Statement by Erik von Brunn

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Statement by Erik von Brunn

Son of Accused Holocaust Museum Shooter Issues Statement Concerning His Father

June 12, 2009

Following is a statement by Erik von Brunn, a son of James von Brunn, the 88-year-old man accused of a shooting attack at the Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C.:

My father's beliefs have been a constant source of verbal and mental abuse my family has had to suffer with for many years. His views consumed him, and in doing so, not only destroyed his life, but destroyed our family and ruined our lives as well.

For a long time, I believed this was our family's cross to bear. Now, it is not only my families lives that are in shambles, but those who were directly affected by his actions; especially the family of Mr. Johns, who bravely sacrificed his life to stop my father.

I cannot express enough how deeply sorry I am it was Mr. Johns, and not my father who lost their life yesterday [Wednesday]. It was unjustified and unfair that he died, and while my condolences could never begin to offer appeasement, they, along with my remorse is all I have to give.

While my father had every right to believe what he did, by imposing those beliefs on others he robbed them of their free will. His actions have taken opportunities away from many people and forced decisions not expected, nor warranted, to be made that otherwise would not have been necessary.

For the extremists who believe my father is a hero: it is imperative you understand what he did was an act of cowardice. To physically force your beliefs onto others with violence is not brave, but bullying. Doing so only serves to prove how weak those beliefs are. It is simply desperation, reminiscent of a temper tantrum when a child cannot get his way. Violence is a cop out; an easy answer for an ignorant problem.

His actions have undermined your "movement," and strengthened the resistance against your cause. He should not be remembered as a brave man or a hero, but a coward unable to come to grips with the fact he threw his and his families lives away for an ideology that fostered sadness and anguish.

I apologize to friends and family who have been inundated with the media blitzkrieg you have been suffering through. While I understand it is the media's job to report as much as possible, I can only hope they have the restraint to curb the sensationalism they have thus far been reliant upon.

Again, my father's actions are unforgiveable. I do not expect, nor will I accept forgiveness for what he has done. I realize there is nothing positive to be taken from this incident. It is empowering, however, to know our country's resistance and intolerance for such acts of hatred has been bolstered in the face of this tragedy. I humbly ask you respect our privacy and allow us to grieve and attempt to rebuild our family, along with the other families affected by what has happened.

Erik von Brunn

http://abcnews.go.com/print?id=7826614

[scandal 951]

It's pretty good. In fact it's excellent. The only one point I would quibble with is this:

While my father had every right to believe what he did,

Anyone is entitled to their beliefs, yes. Even hateful beliefs. Even wrong beliefs.

But I would have preferred to see that statement also immediately followed by language like the following: "My father's beliefs were misguided and wrong and hateful and denied factual history".

Without such a forceful disclaiming of his father's beliefs, one may fairly interpret the son as being remorseful for his father's murderous action, but not for the belief that lies behind his motives.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

I would add that all acts of terror are cowardice.

[Kathryn41 3,205]

Good for his son. My heart goes out to them as well.

[scandal 951]

My heart goes out to the family of the murdered security guard, Stephen Johns.

From the media reports he was truly a hero

[mawilson 2,133]

I would add that all acts of terror are cowardice.

I disagree. Terrorists are anything but cowards. They are warriors - fierce and hateful.

[Nagishkaw 510]

My heart goes out to the family of the murdered security guard, Stephen Johns.

From the media reports he was truly a hero

[rooster 1]

I would add that all acts of terror are cowardice.

I disagree. Terrorists are anything but cowards. They are warriors - fierce and hateful.

Damn I hate this BUT, I have to agree with the BAT. Terrorists, while they may be full of hate, are fvckin COWARDS. They can't face the actual enemy so they attack defenseless children and women.

[mawilson 2,133]

I would add that all acts of terror are cowardice.

I disagree. Terrorists are anything but cowards. They are warriors - fierce and hateful.

Damn I hate this BUT, I have to agree with the BAT. Terrorists, while they may be full of hate, are fvckin COWARDS. They can't face the actual enemy so they attack defenseless children and women.

We *are* the actual enemy -- all of us, including women and children.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

I would add that all acts of terror are cowardice.

I disagree. Terrorists are anything but cowards. They are warriors - fierce and hateful.

