Obama Bandit Attacks McCain Supporter?

[theFrankFactor]

Run time: 04:10 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EQxxmvVVnEI   Posted on YouTube: October 24, 2008 By YouTube Member: Views on YouTube: 0   Posted on DU: October 24, 2008 By DU Member: theFrankFactor Views on DU: 2236

 
20-year-old woman was allegedly robbed and maimed at an ATM in Bloomfield PA because of her political views.

Ashley Todd, of Texas, was using an ATM just before 9 p.m. on Wednesday when a man approached her and put a knife to her throat.

Todd claims the robber took $60 from her, then became angry when he saw a McCain bumper sticker on the victim's car.

The attacker allegedly then punched and kicked the victim, before using the knife to scratch the letter "B" into her face.

Todd declined to comment to the media. Friends said she is in Pittsburgh volunteering for the McCain-Palin campaign.

The woman refused medical treatment after the assault, which happened outside the view of the bank's surveillance cameras.

The robber is described as a dark-skinned black man, 6 feet 4 inches tall, 200 pounds with a medium build, short black hair and brown eyes. The man was wearing dark colored jeans, a black undershirt and black shoes.

-SEE VIDEO FOR COMMENTARY-

In summary: BULLSHIT!

[liberalmuse]

1. Sounds like the same guy who killed Susan Smith's kids.

:eyes:

Well isn't that conVEEEENient for the McCain campaign, being that they desperately need some points in PA right now.

[MichaelHarris]

2. that's a

wonderfully straight and perfect backwards B for someone who was probably struggling her ass off. I give kudos to the carver for his penmanship.

[swishyfeet]

3. When I first saw the 'B' I thought it interesting that it's backwards

Can't imagine how you carve a backwards b into someones face so gingerly with a knife....

What a joke.

[spotbird]

6. It's correct in a mirror however

Why does she have black eyeshadow under just one eye?

She should have banged a pot against her eye, eyeshadow doesn't create the necessary swelling that comes with a black eye.

[LarryMarcarian]

4. Sumthin' fishy 'bout this story.

Somethin' ain't right.

[VanillaC]

5. She carved the letter on backwards for goodness sakes!

Simply a hoax. What a surprise.

http://www.tmz.com/2008/10/23/politically-motivated-mutilation-real-or-hoax/

[Danieljay]

7. It was O.J.! Isn't he out on bail? That guy sure gets around! n/t

[BrightKnight]

8. It smells like backwards BS to me. - n/t

[Quantess]

9. I think it's an attention-getting stunt.

Frank Factor: I like that you were so objective and matter-of-fact. That showed class.
Chances are, we'll end up feeling a little sorry for her and mostly disgusted when we find out it was all a hoax. But I liked that you held back your judgment for now.

[stratomagi]

10. Just as an aside...

I just found out about this story. Looks like possible BS, but the really funny part is that of all the places in the country it purportedly happens in my neighborhood. Just surreal.

[stratomagi]

11. And no...

it wasn't me. I'm 5'11" white and skinny but my Obama button could make me look like a 6'4" black guy to any McCain supporter.

[Mr_Jefferson_24]

12. It doesn't pass the smell test -- that's for sure.

[fascisthunter]

13. of course... a black man

and over six feet tall too... :eyes:

[Akilleez]

14. With that black of an eye

her eye would be swollen shut or near shut and declining medical attention? Backwards B? Not downplaying the predicament but I gotta call BS on this.

[9thkvius]

17. I agree with you - why no facial swelling?

I have seen some pretty serious injuries in my day, including people who got beaten up pretty badly. This young woman does not appear to display any sort of real lacerations or swelling. Aside from the darkened color around it, the blackened eye looks totally normal - no bloodshot effect, no swelling, no lacerations.

[DavidG]

15. Got To Give It To Them!

Those Repugs, they cover all the bases, don't they? All we need now is a McCain worker assaulted by a muslim women with an axe and the scene is set!

[newmac]

16. If its real it should crust to black now.....and scab over

Backwards B looks more like a marker

[ihavenobias]

18. K & R

[greblc]

19. Why would and attacker scratch with a knife?

Maybe he didn't want to leave a scar? Can't stop crazy!

[Hissyspit]

20. Her face was carved up and she refused medical treatment?

[Kalifornia.Kid]

21. Another great DU thread on this issue ...

Drudge tries to tie ATM mugging into a political attack

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x7575262

[bobd0]

22. Unadulterated bullshit!

The police should conduct an investigation. They should start by punching her in the other eye then see if they match up.

[stlsaxman]

23. there's no way that is a black eye, either... that is no contusion-

it looks like smeared mascara to me.

[YOY]

25. She refused medical service.

Sets off klaxons right there.

[krkaufman]

24. From the victim's website...

A surprisingly rational, reasoned post on the issue, over at (*WARNING*) Hot Air.

Which leads to the victim's web page... http://lifeinthefield.com/users/ashley-todd ... which indicates she Twitter'd twice, prior to the attack, communicating, as follows:

Thu, 23 Oct 2008 00:23:21 - atodd: Stubbornly searching for a bank of america to avoid ATM fees.
Thu, 23 Oct 2008 00:45:59 - atodd: Pretty sure I'm on the wrong side of pittsburgh
Thu, 23 Oct 2008 03:52:58 - atodd: Oh the blog I will be making soon... Its been a rough night #litf08

Apparently, some people are tweeting their thoughts her way...

banane: #litf08 question for those involved: why did @atodd not seek medical attention right away?
RidleyGriff: Hey, @atodd - you suck at this game. A mirror image'd B? Really? You make Republicans look bad - and that's saying something. #litf08

Based on the photo...

It's a case of ...

• the original photo was uploaded mirrored; or
  
• the attacker scratched the letter onto her cheek backwards, or was standing over her from above; or
  
• the attacker was looking in a mirror when the letter was scratched onto the victims cheek.

Curious that an "O" wasn't scratched.

edit: p.s. The "B" looks very symmetrical and of an even depth. I'd think someone pumping adrenaline after beating someone would have a difficult time making such a well-formed scar, without cutting the skin. What weapon was used?

But, ditto, here's hoping justice is done, swiftly and accurately.

edit: p.p.s. The Smoking Gun has a post up on this, including a screenshot of the victim's Twitter page, before it was secured as private. As a side note, the victim apparently is a less than stellar driver. 2 separate tweets regarding traffic stops in 2 days.

[krkaufman]

26. "carved in right cheek" ... so image file wasn't mirrored on upload

The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review story reports that "the man then carved the 'B' into Todd's right cheek", as it appears in the photo. (link)

And a screenshot of her twitter page, courtesy Wonkette...

edit: p.s. Wonkette readers are funny...

regisgoat says at 7:37 pm, October 23rd, 2008
It’s fishy, because there’s no such thing as “the wrong side of Pittsburgh.” Pittsburgh is nothing but wrong sides.

NewSpence says at 7:37 pm, October 23rd, 2008
The kicker for me?
The B is in Helvetica.