Twitter troll and make-believe journalist, Andrew Breitbart–being the right-wing tool that he is–posted a video on his website that claims to be that of a man murdered at #OccupyVermont, even though every other news source has it reported as an apparent suicide.
‘Man Shot Dead At #OccupyVermont’, says the caption on Breitbart’s site.
According to the Associated Press, Burlington Police said preliminary investigations show a 35-year-old military veteran fatally shot himself in the head Thursday at an Occupy Wall Street encampment in Vermont’s largest city. The name of the man has not been released since the man’s family has not been fully notified.
Occupy Burlington experienced a rather tragic consequence when man shot himself inside a tent in City Hall Park on Thursday afternoon. Despite what Breitbart wants you to think, the shooting was in no way a related to violence stemming from #Occupy Burlington (Vermont is known for its syrup and teddy bears), but rather a consequence of a veteran suffering from untreated mental illnesses due to a dearth in adequate mental health services being offered to veterans. After all, mentally stable and adjusted soldiers don’t make private contractors billions.
“This person has clearly needed more help than we were capable of giving him here at this park,” said Emily Reynolds, a University of Vermont student and a leader in the local Occupy movement.
If government provided better mental health services, she said, “this probably wouldn’t have happened.”
Despite the tragedy being an isolated incident separate from the agenda of the movement, the sudden suicide is now raising questions about whether the Occupy movement in Vermont should continue. It seems the encampment has been in the park since Oct. 28, and the city had threatened to evict the protesters because the park is closed from midnight until 6 a.m. However, city officials made special accommodation for the protesters.
But leave it to Weiner-chasing Breitbart to exercise the utmost journalistic integrity and sensitivity.
Michael is a comedian/VO artist/Columnist extraordinaire, who co-wrote an award-nominated comedy, wrote for NY Times Laugh Lines, guest-blogged for Joe Biden, and writes a column for MSNBC.com affiliated Cagle. Follow him on Twitter and Facebook. Seriously, follow him or he’ll send you photos of Rush Limbaugh bending over in a thong.
If the guy committed suicide by shooting himself, wouldn’t “Man Shot Dead At #OccupyVermont” be accurate? That tweet didn’t specify “murder” as you claim (although it definitely implies it).
I don’t follow Breitbart in any way, shape, or form, so I’m relying on you to fill out the context for me. If you’re claiming he reported the death as murder when he “knew” it was suicide, please provide the evidence.
Breitbart is a well-documented liar. Anyone who listens to him today is a moron.
I think the logical way to view this would be as the ultimate protest. This was equivalent to the Tibetan monks setting themselves on fire. We need to rally around this American Veterans literal SELF SACRIFICE.
He deserved better from his fellow citizens as we all deserve better from our fellow citizens.
I am so sorry that this occupier was so distraught that he could no longer bear to live. I know how he feels.
Brietbart is a sociopath and an asshat!