posted on March 21, 2006 11:58:13 AM new
Okay, I was shopping all morning and when I returned home there it sat on my front steps.
A 300 + page Autobiography, hand typed, photo copied in a huge binder.
I carried it inside and glanced through it and it is the rantings of a complete lunatic. He is suffering from mental illness from what I can see from just reading a few pages. He thinks the FBI and CIA are after him for knowing to much.
The book is called the Kennedy Syndrome. But he speaks of the VA trying to commit him to the Nut house on five occasions but it is all a conspiracy because he knows to much. The manuscript is filled with facts and clippings and his take on things...
Now I am scared to death. If he is as crazy as a loon, and has found me as some kind of connection.. I'm not sure how to handle this, if he turns up at my door when I am home.
posted on March 21, 2006 01:43:15 PM newA 300 + page Autobiography, hand typed, photo copied in a huge binder. I carried it inside and glanced through it and it is the rantings of a complete lunatic. He is suffering from mental illness from what I can see from just reading a few pages. He thinks the FBI and CIA are after him for knowing to much. The book is called the Kennedy Syndrome. But he speaks of the VA trying to commit him to the Nut house on five occasions but it is all a conspiracy because he knows to much. The manuscript is filled with facts and clippings and his take on things...
Cool. List it on eBay as attributed to one of the Kennedy Assassins and you'll make a fortune. I'd market it as a deathbed confession. Also you might want to shop it around to the movie studios.
Now I am scared to death. If he is as crazy as a loon, and has found me as some kind of connection.. I'm not sure how to handle this, if he turns up at my door when I am home.
Don't panic. Depend on what kind of crazy. Psychotic, schizo, manic... anyway don't turn your back on him, and try to keep him outside. When you see him - always have an escape route in your mind and try to wear sensible (running) shoes. You can't sprint in high heels. If you know any self-defence you can probably disable him in an instant with a well-placed blow to the groin, chest or neck.
[ edited by agitprop on Mar 21, 2006 01:45 PM ]
posted on March 21, 2006 01:48:08 PM new
Just tell him you are so happy! Since he came to you, you have gotten a very nice job offer from the government. And he has nothing to fear. Nothing. Is he free for dinner or possibly lunch tomorrow?
If that doesn't work, share the word of God with him.
posted on March 21, 2006 02:36:57 PM new
If he ever does come knocking, tell him you never got the book. But maybe those men in the black car took it, cause they've been circling the block watching the house all month!
Dr. Arcane, revelator of mystical secrets http://www.drarcane.com
Got questions about the secrets of the universe?
posted on March 21, 2006 02:37:01 PM new
Okay, I have just spent the past couple of hours reading this manuscript and seriously I need some advice. The man is certifiable. He believes that the FB EYe has falsified his entire records
He says he is not the person that the police and FBI have on record. He didn't commit rape and attempted murder, or burglary as he was convicted of. He is not a habitual liar and is being refused his civil rights. The majority of the book is about his life and how he was set up and his identity stolen etc.
His Kennedy theory and his M.L. King theory and all the other theories he has he believes he knows the truth and that the FBI knows he knows.. etc.
I am feeling very uneasy.. since I read his convictions and his medical records.
I'm not sure what to do. I think I am going to box it up and send it to the last address listed for him and write a note telling him that I read it and can't help him. Please refrain from any further contact with me.
What do you think?
DR.Arc.. it was on my door step when I returned home from shopping!!!!!!!!
[ edited by bebeboom on Mar 21, 2006 02:38 PM ]
posted on March 21, 2006 03:40:37 PM new
Keep a can of mace or cs gas with you. Call the cops to report what you suspect and give them a description of him.
If he shows show up, dont open the door. Tell him the CIA has installed spy cameras on your property to track him and are monitoring the cameras from the house behind you (the drug dealers) and will be arriving any second to arrest him.
Should he attempt to break in, call the cops then empty the magazine of one of the firearms you have in the house into him.
