by Vera H-C Chan
Was there a calculated generational appeal happening on "American Idol" during the ladies' round? Tuesday night's repertoire included crusty classics from the Animals, Fleetwood Mac, Carole Bayer Sager, Patsy Cline, and even one Charlie Chaplin-penned ditty.
The strategy's not necessarily bad, aside from the risk of being compared to the original. After all, the "Idol" core Search audience are ladies in their late 20s through the 50s. As we've seen in tracking the numbers, whoever the ladies like usually wins the season.
Below, we list the top 8 ladies according to their performance in Yahoo! search.
- Crystal Bowersox. The sympathy vote and her assured performance of "Give Me One Reason" (1988) continue to put the dreadlocked mom in the lead. But as "Idol" trackers know (and judge Cowell keeps forgetting), being dubbed the frontrunner can be a curse. (Recall the premature love showered on Danny Gokey, Michael Johns and Melinda Doolittle.)
- Siobhan Magnus. If the note heard 'round the reality TV world didn't do it, then her acappella lead-in to "House of the Rising Sun" (1964) cemented the Massachusetts contender as the "unique" and "unlikely" one to look out for (except for judge Cowell, who longed for another glass-shattering "moment").
- Didi Benami. Trembling at the precipice two weeks in a row, she improved this week with the Fleetwood Mac number "Rhiannon" (1976). Sticking with Stevie Nicks (a la "Landslide" from Top 20 week) can eventually pay off.
- Lacey Brown. Working the Betty-Boop eyes, Brown pumped some vim and vigor into "The Story" (2007), which Judge Randy dubbed a "boring" song (but not Brown's rendition). Her improvement and her underdog status may have helped boost Brown's following.
- Katelyn Epperly. Her keyboard shrunk from grand to stand-up, but her plastic take on "I Feel the Earth Move Under My Feet" (1971) left the panel unmoved. However, never underestimate an Iowa girl's Midwestern appeal.
- Katie Stevens. The full-throated 17-year-old had the most youthful song with "Breakaway" (2004). a tune from Idol alum Kelly Clarkson. However, judges saw an identity crisis.
- Lilly Scott. Among the panelists' favorite, she updated "I Fall to Pieces" (1961) but judge Cowell worried about her risk. Another thing to worry about: For voters who rely on Tivo, her telephone code was cut off at the highlight recap.
- Paige Miles. The singer went somber with "Smile" (1936) and got a universal kiss of death from the judges. Once again dead-last in Web curiosity, the Florida girl may be singing the classic as her encore song.
by Claudine Zap
Our top picks from the day's hottest searches.
- Census jobs (Searches increased by +655%). Out of work? The government is hiring 700,000 door-to-door census takers this summer.
- Gabourey Sidibe (+264%). The Oscar-nominated actress has a new job: A recurring role on the new show "The Big C," starring Laura Linney.
- Vote for the Worst (+256%). A new season of "American Idol" means strategies to game the system have begun.
- Asperger's Syndrome (+233%). The drama "Parenthood" featured a 13-year-old character with the symdrome.
- Michelle Obama (+219%). The first lady's inaugural ball gown made its museum debut.
by Mike Krumboltz
There was always something tragic about Corey Haim, even before he died Wednesday at the age of 38. A cautionary tale of the highest order, he reached career heights at a young age, only to see his success undone by addiction.
It was impossible to talk about one Corey without mentioning the other. The day after troubled actor Mr. Haim died at 38, Web searches on his former costar and friend Corey Feldman immediately soared into the stratosphere.
The two Coreys, as they were commonly known, had starred in a slew of films together. Nearly every one of their efforts experienced a boom in the buzz following Haim's death. During their '80s heyday, the pair co-starred in hits like "The Lost Boys," "License to Drive," and "Dream a Little Dream."
As the years went by and their star power faded, the two remained good friends, as well as collaborators. Throughout the '90s, the Coreys starred in several films, albeit films of a markedly lower quality. Efforts included "Blown Away" (an "erotic thriller" costarring Nicole Eggert), "Dream a Little Dream 2," and "National Lampoon's Last Resort."
More recently, two two Coreys appeared in an A&E reality series, appropriately titled "The Two Coreys." The program focused on their quest for work as well as their friendship and bond. The show ran for two seasons, and gave viewers an inside look at the sometimes difficult, sometimes humiliating life of a former child star.
