Comments on: Boy held hostage in Alabama bunker has Aspergers, ADHD http://boingboing.net/2013/02/03/boy-held-hostage-in-alabama-bu.html Brain candy for Happy Mutants Sun, 26 May 2013 01:13:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: Garymon http://boingboing.net/2013/02/03/boy-held-hostage-in-alabama-bu.html#comment-1645934 Garymon Tue, 05 Feb 2013 00:14:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=210448#comment-1645934   In the last half hour the FBI stormed the bunker. The kid is safe and the kidnaper is dead. http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/05/us/boy-is-safe-after-alabama-hostage-standoff.html   In the last half hour the FBI stormed the bunker. The kid is safe and the kidnaper is dead.

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/05/us/boy-is-safe-after-alabama-hostage-standoff.html

]]> By: Ari B. http://boingboing.net/2013/02/03/boy-held-hostage-in-alabama-bu.html#comment-1645859 Ari B. Mon, 04 Feb 2013 22:25:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=210448#comment-1645859 According to Auntie Beeb, it looks like I was right. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-21331760 According to Auntie Beeb, it looks like I was right. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-21331760

]]> By: cub http://boingboing.net/2013/02/03/boy-held-hostage-in-alabama-bu.html#comment-1645693 cub Mon, 04 Feb 2013 20:14:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=210448#comment-1645693  are you talking about judah vs. toby?  well it's telling that toby used to be a sort of on-air personality for mtv back in the day.  are you talking about judah vs. toby?  well it’s telling that toby used to be a sort of on-air personality for mtv back in the day.

]]> By: PhasmaFelis http://boingboing.net/2013/02/03/boy-held-hostage-in-alabama-bu.html#comment-1645680 PhasmaFelis Mon, 04 Feb 2013 20:06:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=210448#comment-1645680 Pumping in a harmless gas that puts people to sleep with no chance of killing them would be an ideal solution. So would hitting the area with a broad-fan stun phaser fired from an orbiting starship. Unfortunately, neither one of those things exists. Pumping in a harmless gas that puts people to sleep with no chance of killing them would be an ideal solution. So would hitting the area with a broad-fan stun phaser fired from an orbiting starship. Unfortunately, neither one of those things exists.

]]> By: Robert Holmén http://boingboing.net/2013/02/03/boy-held-hostage-in-alabama-bu.html#comment-1645642 Robert Holmén Mon, 04 Feb 2013 19:24:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=210448#comment-1645642 The most revelatory exposure to "Aspergers Syndrome" I've had was to watch the based-on-real-life movie about Harvey Pekar, "American Splendor" in which a major character has Aspergers and is portrayed by an actor as an unresponsive uncommunicative stump. Then I listened to the commentary track which was led by... the real-life guy that character was based on! He was chatty and witty and had no trouble interacting with the other people on the commentary panel. The most revelatory exposure to “Aspergers Syndrome” I’ve had was to watch the based-on-real-life movie about Harvey Pekar, “American Splendor” in which a major character has Aspergers and is portrayed by an actor as an unresponsive uncommunicative stump.

Then I listened to the commentary track which was led by… the real-life guy that character was based on! He was chatty and witty and had no trouble interacting with the other people on the commentary panel.

]]> By: Robert Holmén http://boingboing.net/2013/02/03/boy-held-hostage-in-alabama-bu.html#comment-1645637 Robert Holmén Mon, 04 Feb 2013 19:14:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=210448#comment-1645637 Have you called the authorities to offer to make that trade? Have you called the authorities to offer to make that trade?

]]> By: Ari B. http://boingboing.net/2013/02/03/boy-held-hostage-in-alabama-bu.html#comment-1645491 Ari B. Mon, 04 Feb 2013 17:04:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=210448#comment-1645491 I can't think of a way that this will end without the kidnapper getting shot in the face. That really doesn't bother me at all, assuming the kid remains unharmed. I can’t think of a way that this will end without the kidnapper getting shot in the face. That really doesn’t bother me at all, assuming the kid remains unharmed.

]]> By: SomeGuyNamedMark http://boingboing.net/2013/02/03/boy-held-hostage-in-alabama-bu.html#comment-1645415 SomeGuyNamedMark Mon, 04 Feb 2013 15:40:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=210448#comment-1645415 This maniac was giving off warnings long before this.  He regularly terrorized the neighborhood, had the police called on him, ranted about the government (of course) and was into guns on top of it. This maniac was giving off warnings long before this.  He regularly terrorized the neighborhood, had the police called on him, ranted about the government (of course) and was into guns on top of it.

]]> By: dioptase http://boingboing.net/2013/02/03/boy-held-hostage-in-alabama-bu.html#comment-1645371 dioptase Mon, 04 Feb 2013 14:48:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=210448#comment-1645371 Locking yourself in a small room with a 5 year old for days?  That was not a well thought out plan! Locking yourself in a small room with a 5 year old for days?  That was not a well thought out plan!

