TCTI: Too Crazy Too Ignore
 Dave Ross

An army of one

BY Dave Ross  on February 8, 2013 @ 5:43 am (Updated: 5:55 am - 2/8/13 )

AP: 9137d805-30da-49c8-8580-20accae218ba
Christopher Dorner, a former Los Angeles officer. Dorner, who was fired from the LAPD in 2008 for making false statements, is linked to a weekend killing and authorities believe he opened fire early Thursday on police in cities east of Los Angeles, killing an officer and wounding another. Police issued a statewide "officer safety warning" and police were sent to protect people named in the posting that was believed to be written by Dorner. (AP Photo/Los Angeles Police Department)
I guess if we were wondering how it might look when someone decides to act on selected quotes of Thomas Jefferson, we know now.

In his manifesto, ex-cop-turned avenger Christopher Dorner used that familiar Jefferson quote written in defense of periodic revolution: "The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants."

The same quote was on Timothy McVeigh's t-shirt in 1995 the day he bombed the Murrah Building in Oklahoma City. But as with most people who invoke that quote, which was part of a long letter, they leave out the rest, which includes:

"Happy for us, that when we find our constitutions defective and insufficient to secure the happiness of our people, we can assemble with all the coolness of philosophers and set it to rights, while every other nation on earth must have recourse to arms ..."

In this case the "coolness of philosophers" was replaced by a heat of a long-standing grudge, and of course easy access to weapons. That's the really chilling part. Where he described an arsenal that included highly regulated Class III weapons such as silencers and short-barreled rifles, and said he bought them from Lock 'n Load - a Las Vegas gun store - without a background check. All they wanted was money and a signature.

Because he, at the time, was a law abiding citizen. The kind whose gun rights we all want to protect. You can't help but wonder - how many people are building up legal arsenals, and nursing deep resentments, all the while scrupulously obeying every law - until the day they don't?

Read more:
Read the latest on the search for Christopher Dorner
Career woes, perceived racism fuel ex-cop's anger

Dave Ross, KIRO Radio Talk Show Host
Dave Ross is co-host of The Ross & Burbank Show on KIRO Radio (weekdays 9-Noon) and never too far from the spotlight.
More Dave Ross

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Comments (131)


