"Skinheads" Reveal All On Web

CBS News Investigates: Web Postings Expose Racist Ideals Of Men Accused Of Plotting Killing Spree

(CBS)  CBS News Investigative Producer Pia Malbran wrote this story for CBSNews.com with additional reporting from The Early Show's Will Goodman.

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Personal Internet pages and web postings provide a disturbing glimpse into the racist minds of the two self-described "skinheads" who were allegedly plotting to carry out a mass killing spree that included beheading African-Americans and assassinating presidential candidate Barack Obama.

Yesterday, federal investigators announced the arrests of 20-year-old Daniel Cowart of Bells, Tenn., and 18-year-old Paul Schlesselman of West Helena, Ark., who were driving around in a car painted with swastikas and other white supremacist slogans while in possession of five stolen guns. Authorities are skeptical the men were a threat. They say there is no evidence of them actually trying to carry out an assassination, but during questioning the men allegedly told investigators they were preparing to kill 88 people "targeting a predominately African-American school, going state to state while robbing individuals and continuing to kill people." The men also allegedly said they wanted to “drive their vehicle as fast as they could towards Obama shooting him from the windows” while dressed in “all white tuxedos” and wearing “top hats.”

While the alleged plot may never have been carried out, both men have their own Myspace pages where they make a series of racist assertions and proudly tote their guns.

On his MySpace page, Schlesselman lists his occupation as “being racist” and writes “I’m white. I’m proud. I get angry. I like guns. I like weapons. I need money wiggers…be afraid.” "Wiggers" is a derogatory slang term used to describe a white person who emulates stereotypical mannerisms of African-Americans. He also posted a homemade video on MySpace in which he appears to be mocking "wiggers" and African-Americans.

He last logged onto his MySpace page on October 20 the same day, investigators say, Cowart traveled from Tennessee to Arkansas to meet with him and begin the alleged killing spree. On that day, Schlesselman listed his mood as “creative.”

Schlesselman also lists his cell phone number on his MySpace page. CBS News called the number. His voicemail first plays what sounds like a racist country song. Then, Schlesselman leaves a disturbing rant filled with profanities and racial slurs against African-Americans. He ends the message saying “white power.”

On Cowart’s MySpace page, there are a series of photos showing guns displayed in different positions titled “my guns.” In one photo, Cowart is holding a large rifle while wearing a sleeveless shirt. A swastika tattoo, typically associated with white supremacists, can be seen on his right arm. In another picture, he displays what appears to be an iron-cross symbol, often associated with racist skinheads, tattooed on his left chest. A message on his MySpace pages says: "Better to die quick fighting on your feet then to live forever begging on your knees."

(MySpace Page)

(MySpace Page)

CBS News traced Cowart’s email and discovered that he is a forum member of the website StormFront.org, reportedly the nation’s largest website for white supremacists known as "white-power." In January, Cowart posted a note on a message board titled “what to carry for protection in a car?” He wrote “I live in Tennessee and I carry a expandable/collapsible police baton with me nearly everywhere. It is 100% legal here but I doubt it is in Jew York City.” He continued, “I would carry a handgun, but as you know you must be 21 to do so. But I would go with the other suggestions of either a baseball bat, hammer, or some other tool.”

In another posting about slavery, he wrote: "Why buy a slave? Haven't we learned our lesson already? If we didn't bring slaves over here in the first place, would things be so bad now? I think not..."

Cowart and Schlesselman are being held without bond in Tennessee. They are scheduled to appear before a judge on Thursday.

[usclimey]

Wonder what these thuggettes would do if they ran into a real Nazi SS Storm Trooper. Probably pee in their pants.

[logansprings]

If these pathetic morons had went underground and resurfaced to be tried at a later date, perhaps their charges could have been thrown out on technicalities. Then, they could go on to get college degrees, become college professors, and emerge as friends and supporters of potential presidential candidates...like Bill Ayers.

[norcalruss]

I think these trailer trash rednecks spent too much time listening to the hate mongers at a Palin rally.