]]> By: feetleet http://boingboing.net/2013/02/03/boy-held-hostage-in-alabama-bu.html#comment-1645258 feetleet Mon, 04 Feb 2013 05:02:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=210448#comment-1645258 What about audio? As with most hostage care packages, the med supplies probably contained some kind of bug. Or alternatively, something like a parabolic mic could give some in-bunker audio. So LE can probably already RECEIVE  communication from the bunker (e.g., "cough for yes").  And LE could exploit Dykes' incidental presbycusis to SEND high-frequency kids-only messages to the kid. Like this thing: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Mosquito Between the two, you could at least COORDINATE a surprise escape/extraction with the kid (Dykes eventually has to sleep, for example).  But ANY proactive step is still a gamble - and whether that bet is worth taking is a decision I'm thankful I don't have to make. What about audio?

As with most hostage care packages, the med supplies probably contained some kind of bug. Or alternatively, something like a parabolic mic could give some in-bunker audio. So LE can probably already RECEIVE  communication from the bunker (e.g., “cough for yes”). 

And LE could exploit Dykes’ incidental presbycusis to SEND high-frequency kids-only messages to the kid. Like this thing: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Mosquito

Between the two, you could at least COORDINATE a surprise escape/extraction with the kid (Dykes eventually has to sleep, for example). 

But ANY proactive step is still a gamble – and whether that bet is worth taking is a decision I’m thankful I don’t have to make.

]]> By: Sirkowski http://boingboing.net/2013/02/03/boy-held-hostage-in-alabama-bu.html#comment-1645238 Sirkowski Mon, 04 Feb 2013 04:03:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=210448#comment-1645238 I hope that survivalist likes hearing about Star Trek... I hope that survivalist likes hearing about Star Trek…

]]> By: Dlo Burns http://boingboing.net/2013/02/03/boy-held-hostage-in-alabama-bu.html#comment-1645230 Dlo Burns Mon, 04 Feb 2013 03:20:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=210448#comment-1645230 Guys like that made my mom paranoid. Guys like that made my mom paranoid.

]]> By: Robert Holmén http://boingboing.net/2013/02/03/boy-held-hostage-in-alabama-bu.html#comment-1645225 Robert Holmén Mon, 04 Feb 2013 02:57:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=210448#comment-1645225 I think interesting research, somehow, would be... what makes these people finally snap? Apparently the guy has been a problem for a while but this hostage taking is magnitudes bigger than anything he's done before.  What is it that turns the neighborhood crank into a maniac? I think interesting research, somehow, would be… what makes these people finally snap?

Apparently the guy has been a problem for a while but this hostage taking is magnitudes bigger than anything he’s done before.  What is it that turns the neighborhood crank into a maniac?

]]> By: Robert Holmén http://boingboing.net/2013/02/03/boy-held-hostage-in-alabama-bu.html#comment-1645223 Robert Holmén Mon, 04 Feb 2013 02:52:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=210448#comment-1645223 How about... they sneak an antidote to the sleeping gas into the kid's pills next time they send those in.  It would work perfectly in a movie. How about… they sneak an antidote to the sleeping gas into the kid’s pills next time they send those in.  It would work perfectly in a movie.

]]> By: Anna http://boingboing.net/2013/02/03/boy-held-hostage-in-alabama-bu.html#comment-1645188 Anna Mon, 04 Feb 2013 00:15:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=210448#comment-1645188 I have a 10 year old little brother with severe Autism, and have seen people treat him like sh*t before and so, as a big sister 7 yrs older than him, I am very very protective of him, in general I am very protective of any child, especially one with special needs, and this is just tearing my heart to pieces. I want to trade my life for his so bad. A person with special needs is one of the most innocent and selfless souls you will ever meet, at least, growing up with a special needs child and having my way of thinking changed and seeing things differently has made me think that, and I just want to trade my life for his so so bad so he can be back with his mother. I have a 10 year old little brother with severe Autism, and have seen people treat him like sh*t before and so, as a big sister 7 yrs older than him, I am very very protective of him, in general I am very protective of any child, especially one with special needs, and this is just tearing my heart to pieces. I want to trade my life for his so bad. A person with special needs is one of the most innocent and selfless souls you will ever meet, at least, growing up with a special needs child and having my way of thinking changed and seeing things differently has made me think that, and I just want to trade my life for his so so bad so he can be back with his mother.

]]> By: Antinous / Moderator http://boingboing.net/2013/02/03/boy-held-hostage-in-alabama-bu.html#comment-1645162 Antinous / Moderator Sun, 03 Feb 2013 23:11:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=210448#comment-1645162 Particularly since the man will require four-plus times the amount of anesthetic agent as the child. Particularly since the man will require four-plus times the amount of anesthetic agent as the child.

]]> By: JohnQPublic http://boingboing.net/2013/02/03/boy-held-hostage-in-alabama-bu.html#comment-1645158 JohnQPublic Sun, 03 Feb 2013 22:51:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=210448#comment-1645158  you can't - it's been done and to awful consequences: the Russians pumped some anesthetic gas into a theater full of hostages held by Chechnyan rebels and ended up killing a quarter (half?) the hostages.  Anesthesia is a precise science and whatever knocks the man out would kill a child.  Also, the man might murder the child  before anything else can be done.  you can’t – it’s been done and to awful consequences: the Russians pumped some anesthetic gas into a theater full of hostages held by Chechnyan rebels and ended up killing a quarter (half?) the hostages.  Anesthesia is a precise science and whatever knocks the man out would kill a child.  Also, the man might murder the child  before anything else can be done.

