Sooo. I wonder what the guy who blew his life's savings on signs advertizing the end of the world

[BrklynLiberal]

is doing today????????????

I heard about him on the radio. He is a retired MTA worker, lives on Staten Island and I guess he will be applying for welfare tomorrow since he spent his $140,000 retirement money on the ads.

[yellerpup]

1. Well, you won't see him lobbying for the end

of Medicare, I'll wager.

[MissB]

2. See this:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=439&topic_id=1151355&mesg_id=1151355

[BrklynLiberal]

16. Thanks for the link. Pathetic man...but also very gullible.

As for his motives......what did he expect to accomplish by advertizing about the end of the world? Nothing anyone could have done...
Now he has to go on with his life....minus $140,000.

[Poll_Blind]

3. Yeah, someone had posted snippets of conversations he had today/yesterday with reporters:

Upshot: He's confused as to why it didn't happen.

There are a whole cascade of humorous and sadly serious inferences from reading his full comments, and more than a dash about the nature of blind faith in anything.

PB

[dana_b]

4. hopefully getting some counseling. n/t

[dkf]

5. I wonder if he withheld any taxes. If not he is screwed as taxes on $140,000

Isn't a low tax bracket.

[Motown_Johnny]

6. praying

[Recovered Repug]

7. He'll be ok.

A distant relative died in Africa and left him $30 million. He'll just have to cover some transaction fees.

[lame54]

8. some people have all the luck

[BrklynLiberal]

15. LOLOLOLOL

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

9. He's probably scrubbing and scrubbing to get all of that egg off of himself.

[Lone_Star_Dem]

10. I feel sorry for him.

I understand that is not going to be the most popular opinion to have, but it's how I'm wired. I feel sorry for all the people who have had their weaknesses preyed upon by a con artist looking to exploit them. This does not mean I exonerate everyone who believed Camping's con of their obligation to think critically and protect themselves. It just means I understand there are some people in our society who are painfully lacking in such skills.

While I enjoy the freedoms granted me by our First Amendment, it still irks me how it leaves con artist like Camping untouchable.

[blondeatlast]

11. If there aren't a few attempted suicides coming out of this, I will very much surprised.

I too, feel nothing but sorrow for them; this has to be a very bleak day.

[Lone_Star_Dem]

12. I'd considered the possible suicides as well

I will not be surprised if several of Camping's believers don't fall into deep depressions. They must be experiencing a great sense of loss and uncertainty today.

[Raine]

22. I feel sort of sorry for him too, he should sue

Camping for the money.

[spanone]

13. and what difference would a sign make if the rapture happened? a pointless endeavor

[BrklynLiberal]

18. Excellent point.

[Odin2005]

14. I feel bad for him.

[FLPanhandle]

17. This won't be too popular but I have a hard to feeling very sorry for him.

This wasn't some naive 20 year old with no experience. He's been around longer than I have and I've seen a number of these "apocalypses" come and go. So has he. He's been through life surrounded by scams and news of scams. He's old enough to have learned from life but he still gave up his skepticism & cash for a silly scam.

It's too bad, but it's hard for me to very sympathetic.

Maybe he learned something even if it's a little late in his life for such lessons.

[scarletwoman]

19. Ya know, I live my life surrounded by reality TV shows, RW talk radio, pop culture, & Nat'l Enquirer

I avoid connecting with any of those things, and focus elsewhere.

It's perfectly possible -- and most likely probable -- that he lead a completely isolated life, keeping to himself, reading the bible, and listening only to radio preachers.

How many people in this country even know who their U.S. Senator is? All my life I've run into people who proclaim that they NEVER read newspapers or watch the news. It's easy for people to pay attention to nothing but a very narrow band of personal interest and be completely disengaged with the larger world. In fact, I'd say it's the norm in this culture.

It seems obvious that the failure of the Rapture to appear was deeply shocking to him. He needs help, not excoriation.

sw

[Modern_Matthew]

20. I'm glad we have people like this around for ridicule. No sympathy at all for 'em. nt

[mzteris]

21. he should consider suing

Camping.

[Stevenmarc]

23. Hopefully he won't be able to afford to live here in NYC and we can get rid of the dumb bastard