After Mr. Haim's death hit the news wires, Feldman released a statement. In part it read: "This is a tragic loss of a wonderful, beautiful, tormented soul, who will always be my brother, family, and best friend. We must all take this as a lesson in how we treat the people we share this world with while they are still here to make a difference."
Other celebrities tweeted their thoughts on the actor's untimely passing. Haim's former girlfriend Alyssa Milano wrote: "Just woke up to the sad, sad news that Corey Haim passed away. RIP sweet boy." Christina Applegate, Melissa Joan Hart, Ashton Kutcher, comedian Sinbad, and director Kevin Smith also posted their condolences.
by Claudine Zap
Chuck Norris' birthday is afraid of Chuck Norris.
The action star, black belt and all-around tough guy is turning 70. Really. Not that age could put a stop to the actor -- or to searches on him. And yes, he probably was born with that beard.
The action hero's career started back in the '60s, but not as an actor -- as a fighter. According to IMDB, after helping his mom raise his two siblings and graduating from high school in Torrance, CA, Norris left for a stint in Korea. The Air Force vet returned to open a karate studio, winning championships and teaching the likes of Steve McQueen, Priscilla Presley, and the Osmonds.
Despite his movie track record in sporting weaponry of all kinds, as a tae kwon do black belt he emphasized "action and technique over violence." But what you should probably take away from this is that Norris became an unbeatable fighting force. Put it this way: This guy is so scary, the gossip site TMZ made a birthday video for him last year.
It's not surprising that the man has become a myth in his own time. The icon-turned-Internet-meme has gone up against Bruce Lee, kept order in the series "Walker: Texas Ranger," and starred in movies like "The Delta Force," "Missing in Action," and "Firewalker." And he lent his on-screen persona to shill for Republican Mike Huckabee during the most recent presidential race.
The secret to his long career may be new generations finding "serious" old TV shows to be seriously hilarious. Just look at the searches (yeah, yeah, we know -- you don't search for Chuck Norris, he finds you). Lookups on "how old is chuck norris" have risen an awe-inspiring 2,700% in seven-day searches. Searches also include "chuck norris action jeans" (apparently a real thing sold in the 80s), "chuck norris birthday greeting," "find chuck Norris," "how tall is chuck Norris," and "chuck norris biography." Find more funny Chuck Norris facts.
But our favorite has to be the "chuck norris random fact generator" for nuggets like "Chuck Norris is so fast he can start a fire by rubbing two ice cubes together. "
He is also so old, the star will be receiving a lifetime achievement award at the first annual Actionfest film festival.
Chuck Norris isn't the only star whose age catches interest on the Web.
Here, the top 10 Yahoo! Searches on "how old is."
| 1. | How Old Is Miley Cyrus (17) | 6. | How Old Is Meryl Streep (60) | |
| 2. | How Old Is Sandra Bullock (45) | 7. | How Old Is George Clooney (48) | |
| 3. | How Old Is Justin Bieber (16) | 8. | How Old Is Jeff Bridges(60) | |
| 4. | How Old Is Mariah Carey (39) | 9. | How Old Is Hulk Hogan (57) | |
| 5. | How Old Is Kathryn Bigelow (58) | 10. | How Old Is the Earth (older than Chuck Norris: 4.5 billion years) | |
by Mike Krumboltz
Gay marriage continues to be a hot-button issue for many Americans. Whenever it's legalized (or banned) anywhere in the world, searches immediately soar. In Washington, D.C., gay marriage was recently legalized, sparking tremendous Web interest.
A lesbian couple who had been together for 12 years became the first same-sex couple to be married in the nation's capital. With the couple's union, Washington, D.C. joined New Hampshire, Vermont, Iowa, Massachusetts, and Connecticut, as the only places in the United States that allow people of the same sex to legally marry.
Of course, gay marriage is a specific definition. When things are broadened to include domestic partnerships or civil unions, the list of states grows substantially. According to About.com, California, Hawaii, Maine, Washington state, Nevada, Oregon, and New Jersey allow same-sex couples to "obtain some legal recognition for their relationships."
Interestingly, according to NJ.com, the upcoming United States census will allow same-sex couples in New Jersey to "identify themselves as married." This is significant in that the census is an official government document. The census will allow "same-sex couples [to] label themselves as husband or wife even if their relationships are not recognized by law."
While laws regarding gay marriage vary by state in the United States, other countries have clearer definitions. For example, in Europe, several countries have clear legal-marriage laws. According to an article from the BBC, the Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, Norway, and Sweden all have legalized gay marriage. Additionally, Portugal, a primarily Catholic country, is expected to legalize gay marriage in the near future. Other countries that have done the same include Canada and South Africa.
