pmat the risk of sounding callous, if there wasn’t a mullet, a moustache, or a t-shirt with an eagle on it involved, i’ll eat my hat.
September 23rd, 2009 at 7:51 pmLay this one at the feet of the hate-mongering element of the media, boys!
September 23rd, 2009 at 7:52 pmDeclare martial law.
Arrest all Republicans.
September 23rd, 2009 at 7:55 pmI didn’t know only homosexuals were allowed to lick @ssholes.
I wonder if Boehner still wants to stand shoulder to shoulder with his new bcc!
September 23rd, 2009 at 7:55 pmThe article said he was found “deep in the national forest”. I wouldn’t dismiss the possibility that he stumbled upon some malicious growers. Sad that a wing nut seems just as likely.
September 23rd, 2009 at 8:02 pm113 – in kentucky there are wingnut growers.
September 23rd, 2009 at 8:04 pmHoly shit! Let’s get that jail cel ready for Bachman.
September 23rd, 2009 at 8:10 pmThis comment has been voted down. Click to read.
either that or a 9-12′er, PS
strong circumstatial cases to be made for either hypothesis.
September 23rd, 2009 at 8:16 pm9-12′ers are all up in arms these days for some reason.
they also seem to harbor a lot of antipathy toward the “fed”.
September 23rd, 2009 at 8:17 pmThe right-wingers will play the victim card. They will claim it’s some kind of left-wing conspiracy. You folks don’t think a Republican or a right-winger would take responsiblity for their actions, do you? They never have before, why would they start now?
September 23rd, 2009 at 8:19 pmThis comment has been voted down. Click to read.
Republicans are responsible for so much death. The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, being the mouthpiece for big tobacco and the insurance industy, loving the NRA (so no gun control).
Inciting individual crazies to kill peaceful citizens across the country.
Aren’t they happy yet – or do they still have more work to do?
September 23rd, 2009 at 8:28 pmhave been reading different links on the googlenews page after a search for this story… in case you didn’t know:
( http://www.southernstudies.org/2009/09/census-watch-census-worker-hanged-in-kentucky-with-fed-scrawled-on-his-chest.html )
Co-workers became worried about Sparkman when he failed to show up for a Sept. 10 work assignment at Johnson Elementary School in Laurel County, Ky., WKYT reports.
—–
Sparkman’s mother, Henrie Sparkman of Inverness, Fla., told The Associated Press [...]
She said investigators have given her few details about her son’s death — they told her the body was decomposed — and haven’t yet released his body for burial. “I was told it would be better for him to be cremated,” she said.
Henrie Sparkman said her son’s death is a mystery to her.
“I have my own ideas, but I can’t say them out loud. Not at this point,” she said. “Right now, what I’m doing, I’m just waiting on the FBI to come to some conclusion.”
—–
all things considered, everything this man has gone through, i’d say suicide could be easily ruled out…
so sad… sincere condolences to his son, mother and all family and friends…
September 23rd, 2009 at 8:36 pmAfter reading the rest of the way down this, I’m just going to drop it. This crime is simply too horrific to risk playing politics with. Whatever the motivations behind the killing, it’s extremely unlikely that there could be any justification to lay blame on anyone else. Sparkman didn’t sign up to be a martyr for your cause, my cause, or anybody else’s cause. Let’s just respect him and his family by refraining from the reflex to point fingers at our opponents.
September 23rd, 2009 at 8:39 pmHats off to the census takers, who get paid very little, to do a job mandated by our constitution.
They try to count those that are to stupid to understand why it is important for them to be counted. This person may have given his live to help fulfil our constitution. He deserves a Congressional Medal of Honor for his sacrifice.
September 23rd, 2009 at 8:41 pmTo all those people saying not to jump to conclusions:
Fine. I’m outraged, but I know that I can hold my tongue while investigations are being performed. I’m seething on the inside, but if the police needs to go the whole nine yards to prove this case without a shadow of a doubt, I’ll swallow my anger.
But if we find out that this was a hate crime? OH IT’S ON. You trolls better be wearing asbestos.
September 23rd, 2009 at 8:45 pmElBruce @ 123
Certainly no one should use this tragedy for political purposes. It is interesting to note how the rightwingers are already, reflexively, doing so — see my link in comment #104.
September 23rd, 2009 at 8:46 pm[...]
Posted by Whet Moser on Wed, Sep 23, 2009 at 6:10 PM
An AP dispatch about a teacher and census worker who was found hanged with “FED” scrawled on his chest is starting to make the rounds on blogs and Twitter. Given all the heat about 9-12 protests/the census/ACORN people are starting to leap to vague conclusions. I’m going on vacation for a few days so I don’t know exactly how it’s going to play out, but I think this comment at Pandagon is very smart:
“I’d be wary before jumping to conclusions on this: the Daniel Boone National Forest is a hotbed for pot growers and meth labs and archaeological looters (Harper’s—subscribers only, alas) and there’s a distrust of anyone considered connected to the federal government, including Forest Rangers and local cops.”
