Taking 'Flamewar' A Bit Too Seriously: Man Drives 1,300 Miles To Burn Down Home Of Online Critic

from the yeah,-maybe-let-that-one-go dept

Online flamewars certainly can get nasty at times, often boiling over into quite a bit of rage -- but it's still pretty rare (and amazing) to see that anger then boil over into the real world. Last year, we wrote about a case in the UK where someone drove 70 miles to attack the guy he was sparring with online. The press referred to it as "web rage," though, rage doesn't tend to last that long. Or, perhaps it does. Here in the US we do things in bigger ways, apparently. A guy in Virginia who got into a flamewar online decided to make it a bit more literal, and drove 1,300 miles to Waco, Texas to burn down the home of one of this online enemies from a (no, this isn't a joke) picture sharing community. Not only that, but the attacker took photos of each "Welcome to State X" signs and shared them online as he made his way across the country -- to let others in the community know he was serious about going after the other guy. What did the one guy do to piss the other guy off? Apparently he had different political views and posted a silly photo claiming the other guy was a nerd. Nerd or not, he's now a convicted arsonist. He's been sentenced to 7 years in prison for burning down the other guy's home -- but it doesn't sound like the intervening time or pending jail time cooled this guy down. As the sentencing was happening, the arsonist used his cameraphone to take snapshots of the guy whose home he tried to burn down, apparently to post online as well (though, the court ordered the photos destroyed). So, while the typical admonition to those engaging in flame wars is to remember that it's a real person on the other side, we'd also like to add "who may be so crazy that they'll come burn down your house."

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Anonymous Coward, Jul 27th, 2007 @ 7:43pm

i believe the comment i am looking for is, OMFG get a life people, wah wah wah you made fun of me, so what make fun back!
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I have nothing bad to say.
Anonymous Coward, Jul 27th, 2007 @ 7:45pm

This guy is a psychotic lunatic and a potential murderer. But I have to admire his genuine dedication to online photo-sharing and his follow-through and solid determination to make his point. You get a single clap, sir!
-Give me a clap, Vasili. One clap only, please.
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Anonymous Coward, Jul 27th, 2007 @ 7:47pm

Or just burn their house down.
=|
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Lucretious, Jul 27th, 2007 @ 7:55pm

it may have cost the guy dearly but he accomplished what he set out to do. That guy in Texas won't be calling anyone a nerd anytime soon.
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People have a lot of free time
Paquito, Jul 27th, 2007 @ 7:57pm

Hi, I think the subject of this post clearly explain my position regarding the news... People have a lot of free time and they're quite bored actually... And please, do not flight to Spain to hit me because of my opinion! :-) Thanks for the info and kind regards from Spain :-) Paquito. http://paquito4ever.blogspot.com
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Anonymous Coward, Jul 27th, 2007 @ 8:03pm

Not to say the guy had it coming to him, but what kind of idiot gives out his home address on an online photo sharing site?
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-_-
Hyrulio, Jul 27th, 2007 @ 8:06pm

There is no comment, there is only lol.
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Why?
ScaredOfTheMan, Jul 27th, 2007 @ 8:06pm

Is it just me, or do a disproportionately high percentage of people in Waco seem to think fires are some sort of Solution?

What is it about going to that town that makes people want to set fires?
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This is concerning..
Jimi Spier, Jul 27th, 2007 @ 8:17pm

I would be willing to bet that this man has not only been abusive to his male friends but has probably has abused any women in his life.. I hope this man stays in jail and does not get out anytime soon.. I really hope that no children were or have been involved with this man..
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Startin'
Antagonist, Jul 27th, 2007 @ 8:33pm

Oh Mike Masnick, you're such a Bush loving NERD!
Now that I got that out of the way, I've recently moved, I now live at 358 Ocean View drive, Hemshaw Indiana. You should see the place, it's beautiful! Made of dried logs and old gas tanks.
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Brett, Jul 27th, 2007 @ 8:42pm