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  • Keitho wrote...
    The headline grabbed me
    February 8, 2013 8:29 am
    Dave Ross-an army of one. I picture a short, weaponless guy signing gilbert and sullivan tunes marching off to war
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  • Cbrew wrote...
    Haha...
    February 8, 2013 8:34 am
    I knew about this story before Ross did his terrible analysis and flip on it somehow turning it into a gun control debate.... so i guess i missed the headline in a mad dash to see how badly he would ruin the article... Dave ross - an army of one!! ... hah!!! Dave would never go to war he'd pee himself and flee to Canada before fighting for what he believes... Dave is a coward. a weak coward at that..
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  • ljr1981 wrote...
    Dangerously Misleading
    February 8, 2013 8:33 am
    Mr. Ross, you are not only wrong, but dangerously so. Your writing above tries to denude Jefferson's "tree of liberty" statement. Moreover, you attempt to tie anyone using it to someone who is crazy or mentally unsound. Nothing could be further from the truth. First, your writing implies the "tree of liberty" statement is written in the same letter or context together with the "coolness" statement. This if false. The "coolness" quote is from from Jefferson to C.W.F. Dumas (Sept. 10, 1787). The "tree of liberty" quote is from to William Stephens Smith (Nov. 13, 1787). Moreover, the paper where you can find a complete discussion is "Jefferson's Armed Citizenry and the Republican Militia" by David T. Konig, professor of history at Washington University in St. Louis. On page 17 of Mr. Konig's paper, you will find a more definitive treatment of the "tree of liberty" statement, tying Mr. Jefferson to Mr. Locke. As a matter of fact, it is Mr. Locke's writings about the English "Glorious Revolution" and "Bill of Rights" that provided the basis for Jefferson to support the rebellion against England in 1775, when the Declaration of Independence was written. Jefferson well knew he was taking actions that would lead to armed conflict and revolution. Moreover, Jefferson was clearly stating that ANY government which enters into the arena defined as tyranny CANNOT be resolved with the "coolness of philosophers". This notion of "coolness" was reserved for a government that was respectful of the liberties of We the People, to whom is vested the power of ANY government, unless it so violates this reality by becoming a tyrant. So, the premise of your article is patently false and your representation of the facts is skewed and dangerous, in that your presentation leads people to a not only an incorrect version of the facts of our Union and Republic, but engenders support for the growing tyrannical aspects of this present government. Because of these things, I could NOT let your words go by unnoticed or unresponded to. Have a great day!
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  • Cbrew wrote...
    ljr1981 - Couldn't agree with you more....
    February 8, 2013 8:39 am
    The article is absolutely misleading.. I don't understand why people like Dave Ross are hired to do this job, he's terrible at it, he not only misrepresents facts he deliberately misrepresents facts... in other words, it's not just that he's stupid and doesn't know he's wrong, it's that he knows he's wrong but only cares about pushing his agenda forward, his point of view, regardless of whether or not he has anything to back it up, even if all he has to back it up are lies he makes up himself.... How did we get to the point where Dave Ross is somebody that's paid to speak in open forum? Pathetic.
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  • ljr1981 wrote...
    Jeffersonian Viewpoint
    February 8, 2013 9:37 am
    If you download the paper by Mr. Konig and read page 17, paragraphs 2 and 3, you will find even more revelation of the mind of Mr. Jefferson. On one hand, Mr. Jefferson proffered a deep hope that the United States form a Republic would allow the continued and peaceable exercise of our government. However, he also exclaimed "if this avenue be shut to the call of sufferance, it will make itself heard through that of force, and we shall go on, as other nations are doing, in the endless circle of oppression, rebellion, reformation; and repression, rebellion, reformation, again; and so on forever." (Jefferson to Samuel Kercheval (July 12, 1816)). Moreover, Jefferson writes, "And what country can preserve it's liberties if their rulers are not warned from time to time that their people presever the spirit [e.g. mind or thinking] of resistance? Let them take arms. The remedy is to set them right as to facts, pardon and pacify them." (Jefferson to William Stephen Smith (November 13, 1787)). Thus, Jefferson was on one hand a cool and calm statesman, but on the other backed up that coolness by promoting a local, citizen militia. On this matter, I wish us all well and godspeed!
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  • Chuck Gould wrote...
    As a fan of Dave Ross, his recent decline is disappointing
    February 8, 2013 8:55 am
    I've been a Dave Ross fan since his earliest days in Seattle. There was a time when his active intelligence and sharp wit were used to improve his shows. He would, year after year, prove to be one of the more creative radio personalities in this market. Some of his commentaries have enjoyed national syndication. Although some on the far right would argue that any perspective that didn't entirely condemn the left with full force and fury could hardly be considered "unbiased", Dave often managed to preserve at least a veneer of objectivity.

    His show became the "Ross and Burbank Show", and now that's stepping toward being nothing more than the "Burbank Show." Luke's OK. Wish him well. As we pass the torch to the youngsters, let's just hope they don't burn everything down.

    I believe Dave and I are either exactly or just about the same age. He's had a fantastic career in Seattle radio. He has to be thinking about retirement. Maybe that explains why the edge is missing. He seems more and more to be just "mailing it in". Really makes me sad.

    Careers are like light bulbs. They all have an end date. I think it's better when the light bulb burns as bright as it can right up until the last second. It's just frustrating when the light bulb gets dimmer, and dimmer, and dimmer, before it is finally done.

    I'd like to see the "old", classic Dave Ross back for a last hurrah- for however many months or years remain until he decides that showing up for work once a week beats showing up for work every morning. I think Dave has a lot more to contribute, but whether he is being deliberately phased out by KIRO or just running out of steam it's sad to see him now somewhat less than what he once was.

    Any chance he could have a health issue?

    To Dave Ross: Bring back Dave Ross.

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  • William Lawn wrote...
    Chuck, to be serious for a moment
    February 8, 2013 9:11 am
    If you had this pack of crazies at your beck and call each day, wouldn't you just love to stir them up?

    Dave's blog posts are fabulous.

    A discussion of something in the news with a little dig at the end that is guaranteed to set these maniacs on fire. They just explode!

    It is incredibly funny.

    Kersey and his dark mutterings, Law with his name calling, AJ putting up post after post after post (whether as he or me). claiming "he won"., the list of nuts is endless.

    They get their own little echo chamber going and it just gets funnier and funnier.

    They are very entertaining.

    You seem like a serious, and nice guy bent on convincing these people of a point of view.

    They are, for the most part, nuts.

    But funny ones.