More: “A story about lawlessness in the park that appeared in Harper’s magazine last year reported that attacks and threats against Forest Service employees there have increased more than fivefold in the past decade.”
[...]
http://www.chicagoreader.com/TheBlog/archives/2009/09/23/hanged-census-worker-next-weeks-political-outrage
lots of links there… use caution…
September 23rd, 2009 at 8:50 pmAh that haddock and chips was good. Ya gotta have the malt vinegar. Now where is that fear nada…
September 23rd, 2009 at 8:51 pmMr. Sparkman was not counting people in the National Forest. He was taken there whether he was dead or alive. The likely culprits will probably found in the last neighborhood he was canvassing.
September 23rd, 2009 at 9:00 pmwhoa.
rachel is leading with this story as ‘breaking news’.
September 23rd, 2009 at 9:01 pmThis man was a single father, over came cancer and was working two jobs to make ends meet. How sad that we give one nano second of our time to a childish and/or hated filled individual.
September 23rd, 2009 at 9:02 pm#131 Clarification–the childish hate filled individual I spoke of is the troll that posted vile words NOT Mr. Sparkman
September 23rd, 2009 at 9:07 pm[...]
Gilbert Acciardo, a retired Kentucky state trooper who directs an after-school program at the elementary school where Sparkman was a frequent substitute teacher, said he had warned Sparkman to be careful when he did his Census work.
“I told him on more than one occasion, based on my years in the state police, ‘Mr. Sparkman, when you go into those counties, be careful because people are going to perceive you different than they do elsewhere,’” Acciardo said.
“Even though he was with the Census Bureau, sometimes people can view someone with any government agency as ‘the government.’ I just was afraid that he might meet the wrong character along the way up there,” Acciardo said.
Acciardo said he became suspicious when Sparkman didn’t show up for work at the after-school program for two days and went to police. Authorities immediately initiated an investigation, he said.
“He was such an innocent person,” Acciardo said. “I hate to say that he was naive, but he saw the world as all good, and there’s a lot of bad in the world.”
[...]
Appalachia scholar Roy Silver, a New York City native now living in Harlan County, Ky., said he doesn’t sense an outpouring of anti-government sentiment in the region as has been exhibited in town hall meetings in other parts of the country.
“I don’t think distrust of government is any more or less here than anywhere else in the country,” said Silver, a sociology professor at Southeast Community College.
September 23rd, 2009 at 9:30 pm[...]
http://abcnews.go.com/print?id=8656394
Purple State, fair enough.
September 23rd, 2009 at 9:30 pmThe Census Bureau to keep itself safe could get the tally on the number of the neocons in our country just by going to the local welfare office. See?
September 23rd, 2009 at 9:32 pmAnd who wants to bet the killer(s) ARE GLENN BECK WORSHIPERS!
September 23rd, 2009 at 9:33 pmNote to Faiz, pictures are hung and men are hanged.
September 23rd, 2009 at 9:39 pmAre you friggin’ kidding me? How many ways are there to hang someone that don’t involve foul play? They’ve already determined it wasn’t a self inflicted hate crime. I used to think the FBI was pretty okay. They’ve certainly shaken my confidence in the last 8 years.
September 23rd, 2009 at 9:42 pmGodspeed Mr. Sparkman.
September 23rd, 2009 at 9:46 pmWhile it is still unknown how or why this man died, you won’t find even a small mention of it on “Fair and Balanced” Fox News. Every other major outlet carried the story. This man may died for any number of reasons, but I would think the story might be making Fox a little nervous.
September 23rd, 2009 at 10:08 pmWonder why anyone would kill a census worker and carved the word “FED” on his chest? Answer Glenn Beck Michelle Bachmann feeding crazy stuff to right wing nutjobs http://rightwingsuperturds.blogspot.com/2009/09/wonder-why-anyone-would-kill-census.html
September 23rd, 2009 at 10:14 pmFOIA Gras says:
#4/#22
Couldn’t have said it better. There will be plenty of time to condemn Bachmann and her ilk if investigations confirm our suspicions about this hanging. Until then may cooler heads prevail.
I’m not going to wait. She should be condemned whether or not he death was caused by the floozy.
September 23rd, 2009 at 10:33 pmInstead of trying to out do the police, your thoughts and prayers should be with the family of the person. They are probably going through hell right now.
September 23rd, 2009 at 10:48 pmWord is that his body was discovered on 9/12. The same day as the Million Moron March on Washington.
