Crime

‘Socialist’: Media Largely Ignore Ideological Declaration by Killer of Five in West Virginia

On Tuesday, The Blaze posted extensive reports on the mass shootings in both Nevada and West Virginia.

Both stories involved elements regarding the U.S. military.  In Nevada, of course, many of the victims were in the National Guard.  The gunman’s motives, though, are still not entirely clear.

The shooter in West Virginia, who killed five people (and also an unborn fetus) in one home, seemed to voice a variety of grievances including some anger at having been rejected for military service.

Shayne Riggleman’s murderous actions are getting a great deal of media attention; however, few media outlets are including Riggleman’s self-declaration of his Socialist ideology.

Socialist: Media Largely Ignores Ideological Declaration by Killer of Five in West Virginia

Shayne Riggleman shared a great deal of his thoughts, feelings and pictures on his Facebook page.

Socialist: Media Largely Ignores Ideological Declaration by Killer of Five in West Virginia

West Virginia MetroNews notes some of what he posted in the days before the massacre:

Shayne Riggleman’s most recent Facebook entry read, “Why wouldn’t they let me join the military? I’m fully capable, and there was no career for me!” The post was made around 5:00 Monday afternoon.

A post at 5:43pm Sunday from his mobile phone read as if it was directed to somebody in particular, “and on ur machine I slur a plea for u to come home, but i know it’s too late. i should have given u a reason to stay. – deathcab for cutie.”

Previous posts also indicated a troubled and disturbed individual.  Riggleman’s posts of September 2nd.  “Revenge is a dish best served cold and God is the chef.” and “There is a direct corelation between the amount of love you have for someone and how crazy you go when you lose them.”

A day earlier, he posted this message in his status. Even a mule tries to kicks its oppressor, come on human beings stand up!”

Socialist: Media Largely Ignores Ideological Declaration by Killer of Five in West Virginia

Riggleman’s motives for murder may never fully be known.  His ex-girlfriend, Brittany Harwood, is saying that Riggleman was bipolar and not taking his medication:

Harwood shared her story with The Dominion Post and cited one incident in June, before she broke up with Riggleman, in which he reportedly threatened to go on a killing spree. She said she didn’t tell anyone at the time because she was afraid he would hurt her.

“He said, ‘I’m going to go on a shooting rampage and kill a bunch of people,’ ” she said. “He wanted to feel the power of being able to take someone’s life.”

Harwood said she thought Riggleman was serious and said he was trying to get guns. He also had previously threatened to shoot her and then kill himself, she said.

She broke up with him in August, after a three-month relationship that started when the two met at a local pet shop — both were buying supplies for their Rottweilers. Harwood said Riggleman, who she said was bipolar and not taking his medications, began stalking her and would call her all the time.

Riggleman was also apparently upset about Harwood’s friendship with one of the victims.

Still, with all the scrutiny given to mass killers in this country, very few reports have noted Riggleman’s ideology.

His Facebook profile describes him as “agnostic” and “socialist.”

If you search “Shayne Riggleman” in Google News you will get about 500 story listings.  But if you add the words “Facebook” and “socialist” — you will only get two:

Socialist: Media Largely Ignores Ideological Declaration by Killer of Five in West Virginia

Both are from the same source.

Now, Riggleman’s ideology may have nothing to do with his actions.  And it is never wise to blame the insane actions by disturbed people on their political parties or orientations.  But the media has done so time and time again if there is even a mention that a disturbed killer has ever listened to Glenn Beck or Rush Limbaugh or watched Fox News.

If Riggleman had listed “Tea Party” as his political orientation, would that have been in every headline?

If conservatives had protested, saying that the declaration of a Tea Party orientation had nothing to do with the crimes, would reporters have stopped including it?

In the end, Riggleman made horrific choices that may have had nothing to do with politics, but everything to do with cruelty:

Three other posts from September 1 seem to indicate he was leaning toward something horrific:

I mate for life, not like a penguin though. I mate for life like a praying mantis.”

“We’re not promised tomorrow…”

“I can’t catch all of you, but I can make an example out of a couple!” Seriously people be way nicer and more understanding to others. I mean we’re just human we make mistakes.”