[recession1]

EVERY ONE IS SO BIG AND BAD UNTIL THEY GET A NEW LOCATION IN THE PRISONS!!! THEY WILL BE WASHING UNDERWEAR AND WEARING LIPSTICK IN NO-TIME.. LOL.. HAVE FUN WITH ALL THE PRISONERS THAT WILL SEE YOUR COWARD ACTS ON THE T.V. AND ARE SURE TO WELCOME YOU W/ OPEN ARMS!!!! LMAO!!
WHAT IDIOTS...

[beader59]

These people are losers. This is not a judgement call, it is reality. I think they should be charged with an assasination attempt. They are crazy and this is not what our freedom of speech should atand for. It is hateful and possibly deadly.

[kommoncents-2009]

Oh, I can''t wait for these 2 trailer trash, rednecks to get into prison, the black prison population will take care of these morons.

[jolsonbear]

Isn''t that Joe the Plumber in the wife beater??

[incog-nito]

It''s amazing what attending a Palin rally can do to a person.

[omded]

My first inclination when reading this article was that these are nothing more than kids with wild imaginations and fantasies. I was thinking "these kids probably aren''t capable of doing anything without bungling something up. I mean, driving around in a car covered with swastikas while in possession of 5 stolen rifles. It''s kind of like driving away from a bank robbery in a get away car that''s designed to draw the greatest possible attention to yourself, and be easily recognized. But, upon further reflection, these kids did have 5 guns, and it wouldn''t take much intelligence to start acting out their violent fantasies. Kind of scary when people of such obviously limited intelligence are in a position to do such a sorry act. Well, it seems to me they need to be assigned to some public service serving the black community. Service, of course in addition to time in jail until they can convince everyone they''re no longer a threat to innocent people who just happen to have a better tan than they do.

[hypnotoad72]

Interesting camera angle with the gun barrel. A+ for creativity, but the guy behind it seems more a petty thug than someone who would creativity to a more lively use.

[silver1237]

ChicagoRail7 Seven has to stand for your IQ and rail must be the tracks you live under. You need to crawl back under them to your hole. Slither away SLIMEHBALL.

You have to sling insults cause you know your scared.
The silent majority is is Coming and you can do nothing to change it WORM.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!

[jumper596]

2 words for these gentlemen:

ADX Florence

[rmonroe401]

TheMasses1,

Get a flippin clue you racist idiot.

[mjm117]

Trash. Trash. Trash.

[silver1237]

thought the numbers out of Illinois were very telling%u2026%u2026%u2026.then scan down%u2026..
CHICAGO POLITICS
BODY COUNT IN THE LAST SIX MONTHS
292 MURDERED IN CHICAGO
221 KILLED IN IRAQ
OUR LEADERSHIP IN ILLINOIS ;
SEN. BARACK OBAMA
SEN. *** DURBIN
REP. JESSE JACKSON, JR.
GOV. ROD BLOGOJEVICH
HOUSE LEADER MIKE MADIGAN
ATTY. GEN LISA MADIGAN
MAYOR RICHARD DALY
ALL DEMOCRATS
THANK YOU FOR THE COMBAT ZONE IN CHICAGO
OF COURSE THEY ARE BLAMING EACH OTHER.
CAN''T BLAME THE REPUBLICANS, BECAUSE THERE AREN''T ANY.!!!!!
STATE PENSION FUND $44 BILLION IN DEBT, WORST IN THE NATION.
COOK COUNTY (CHICAGO) SALES TAX 10.25%, HIGHEST IN THE NATION.
CHICAGO SCHOOL SYSTEM ONE OF THE WORST IN THE NATION.
THIS IS THE POLITICAL MACHINE THAT OBAMA SAYS HE COMES FROM IN ILLINOIS.
AND NOW
OBAMA SAYS HE''S GONNA ''FIX'' WASHINGTON POLITICS.!!!!!
SPREAD THE WORD ***** SAVE AMERICA
VOTE the facts not the glamour

[rmonroe401]

AFactJack said
"The Los Angeles Times keeps a video which reveals how close a connection Barack NObama has to the PLO...."

See what happens when you watch Fox News. It produces idiots like this. You wouldn''t know a fact if it hit you square across your forehead. And listening to Faux News will only make you more of a racist pig.

[ericv2644]

you people are sick, Obama will win. SO accept it and move on. no racist allowed get another country.

[omded]

What is it about elections that lures all the whackos away from their video games?