]]> By: SomeDude http://boingboing.net/2013/02/03/boy-held-hostage-in-alabama-bu.html#comment-1645151 SomeDude Sun, 03 Feb 2013 22:40:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=210448#comment-1645151 I cannot figure out why they haven't just pumped the place full of odorless sleeping gas. I cannot figure out why they haven’t just pumped the place full of odorless sleeping gas.

]]> By: danimagoo http://boingboing.net/2013/02/03/boy-held-hostage-in-alabama-bu.html#comment-1645140 danimagoo Sun, 03 Feb 2013 22:11:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=210448#comment-1645140 He has absolutely no connection to the child at all. He went on the bus specifically to get children to take hostage. He has absolutely no connection to the child at all. He went on the bus specifically to get children to take hostage.

]]> By: SomeGuyNamedMark http://boingboing.net/2013/02/03/boy-held-hostage-in-alabama-bu.html#comment-1645122 SomeGuyNamedMark Sun, 03 Feb 2013 21:47:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=210448#comment-1645122 Unfortunately the guy is using the innocent kid as shield so they can't just pump in the acetylene gas and toss in a match. Unfortunately the guy is using the innocent kid as shield so they can’t just pump in the acetylene gas and toss in a match.

]]> By: SomeGuyNamedMark http://boingboing.net/2013/02/03/boy-held-hostage-in-alabama-bu.html#comment-1645119 SomeGuyNamedMark Sun, 03 Feb 2013 21:46:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=210448#comment-1645119 I'm trying to figure out if the guy in the bunker is the kid's dad or not.  I haven't seen an article say it clearly. I’m trying to figure out if the guy in the bunker is the kid’s dad or not.  I haven’t seen an article say it clearly.

]]> By: Velocirapt42 http://boingboing.net/2013/02/03/boy-held-hostage-in-alabama-bu.html#comment-1645070 Velocirapt42 Sun, 03 Feb 2013 19:47:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=210448#comment-1645070 DSM 5 hasn't come out yet, so Asperger's still exists for now. DSM 5 hasn’t come out yet, so Asperger’s still exists for now.

]]> By: James Penrose http://boingboing.net/2013/02/03/boy-held-hostage-in-alabama-bu.html#comment-1645066 James Penrose Sun, 03 Feb 2013 19:29:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=210448#comment-1645066 One hopes they will soon be able to deliver a .357 to the kidnapper/murderer through that pipe or otherwise. I truly hope they can rescue the kid and then kill this guy one way or another.  And no, I don't give a damn if he is "sick", was abused as a child or has some other excuse. You shoot a rabid dog, it cannot help itself but that does not mean you let it near your family. One hopes they will soon be able to deliver a .357 to the kidnapper/murderer through that pipe or otherwise.

I truly hope they can rescue the kid and then kill this guy one way or another.  And no, I don’t give a damn if he is “sick”, was abused as a child or has some other excuse.

You shoot a rabid dog, it cannot help itself but that does not mean you let it near your family.

]]> By: vickytnz http://boingboing.net/2013/02/03/boy-held-hostage-in-alabama-bu.html#comment-1645062 vickytnz Sun, 03 Feb 2013 19:23:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=210448#comment-1645062 This is a terrible story, but for the sake of being pedantic … I thought that Asberger's doesn't exist anymore? Surely it's called 'mild autism' now. This is a terrible story, but for the sake of being pedantic … I thought that Asberger’s doesn’t exist anymore? Surely it’s called ‘mild autism’ now.

]]> By: ingracewetrust http://boingboing.net/2013/02/03/boy-held-hostage-in-alabama-bu.html#comment-1645005 ingracewetrust Sun, 03 Feb 2013 18:18:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=210448#comment-1645005 There are no words. That poor child. His abductor had better suffer for this for the rest of his life. There are no words. That poor child. His abductor had better suffer for this for the rest of his life.

]]> By: Velocirapt42 http://boingboing.net/2013/02/03/boy-held-hostage-in-alabama-bu.html#comment-1644925 Velocirapt42 Sun, 03 Feb 2013 16:17:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=210448#comment-1644925 I keep imagining how his family must feel- I would have gone completely insane in the first 4 hours.  The bus driver, though, who refused the gunman's demands and blocked the escaping kids with his body, is a total hero. Rest in peace, Charles Albert Poland.  I keep imagining how his family must feel- I would have gone completely insane in the first 4 hours. 

The bus driver, though, who refused the gunman’s demands and blocked the escaping kids with his body, is a total hero. Rest in peace, Charles Albert Poland. 

]]> By: Zombie Marykate http://boingboing.net/2013/02/03/boy-held-hostage-in-alabama-bu.html#comment-1644909 Zombie Marykate Sun, 03 Feb 2013 15:56:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=210448#comment-1644909 My heart goes out to that child and his family.  =-(  My heart goes out to that child and his family.  =-( 

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