Comments (112)

  • Ookspay
    Posted on September 7, 2011 at 2:57pm

    The MSM is a complete joke and of course they are the gate keepers as to what it is that we hear and see. Unfortunately most Americans get their news from these partisan hacks and never hear the whole story or the truth.

    The Constitution gave the press special rights and dispensations so that they would not be afraid to report the complete story. They abused that right and are now worse than no press at all, they are propagandists. Should the MSM ever succeed in it’s goal of bringing this Nation down they better have a good hiding place because they will be the first against the wall.

    Report Post » Ookspay  
    • CatB
      Posted on September 7, 2011 at 4:22pm

      If he were a TEA Party member do you think they would ignore it? Of COURSE NOT! Once again ACTUAL VIOLENCE from someone on the left and it is IGNORED by the MSM.

      TEA!

      Report Post »  
    • Thomas
      Posted on September 7, 2011 at 4:48pm

      Hoffa with his hostile language caused this to happen.

      Report Post » Thomas  
    • rangerp
      Posted on September 7, 2011 at 5:15pm

      There is a cold hard reality that the majority of violent crimes in America are commited by the people on the left.

      Simple math – over 95 percent of African Americans voted for Obama. They make up 12% of the population and commit 50% of the murders (check FBI crime stats). this is not a racist claim, it is a real claim. The left knows it is true, but they will not talke about it.

      Of the 50 percent of murders not done by African Americans, a high percent are committed by those on the system, meaning they are getting a hand out from liberal programs (welfare, foodstamps, federal housing, SSI…). These folks lean to the left.

      Conservatives I know, do not claim that blond haired nut over in Norway, nazi or skin head groups (they are actully socialist in nature).We have a disdain for these folks

      the left is in a bit of a pickle right now. When they get in a jam, they lie, or slam down the race card. They know if they lie enough, some in the middle will believe it. Thus the reason they keep telling (via the MSM) America that the tea party is violent. they have no facts or stats to back it up.

      Here is a reality that we should be ready for though. There could be some looney nut out there that does listen to right wing talk radio, watch Fox News, or have attended a tea party rally. If such a person ever commits a violent crime, every bit of the MSM (CNN, MSNBC, ANC,CBS….) are all going go hog wild and blow it all out of wack, and try to depict us all in a

      Report Post » rangerp  
    • rangerp
      Posted on September 7, 2011 at 5:25pm

      if you like humor, jump over to google images and type in the two phrases below, and see what you find

      “obama mug shot photo”
      “tea party mug shot photo”

      enlighten yourself

      Report Post » rangerp  
    • loriann12
      Posted on September 7, 2011 at 6:03pm

      Down play socialists because Obama is one, or some “ist” but create images of terror over the Tea Party which is probably close to 48% of the population. A survey revealed that 48% of Americans identify with the Tea Party more than congress, while 22% identify with Congress, and the rest aren’t sure. It’s because of their portrayal by the media. My mom brought that up, asking what I thought of the Tea Partiers being terrorists. I said, well, I was called one before, just because I’m a veteran.

      Report Post »  
    • freethinking
      Posted on September 7, 2011 at 6:08pm

      @catb DUH

      Report Post »  
    • WeeDontNeedNoSteenkingBadges
      Posted on September 7, 2011 at 6:32pm

      ANOTHER leftist mass murderer?

      Where are the Janet “Nappy” Napolitano declarations of terrorism of the left … and alerting local law enforcement to the leftist terror threat to America?

      Report Post » WeeDontNeedNoSteenkingBadges  
    • Ookspay
      Posted on September 7, 2011 at 6:51pm

      Rangerp ROFLMFAO! That’s about right.

      Report Post » Ookspay  
    • cuda4cyber
      Posted on September 7, 2011 at 11:15pm

      By MSM are you talking about the Marxist, Socialist Media AKA the Main Stream Media? They have already sealed their fate so don’t worry about them…

      Report Post »  
    • pschlentz
      Posted on September 7, 2011 at 11:22pm

      The Liberal Media are Liberal Whores and will go down with the very ship they are dismantling out in the open seas. Their families, their friends, our nation will fall into the abiss if they don’t right the ship. They are to be the Watch Dogs of Our Countries Government officials,
      NOT THEIR LAP DOGS!! They should be Ashamed of themselves!!