September 23rd, 2009 at 11:10 pm“if there was foul play involved, whether that is related to his employment as a census worker,”
if there was foul play?
he was murdered and the word fed is on his chest so I’m willing to bet it’s related to his employment.
who’s running this investigation barney fife?
September 23rd, 2009 at 11:17 pmKaty @ 127: the pot grower motive was the first thing I thought of, and while clearly I do not know for sure what went down, that scenario seems very likely.
That being said, progressives need to walk a fine line here – if we hold our mud, the reichies will screw themselves with their usual tinfoil hat behavior, but if it appears that liberals are dogpiling on Meshuggah Bachman without probable cause, she’ll be the beneficiary of the next Joe Wilson Memorial Campaign Windfall.
September 23rd, 2009 at 11:22 pmtombaker – You are SO right – I now live in rural western KY and surely don’t go anywhere that I don’t know well. One of the posters mentioned Deliverance, and that is exactly what the area around Dan’l Boone SP is like! I’ve also lived in NYC and Boston and never felt a lick of fear walking around those cities – day or night.
September 23rd, 2009 at 11:24 pmAaaaaand the wingnut “Obama did it” conspiracy theories begin in
three… two… one…
http://www.lucianne.com/thread/?artnum=495562
September 23rd, 2009 at 11:27 pmJohn Boehner (R-OH) and Whip Eric Cantor (R-VA) had to come out and publicly support Bachman today. This story of this poor guy scratching a living hung with the word FED written on his chest. The 10 day wait before releasing any details. This story is political dynamite, and the powers to be realize its significance.
I paid a visit to red state tonight and was struck by the calloused nature of their blogs. It reminded me of school children denying culpability before the facts are known.
As far as the Republicans are concerned’ “you are known for who you sleep with”.
For Murdoch, I hope your evil rhetorical incarnations waste into obscurity, no self respecting business will want to advertise with you.
September 23rd, 2009 at 11:28 pmI hope the family of Mr Sparkman know the number of people thinking of him tonight. May God keep you!
Thank you Michelle Bachmann
September 23rd, 2009 at 11:37 pmA very touching story on Bill Sparks:
http://www.sentinel-echo.com/local/local_story_260125017.html
And then there is this one, with two excerpts from it:
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_CENSUS_WORKER_HANGED_KYOL-?SITE=KYHOP&SECTION=STATE&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT
Gilbert Acciardo, a retired Kentucky state trooper who directs an after-school program at the elementary school where Sparkman was a frequent substitute teacher, said he had warned Sparkman to be careful when he did his Census work. “I told him on more than one occasion, based on my years in the state police, ‘Mr. Sparkman, when you go into those counties, be careful because people are going to perceive you different than they do elsewhere,’” Acciardo said. “Even though he was with the Census Bureau, sometimes people can view someone with any government agency as ‘the government.’ I just was afraid that he might meet the wrong character along the way up there,” Acciardo said.
Kelsee Brown, a waitress at Huddle House, a 24-hour chain restaurant, when asked about the hanging, said she thinks the government sometimes has the wrong priorities. “Sometimes I think the government should stick their nose out of people’s business and stick their nose in their business at the same time. They care too much about the wrong things,” she said.
September 24th, 2009 at 12:04 amIF there was foul play involved?? Oh, yea, everybody writes on their own chests before killing themselves or dying of a heart attack. There is no IF here. They must find the killers and the DOJ MUST make an example of this crime.
This is indicative of the hate in this country being driven by the right wing and the uncontrolled fascist media in places that get no newspapers or any radio or TV except Fox and Rushbo. I am sure his poor family is so grateful for the love.
September 24th, 2009 at 12:15 amSounds like teabag terrorism to me.
September 24th, 2009 at 6:46 amOkay, I’ve read through a few of these comments, but gave up a while back because there are so many of them, so excuse me if I’m saying something that others have already mentioned.
As a resident of Kentucky, let me tell you a few things about the place. First of all, there is not a big anti-government sentiment around here. We have no problem with government, for the most part, as many many people in the state have direct ties with it in some fashion. Most people here are doctors, lawyers, teachers, farmers, and laborers. All of these groups tend to be Democratic, and tend to benefit from government. People who vote Republican in Kentucky do so primarily for social reasons, not anti-government reasons.
Kentucky is also one of the best places in the country to grow pot. For the same reasons that we grow good tobacco, we grow good pot. In addition, there are lots of places where one can grow large amounts of pot without getting caught. Pine trees give off heat, like cannabis, and hides the presence of the plants from the infrared helicopters. It is not uncommon to be hiking through the forest and find random pot plants. It is also not uncommon to be hiking through the forest and come across someone’s crop. Most people will just kind of laugh and move on, knowing better than to touch it.