Damn I hate this BUT, I have to agree with the BAT. Terrorists, while they may be full of hate, are fvckin COWARDS. They can't face the actual enemy so they attack defenseless children and women.

We *are* the actual enemy -- all of us, including women and children.

Von Brunn had an issue with the Federal Government, Jews and Blacks. He targeted the Federal Reserve back in the 80's and the Holocaust Museum most recently.

[scandal 951]

I would add that all acts of terror are cowardice.

I disagree. Terrorists are anything but cowards. They are warriors - fierce and hateful.

Damn I hate this BUT, I have to agree with the BAT. Terrorists, while they may be full of hate, are fvckin COWARDS. They can't face the actual enemy so they attack defenseless children and women.

We *are* the actual enemy -- all of us, including women and children.

Von Brunn had an issue with the Federal Government, Jews and Blacks. He targeted the Federal Reserve back in the 80's and the Holocaust Museum most recently.

I'm just guessing here, but I think mawilson was being a bit tongue-in-cheek with the first comment about terrorists being "warriors - fierce and hateful", and not cowards.

But I think he's correct in his second comment "We *are* the actual enemy -- all of us, including women and children."

Von Brunn focused his hatred on the specific targets you mentioned Steve.

But there are haters and terrorists who do not hesitate to kill anyone in their sights. Innocent Muslims were killed on 9/11 as well.

[mawilson 2,133]

I would add that all acts of terror are cowardice.

I disagree. Terrorists are anything but cowards. They are warriors - fierce and hateful.

Damn I hate this BUT, I have to agree with the BAT. Terrorists, while they may be full of hate, are fvckin COWARDS. They can't face the actual enemy so they attack defenseless children and women.

We *are* the actual enemy -- all of us, including women and children.

Von Brunn had an issue with the Federal Government, Jews and Blacks. He targeted the Federal Reserve back in the 80's and the Holocaust Museum most recently.

I was talking about terrorists in general - I know nothing about this nutjob, nor do I want to.

I do know that a coward would not blow himself up or risk his life attacking other people - you have to be very brave to do that.

Edited: please note that I am not defending terrorists or their actions - just pointing out that it's a bit disingenuous to call them "cowards".

Edited June 14, 2009 by mawilson

[Marilyn. 340]

I would add that all acts of terror are cowardice.

I disagree. Terrorists are anything but cowards. They are warriors - fierce and hateful.

Damn I hate this BUT, I have to agree with the BAT. Terrorists, while they may be full of hate, are fvckin COWARDS. They can't face the actual enemy so they attack defenseless children and women.

We *are* the actual enemy -- all of us, including women and children.

Von Brunn had an issue with the Federal Government, Jews and Blacks. He targeted the Federal Reserve back in the 80's and the Holocaust Museum most recently.

I was talking about terrorists in general - I know nothing about this nutjob, nor do I want to.

I do know that a coward would not blow himself up or risk his life attacking other people - you have to be very brave to do that.

Edited: please note that I am not defending terrorists or their actions - just pointing out that it's a bit disingenuous to call them "cowards".

or crazy

[mawilson 2,133]

I would add that all acts of terror are cowardice.

I disagree. Terrorists are anything but cowards. They are warriors - fierce and hateful.

Damn I hate this BUT, I have to agree with the BAT. Terrorists, while they may be full of hate, are fvckin COWARDS. They can't face the actual enemy so they attack defenseless children and women.

We *are* the actual enemy -- all of us, including women and children.

Von Brunn had an issue with the Federal Government, Jews and Blacks. He targeted the Federal Reserve back in the 80's and the Holocaust Museum most recently.

I was talking about terrorists in general - I know nothing about this nutjob, nor do I want to.

I do know that a coward would not blow himself up or risk his life attacking other people - you have to be very brave to do that.

Edited: please note that I am not defending terrorists or their actions - just pointing out that it's a bit disingenuous to call them "cowards".

or crazy

Very good point.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

I do know that a coward would not blow himself up or risk his life attacking other people - you have to be very brave to do that.

I disagree...it doesn't take true bravery...just fanaticism. An act of bravery is putting other people's needs before yours. An act of terror is the antithesis of putting the needs of others before oneself.