Since when are prisoners in possession of camera phones during sentencing? All such items are taken during processing and not given back until after release as far as I know.
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eh...
PhysicsGuy, Jul 27th, 2007 @ 8:58pm

they're all a bunch of nubs.
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Re: Startin'
pyro, Jul 27th, 2007 @ 9:26pm

with a fence made out of matches and lighters?
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It's only a trailer.
Miztaken, Jul 27th, 2007 @ 10:09pm

I beat he felt good after he burnt down the man's trailer.
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Most importantly...
Elohssa, Jul 27th, 2007 @ 10:30pm

...did he save the porn?
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which grp?
darc1, Jul 27th, 2007 @ 11:05pm

I would love to review the posts that led up this! Does anyone happen to know where on Usenet this went down?
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Burning down the house
Very Nice, Jul 27th, 2007 @ 11:31pm

I find it sad, however funny as hell at the same time. As I tell my son: "You think you know the faceless people, but you really don't. I ask questions such as; who is father, mother, what is the hair color hair of this person mother. All these people you convert with are preditors in way one or others. There is an old quote "keep your friends close and your enemies closer" - (revised) and keep you online associates as far away as possible and reviel nothing.

I been an IT professionly for 14 yrs and I can tell you don't know these people, you may think you do, but you don't.

One more piece of advise - Be careful who you F with, they may be smarter than you think. Example: A young boy decided exploit an hole in an application I was running on my Linux box web server. Not very smart. Had issue resolved in 15 to 20 min. Than I begin my trace on him. I found a lot if info within 3 hour. I knew where he lived, his home phone number and his email address and I even found the name of his girlfriend (haha). I had a converation with him on MSN Messager. For 15 min the boy had no idea who I was and then I let the bomb on him and informed him of the information I had on him and I was very aware of his action against me and I have a mass amount of data prove it.

Remember, any body can be who ever you want to be, behide a keybrd.

Peace all

And Brett is correct: they only have a few items when going into court: jump suit (no pockets), shoes, underwear and handcuffs. Makes one wonder where he hide the cellphone?
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Anonymous Coward, Jul 27th, 2007 @ 11:42pm

Oh..

"flame war"

I just got it after reading this a couple of times...
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Anonymous Coward, Jul 28th, 2007 @ 12:55am

Badass. It’s rare you see someone that committed to something these days.
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Anonymous Coward, Jul 28th, 2007 @ 12:58am

I can imagine the guy thinking "he's just googling pictures of those state signs" until he smelled something burning.
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Well
Paul, Jul 28th, 2007 @ 1:15am

On the one hand, the guy obviously has something wrong with himself mentally.

On the other hand, his perseverances is awesome.

On the third hand, thank you Mike for not posting something entirely sensationalist or patent related.
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Re: Burning down the house
PhysicsGuy, Jul 28th, 2007 @ 1:21am

"All these people you converse* with are predators* in way one or others"

now that's a little sensationalist, wouldn't you say?
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Anonymous, Jul 28th, 2007 @ 2:43am

INTERNET - VRY SRS BZNS
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Re: Wacko Waco Nerd?
Old BZ, Jul 28th, 2007 @ 4:00am

Do you think,maybe this guy is a huge MF biker,named Tank and this was the last straw,an attack on his intelligence.So,in true manly fashion its time to get even and then one.Don't you just love how simple we really are,piss me off and i get even.And you get your 15 minutes of fame,but what a price.
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Re: Burning down the house
Old BZ, Jul 28th, 2007 @ 4:05am

*maybe he had the new anal phone,very smart, when it farts you answer.? Don't you love the new hi tech stuff from................/.
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Re: Committed
Old BZ, Jul 28th, 2007 @ 4:08am

*what about the the Army man in the oil war in Iraq?,It is against his wishes to be there,but he is over there,doing his job,that is committent,that man is to be commended!!
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WHAT
Anonymous Coward, Jul 28th, 2007 @ 4:14am

are you trying to start a flamware with me already >?????