As for where gay marriage is banned, the list is a bit longer, at least in the United States. The laws are complicated and can vary between statute bans and constitutional bans. States that have constitutional bans include, but are not limited to, Florida, Ohio, Texas, Utah, Michigan, Virginia, Mississippi, and Georgia. User-edited site Wikipedia offers up a complete list.
After Washington, D.C., legalized same-sex marriage, Web searches on "gay marriage states" and "where is gay marriage legal" both soared. Also gaining traction in the Search box: "differences between gay marriage and civil unions."
by Mike Krumboltz
A tornado hit western Oklahoma on Monday, leveling five homes and a county-owned barn. Additionally, several more houses lost their roofs to the twister.
Fortunately, no people were injured in the destruction, largely thanks to the tornado skirting the center of the town of Hammon. According to an AP article from USA Today, a group of "storm chasers" saw the tornado well before it reached town limits. Thanks to them, the citizens had plenty of warning.
Below, a clip of Monday's tornado. But beware — it's rather terrifying to watch, even from the safety of your computer. Hell hath no fury like a "violently rotating column of air in contact with the earth’s surface."
by Claudine Zap
Our top picks from the day's hottest searches.
- Natalie Wood (Searches increased by +3,606%). Her sister and a yacht captain want the case of the drowned actress to be reopened.
- Kathy Griffin (+2,940%). Watch out, Sarah Palin: The "Life on the D-List" comedian has taken her show to Alaska. Let the skewering begin.
- Joe Biden (+2,541%). The U.S. VP helped kick off a new phase of peace talks between Israel and Palestine.
- Farrah Fawcett (+949%). Ryan O'Neal was "stunned" and "shocked" that the iconic 70s actress was intentionally left out of the Oscar tribute to departed stars.
- Jennifer Aniston (+697%). The "Friends" star will be launching her own fragrance — just as soon as she settles on a name for her signature scent.
by Claudine Zap
The California state Senator Roy Ashburn, whose arrest caused a frenzy of searches, has come clean. Not about his DUI. That was public knowledge, and he already apologized for his mistake. No, he admitted to what many bloggers and the rumor mill had already suspected: The anti-gay rights politician is gay.
To recap, the state senator was arrested in a state-owned car last week on suspicion of driving under the influence. Well, that was embarassing. But then reports surfaced that the politician, divorced with four kids, had been seen leaving a gay bar in Sacramento shortly before his arrest. What set tongues wagging and the Search box abuzz was the Bakersfield senator's voting record: consistently against gay rights.
The news caused Yahoo! searches on the state senator to skyrocket an astounding 224,400% in the last week alone. Queries also increased on "roy ashburn dui," "roy ashburn arrested," and "is roy ashburn gay."
Ashburn made the admission on a local radio show, then defended his voting record by explaining that it represented the will of his constituents — who live in the more conservative central and southern parts of the state. Still, this is taking voting against your interest pretty far. According to the San Francisco Chronicle, the Californian has one of the "staunchest records of voting against bills that would expand rights for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Californians."
The local news site Bakersfield.com reports that some bloggers have questioned if the Republican could have been blackmailed to vote a certain way, which he denied. Stay tuned.
by Mike Krumboltz
It was a scene reminiscent of "The Breakfast Club." On stage at the Oscars was a brain, and a basket case, and a princess, and a criminal. Oh, and Macaulay Culkin, Matthew Broderick, and Jon Cryer were there, too.
At last night's ceremony, awards were given and speeches were made, but one of the most memorable moments came during the tribute to late writer-director John Hughes. Molly Ringwald (star of "The Breakfast Club," "Pretty In Pink," and "Sixteen Candles") and Matthew Broderick ("Ferris Bueller's Day Off") gave an introduction honoring the late artist. Broderick spoke of the fact that thanks to his Mr. Hughes, every day someone, somewhere comes up to him, taps him the shoulder and says, "Hey Ferris, this your day off?"
And then out came several more actors from some of Mr. Hughes' best known works. Joining Molly and Matthew on stage were Anthony Michael Hall, Ally Sheedy, Judd Nelson, Jon Cryer ("Pretty in Pink"), and Macaulay Culkin ("Home Alone"). With Ringwald, Hall, Sheedy, and Nelson together, fans of Hughes were thisdarnclose to having a full-on "Breakfast Club" reunion.