It seems possible that this is what happened to this man. If he came across someone’s crop, and identified himself as a worker for the U.S. Census Bureau, then he signed his own death warrant.
However, it is foolish to assume that this is what happened, because it, frankly, isn’t very likely. Say what you will about bootleggers, but they’re probably smarter than you give them credit for. No self-respecting bootlegger would hang a government worker, nor would they broadcast the motive for their crime in such a way as scrawling “fed” on their body. Aside from the fact that that would put the cops onto your scent, it would also be considered a capital murder, as you have killed someone to cover up a crime, and you would be executed for that. Most would probably shoot the man and dump his body in one of the dozens of available waterways.
No, it is most likely that this is a protest of some kind by a whack job, or a crime completely unrelated to his government position and the scrawling was used to throw authorities off the trail.
September 24th, 2009 at 8:46 amSmidget @155 – I am also a resident of KY – southwestern – you sound like you are from a more populous area like Lexington or Louisville. Other points in your message also indicate a different part of the state than mine.
I do agree with you on pot being a big cash crop in the state. You forgot to mention that meth is outpacing it as number 1. Those who *indulge* in their own *produce* are not as rational and sane as those who only grow or produce for sale to others, so don’t quickly discount any of them as not being a possible murderer.
If the murder was found to be related to Sparks as a government employee, then it is a federal crime and the murderer(s) would likely (hopefully) receive a death sentence. However…..21 years ago there was a murder in this town I’m in. There was absolutely no doubt the guy did it – witnesses and evidence were overwhelming. He was sentenced to death but has gone through appeal after appeal. It was recently determined that some evidence had been withheld and he had a new trial and was free to wander our streets for almost 3 months. He was then found guilty again and is back in prison and has already started another round of appeals. He will probably die of old age in prison because the legal system is such that it allows for all these appeals.
This part of the state is definitely Republican and very anti-government at the federal level, and extremely racist. The same small group have been running everything (in and out of the political arena) in these several counties for decades.
September 24th, 2009 at 9:03 amHaving traveled the state extensively and having come across many of the low-information, low-income, backwoods people, I wouldn’t be surprised at anything that comes out of the investigation.
Actually, GreatGranny, I only WISH I lived in Lexington. I live in a town called Grayson, population 3,500, about half an hour from Ashland, in Northeast Kentucky.
Are you from London, because that’s where this happened? I know a lot of people from London, and none of them are overtly racist or stupid enough to kill a government worker and put the cops right on their trail.
My point was not that a bootlegger WOULDN’T kill someone. My point is that they wouldn’t put the cops on their trail. They’d dump the body, like they always do.
September 24th, 2009 at 9:13 amThanks for the correction Faiz. Please keep us posted on this sad story.
September 24th, 2009 at 9:59 amI live in the easternmost county of Kentucky, the Ky county of the old “Hatfield/McCoy Feud”…very close to where this tragic event happened. The average person here doesn’t fear and hate “government”; they fear and hate Democrats. I know of several Republicans who won’t vote in GOP primaries because that would mean they’d be voting against some Republicans and they can’t conceive of EVER voting against ANY Rebulican.
And though there are virtually no minorities living in this area the racism is extreme and out in the open. During the election season I quit dealing with a couple of businesses because I got tired of hearing the n-word each time I went inside. Many of these folks get ALL their news from either Faux News or from the leader of the party via radio. Imagine living inside one of the tea parties and you will be imagining where I live.
I’ll be very surprised if the killer doesn’t turn out to be a Michelle Bachman fan.
September 24th, 2009 at 11:23 amI wonder if the media will report how much time the perpetrator spent listening to hate radio !
September 24th, 2009 at 11:25 amSo all the anti-government anger and threats of violence, you know like the blood of patriots etc. has nothing to do with this?
I’m sorry, I aint buying it.
We know who these people are.
September 24th, 2009 at 11:27 amI think it is too early to say that this is a politically motivated murder. Whoever did it obviously was familiar enough with the forest to take the victim there. National parks are often used to grow pot – obviously just because you visit national parks a lot doesn’t make you a pot grower, but those who do grow it often use public land.
My guess is that whoever did this left the body with a message as a warning to others. I just don’t see someone committing murder over politics as the single motivation, but I can definitely see someone doing it over drugs.
September 24th, 2009 at 11:30 amI’m sorry, I have no problem with the possibility that the perps could have been both anti-government and pot growers or some combination.
September 24th, 2009 at 11:37 amThank you for your sharing.!
September 29th, 2009 at 6:26 amThere is no such thing a “victory” in the kinds of wars. estetik
September 30th, 2009 at 12:04 pm