>:o
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Anonymous Coward, Jul 28th, 2007 @ 4:29am

While many people take the piss out of this situation or find it funny, which it is. It does raise a good point, just because YOU are a pussy and think no one will actually come after you it doesn't mean that the person you're sparring with is a pussy.

So don't give out your real name and address unless you really are willing to have some psycho come to your house and murder you in the night.
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Overcast, Jul 28th, 2007 @ 4:41am

There is no comment, there is only lol.

Very well said!! LOL
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Re:
Anonymous Coward, Jul 28th, 2007 @ 4:42am

Homeless people apparently.
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Re: Well
Anonymous Coward, Jul 28th, 2007 @ 5:17am

On the third hand, thank you Mike for not posting something entirely sensationalist or patent related.
Yeah, that kind of stuff threatens the system.
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George W. Bush, Jul 28th, 2007 @ 5:32am

Well at least he got caught and I didn't. On to my next victim.
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Re: Why?
Theoden, Jul 28th, 2007 @ 5:47am

The proximity to Crawford.
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You all need to quit.
Real World, Jul 28th, 2007 @ 5:51am

...all of you. But down the keyboard. Go outside. Enjoy life. GET AWAY FROM THE COMPUTER!

It will be good for you.
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LOL
tareofLIFE, Jul 28th, 2007 @ 6:04am

B&HAMER
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Fire water burn
Cixelsid, Jul 28th, 2007 @ 6:40am

The Roof! The Roof!
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I'm on my way!!
Mike Masnick's biggest fan., Jul 28th, 2007 @ 6:58am

Antagonist I'm looking for your house as I type on my Blackberry here! If you don't believe me look at my Facebook, it has all the proof in pictures, even has the latest welcome to Indiana sign. Don't suppose you could help me out a bit though? I can't find ocean view drive anywhere. I keep circleing around the whole state looking for an ocean, where the hell is it!!?? I'd like to show you what I think of you but how can I do that if I can't find your house, did you give me a fake address?? Loser
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Re: You all need to quit.
PhysicsGuy, Jul 28th, 2007 @ 7:20am

...says the person sitting behind their computer and typing on their keyboard.
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Da Roof
Mr. Anderson, Jul 28th, 2007 @ 8:19am

da roof, da roof is on fire!
Da roof, da roof, da roof is on fire!
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Just a Guy, Jul 28th, 2007 @ 8:59am

Hey Brett the guy might not have been in jail for the time of the trial he might have posted bail and released because they may not have deemed him a flight risk and then he would have been able to bring in a cell phone as long as the ringer was shut of during session.
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Just a Guy, Jul 28th, 2007 @ 9:04am

Also we need more people in this country like him in the sense of dedication to finishing something LOL
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jay and silent bob meme
ecoshift, Jul 28th, 2007 @ 9:12am

Must have been watching too much Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back...
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Fighting online.
Ntlgnce, Jul 28th, 2007 @ 9:27am

Fighting online, is like racing in the Special Olympics,,,,
Even if you win your still retarded...
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1300 miles....
Roland, Jul 28th, 2007 @ 10:04am

Ya, but did he wear a diaper to get there?
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I'd do it
MIke, Jul 28th, 2007 @ 10:05am

If someone REALLY pissed me off online and I knew where they lived, I'd go and fuck em up too, should have nailed the doors shut before he lit the fire tho...
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Jacob Buck, Jul 28th, 2007 @ 10:40am

I think we need more accountability for what morons and little kids say online, so I say kudos to the arsonist. People need to start being afraid to piss off others.
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mavi, Jul 28th, 2007 @ 10:55am

That's what I call revenge of the nerds :)
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Site
B, Jul 28th, 2007 @ 1:09pm

What site did this happen on?
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Flamers and Trolls
Commentator, Jul 28th, 2007 @ 2:37pm

It has to be said. There are a lot of juvenile sociopaths (of various chronological ages) on the Internet who enjoy flaming and attacking others for the pleasure of the others' discomfort. They feel safe behind a firewall of bits and seeming anonymity.

