Q: When is someone who advocates communism a Tea Partier?

A: When it helps the narrative.

HotAirWaPo columnist: That insane pilot sounds kind of like a tea partier, huh?

Should we also expect it of WaPo contributor Jonathan Capehart?

Joseph Stack was angry at the Internal Revenue Service, and he took his rage out on it by slamming his single-engine plane into the Echelon Building in Austin, Texas. We now know this thanks to the rather clear (as rants go) suicide note Stack left behind. There’s no information yet on whether he was involved in any anti-government groups or whether he was a lone wolf. But after reading his 34-paragraph screed, I am struck by how his alienation is similar to that we’re hearing from the extreme elements of the Tea Party movement.

Follow the link and note the parts of the manifesto quoted by Capehart. Yes, of course the anti-Bush rhetoric and screeching about health care is omitted, but something even more revealing is omitted too. Here’s how Stack’s manifesto actually ended:

Well, Mr. Big Brother IRS man, let’s try something different; take my pound of flesh and sleep well.

The communist creed: From each according to his ability, to each according to his need.

The capitalist creed: From each according to his gullibility, to each according to his greed.

Joe Stack (1956-2010)

02/18/2010

And here’s how Capehart quotes the ending:

Well, Mr. Big Brother IRS man, let’s try something different; take my pound of flesh and sleep well.

Joe Stack (1956-2010)

02/18/2010

What’s missing?

Here’s crazy dude’s entire manifesto. Decide for yourself. As far as dude being from Austin, Texas – he was previously from California and went to Austin hoping for a new start.

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3 Responses to Q: When is someone who advocates communism a Tea Partier?

  1. sycologist says:

    The only thing in life which is certain are death and taxes. Joe didn’t want to pay taxes so he killed himself. The tragedy is he also killed another innocent person.
    .-= sycologist´s last blog ..The Joe Stack manifesto =-.

  2. Steve K. says:

    It’s certainly tragic. I’m not sure if there’s a connection, but people are frustrated. Nobody likes paying taxes.

  3. Sean says:

    My state’s governor just proposed a sales tax of $0.15 per liter of bottled water. I’m not a big bottled water consumer, but WTF!?

    There certainly is a fine line between speaking up for principals you believe in and being labeled an “extremist”.