"“More Iraqis think things are going well in Iraq than Americans do. I guess they don’t get the New York Times over there.”—Jay Leno".
posted on March 21, 2006 03:48:47 PM new
Bear, I'm embarrassed to call the cops, because then I will have to tell them that I gave him my name and address.. duh..they will think I invited this upon myself.
I do have mace and my guns, living out in the country, no street lights etc. it's scary enough being alone without this.
But after reading this rot.. I am nervous, so maybe I should call the sheriff and see if he'll come out and give me some advice.
He is certainly having some unconventional thoughts and behavior...maybe paranoid schizophrenia?
My neighbor had a similar problem with a fellow who claimed to be a former employee of a national intelligence agency. He believed that the CIA, NSA, FBI and several other agencies were after him. He used to call her regularly to chat and she would listen to these extraordinary conversations for several minutes until one day he asked her to arrange a three way phone conversation between her and her daughter's fiancee's mother in which he planned to tell the boy's mother and father that he intended to deliver their son's head to them on a platter. The next day he called my neighbor again and asked her for a ride to the grocery store. After she refused by simply answering, no, I can't do that.....he never called again.
posted on March 21, 2006 04:01:46 PM new
He or the person he says is not him but has been using his name has been in and out of mental institutions and has a long criminal record. But this was when he was in his 40's and 50's. He goes into detail about "them" who took his baby at birth from his wife and tried to murder the baby etc.. the more I read the sicker he sounds. Maybe I'm blowing this out of proportion, and he's just a crazy old coot who wants some valadition...
If my husband were here, I wouldn't have to worry, he'd kill me himself for my stupidity!
posted on March 21, 2006 04:13:30 PM new
I've just called the Sheriff's Department and they are sending someone out to talk to me.
God.. I am so embarrassed.. but like Bear said, better safe than sorry. Maybe they will take care of it for me...or tell me I'm being a big baby. Will keep you posted.
posted on March 21, 2006 05:00:56 PM new
I was just about to post my agreement on calling them when I read your last post. Very good idea.
"He didn't commit rape and attempted murder, or burglary as he was convicted of"
He either really did these things and really was convicted, or at least delusionally believes that he was convicted, etc. Either way, you need to get the police involved for real.
At the very least, they may already know about this guy and can tell you he's harmless.
(Unless this whole thing is you pulling our collective legs... It kinda sounds like that kind of story)
Dr. Arcane, revelator of mystical secrets
http://www.drarcane.com
Got questions about the secrets of the universe?
[ edited by DrArcane on Mar 21, 2006 05:06 PM ]
posted on March 21, 2006 05:30:32 PM new
The Sheriff just left. He was really nice. He read some of the pages of the book and he recognized the man right away. He took the report and the book and is on his way to the guys home to talk to him. He has been in trouble with the law and is a mental case and has caused trouble with the local police on many occasions. He told me he will tell him never to step foot on my property again or approach me or he will go to jail.
He told me that the book would make for interesting reading, since he was born and raised here and knew all the names that were named in the book, and all the conspiracy theories on all the law enforcement and judges here etc. He looked quite excited to read the thing! And he said he would tell the guy that the police are holding his book as evidence in case he bothers me again.
He told me that he will do a check on his criminal background, but thinks most of it is in his head. Doesn't think I have to worry about him harming me, but not to open the door to him if he does show up, to call 911.
I was expecting the sheriff to give me hell for my stupidity but he said he could tell by my expression and my eyes that I was scared enough and had learned a valuable lesson.. you bet! Don't be nice to strangers, even if they are old. Oh and by the way, he remembers the guy as well spoken and very intelligent, just crazy as a loon.
He said he will call me tonight after he talks to the guy and tell me how it went.