This event, however illegal and to be condemned, should let the flamers and trolls know that they aren't as safe as they think they are, and that a "firewall" (whether real or social) isn't always fireproof (pun intended). This extends to anonymity--there are lots of ways of breaking through it by a skilled, determined, and offended netizen.

This observation also extends to the arrogant geniuses who consider those of lesser intelligence "lusers". They, too, aren't immune from the consequences of ticking off the wrong person.

Mutual respect is the hallmark of productive internet exchange.
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Re: Flamers and Trolls
Eileen, Jul 28th, 2007 @ 5:29pm

It's no different than bullies in schools... most people get picked on at one point or another, and part of life is GROWING UP and learning to deal with it in an adult way (not arson), hopefully with a little humor (take it like a man and dish some out of your own ;) )
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Rule #14 of the Internet
Chronno S. Trigger, Jul 28th, 2007 @ 7:16pm

Do not argue with the trolls - it means that they win
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14
Gizmondo, Jul 29th, 2007 @ 2:14am

If you talk shit. You better be prepared for ANY consequences that may occur by you opening your trap. People don't function on the same value system as you do. And you saying one thing and thinking its nothing, to another, will get your shit burned down.

As they say in "la familia" don't carry a gun, if you aren't prepared to use it.

Dude got what he deserved. And I mean both of em.

So be it.
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How much can you believe
riff, Jul 29th, 2007 @ 6:33am

We've all heard the comment that a story gets more embellishment with each telling? How many courthouses have you been in these days that allow camera phones through the security checkpoint? How much mor of this story is pure BS as well? Who knows?
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Re: How much can you believe
Anonymous Coward, Jul 29th, 2007 @ 9:39am

How many courthouses have you been in these days that allow camera phones through the security checkpoint?
ALL of them that I have been to.
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Re: Why?
FH Harris, Jul 29th, 2007 @ 9:51am

You sir are "a" ass. He drove to Waco from 1300 miles away.... Please try and find a day job so comedy becomes further from your line of sight.
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Bail and the like
FH Harris, Jul 29th, 2007 @ 9:56am

Hard to believe arson, prob attempted murder, out of state, bail???? I want to practice in that court.
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o.O
The Marcness, Jul 29th, 2007 @ 11:11am

Over being called a nerd and having a different political view? I am glad the fucktard is in prison. If someone else gets so bent out of shape over being called a nerd, it just goes to prove that maybe they are one, taking something as online chat/photo sharing as gold. I don't see anything wrong with being called a nerd anyways. Nerds rule this world. Look at Bill Gates for example.
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How many gallons to Waco at $3.25 a gallon?
EP, Jul 29th, 2007 @ 12:45pm

If I have been released on bail, I can come to court in a suit, etc., and could easily get in with something in my pocket (e.g. a cell phone with a camera function).

And if you disagree with me, well, not a good idea. I am an insane psycho, like you, and I have a full gas tank. I am not saying I am inclined to drive to Waco, though: I am only so insane.

Oh,0

Taking 'Flamewar' A Bit Too Seriously: Man Drives 1,300 Miles To Burn Down Home Of Online Critic

from the yeah,-maybe-let-that-one-go dept

Reader Comments (rss)

I have nothing bad to say.

People have a lot of free time

-_-

Why?

This is concerning..

Startin'

eh...

Re: Startin'

It's only a trailer.

Most importantly...

which grp?

Burning down the house

Well

Re: Burning down the house

Re: Wacko Waco Nerd?

Re: Burning down the house

Re: Committed

WHAT

Re:

Re: Well

Re: Why?

You all need to quit.

LOL

Fire water burn

I'm on my way!!

Re: You all need to quit.

Da Roof

jay and silent bob meme

Fighting online.

1300 miles....

I'd do it

Site

Flamers and Trolls

Re: Flamers and Trolls

Rule #14 of the Internet

14

How much can you believe

Re: How much can you believe

Re: Why?

Bail and the like

o.O

How many gallons to Waco at $3.25 a gallon?