". . . claims of "vindication" based on a couple of data points—none obviously related to economic conditions or newly-returned Iraq vets, as the DHS report stressed—sound uncannily similar to obtuse claims that global warming is refuted because we had a big snowstorm last week. Still more dubious are efforts to saddle the right as a whole with the crimes of a few madmen who seem to have lost it years ago."

Ah, Economist, you voice of reason.

But the recent and increasingly radical backlash from the far-right against the President has been widespread and well-publicized, and may help incite some of these to people to commit their crimes; they become better convinced that they are justified, or not alone.

And some people are simply very crazy.