Presidential Assassins

[LincolnMan]

Tom: interesting post-it gives food for thought. You may very well get a lot of varied opinions on this one from Forum members-but that is what this Discussion Board is all about. I can't speak for the sanity of the other assassins, but I don't believe JWB was "insane." On the surface, anyone who commits first degree murder might be considered "insane" for doing such a thing. Booth didn't kill just anybody-he killed the president-which some might argue is equal to insanity. Some argue he was possessed by the Devil-which I also reject. It would, perhaps, be simpler to ascribe demon possession or insanity to Booth to explain his actions. However, my opinion is that Booth acted on his beliefs. He had a worldview that he held very dear. When he saw what he perceived to be the demise of his worldview, he acted desperately to save it. Was it a crime? Yes. Was it an evil act? Yes. Did he know what he was doing? Yes. Was he insane or devil possessed? I don't believe so.