White Supremacist Pleads Guilty to Obama Death Plot

For those who thought the threats leveled against lawmakers during the health care debate was a joke, a white supremacist who recently plead guilty to plotting to kill President Barack Obama should be a wake-up call.

According to the AP:

Twenty-one-year-old Daniel Cowart of Bells, Tenn., pleaded guilty Monday to eight of 10 counts in an indictment accusing him of conspiracy, threatening a presidential candidate and various federal firearms violations. Under a plea agreement, he faces 12 to 18 years in prison, but a federal judge could choose a longer sentence.

Co-defendant Paul Schlesselman, 19, of Helena-West Helena, Ark., also pleaded guilty and is waiting to be sentenced.

Police say the men planned to go on a cross-country murder and robbery spree and then kill Obama, who was a presidential candidate at the time.

Not everyone in this country is thrilled to see an African-American elected as the highest leader in the land. In fact, some African Americans were scared to support Obama because they were so sure that he would be assassinated. And there is good precedent, with the murders of Martin Luther King Jr., Medgar Evers and Malcolm X.

What's so sad about this case is that these two men were poisoned by racism and hate at such a young age.

How bad does your life have to be to consider a murder and killing spree solely based on another person's race ? At 19 and 21 you should be enjoying life and thinking about your future. Now one man may spend over a decade in prison.

Internet posters who write violent and racist posts and think their comments can't lead to violence are wrong. There are too many misguided people out there like these young men, who are waiting to be influenced. That influence can be negative or positive.

The antics of those who disagree with health care reform are a perfect example of this issue. The threats that Congressmen have received are real. Spurred on by people like Glenn Beck, windows have been smashed, Congress members have been spit on and called homophophic and racial slurs.

Some lawmakers were given protection after being issued threats like the message left for Bart Stupack, a Democrat from Michigan. "Congressman Stupak, you baby-killing mother f---er.... I hope you bleed out your a--, got cancer and die, you mother f---er."

For some, comments like that are a short stop from planning a cross-country murder spree. We should be able to disagree in this country without resorting to racist violence.