Thank you for the good advice, I'm glad and relieved that I called.
posted on March 21, 2006 05:34:12 PM new
Maggie, I agree with Helen. He sounds schizophrenic. (See what happens when you lose your job and your health insurance runs out?) If you see him again, tell him how you feel. Tell him why he scares you and tell him his disease is making him think the government is after him. If he doesn't understand you, you'll know he isn't on a level that you can converse with him on, and perhaps needs more help than you can provide.
posted on March 21, 2006 05:54:18 PM new
Maggie - glad to hear that you did call the police. It's too bad that your attempt to be kind turned out this way.
~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~
Never ask what sort if computer a guy drives. If he's a Mac user, he'll tell you. If he's not, why embarrass him? - Tom Clancy
posted on March 21, 2006 07:26:53 PM new
The Sheriff just called. He spoke to the old guy and said he looked like he is on his death bed, and just out of his mind.
He said the old guy said he hadn't been out of the house in 3 weeks, he didn't know me or anything about a book..
Sheriff said he was out of his mind and didn't know which end was up, but he told him to never come back here or contact me..
He, the Sheriff kept the book and he told me he will read it.
As for the man's record, yes indeed he has one, here in MS. for shooting a man, burglary and disturbances etc. Lots more in LA.He said they will try and contact a family member or the VA and try and get him the help he needs.
I wonder if he really did deliver the book himself now, or had someone else deliver it?
If he was just fibbing to the Sheriff or is he so out of it that he doesn't remember driving here and putting the book on my front step? He probably thinks it's all FBI and now I'm just another agent..
posted on March 21, 2006 08:29:49 PM new
BEBO, I WANT MY BOOK BACK, WHY DID YOU GIVE IT TO THE COPS??
Just kidding but seriously like Bear said to get some CS spray and keep it with you. There are several varieties and they come in several sizes, most of which spray a fairly narrow stream of CS. Personally, I prefer a product known in sporting goods shops as 'Bear Spray' and it is mainly used to deter an attack from a bear. I like this because it shoots a wide stream of CS, kinda like a cloud and you are sure to hit what you aim it at. It comes in a can about the size of a beer can and there's alot of CS in it. Keep it with you at all times and familiarize yourself with how the can's spraying mechanism operates.
If I were you, I wouldn't rely on the police for total protection. The police, in most cases should be viewed as a secondary defense against an attacker because of the length of response time after calling them.
Because it sounds like this person is unstable and because you gave his book to the police he might take great offense at this action of yours and retaliate against you. Therefore it behooves you to learn all you can about your adversary and again if I were you i'd consider hiring a PI to look into this man's past so as to determine the degree of a threat from him, should it come to that.
It may sound like I am trying to scare you. Well, guess what I am because of what you've said about this guy so far, both from his writings and what the police have said about his past record.
You shouldn't allow this experience to cause you to not talk to people, even the homeless, when you are out and about but rather that you should look at this as a serious lesson learned about what information you give to people about yourself.
When a homeless person comes up to you and asks for some spare change just give him/her what you can spare, smile and walk away but don't stand there and listen to their life story because more often than not they will look for a way, during conversation, to get more from you than you might be willing to give.
ø¤º°`°º¤ø,¸¸,ø¤º°`°º¤ø,¸¸,ø¤º°`°º¤ø,¸¸,ø¤º°`°º¤ø ø¤º°`°º¤ø
[ edited by piinthesky on Mar 21, 2006 08:31 PM ]
posted on March 21, 2006 08:44:53 PM new
Thanks Pi, I'm still upset about the whole thing, I don't know any mentally ill people and so this is scary to me. I thought the same thing about the retaliation thing, and I said so to the sheriff but he said he thought after he talked to him that he'd make it clear that he'd go to jail if he came near me or on my property.
But.. I'm thinking if this person is really so far in cuckoo land, warnings wouldn't mean much.
Already, he's denied the entire thing even with the book and his signature etc in plain view.
I have mace and my S&W loaded for bear. And I have my big dog who is pretty scary looking.
I'll just be watching over my shoulder for a while, I guess.
posted on March 22, 2006 05:31:15 AM new
It's not true that schizophrenics are more violent toward others than the average person in the same socioeconomic environment. Actually they are usually victims of crime when they are deistitutionalized and homeless or live in tough neighborhoods where crime is a problem.