However Emilio Estevez, who played the high school jock in "BC," was notably absent. Though the Web searched en mass for the missing man, who is now known more for directing than acting, no official explanation was given. Perhaps wrestling practice ran late? Or, more likely, maybe he just didn't feel like going. A source exclusive to Yahoo! reports that he was at the Cornell Winery and Tasting Room in Agoura Hills, California, shortly before the ceremony.
But nevermind those who didn't make it. There were plenty of questions for those who did attend. From the looks of the Search box, many viewers were a bit jarred by Judd Nelson's surprise appearance. Searches on "what happened to judd nelson" and "judd nelson films" both roared to life. According to IMDb, the actor is very busy, thank you very much. He has a slew of films (or maybe TV-films) coming out in 2010.
The actual "look" of Nelson also inspired many searches. Sporting a shaggy goatee, tinted glasses, and what looked like a too-large tuxedo, Nelson definitely had a style all his own. Twitter was instantly abuzz. Some jokingly compared his look to that of a homeless man. A writer for EW wrote that "The entire crowd at the Elton John party just gasped at the sight of Judd Nelson." To us, he looked like he forgot to change out of his costume from "New Jack City".
Missed last night's Brat Pack reunion? Check out this clip from the ceremony and bask in the glow of the greatness of the late John Hughes.
by Vera H-C Chan
It was ladies' night at the Oscars—and it wasn't just about the dresses.
Sandra Bullock's off-the-cuff charm, Mo'Nique's homage to a black female film pioneer, and Kathryn Bigelow's history-making win made No. 82 memorable.
Sure, the ceremony cranked out too long, and some critics cringed at the dance numbers (note to producers: Next time hire the choreographer from "Dancing With the Stars," not "So You Think You Can Dance"). And once again, Ben Stiller proved his ability to divide people into fiercely opposing camps. ("He's a hoot." "He's not funny." "He's a hoot." "Stuff him in a trunk and push the car down the hill.")
But with a double underdog vying for best picture (a war movie directed by a woman) and Bullock's savvy Razzie campaign, this year's awards show stirred up the most viewers in five years, and searchers came flocking as well. Some buzzy highlights (and maybe some suggestions for improvement), according to searches on Yahoo!:
- Next year, get Bullock to host the Oscars, sans script. She got more online love than any other winner (and even blew past regular Search leaders Miley Cyrus and Lady Gaga). People wanted to get updated on her age, wedding, bio, her mother (whom she thanked), and that Meryl Streep kiss. Better yet, just combine the Razzies and Oscars in one night.
- Mo'Nique donned a flower in her hair and a royal blue dress, in a tribute to the first black performer to win an Oscar. Did people notice? Yes: Not only did she get the second-most Search buzz (after Bullock) and more buzz than all supporting actors combined, but she also got people to go online to look up "hattie mcdaniel" and "hattie mcdaniel biography," as well as "black oscar winners."
- Bigelow has cemented her name in Oscar history and film books as the first female director to win in 82 years of Academy Awards shows. (Only three others have been nominated: Lina Wertmuller, Jane Campion, and Sofia Coppola.) And no one should call her The Ex anymore: She out-blasted former husband James Cameron's buzz.
- Bigelow's "The Hurt Locker" defused the competition for a big win, but the night also gave a big boost to indie "Precious": The based-on-a-book drama got more online attention than "Avatar." Part of the surge might well be due to the touchingly tearful screenwriter's acceptance speech. The winner was searched correctly and incorrectly as "geoffrey fletcher" and "jeffrey fletcher," but history will record him as the first black screenwriter to get a gold-plated statuette.
- So who might the runners-up be? The Buzz countdown: George Clooney (in the best-actor category), Meryl Streep (best-actress category), Anna Kendrick (best supporting actress category), and Matt Damon (best supporting actor category).
- Random low moment: There were quite a few duds according to critics, but the ridicule started before the ceremony with Kathy Ireland. The former model and brand name, responding to criticism about her stiff red-carpet interviewing techniques, is saying, no, she wasn't on meds. The mother of three might be a little more perturbed about this wondering question: " is kathy ireland pregnant?"
by Claudine Zap
Our top picks from the day's hottest searches.
- Iraqi elections (Searches increased by +1,053%). Despite deadly bomb attacks, millions of Iraqis turned out to vote in their general election.
- Kathryn Bigelow (+1,033%). "The Hurt Locker" director became the first woman to take home the Oscar.