[tigerrram9]

Someone said "What attending a Sarah Palin can do to a young mind." I believe these young men were inspired by Sarah Palin''s comments in her rallies. I said it before and I will say it again. If anyone hurts the Obama Family, I will blame Sarah Palin for inciting hatred in her rallies. She could have wooed the crowd on her merits and experience, no she chose to attack Senator Obama and this is what came of that. People wanting to hurt another human being because he doesn''t like them. I told Sarah stop spreading hatred, see this is what we get now.
America vote your heart not your fears or not your hatred..God Bless America and all Americans

[fbla1805]

The two recently apprehended skinheads planned to take the hatred and vindictiveness of the McCain/Palin campaign to its final, logical step.

That would be the one step further that Ashley Todd, the white woman campaign operative who made up the story of being mugged and brutalized by a black Obama supporter just three news cycles ago, had also been willing to provoke. (Remember Ashley? PITTSBURGH, Oct. 24 - McCain Worker Made Up Attack Story - To Be Charged With Making False Report).

Rogue actors, sure!

But they have been shown the way, and incited to their actions, by the rhetoric of Sarah Palin and John McCain, - who%u2019s gutter campaign tactics have been bringing just this element to the surface at their rallies these past weeks.

And that is the point.

This McCain-style campaign from the gutter must not be rewarded with victory at the polls, but rather, must be soundly defeated on Nov 4th, election day, just 7 days from today!

[mjm117]

8 reasons to not vote for McCain

8. 2001
7. 2002
6. 2003
5. 2004
4. 2005
3. 2006
2. 2007
1. 2008

[fbla1805]

By the way...

Remember Republicans posting about "Berg vs. Obama, Civil Action No. 08-cv-4083", seeking a Declaratory Judgment and an Injunction that Obama does not meet the qualifications to be President of the United States?

Let me pass on to the readers of this blog the following info:

This lawsuit has been thrown out of court (i.e., dismissed) as "frivolous and not worthy of discussion", as of Oct. 25th.

If there are more of these bogus law suits in other courts, this decision will become the precedent for tossing them out, too.

Too bad for McCain, but as the old saying goes, when something appears too good to be true, it''s not - same with McCain''s chances this would ever save him from his well-deserved election thrashing in just 7 days.

[magoo2u1]

The funny thing is, these guys guys declared ""Better to die quick fighting on your feet then to live forever begging on your knees."
But these self described "meatheads" are gonna be spending a lot of time on their knees and bent over a prison washing machine. And , yes, there will probably be a lot of begging goin'' on.

[mnunziante]

Incredible, ignorant, racist "political posts" in response to this article about psychopathic would-be killers? McCain-Palin button on a Nazi uniform....nice.

Obama-Biden for change we can''t do without.

[fbla1805]

In just 7 days, the politics of ploys, stunts, slime, sleazy robocalls, zingers, race hatred, inciting to violence, and culture wars will be on the ballot!

On Nov. 4th, the politics of Bush/Cheney, McCain/Palin, Rove/Steve Schmidt, & Rupert Murdoch%u2019s Fox News, will be defeated.

Americans, remember! We need a huge turnout & a landslide victory, because as we can today see, the Republicans are again trying to steal this election at the polling stations, just like in 2000 & 2004!

Americans, black, white & brown, will vote with strength and courage, elect Obama/Biden in overwhelming numbers, & return honesty, decency, & integrity to American politics!

Starting Nov. 5th, we%u2019ll begin the hard work of repairing the immense damage these Republican Party thieves and scoundrels have done to our economy, our country, & our people.

[mjm117]

But these self described "meatheads" are gonna be spending a lot of time on their knees and bent over a prison washing machine. And , yes, there will probably be a lot of begging goin'''' on.


