'They’ll never find me as long as I’m smart,' wrote St. Paul man charged in anti-LGBTQ vandalism spree

[essentialsaltes]

Ramsey County prosecutors on Wednesday charged a self-described “right wing libertarian” in connection with a summertime vandalism spree that targeted LGBTQ+ Pride flags and anti-Trump signs in St. Paul’s Highland Park and Macalester-Groveland neighborhoods.

George Thomas Floyd, 23, of St. Paul is also charged with smashing windows at a bookstore, coffee shop and St. Paul Academy and Summit School that cost more than $14,000 to repair altogether.

Prosecutors say that Floyd shared many of the photos [of the vandalism] with a woman whom they named in the complaint but did not charge with a crime.

Minutes later he added: “I know they’ll never find me as long as I’m smart,” before sending a photo of a boarded-up window at Half Price Books on Ford Parkway, where police took a report about a broken window in front of a Pride-themed display around 7 a.m. on June 23.

Prosecutors allege that Floyd also searched for “no kings counter-protest” on his phone ahead of the June 14 anti-Trump protest at the Minnesota Capitol.

After the rally, Floyd wrote: “Well, it was less exciting than I was hoping for."

“It appeared that Floyd had helped make a batch of cookies a few weeks before the event, and he took them to sell at the Pride festival,” prosecutors write. “It is not clear if Floyd adulterated the cookies he helped make and sold at the festivities.”

 

[ThatRobGuy]

He's definitely right wing, but I'm not seeing much (based on his actions) that would indicate that he's a libertarian.

 

[chevyontheriver]

Ramsey County prosecutors on Wednesday charged a self-described “right wing libertarian” in connection with a summertime vandalism spree that targeted LGBTQ+ Pride flags and anti-Trump signs in St. Paul’s Highland Park and Macalester-Groveland neighborhoods.

George Thomas Floyd, 23, of St. Paul is also charged with smashing windows at a bookstore, coffee shop and St. Paul Academy and Summit School that cost more than $14,000 to repair altogether.

Prosecutors say that Floyd shared many of the photos [of the vandalism] with a woman whom they named in the complaint but did not charge with a crime.

Minutes later he added: “I know they’ll never find me as long as I’m smart,” before sending a photo of a boarded-up window at Half Price Books on Ford Parkway, where police took a report about a broken window in front of a Pride-themed display around 7 a.m. on June 23.

Prosecutors allege that Floyd also searched for “no kings counter-protest” on his phone ahead of the June 14 anti-Trump protest at the Minnesota Capitol.

After the rally, Floyd wrote: “Well, it was less exciting than I was hoping for."

“It appeared that Floyd had helped make a batch of cookies a few weeks before the event, and he took them to sell at the Pride festival,” prosecutors write. “It is not clear if Floyd adulterated the cookies he helped make and sold at the festivities.”

I knew that neighborhood well, years ago. I bought books at that bookstore. Many more connections too.

The guy wasn't very smart I guess.

I'm most curious about the 'cookie' thing. There is a real story there.

 

[RileyG]

Leave peoples property alone. Period. Or place of business. Happy to hear he was charged.

 

[rjs330]

Ramsey County prosecutors on Wednesday charged a self-described “right wing libertarian” in connection with a summertime vandalism spree that targeted LGBTQ+ Pride flags and anti-Trump signs in St. Paul’s Highland Park and Macalester-Groveland neighborhoods.

George Thomas Floyd, 23, of St. Paul is also charged with smashing windows at a bookstore, coffee shop and St. Paul Academy and Summit School that cost more than $14,000 to repair altogether.

Prosecutors say that Floyd shared many of the photos [of the vandalism] with a woman whom they named in the complaint but did not charge with a crime.

Minutes later he added: “I know they’ll never find me as long as I’m smart,” before sending a photo of a boarded-up window at Half Price Books on Ford Parkway, where police took a report about a broken window in front of a Pride-themed display around 7 a.m. on June 23.

Prosecutors allege that Floyd also searched for “no kings counter-protest” on his phone ahead of the June 14 anti-Trump protest at the Minnesota Capitol.

After the rally, Floyd wrote: “Well, it was less exciting than I was hoping for."