      Report Post »  
    • pbrenda51
      Posted on September 8, 2011 at 10:06am

      The frightening/sad thing is, I have even noticed Fox News changing a bit…….not as fair and balanced as they used to be…..not taking on certain stories that they should be…..anyone else notice?

      Report Post »  
  • Hickory
    Posted on September 7, 2011 at 2:56pm

    Most disturbed people veer to the left. They feel put upon and expect the magic whatever to come down from DC and fix what ails them. If even one level headed person rejects them, they go after the entire citizenry. They rationalize fixing everything by eliminating everyone else. After all don’t you realize who they are? Sometimes I see this in the lefties in our government.

    Report Post » Hickory  
    • Docroxall
      Posted on September 7, 2011 at 3:57pm

      Absolutely…mentally ill folks are paranoid, feel “oppressed”, and see themselves as hapless victims…I don’t know too many conversatives that would present those philosophical bents. Plenty of lib/progressives though…talk about victim-whiners. Can’t hardly stay in the room with them when they start crying about all the oppression they suffer, mostly, because I want to point out all of the f-ed up decisions they made to get them there…and the onlly oppressor in their lives, was themselves.

      Report Post »  
    • Ookspay
      Posted on September 7, 2011 at 4:36pm

      Exactly right! Great Post, you nailed it. Liberalism is a mental disorder or at least a symptom of it. It used to be that rugged individuals were the majority. Due to a kid gloves education system and a nanny state that will always wipe their nose, far too many people have made themselves helpless victims. Time for tough love, we’ll start with the Unions… ooops, did that sound violent?

      Report Post » Ookspay  
    • Protoham
      Posted on September 7, 2011 at 5:21pm

      What I have noticed from Bipolar (Manic Depressive) people is they have no respect for another persons property. And this is why they eventually end up in jail or unions.

      Report Post »  
  • KPEdwards
    Posted on September 7, 2011 at 2:54pm

    SO, just wondering which is it: him being an agnostic and a socialist is relevant; or that the news media (NB: the blaze is the news media – or at least wants to be) should ignore unrelated political character aspects?

    Because it sure sounds like you want it both ways

    Report Post »  
    • Ookspay
      Posted on September 7, 2011 at 3:01pm

      No, we want consistency and no double standards. We want the truth and not propaganda that comes from selective reporting.

      Report Post » Ookspay  
    • KPEdwards
      Posted on September 7, 2011 at 3:13pm

      Ok OOKSPAY, then in this instance, do you think the news media should report on this guy’s religion and/or political ideology?

      Report Post »  
    • 13th Imam
      Posted on September 7, 2011 at 3:24pm

      Just the True Facts. No commentary as NEWS. I can check their facts , and make my own mind up.

      Report Post » 13th Imam  
    • chalkdust
      Posted on September 7, 2011 at 3:50pm

      The story is the hypocrisy from media. This is not news granted but that is what the story is about not the kids political affiliation. The story’s assertion is that you replace the word socialist in the facebook post with Tea Party, Beck etc. and the media would have immediately blamed the Tea Party. Given numerous examples from the media, its fair to say main stream media would have done this. A fair reading of the above story reveals that the kids political views have nothing to do with his horrible choice to kill.

      Report Post » chalkdust  
    • INOGAWD
      Posted on September 7, 2011 at 4:05pm

      Nadal Hasan, Jared Loughner and mr Riggleman could be cellies,
      Lock the door and never mention their names ever again..

      Nadal Hasan

      Report Post » INOGAWD  
    • KPEdwards
      Posted on September 7, 2011 at 4:44pm

      @ CHALKDUST
      I was glad to hear your response, and I agree with your assessment of the story; if read properly it makes clear that political ideology is most likely not the cause, and of course I understand why the author uses “may” – since you don‘t want to discount things if you can’t prove they shouldn’t be considered.

      However, my issue is with the rhetoric of the piece (NB: I use the word in its Aristotle sense, and wish to emphasize there should be no connotation of this being violent rhetoric). Mainly, that the piece engages in the line of attack they believe to be inaccurate in order to demonstrate how inaccurate it is. The reason I have a problem with this, is that it breeds the impression that this man is, and I quote comments made here, “another typical, loony leftist“ or a ” part of the socialist agenda.“ The story becomes more a story of how the vague ”media” is covering up for what is perceived as some sort of grand conspiracy.