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Posted by magoo2u1 at 06:41 PM : Oct 28, 2008


One would like to think, but my bet is they will join a white power prison gang and come out stronger and with more racist connections then before. Now that is scary

[silver1237]

thought the numbers out of Illinois were very telling%u2026%u2026%u2026.then scan down%u2026..
CHICAGO POLITICS
BODY COUNT IN THE LAST SIX MONTHS
292 MURDERED IN CHICAGO
221 KILLED IN IRAQ
OUR LEADERSHIP IN ILLINOIS ;
SEN. BARACK OBAMA
SEN. *** DURBIN
REP. JESSE JACKSON, JR.
GOV. ROD BLOGOJEVICH
HOUSE LEADER MIKE MADIGAN
ATTY. GEN LISA MADIGAN
MAYOR RICHARD DALY
ALL DEMOCRATS
THANK YOU FOR THE COMBAT ZONE IN CHICAGO
OF COURSE THEY ARE BLAMING EACH OTHER.
CAN''T BLAME THE REPUBLICANS, BECAUSE THERE AREN''T ANY.!!!!!
STATE PENSION FUND $44 BILLION IN DEBT, WORST IN THE NATION.
COOK COUNTY (CHICAGO) SALES TAX 10.25%, HIGHEST IN THE NATION.
CHICAGO SCHOOL SYSTEM ONE OF THE WORST IN THE NATION.
THIS IS THE POLITICAL MACHINE THAT OBAMA SAYS HE COMES FROM IN ILLINOIS.
AND NOW
OBAMA SAYS HE''S GONNA ''FIX'' WASHINGTON POLITICS.!!!!!
SPREAD THE WORD ***** SAVE AMERICA
VOTE the facts not the glamour

[dvillegas43-2009]

These two self-proclaimed idiots were jerking each other off posting this *** to make themselves seem important. They may have had the firepower but lacked the brains to even concieve how to pull it off. Just a pair of losers who will spend a lot of years in prison for the crime of utter stupidity.

[mjm117]

Posted by silver1237 at 06:48 PM : Oct 28, 2008


Grade A a*s clown right there. Have fun voting for McBush, good luck adjusting to the change. Have fun. Better start building your bomb shelter and stockin gup on SPAM you paranoid red neck

[mjm117]

Posted by silver1237 at 06:48 PM : Oct 28, 2008


What''s wrong redneck boy? Can''t think of anything else to type and have nothing else in your lackluster of an argument? So, let''s copy and paste over and over and over again? Talk about brainwashed.

[mjm117]

Posted by silver1237 at 06:48 PM : Oct 28, 2008


Dude, I just saw it on the TV. They got them NASCAR flags for sale down the street. We gotta get us some of them! For every two you buy, you get a free Budweiser hat! We can buy 4 of them, so yous and I both can get us a new hat!

[mjm117]

I heard if McCain wins, he''s going to mail out new NASCAR sleeveless shirts to everyone! Vote for McCain!

[skydotcom]

Ten dollars to the first McCain/Palin supporter that can define any ONE of the following terms: "socialism", "Marxism", "precondition", or "liberal elitist".

Ten dollars to the first right-wing fundamentalist that can SPELL "right-wing fundamentalist". (No peeking...)

[bleu-me]

These guys are a disgrace to their granfathers that died in WWII who fought the germans and beat them to stop this kind of ******* way of thinking
all I see is scared lil white boys.

[watching_you]

Dear AFactJack:

{}{}{}{}


Briefly stated, socialism refers to a broad set of economic theories and ideological constructs that advocating %u201Cstate%u201D or collective ownership and administration of the means of production and distribution of goods.

What do you think Bush%u2019s $800 billion bail out is? In dealing with the precipitous freefall of our economy (due to DE-regulation) your government has actually taken over the central banking system.

Here%u2019s what truly amazing to me about bigots, racists and other pinheads: The very things they most fear, socialism, totalitarianism, invasive governmental control, loss of liberty ---------- are all upon us now, courtesy of Bush%u2019s one party totalitarian regime.

[usclimey]

Posted by fbla1805

Great post - lead on fbla.

[steeepe]

Who knows how many racist idiots lurk in the depths of America? Intelligence is on a bell-shaped curve, and these guys are at the far end.

[celiene]

A couple of real mental giants. Typical of the Conservative Republican base. Disgusting. It''s a good thing Buah''s No Child Left Behind left these two behind. Be afraid of the ones WITH brains & closed mouths.

[deweyhowe]

I was waiting to see whether any "mental giant" here would equate this evil with the republican party. Predictably, someone stepped up to the plate (see previous post). Ironically, the last post and the skinhead mentality are VERY similar in their reductionist predictability. Now THAT''s scary!

