Not long after my complaint about news creating a sense of blogligation, there was a story -- BLOODBATH AT GYM ATTACK PLOT ONLINE (linked with huge Drudge headline). I guess that means I am supposed to say something about it, although I am not sure why.

The shooter kept a diary, and I think it would be fair to characterize him as just the latest in a long line of nutcases who engage in terror-style shootings in public places:

Sodini's Aug. 3 online diary entry, which included a date of death, was full of disturbing musings about religion and his plans for the attack. He noted that he hadn't had a drink since 2:30 on Friday as part of his preparation.

"Total effort needed. Tomorrow is the big day. Unfortunately I talked to my neighbor today, who is very positive and upbeat. I need to remain focused and absorbed COMPLETELY," the diary read. "Last time I tried this, in January, I chickened out."

The diary also indicated that Sodini hadn't had sex since 1990 and that his so-called "practice papers" -- details about the planning of the attack -- are welcome to be published afterward because "maybe all this will shed insight on why some people just cannot make things happen in their life, which can potentially benefit others.

"Maybe soon, I will see God and Jesus. At least that is what I was told. Eternal life does NOT depend on works. If it did, we will all be in hell," Sodini apparently wrote, before adding later, "I was reading the Bible and The Integrity of God beginning yesterday, because soon I will see them."

I realize it's not very emotionally rewarding, yet it would strike me as a cheapshot to use the shooting as an occasion to invoke favorite culprits, climates, or other pet peeves.

Besides, as the man left an online diary, where he excoriates Barack Obama, women, right wing fundamentalists, and complains that he has not had sex since 1982, there's plenty of fertile ground for ideologues (as well as pro-sex and anti-sex crusaders) across the entire political spectrum.

For example, a DailyKos entry calls him a "Racist, Sexist, Nut-Job," with the url title adding the words "Religiously Deranged" -- conveniently leaving out his hatred of religious fundamentalists so that other leftists can assume that's what he is. And a diarist named "FishOutofWater" admits there's no making sense of the shooter, but lays blame on the right anyway:

...there are guys like this one who are walking time bombs who are being stirred up by Glenn Beck, Fox News and the Republican Party.

There's no making sense of this killer. However, it's pretty clear that the right wing is using people like him to create an atmosphere of intimidation of liberals, Latinos and gays.

Has anyone on the right used this deranged man to intimidate anyone, anywhere? Please fill me in if they have, as I would like to be fair. Otherwise, I will conclude the people who can be accused of "using people like him to create an atmosphere of intimidation" are the ones who hurl such wildly unfounded charges.

Sigh.

Some climates are more predictable than others.