      Report Post »  
    • Nick84
      Posted on September 7, 2011 at 10:10pm

      I was wondering the same thing. I‘m also curious what the left tries to pin on the Tea Party that doesn’t at least seem reasonable to suspect them? The Loughner thing was a mistake by the media, but at least that appeared political, and there was violent Tea Party rhetoric towards that district. Are we talking about things like Byron Williams, who admitted to be influenced by Beck?

      The point is, this act doesn’t seem to be political at all. It seems to be a disgusting act by a mentally unstable person who was mad about not being allowed to get a job in the military. It’s pretty clear that has nothing to do with him being a socialist, since he didn’t target a symbol of capitalism. It‘s clear that it wasn’t about his agnosticism, seeing as how the target wasn’t a church.

      Report Post »  
  • KickinBack
    Posted on September 7, 2011 at 2:53pm

    No surprise here.

    Report Post » KickinBack  
  • grudgywoof
    Posted on September 7, 2011 at 2:46pm

    Just like the shooting at IHOP………..war is going to be ugly in this country because it’s not muskets and bayonets this time. We are all armed to the teeth and it’s just going to be bloody. Pray for our children because the reaper is about to visit in America. I live on top of a civil war battle field (on battle road no less) in Tennessee where General Wheeler duked it out and thousands were killed. History (unfortunatly) is about to repeat but with a much higher toll. Lord God help us all

    Report Post » grudgywoof  
    • RabidPatriot
      Posted on September 7, 2011 at 3:02pm

      There is not enough law enforcement or National Guard to declare martial law on American citizens. They could do it for a short time on a city like New York of D.C. The problem is, most law enforcement and military people are conservatives. They would identify more with the oppressed people rather than a tyrant President. We see the police clashing with anarchists and liberal trouble makers all the time. They wouldn’t fight their own people so willingly. There are plenty of liberal cops but they are usually hiding from danger doing admin jobs.

      Report Post » RabidPatriot  
  • cookcountypatriot
    Posted on September 7, 2011 at 2:44pm

    hes a socialist like waters,jackson ,wright,pelosi,wiener,msnbc,nbc,abc,cbs and the list goes on.,,im sure behind closed doors the above mentioned are celebrating,..a socialist is nothing more than a porogressive white slave

    Report Post » cookcountypatriot  
  • TH30PH1LUS
    Posted on September 7, 2011 at 2:38pm

    The Radical Left keeps ingniting sparks (socialist who flew his plane into the IRS, Van Jones, Maxine Waters, Hoffa, idiots like this Riggleman…) because they’re hoping one of them will start a “fire” that will send America into a second Civil-War. Except it won’t be “civil”. FED will be in panic mode and declare martial law. They’ll made a grab for guns and then things will get really nasty.

    Sorry, don’t mean to be a Debbie-Downer, just sayin’ I could see it unrolling just like that.

    Report Post » TH30PH1LUS  
    • AR_OR_AK
      Posted on September 7, 2011 at 10:05pm

      You’re not the only one. All of us preppers see the writing on the wall. If we’re right, then we’ll be better prepared than most. And if we’re wrong? Well, I now have some neat camping gear and a stockpile of food and water…. which came in handy. My wife had surgury last week, so we ate from the stockpile and compensated her loss of income by not buying groceries last week. And for all the guns and bullets?… Lots of fun shooting 20 oz coke bottles at 100 yards last week too. I have enough to do that a few more times.

      Report Post »  
  • Bigolfascist
    Posted on September 7, 2011 at 2:38pm

    Yeah, I remember when the first videos of the New York “Almost Bomber” were seen, he was discribed as a “…a white male in his 40s…..“ IMMEDIATELY the old ”lone wolf White extremist”, “Timothy McVeigh” references were out in full force, and innuendos about possible Tea Party ties gleefully shouted as left wingers climaxed thinking of the possibilities.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yRmPTN07Iz4&feature=player_embedded

    Report Post » Bigolfascist  
  • hauschild
    Posted on September 7, 2011 at 2:33pm

    Another typical, loony leftist.

    Report Post »  
  • Gypsy123
    Posted on September 7, 2011 at 2:30pm

    He is part of the socialist agenda and the media will never let any one know.