    I too have listened to Dave for years and he's always been like this. He just hasn't had the crazies that follow him daily.

    So perhaps you never noticed.

    I have.

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  • Mavila wrote...
    Dave Ross' tactic is not to throw in "a little dig at the end"...
    February 8, 2013 9:24 am
    it's to express snearing contempt for people who disagree with him, to mock and belittle. In this case, he threw in a falsehood to misrepresent Jefferson's writings. All in an effort to twist his argument into a justification to ban rifles like the AR-15. He cannot make an intellectual argument to support his views. Small minds must resort to petty tactics.
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  • ron prevost wrote...
    It's not a 'dig' at the end, Mr. Lawn. It has been a wry joke.
    February 8, 2013 9:49 am
    Used to be fun to post back in kind. ... But I haven't seen that much lately from Dave.

    Something IS different. And, as I noted on the page i, today's post is disappointing. .. The spirit is lacking.

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  • William Lawn wrote...
    It got the reaction he wanted Mr. ron.
    February 8, 2013 10:09 am
    Paul was posting like a madman trying to PROVE this guy is a lib hoping no one would check..

    Yeah, libs for Christie, Bush and Teabow.

    Law was calling everyone names. Aj was going berserk, You were making reasoned posts that reflect your ideology.

    It was all so predictable.

    And funny.

    But I do agree, I liked the call in format better.

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  • ron prevost wrote...
    Chuch, I agree 100%. ....... (and Dave is a couple of years younger than me, so he CAN'T retire, yet).
    February 8, 2013 9:18 am
    Back in the old days, regardless of his personal stances, Dave would take a sort of devil's advocate position. Asking 'what would I say if the positions/parties/people were reversed?' ... Of course, that was also back when you could actually call into talk to Dave and the Eastlake Crusaders for Common Sense were viable. ... While I still enjoy hearing him, Dave these days seems to put in less and less effort than in the past. I hope it is not health.

    But, I agree, give us back the real Dave Ross.

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  • Ernie in the East wrote...
    Just another convoluted attempt to go after guns
    February 8, 2013 9:03 am
    Dave, can't you actually "report" the news without another convoluted attempt to smear the gun rights of law abiding citizens? If you'd do your job as a reporter, you'd know that many a warning sign was given by Dorner in years past and people ignored them. More and more we are living in a society which desires less and less confrontation with the truth...until the ugly reality of it's ignored consequences comes crashing right into our faces, front and center. The politically correct, hogwash, that we each have our own truth continues to harvest a cesspool of distorted falsehoods. Dorner lived on twisted lies and distorted truth and it looks like no one sought to be correction. When he was confronted with some of that truth (his being dismissed from the LAPD) he was unwilling to accept the truth because his own "truth" said the real truth was a lie. This has nothing to do with guns, Dave. This is another example of a twisted thinking man who will go to any lengths to bring harm to others. If we somehow could have all guns confiscated in this country, Dorner would still have found a way to murder the people that he has already murdered and is plotting to murder. Why can't you gun control advocates get that through your skulls. Guns don't kill, people do.
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  • HLC wrote...
    A person that worked with Dorner in the navy said he had no leadership qualities.
    February 8, 2013 9:20 am
    Sound familiar? Sure signs of a limp leftie. As was all the mass killers as of late. Of course they were all cowards, what else could they be?
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  • Mavila wrote...
    Insane?
    February 8, 2013 9:31 am
    Aside from the fact that they used evil guns to commit their crimes, they were all pretty much crazy. All of them.

    There's a story on Belle's page about a poor guy whose wife could not get him any mental health assistance. He didn't kill anyone, but the point is that there is a serious mental health issue related to all of these sad episodes.

    It's a good thing, of course, that no one died in that story, but if the guy had murdered a couple of people, Dave Ross would have written the story and you wouldn't have heard much about his wife's frustrations with repeatedly trying to get him some help.

