Prank Phone Calls as Domestic Terrorism

Domestic terrorists are not always violent, but they are almost always cowardly. Take, for example, the despicable hoax perpetrated on the families of Vermont National Guardsmen:

The late-night phone calls were wrenching for the Vermont families of soldiers serving in Afghanistan — a stranger expressing sympathy for a son or daughter who had been injured or killed in Afghanistan.

But the tormenting calls were ghoulish hoaxes and state attorney general is looking for whoever is behind them.
“My first thought was, ‘How sick,’” Vermont Attorney General William Sorrell said.

Sorrell said he has been in contact with the U.S. Attorney’s Office since making such hoax calls during a time of war is a federal felony.

National Guard Lt. Col. Lloyd Goodrow questioned why anyone would pull such a cruel prank on military families already enduring the agony of having a soldier overseas.
[ . . . ]

“If you think it’s funny, it’s not,” Goodrow said, speaking directly to the person making the calls. “If you’ve always wondered what a domestic terrorist looks like, look in the mirror.”

Sorrell said he has a hard time believing anyone would make such cruel phone calls just for kicks and wonders if the calls aren’t fueled by some kind of political, religious or anti-war sentiment.

“Where would the anger come from that would lead someone to maybe be doing this for furthering some cause?” he asked.

There should be reserved a special circle of hell—and cellblock at Fort Leavenworth—for people who would commit such a crime.