    Report Post » Gypsy123  
    • cessna152
      Posted on September 7, 2011 at 2:41pm

      …But people will find out. Slowly but surely, they will find out. Communists/Nazis have only taken over people that are dependent on government, this is the first time trying it on a free people. That is why their lies, slander and arrogance will only go so far.

      Report Post » cessna152  
  • staggerlee32
    Posted on September 7, 2011 at 2:30pm

    He’s wearing a Grateful Dead T-shirt……without Jerry Garcia they called themselves “The Dead” (among other names) and played for Obama. I grew up going to GD concerts and all my old friends can‘t believe i’m not a lefty commie pinky.

    Report Post » staggerlee32  
    • Ookspay
      Posted on September 7, 2011 at 3:05pm

      Somebody has to “babysit”…(Obscure LSD reference)

      Report Post » Ookspay  
  • capecodsully
    Posted on September 7, 2011 at 2:30pm

    If his car had a flat tire a mile down the road from a Tea Party barbecue, Ed Schultz and Rachel Madcow would have been all over it.

    Report Post »  
  • olddog
    Posted on September 7, 2011 at 2:29pm

    You people calling for the lib media to tell the truth are wasting your time, That will Never happen..

    Report Post » olddog  
    • AvengerK
      Posted on September 7, 2011 at 2:43pm

      The actions of a mentally disturbed individual should be taken for what they are. Their reality differs from the real world and they cannot control their compulsions, hence the conversation should be about how mental illness is treated. Having said that…had Riggleman posted “conservative” as his politics, the media right now would be in a feeding frenzy. The talking heads on MSLSD and CNN and their allied outlets would be bringing on their “experts” around the clock, to tell us all how dangerous the “rhetoric” is and how dangerous the tea parties are…make no mistake about this. But because Riggleman posted “socialist” as his politics..it’s swept quietly and quickly under the rug in the hopes that the story fades from the newscycle. The disgusting and professionally and morally bankrupt American media.

      Report Post »  
    • ghost-of-elvis
      Posted on September 7, 2011 at 5:46pm

      I am against pretty much everything, no everything obama is implementing but If you really think your getting the whole truth—ever, than I have some magic beans and $25 “obama money” to trade for all your food, water and ammo.

      Report Post » ghost-of-elvis  
  • commonsenseguy
    Posted on September 7, 2011 at 2:26pm

    the media can keep quiet all the want, we knew the truth ,we know that the media only covers { demonizes } the conservatives, not their own, that would make them look bad, { o yeah, they can’t look any worse, they are all crooked. it is not like 10 or 15 years ago,when what ever the media said was the held as right or the truth, we all have access to the internet, and the media can’t hide their lies, we are the dumb sheep they think we are, so let them say and do what they want to, we know the truth,and we also knew that the media is more communist than ever.

    Report Post »  
    • ScreaminEagle
      Posted on September 7, 2011 at 3:37pm

      I said it before, It’s the Communist Republic Of West Virginia. With Senators Rockefeller, and Manchin what would you expect? This is just the beginning. Prepare!

      Report Post » ScreaminEagle  
  • biohazard23
    Posted on September 7, 2011 at 2:25pm

    Wow, a lefty who went crazy. Who woulda thunk it??

    Report Post » biohazard23  
  • Steve
    Posted on September 7, 2011 at 2:22pm

    If he we’re a devout Christian or a Tea Party supporter this would have been on every news channel and front page of all the rags. But he wasn‘t and it’s not.

    As far as wanting a career he was a socialist. He would have fit right in with the present WH administration.

    It’s sad that lives were lost but I do have one question. Why are they charging him for the murder of an unborn fetus? If thats the case what about the hundreds of millions of unborn fetus whose brains are sucked out, skulls collapsed and ripped from the females womb all in the name of choice. If the fetus has no value by choice then what value does he/she have by incident?

    Report Post »  
    • WVBeagleMom
      Posted on September 7, 2011 at 5:37pm

      They are not charging him with the death of the unborn child. He killed himself in Kentucky when the police tried to pull him over.

      Report Post »  
    • Steve
      Posted on September 7, 2011 at 6:57pm

      So if he was on trial (and yes I know he’s dead) he would only have 4 counts of murder against him?