[jrefo]

DeckardBR that''s why you don''t post your life on the internet for the world to see. People in the 1980s had more common sense than the fools you see accused today.

[awgreg]

I am a bit suspicious as to why the mainstream media is paying so much attention to this. Come on, these two morons are driving around in a car "painted with swastikas and other white supremacist slogans" and we act like there was a chance in hades that they would have gotten within 5 miles of a school ANYWHERE, let alone Barack Obama???!?
Gosh, these two masterminds almost got away with a genuine threat to democracy!!!! Who would have suspected a couple of evolutionary u-turns who drive around a car painted with swastikas and post racist drivel on their sad little websites? I am sure that these two master criminals would have gotten away with this if the media hadn''t broken the story and that there is no desire on the part of the media to inflame discussions about what could happen if (horror of horrors!) a black man was actually elected president....

[jettskiman]

And people wonder why gun sales are up. With these kind of nuts running around we all need to have our own guns ready and waiting just to protect ourselves.

[bobgee_1999]

deweyhowe: Actually, when you see interviews with people at these Palin-McCain rallies or simply hear the slogans they shout, it isn''t hard at all to see a similarity between the neo-Nazi latent homosexual fear groups and those in the right-wing audience. GOP supporters have whipped up this fear and nationalist fervor in a desperate attempt to save a failed campaign, implying that Obama is a militant, a Muslim, and an actual threat. It is hardly suprising that these dimbulbs took the bait, and yes, the Republicans are at least in part responsible for shouting "Fire!"

[natly-2009]

I''m so glad that GOD knows who the real trouble makers are so when judgment day comes they''ll get their just reward "no wings" which means ''Hell bound. "He who Hates disguises it with his lips, but he lays up deceit in his heart. Though his Hatred covers itself with guile, his wickedness will be revealed before the assembly. Proverbs 26:24,26 Remember GOD sits high and see everything down low.
"For a prudent man sees evil and hides himself, but the naive proceeds and pay the penalty."
Proverbs 27:12

[kansas1946]

I doubt these goobers have a collective IQ above 100, but idiots can still be dangerous.

[incog-nito]

So it''s true what they say. Attending a Palin rally can have a powerful effect on people.

[concerned222]

It''s sad but I''m afraid this kind of thing is going to happen more and more. I''m from the South and many people feel the same as these 2. It really scares me that there are really people out there who would plot such plans. But, just watch. I think there will be lots of stories like this in the future. It scares me for our country. Many people (all over) can''t get past the race issue. Maybe I''m one of them, but I really try every day not be racist in any way. I try to treat others as I would like to be treated no matter who they are. But there are many in around me who do not feel this way. It''s really sad.

[Sandymarie]

Free speech guarantees an outlet for prejudice, hatred, positive and negative views on all religions (or lack of belief in a higher power). What saddens and frightens me is realizing how many people will swallow headlines without reading the articles, and accept rhetoric from any source without further confirmation of the "facts". The media consistently bashes McCain. What happened to fair reporting? Educated Americans are serving as storm drains, overfilled with flotsam and filth; spewing everything they have swallowed, (without question) back into a society that can barely hold its head above the pollution that is choking the life out of its very soul. These 2 "skinhead" boys are confused, filled with hatred and looking for their "15 minutes of fame". God help these children and others like them. God forgive ALL of us for providing that "15 minutes of fame", without a solution at hand to hinder its growth.

[kaffirboetie]

I think jbrandenkhan needs to read up on the background to the American Civil War, he would then learn that the industrial power of the non slave northern states was overwhelmingly greater than that of the agrarian slave states, so the outcome of the civil war was never in doubt. This clearly demonstrates that it was mainly hard working white labour that made America rich and strong, not low cost black labour, which for decades after the end of the civil war continued to be engaged in mainly agrarian economies in the Southern states.

[concerned222]

Cyros
Believe me, I do not approve of the hate that people have. I just try to be the best person I can be. Maybe that''s idealistic but I AM scared for this country no matter who is elected. The skinhead thing is just not appropriate in any sector. I believe that Obama is going to be elected, so they just have to accept it and go on. What have they done for this country anyway? Just cause more problems. I''m sick of all the troubles and strife that is out there. Why can''t we get along and work together for a better country, instead of bickering and causing more upheaval? I''m just sick of this election.