- "All About Steve" (+869%). The flop of a flick was all about Sandra Bullock winning the Razzie for worst actress.
- "The Smurfs" (+669%). The little blue guys are heading to the big screen, reportedly being voiced by Katy Perry, Russell Brand, and Neil Patrick Harris.
- International Women's Day (+267%). Today the world honors women's achievements. Yes, it really does take more than a day — which is why March also marks Women's History Month.
by Mike Krumboltz
Air travel is rarely eventful. And that's a good thing — the less exciting the flight, the better. However, this past week, flyers were given a bit of a jolt after hearing tapes of a child speaking with pilots over the control-tower radio. Elsewhere, former vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin paid a visit to "The Tonight Show," where she did something unexpected: standup comedy. It was a weird, weird week in the Buzz, and here are some of the stories that made it so.
Cookie Monster Express, You Are Cleared to Land
According to various articles around the Web, an air-traffic controller working out of New York's JFK airport (one of the nation's busiest airports) allowed his children to radio instructions to the pilots. The air-traffic controller as well as his supervisor have been suspended, but not before the story blew the lid off the Buzz. Web searches on "kids in airport control tower" and "tapes of children talking to pilots" both soared sky-high, and maintained a holding pattern throughout the week. An article from the AP explains that this is only the latest incident in a disturbing trend: Poor judgment among U.S. air-safety professionals.
Find a job as an air-traffic controller.
Sarah Palin: Standup Comic?
OK, so maybe she wasn't as funny as Tina Fey, but you gotta give Sarah Palin credit for trying the toughest job in show business: standup comedy. This past week, the former Alaskan governor visited "The Tonight Show With Jay Leno." But instead of just sitting on the couch and gabbing, Ms. Palin took to the stage and performed Leno's opening monologue for him. Her jokes, which we doubt she wrote herself, weren't as cringe-worthy as one might have expected. Still, there are some who suspect that Jay Leno's staff "added both applause and laughter in postproduction" to make the appearance look like more of a success.
Look up Jay Leno's ratings for his first week back.
Sony, We Have a Problem
People love their video games. And when they can't play them, they get mad. Not quite villagers-at-the-end-of-"Frankenstein" mad, but definitely in the same ballpark. Witness the outrage that transpired this past week, when Sony's PlayStation Network went down. Millions of gamers took to the Web to look for the scoop on the unwelcome error code and to flood message boards with rage. Throughout the week, searches on "playstation error" and "playstation network error" both roared. Oddly, the problems seem to have been due to an internal clock error. According to The New York Times, "the error appeared as the date changed from Feb. 28 to March 1. The problem appeared to cause the date on the consoles to reset to Jan. 1, 2000." OMG, it's Y2K all over again.
Check out reviews for PlayStation 3 games.
Also buzzing this week...
• Tim Burton's "Alice in Wonderland" opened to mixed reviews.
• LeBron James announced plans to switch jersey numbers. But why?
• Apple's mighty iPad gets a release date: April 3.
by Claudine Zap
Just when the Democrats were ducking for cover over a scandal-filled week (Gov. David Paterson and Rep. Charles Rangel, please stand up), a Republican swoops in with his own problem. And, well, a woman isn't one of them.
The California State Senator Roy Ashburn was arrested for a DUI violation. That's not all. The government official was in a state-owned car. That definitely doesn't look good. But what has caused serious buzz: The Republican was said to be seen at a gay bar in Sacramento before his arrest. While the pol was once married and has four kids, the senator is single now, so on the face of it, not a big deal. Except. The Bakersfield Californian is staunchly anti-gay, voting consistently against the expansion of gay rights.
While surely the senator has a right to his own choices when it comes to nightlife, and he has deferred the question of his sexual orientation, critics are saying the personal and the political of this elected official is starting to seem hypocritical. The head of Equality California said of the incident, "It's sad for him on a personal level and it's frustrating that someone who is clearly comfortable with gay people would vote against the very rights of the people he associates with."
Ashburn has apologized for his actions. But it seems that won't make his problems — or the rumors — go away.
by Vera H-C Chan
A renewed military campaign overseas and a war film in Oscar contention have brought attention to one of the military's toughest tasks: defending against the low-tech makeshift bomb, aka the IED.
Laymen audiences learned from "The Hurt Locker," set in 2004, how IEDs had been the weapon of choice in Iraq. Six years later, IEDs are responsible for two-thirds of coalition deaths in that country, and more than 70 percent in Afghanistan.