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  • Ron_Spins wrote...
    That sounds very familiar Dorner is just like" President Rambo".
    February 8, 2013 9:31 am
    They have to drag everyone down with them!
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  • deltta wrote...
    HLC
    February 8, 2013 10:32 am
    Not making excuses for this guy, but Navy has a long history of demonizing anyone or anything that makes the Navy look bad. Look up Clayton Hartwig and the Battleship Iowa
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  • ToldYa wrote...
    he hasn't been found
    February 8, 2013 9:45 am
    because he's getting help... from those seeking him?
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  • dori monson fan wrote...
    dave
    February 8, 2013 10:15 am
    how is the "coolness of philosophers" working out for chris harris? is officer matt paul "securing the happiness of our people?" since we clearly can't relieve him of his spd duties would it not be wise to have more firepower than him if for some reason he comes knocking on your or my front door?
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  • Cbrew wrote...
    A message to Dave Ross
    February 8, 2013 10:38 am
    Dave, I don't listen to you, I never have, I read the blogs you post here, but that's about it. In the short while that I have read your articles, I'm dissapointed with your work. I'm confused with the style you choose to work with in reporting and analyzing the news. You deliver the news with an obvious bias, but not only that, you try to drag whatever the topic of the day is into stories that aren't even relevent to what you're pushing. This story of an LAPD officer who believes he was set up and is now attacking and killing those he deems set him up, has nothing to do with Jefferson's philosophies or gun rights, you twisted Jefferson's comments to feed your agenda, not unlike what this Dorner guy has done. You're trying to fit square pegs into round holes... Why? Don't you have an ounce of journalistic integrity, isn't the truth important to you at all? Jefferson's stance on guns isn't hard to figure out, his comments on the topic are clear, he believes the public should be well armed in order to maintain a free society capable of deterring a tyrannical Government from forming in the US. Now somehow, you've taken that, and tried to indicate that people who support gun rights are essentially just like Dorner, and think just like him... It's an insult, it should insult even those that support more gun regulations, because it's a ridiculous lie, and because you are purposely describing the people on the opposite side of the gun debate from you in a completely innacurate way... So much so, that you essentially inferred that all of us who own guns and respect gun ownership and gun rights are of the thinking that if we see something we deem as unjustified, we believe in killing people to get our point across. It's ludicrous, it's naive, it's absolutely insulting to anyone with even average intelligence. I believe it's bad when a reporter/commentator is ignorant and puts stupid ideas on the air or in print just because they're too stupid to know better, but i don't think this is the case with you, i believe you know exactly what you're doing, you know exactly how stupid your argument is, so my question is why are you posting it? I can tear apart your argument so fast it's rediculous... For example, Jefferson's quotes, they were talking about how a well armed public can act as a check/balance to the Government to ensure it does not become tyrranical, it has nothing to do with this one man's personal agenda against the LAPD... furthermore, even if the legislation you want to have put in place is enacted, it would not have deterred this man, he was a COP and a Navy Officer, he would have been one of the people you believe SHOULD have guns, he's HAD mental evaluations, he has NO criminal record, he would have passed a background check and ultimately he was a police officer so he would have access to guns... In my opinion with this story you're only shedding light on the fact that further gun laws wouldn't protect us from gun violence, the man is exactly who YOU want to have guns and the exact kind of person you think should be able to get them, and by all accounts, until recently he fit the bill of a responsible gun owner, unfortunately, the truth is, Freedom requires responsibility and it also leaves us open to attack... This is the cost of living in a free society, most of us know this, morons like you think that if you pass enough laws somehow everyone is going to abide by them, it's ludicrous... but I assume, you're smart enough to know this, so why then are you pushing this agenda? Are you really just a stupid person?
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  • ljr1981 wrote...
    Here, here!
    February 8, 2013 11:26 am
    Nicely stated and thought out. Our points dovetail, especially with regard to Jefferson and certainly to Mr. Ross and his agenda-pushing maniacal nonsense logic. I am becoming more and more convinced that people in the media are somehow (purposefully or by association) linked up in a decades long (century long) slog with a primary goal of tearing this Republic apart and rendering it godless and impotent in the fabric of human history. I am more and more convinced that these people are so seething in anger against God and the godly that they are willing to destroy themselves in the pursuit of a wicked agenda. I will not (and cannot) say where Mr. Ross lives on that spectrum, but one thing is clear: Mr. Ross, you are not a man of like mind with our founding fathers and certainly not as evidenced by your abuse and misrepresentation of the words, logic, thinking and reasoning of Mr. Jefferson.
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  • deltta wrote...
    Navy-Marksman
    February 8, 2013 11:07 am
    just an FYI Marksman does not mean alot. It shows that he knows how to use a rifle but also shows me that he isn't very good at it. My 12 year old nephew could shoot the course and qualify marksman.
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  • CH wrote...
    Good Job Dave
    February 8, 2013 11:42 am
    you got the crazy circus munchins/flounders falling of the republican clown wagon.
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