Of course it's always good advice to be careful with all strangers but this lonely old man is probably harmless.
posted on March 22, 2006 07:03:02 AM new
Thanks Helen, I'm sure you are right.
I feel bad that it ended like this. I felt good reaching out to someone who appeared to be lonely and neglected and if his writing had been based on his conspiracy theories within government,instead of exposing a long life of crime and mental illness, I wouldn't have reacted so strongly. But realizing how mentally ill he is made me feel vulnerable.
I take responsibility for not being careful or cautious and not doing what my Mommy drilled into my head as a child.."Don't talk to strangers" Well, not exactly, talk to strangers and lend a hand up when possible... just don't give out your personal information.
According to the Sheriff, the old man is in need of professional help and in his state of mind is resisting the help he has been offered. So hopefully they will find family members or contact the VA and follow through with getting him help.
I can't help feeling a pinch of guilt that I have let him down though.
posted on March 22, 2006 07:52:34 AM new
Why do you believe you let him down? because of your call he may just get the help he needs.
~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~
Never ask what sort if computer a guy drives. If he's a Mac user, he'll tell you. If he's not, why embarrass him? - Tom Clancy
posted on March 22, 2006 07:53:22 AM new
"I can't help feeling a pinch of guilt that I have let him down though."
Why? It sounds like you were the only one to take the steps for the help he really needs, not his family or the VA. THEY were the ones who let the old man down.
You're the most helpful person the old man knows, simply because you actually DID something. Maybe the old guy will get the treatment he needs... because of you.
Just because you didn't help him in they way he expected or even understands, you did help him.
Dr. Arcane, revelator of mystical secrets http://www.drarcane.com
Got questions about the secrets of the universe?
posted on March 22, 2006 12:13:33 PM new
Wow, I can't get over how most of you responded. Guns... mace... restraining orders all because a person is sick and homeless?
What if he was one of your friend's dad or an old teacher? What would you have done if his writings were brilliant?
posted on March 22, 2006 01:11:33 PM new
Krafty, he is not homeless. He has his own home.
He gets a VA pension and apparently held a job up until he was incarcerated. I don't know if it is alcoholism or what kind of mental disease he has but he has driven his family away, according to what he has written. I read several copies from lawyers, doctors and the VA offering him help, all of which he turned down and accused them of conspiring against him. He has a record of burglary as long as your arm, has shot a man and poured acid on neighbors cats and on and on, some of this was substantiated by the police, others, who knows.
But I acted with compassion until I was faced with his unstable, dangerous history, and that is why I felt had the right to protect myself. Not that I think he would harm me if he was in his right mind, but to deal with someone who obviously isn't in his right mind, with a history of violence.
By the way, as a work of fiction although somewhat disjointed his writing was quite good and his knowledge of history and government very sharp.
posted on March 22, 2006 01:43:34 PM new
Bebo, personally I think that you shouldn't have been so hasty in delivering his book to the sheriff and it may have been a huge mistake. Yes I know this guy seems unstable but nevertheless, this was/is something that you started and you could have looked at it a little bit differently and still been able to be on your guard when around him.
As far as Kraft's notion that; What would you have done if his writings were brilliant?
The insane ramblings, written down on paper, of a man suffering from paranoid schizophrenia could possibly have been the basis for a whole new book. It's been done before. Just look at the book, Zen And The Art Of Motorcycle Maintenance, which was the ramblings of a crazy man, struggling with inner feelings of schizophrenia, while trying to tell philosophical stories about the nature of life and it was a damn fine piece of literature when it was all finished.
posted on March 22, 2006 01:48:11 PM new
Perhaps you're right, Pi.. but I felt vulnerable and being alone, it was to scary for me to deal with on my own. As I said I do feel a pang of guilt for at least not acknowledging his work to him.. but then again, he now says he knows nothing about a book or myself..