      Report Post »  
  • Locked
    Posted on September 7, 2011 at 2:22pm

    “Now, Riggleman’s ideology may have nothing to do with actions. And it is never wise to blame the insane actions by disturbed people with their political parties or orientations. But the media has done so time and time again if there is even a mention that a disturbed killer has ever listened to Glenn Beck or Rush Limbaugh or watched Fox News.”

    … maybe because unlike some other killers, he never quoted prominent talking heads, didn’t describe his hatred for Muslims, nor did he write a giant manifesto calling for the reestablishment of Christendom in Europe? Just a thought.

    Report Post »  
  • Alan
    Posted on September 7, 2011 at 2:20pm

    all socialists are nuts

    Report Post »  
  • freeweever
    Posted on September 7, 2011 at 2:19pm

    The idea that we know what is going on and don’t even do anything but these idiots who know nothing at all what is going on do way too much. That shows the difference between the mind of an American Republic and the minds of a marxist democracy,“progressive socialism”.

    Report Post » freeweever  
  • The Divided States of America
    Posted on September 7, 2011 at 2:18pm

    I wonder if he got a chance to play that new socialist zombie game before he went on his demonic rampage ?

    Report Post » The Divided States of America  
  • Gonzo
    Posted on September 7, 2011 at 2:17pm

    The double standard is obvious. It has been for years. If the average American paid as much attention to the world around them as they do sports and American Idol, the double standard could not exist. Apathy is bringing this country down. Wake up America, before it’s too late.

    Report Post » Gonzo  
  • NotFooled
    Posted on September 7, 2011 at 2:16pm

    I am so tired of the (Dem)onic liberal media cover ups. Tell the truth!

    Report Post » NotFooled  
  • thegreatcarnac
    Posted on September 7, 2011 at 2:14pm

    He was a leftist…HHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHA

    Report Post »  
    • NotFooled
      Posted on September 7, 2011 at 2:20pm

      So was the guy in Arizona and the one at Virginia tech. A common pattern is emerging. It makes sense. Hitler was a leftist, so was Stalin. Heck it was the Democrats who found the KKK through the Red Shirt League in1876.

      Report Post » NotFooled  
    • MrButcher
      Posted on September 7, 2011 at 2:27pm

      @notfooled

      The only pattern emerging is the Decline of America.

      Everyone is to blame.

      cheers

      Report Post » MrButcher  
    • Karlsan
      Posted on September 7, 2011 at 3:04pm

      Being a Texan, I, like Rick Perry, believe in gun control. Use two hands!

      Report Post »  
  • thegreatcarnac
    Posted on September 7, 2011 at 2:11pm

    Here comes the obama sycophants calling for more gun control. The constitution is clear. You cannot keep the population at large from owning weapons. This regime wants to blame the regular law-abiding gun owners ( and there are millions and millions) for the actions of black gangbangers, mexican narco-gangmembers, and Nuts like this guy. Will not happen.

    Report Post »  
    • cessna152
      Posted on September 7, 2011 at 2:16pm

      Some invest in Gold… I invest in lead.

      Report Post » cessna152  
    • cemerius
      Posted on September 7, 2011 at 2:30pm

      Come on? You know that its the gun that kills people? Why hold people accountable for their actions? Maybe they didn’t get a pony when they were a child? LOL….who am I kidding I can’t even fake this….Keep your powder dry and your aim true!

      Report Post » cemerius  
    • bhelmet
      Posted on September 7, 2011 at 2:49pm

      If you are a lefty and cannot explain why – outside of that’s what my teachers and professors taught me to be or the whole social justice thing (no justice or liberty in ANY Socialist regime EVER) – then you should be deemed crazy and not allowed to own weapons. That would cut down on 90% of the violence.

      J/K – I do not advocate anything like this b/c I know it would be used by people whose only interest is to gain power and control. Just have a way to PROTECT yourself from nuts like this.

      Report Post » bhelmet  
  • cessna152
    Posted on September 7, 2011 at 2:09pm

    “Revenge is a dish best served cold and God is the chef.”

    Now the MSM will say he is a Right wing Crazy Christian who hears from God. I hate the media… freaking liars!

    Report Post » cessna152  

Sign In To Post Comments! Sign In