“It appeared that Floyd had helped make a batch of cookies a few weeks before the event, and he took them to sell at the Pride festival,” prosecutors write. “It is not clear if Floyd adulterated the cookies he helped make and sold at the festivities.”

Apparently he wasn't smart. He's also a criminal.

 

[FireDragon76]

He's definitely right wing, but I'm not seeing much (based on his actions) that would indicate that he's a libertarian.

"Libertarian" seems to be used alot as a label by folks that are basically "barstool conservatives".

 

[chevyontheriver]

"Libertarian" seems to be used alot as a label by folks that are basically "barstool conservatives".

Do you know this guy is a 'barstool conservative'? Fill us in.

 

[FireDragon76]

Do you know this guy is a 'barstool conservative'? Fill us in.

"Barstool conservative" describes somebody whose political conservativism is rooted more in bigotry, disgust, and grievances, than actual principles, like respect for virtues like prudence, subisidiarity, etc.

 

[chevyontheriver]

"Barstool conservative" describes somebody whose political conservativism is rooted more in bigotry, disgust, and grievances, than actual principles, like respect for virtues like prudence, subisidiarity, etc.

Do you know this guy is a 'barstool conservative'?

 

[Servus]

Local kook does kooky stuff.

 

[ThatRobGuy]

"Libertarian" seems to be used alot as a label by folks that are basically "barstool conservatives".

That would be an incorrect label then.

Rights and Discrimination - Libertarian Party

Trade, commerce and markets are the greatest tool for bringing diverse people together for mutual benefit, cultural understanding, and friendship. When you remove barriers to commerce, to entrepreneurship, and to innovation, you break down the walls that exist between communities. The divisions...

lp.org

 

[durangodawood]

......Minutes later he added: “I know they’ll never find me as long as I’m smart,”.....

I do think a lot of right wing grievance comes down to dwindling self esteem in an environment where people feel increasingly useless. So they pump themselves up with all sort of false notions.

Ultimately, this is a societal failure and not really their fault.

 

[durangodawood]

That would be an incorrect label then.

Rights and Discrimination - Libertarian Party

Trade, commerce and markets are the greatest tool for bringing diverse people together for mutual benefit, cultural understanding, and friendship. When you remove barriers to commerce, to entrepreneurship, and to innovation, you break down the walls that exist between communities. The divisions...

lp.org

"Liberty" = the freedom to do what Id allow you to do, for a lot of people.

 

[ThatRobGuy]

I do think a lot of right wing grievance comes down to dwindling self esteem in an environment where people feel increasingly useless. So they pump themselves up with all sort of false notions.

Ultimately, this is a societal failure and not really their fault.

That could be part of it...but from what I've noticed, the grievances seemed to have drifted into realms that (understandably) are seen as much more personal than in the past.

For example, it's long been a talking point of the conservative movement that the progressive side wants a "nanny state" or is guilty of "over-regulation" etc... But things like welfare expansion, demanding people recycle, or embracing initiatives in the name of environmentalism were seen as more of an annoyance, but not "personal". And it was coming from people who they saw as peers/equals (in terms of age & life experience).

Juxtapose that against some of the more modern flair.

"Here's what you're not allowed to say"
"Here's the ideas you have to give lip service to whether you like it or not"
"Here's what the public school system will be teaching your kids, you don't get to have a say, because our position on some of these polarizing concepts is so solid and so correct -- cuz we went to college and you didn't --, that it transcends the need for debate"
("Oh, and by the way, that college where I got these ideas, yeah, I'm on the hook for about $60k, so you need to chip in to help me pay that off")


The right wing getting more galvanized on "grievance politics" issues didn't happen in a vacuum and certainly didn't happen without a catalyst.

To reference an old TV show...

While Archie Bunker was certainly a bit of a stubborn old grump who was very set in his ways and had to be dragged along kicking and screaming for certain changes happening around him... His son-in-law's "higher than thou" constant preachy lecturing and needling (while living in his house for free, eating his food, and repaying him by calling him a bigot) certainly didn't make that situation any better and often times made him want to dig his heels in even more.

 

[Hans Blaster]

Spoiler: He was not.

