"GUILTY!" Is the Guru flying soon?

[Taro Toporific]

Japan awaits judgement
on Sarin cult guru Asahara27 February 2004 0850 hrs / AP
TOKYO : Japan was waiting for the verdict against Shoko Asahara, the cult guru who founded the Aum Supreme Truth cult behind the 1995 Tokyo subway nerve-gas attack. After a trial lasting eight years, the Tokyo District Court was scheduled to start the proceeding at 10:00 am (0100 GMT) for the near-blind yoga-master, whose real name is Chizuo Matsumoto.

[GomiGirl]

I know, I know I should find out for myself, but perhaps somebody could help me out.

Why did they gas the subway? What were they trying to achieve, politically I mean. Or were they just being contrary?

[Taro Toporific]

Why did they gas the subway? What were they trying to achieve, politically I mean. Or were they just being contrary?

To make the world safe from the menacing mirth of Rob Pongi!

Chuo Train Video thread
....the Tokyo Sarin Gas incident by the Aum group back in '95. I clearly remember that day too as I was actually on the Marunochi line when it happened and we passed Kasumigaseki station without stopping. That totally blew me away because the station platforms were totally empty and I had never been on a subway train that ever passed a station without stopping. I have never been on one since and I hope I never will be again too.

Also ....Asahara claimed that Aum needed to bring on the "End Times" aka the Apocalypse so the truely "worthy" (Aum members) could accend to a Higher Plane.

[kamome]

I know, I know I should find out for myself, but perhaps somebody could help me out.

Why did they gas the subway? What were they trying to achieve, politically I mean. Or were they just being contrary?

I happen to know a Japanese lawyer who, as part of her training, interviewed some of the senior Aum members who were arrested following the sarin attack. Apparently, those who carried out the attack did so because they believed Asahara wanted it to happen. But Asahara himself won't say/admit whether he directed them to release the gas, so nobody knows what was going through Asahara's mind at the time.

Since the Chiyoda-sen, Hibiya-sen, and Marunouchi-sen (the subway lines affected by the attack) all lead to Kasumigaseki, the seat of government in Tokyo, it's obvious they were going after politicians and other people in power.

[bejiita]

Since the Chiyoda-sen, Hibiya-sen, and Marunouchi-sen (the subway lines affected by the attack) all lead to Kasumigaseki, the seat of government in Tokyo, it's obvious they were going after politicians and other people in power.

Do politicians even ride the subway? I thought most politicians have cars with private drivers.

[Taro Toporific]

Since the Chiyoda-sen, Hibiya-sen, and Marunouchi-sen (the subway lines affected by the attack) all lead to Kasumigaseki, the seat of government in Tokyo, it's obvious they were going after politicians and other people in power.

Do politicians even ride the subway? I thought most politicians have cars with private drivers.

Many do.
If you look at the lapel pins of the Suits, you'll see a few of the little red velvet pin cushions of the LDP dietmen. I've bumped into the screaming a-hole, Mr. Mori, on the Yamamote line at 7am a couple of times.
Check out the pin here.

[Taro Toporific]

[AssKissinger]

I know, I know I should find out for myself, but perhaps somebody could help me out.

Why did they gas the subway? What were they trying to achieve, politically I mean. Or were they just being contrary?

I read the Haruki Murakami book about it, Underground. It goes into it a bit. That group is so strange that it's hard to find any rhyme or reason for what they did but I think it basically boiled down to Asahara ego-tripping and wanting to see how far his disciples would go in his service. There's also some stuff about them taking a very extreme interpretation of Mahayanist Buddhist teachings which led them to believe that murder could be used as a short cut to salvation.

[Kanchou]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/4395041/

The Associated Press
Updated: 6:24 a.m. ET Feb. 27, 2004TOKYO - Former doomsday cult guru Shoko Asahara was convicted and sentenced to death Friday for masterminding the deadly 1995 nerve gas attack on the Tokyo subway and a string of other crimes that killed 27 people, shocked Japan and alerted the world to the danger of high-tech terrorism. Asahara, founder of the apocalyptic Aum Shinrikyo cult, also was convicted of ordering his followers to produce and stockpile arsenals of conventional and chemical weapons, including the sarin gas used in the subway attack.

Take that to the bank and smoke it! (Or laughing all the way to the pipe... or something)

[AssKissinger]

Police say the cult's remnants -- renamed Aleph since 2000 -- are showing signs of greater allegiance to Asahara. Agents this month raided the offices of the group, which still claims 1,650 members in Japan and 300 in Russia.

They should extend the punishment to 1,950 more people.

[gomichild]

I know, I know I should find out for myself, but perhaps somebody could help me out.

Why did they gas the subway? What were they trying to achieve, politically I mean. Or were they just being contrary?

I read the Haruki Murakami book about it, Underground. It goes into it a bit. That group is so strange that it's hard to find any rhyme or reason for what they did but I think it basically boiled down to Asahara ego-tripping and wanting to see how far his disciples would go in his service. There's also some stuff about them taking a very extreme interpretation of Mahayanist Buddhist teachings which led them to believe that murder could be used as a short cut to salvation.

That was a great read - I'll lend you the book honey.