Deadly Simplicity
IEDs have been around, perhaps, since the 1886 Haymarket riots, when a metal pipe bomb killed eight Chicago cops. As military technology gets more sophisticated at countering IED attacks, terrorists retaliate by becoming less technical. War these days have become a fat-cat-and-cunning-mouse game.
For instance, the Taliban, realizing that the British Army were using metal detectors to spot bombs, switched to non-metal materials. Detonators, according to The Economist, have devolved from garage-door types to mobile phones and long-range cordless phones, to simple light sensors and hidden syringes.
High tech, high costs
Fighting simplicity can be expensive: To spot buried bombs, the British are making a camera with 3-D terrain maps that can even spot potholes. A Texas-made "hand-held sniffer" that detects explosives will cost $20,000...when it's out in three years. Boeing has been working on laser technology with the Laser Avenger (which costs up to $1.5 million). The raygun heats up a bomb slowly so that it blows up with half the force.
There are many expensive high-tech gadgets already in use. Dragon Runner ($150,000) is a lightweight robot that can move and blow up bombs. Some anti-IED devices, though, may have turned out to be dangerous duds: So-called magic wand detectors ($16,500-$60,000) were just banned in Britain, after reports found these wands basically used the same technology as anti-shoplifting sensors. They're still favored in Iraq.
Defense on the cheap
Not all defenses are expensive. Handy Filipino forces have created a small water-squirting canister that shorts out a bomb. Besides being underfunded, the Philippines have had to deal with "forgotten ordnances" from decades of fighting. And one labrador named Treo just got a medal for "sniffing out roadside bombs in Afghanistan."
But do the billions poured in actually decrease IED attacks? One 2007 economics study says no — but the time bombmakers take to improve their devices actually takes away their focus on other types of attacks. In economic parlance, that makes an IED a "Giffen good." In the real world, that makes it a devil's trade.
by Claudine Zap
The man who allegedly fired at two guards at the entrance of the Pentagon subway stop, leading to their injury and the shooter's death, has sparked a surge of searches. People want to know more about the man and his motivations.
The man
John Patrick Bedell was, according to sources, 36 years old and from Hollister, California. Before his confrontation in front of the Pentagon, he left his mark on the Web, posting angry antigovernment accusations, giving at least some clue to his mindset. He made his away across country by car, and ended his journey at the Pentagon. Officials called him well-dressed and well-educated — and heavily armed. As he approached the guards at the entrance of the Pentagon, wearing a business suit, he was asked for ID to enter. The gunman instead took out a nine-millimeter gun and began shooting, lightly injuring the officers. Bedell later died from the gunfight.
As The New York Times points out, Pentagon officials say that he "had some issues." His parents apparently told local authorities that their son was upset and feared he might have a gun. They had filed a missing persons report and worried he might be mentally unstable. CNN reports that Bedell repeatedly "railed against the government" on sites like Wikipedia and through podcasts. He detailed his anger on what he perceived as government corruption, coverups and attacks on personal liberties. He had been arrested in 2006 on a drug charge, and he also posted his court documents online, as further evidence of his disagreement with the government.
His writings on the Web appear to cast the government as a force for evil, bent on destroying personal freedom. He wrote among other things, "This seizure of the United States government by an international criminal conspiracy is a long-established reality." News of the shooting caused searches on "john patrick bedell" to rise an astonishing 13,750% in just one day. Queries also included "john bedell tea party" and "john bedell hollister."
The motivation
While authorities aren't saying what their theory is behind the shooting, searches have unearthed many of the attacker's antigovernment beliefs. The conspiracy theories included doubts about the facts around the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. As the Los Angeles Times reports, Bedell believed that if the truth came out about the death of Marine Col. James Sabow in Orange County, this would also unravel the events around Sept. 11. Sabow's death in 1991 was ruled a suicide, but has been the source of coverup theories as well. Searches on "col james sabow" increased 2,550% in one-day searches as people sought to learn more.
James Sabow's story
In fact, the shooting has resurfaced the story of the Marine's death. The Christian Science Monitor reports that Sabow's family disputes the suicide ruling, and argues that he was killed to cover up knowledge of weapons and drug smuggling on his base. The Christian Science Monitor also notes that records show Sabow was dismissed from his job on the El Toro, California, base due to allegations of "misuse" of government aircraft. After a California representative ordered another investigation into Sabow's case, defense investigators ruled that suicide was the correct call. But this was not enough to quiet supporters of Sabow's cause, including, it would seem, one John Patrick Bedell.