Prosecutors say that Floyd shared many of the photos [of the vandalism] with a woman whom they named in the complaint but did not charge with a crime.

I'm reminded of a 90s episode of The Simpsons:


Jimbo: Videotaping this crime spree was the best idea we ever had.

Minutes later he added: “I know they’ll never find me as long as I’m smart,” before sending a photo of a boarded-up window at Half Price Books on Ford Parkway, where police took a report about a broken window in front of a Pride-themed display around 7 a.m. on June 23.

 

[durangodawood]

That could be part of it...but from what I've noticed, the grievances seemed to have drifted into realms that (understandably) are seen as much more personal than in the past.

For example, it's long been a talking point of the conservative movement that the progressive side wants a "nanny state" or is guilty of "over-regulation" etc... But things like welfare expansion, demanding people recycle, or embracing initiatives in the name of environmentalism were seen as more of an annoyance, but not "personal". And it was coming from people who they saw as peers/equals (in terms of age & life experience).

Juxtapose that against some of the more modern flair.

"Here's what you're not allowed to say"
"Here's the ideas you have to give lip service to whether you like it or not"
"Here's what the public school system will be teaching your kids, you don't get to have a say, because our position on some of these polarizing concepts is so solid and so correct -- cuz we went to college and you didn't --, that it transcends the need for debate"
("Oh, and by the way, that college where I got these ideas, yeah, I'm on the hook for about $60k, so you need to chip in to help me pay that off")


The right wing getting more galvanized on "grievance politics" issues didn't happen in a vacuum and certainly didn't happen without a catalyst.

To reference an old TV show...

While Archie Bunker was certainly a bit of a stubborn old grump who was very set in his ways and had to be dragged along kicking and screaming for certain changes happening around him... His son-in-law's "higher than thou" constant preachy lecturing and needling (while living in his house for free, eating his food, and repaying him by calling him a bigot) certainly didn't make that situation any better and often times made him want to dig his heels in even more.

"Personal" is a great way to characterize this. And hammering on the personal is really a brilliant strategy by the Rs to keep people from focusing too hard on the truly consequential problems people face - problems they have zero useful response for. Like health care, child care, housing costs, etc.

Its also brilliant because its easy. People are attracted to the heat this stuff generates. Just look at this place. Start a thread about how no one coming up these days can afford a house and youre lucky if it gets to page 4. Start a thread on Cracker Barrel going "woke" at its like 19 pages. Hot fluff. People cant get enough of it.

 

[ThatRobGuy]

"Personal" is a great way to characterize this. And hammering on the personal is really a brilliant strategy by the Rs to keep people from focusing too hard on the truly consequential problems people face - problems they have zero useful response for. Like health care, child care, housing costs, etc.

That very well could be part of the strategy...if so, then they played it well.


When I was referring to "making it personal" --

I was referring to the fact that 18-22 year olds dictating to adults what they're not allowed to say, and suggesting that "we want policies that make sure that your kids are taught to think like us instead of the values you want to instill in them" is "making it personal" for people in a way that a debate about recycling or tax rates simply never could be.

 

[durangodawood]

That very well could be part of the strategy...if so, then they played it well.


When I was referring to "making it personal" --

I was referring to the fact that 18-22 year olds dictating to adults what they're not allowed to say, and suggesting that "we want policies that make sure that your kids are taught to think like us instead of the values you want to instill in them" is "making it personal" for people in a way that a debate about recycling or tax rates simply never could be.

Yes and how the left ruined Star Wars.

 

[ThatRobGuy]

Yes and how the left ruined Star Wars.

Can't say I'm necessarily familiar with what you're referring to on that one but I was never a star wars fan...

Is it one of the ones where they took a movie and remade it and arbitrarily replaced characters with intersectional casting choices or something?

 

[durangodawood]

Can't say I'm necessarily familiar with what you're referring to on that one but I was never a star wars fan...

Is it one of the ones where they took a movie and remade it and arbitrarily replaced characters with intersectional casting choices or something?

Yes there's a whole youtube industry of complainers about woke this and that ruining their treasured IPs. I actually agree with them to an extent. But lets keep it all in perspective. It not quite up there in life with medical bankruptcy or your rent doubling.