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Kill Dozer - Tread Documentary

Flat Thunder Channel

Senior Member
Joined
Apr 24, 2020
Messages
378
Location
Ohio
I searched before posting, but didn't see a topic of discussion on this specific matter. It was only referenced in unrelated threads from what I could find.

So this gentlemen obviously had some serious mental health issues. Its easy to tell from any news footage on the incident. I knew of the story but never heard about the specific details until after I watched the documentary.

If you watched the documentary do you get the feeling that maybe some of his paranoia was based on real events? I mean who isn't going to get pissed when the local government tells you that you're responsible for a 60-80k sewer line? Plus we are going to fine you everyday you are not connected to city sewer.

Obviously his actions were not justifiable by any means. Don't create a bulldozer to destroy buildings and possibly hurt innocent people just because you are pissed off.

So I guess the question; flat out 100% crazy or just a pissed off man who was pushed over the edge?
 

Tones

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Mar 15, 2009
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3,078
Location
Ubique
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Ex land clearing contractor, part-time retired
Not crazy just totally passed off at being pushed from pillar to post and not being listened to. The proof is that in the aftermath the local government was sacked.
PS No one was injured apart from the dozer operator. And that's a fact, not to be argued about.
 

JD955SC

Senior Member
Joined
Mar 13, 2011
Messages
1,356
Location
The South
It’s hard to say. I’ve seen local governments stomp hard on people and do everything they can to push people to the point of snapping. The pettiness of local officials can be absolutely insane. Hell the city my wife works for fines church volunteers for cutting their church’s grass without a business license! It’s absolutely believable that they would go to extreme lengths to target a person and harass them to no end...and then try to cover it up afterwards.
 

RollOver Pete

Senior Member
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Mar 5, 2007
Messages
1,510
Location
Indio, Ca
Occupation
Operating Engineer/mechanic
I don't believe that he had any mental issues. To me, he was just as normal as the next guy. He was out trying to make a living and finally got tired of being craped on.
Many of us have or will eventually feel the same way. Few of us will ever act out the way he did. I believe this world would be a much better place if there were more people like him.
 

muddog1975

Well-Known Member
Joined
Oct 6, 2019
Messages
163
Location
knoxville tn
I also watched that documentary. A while back. He seemed to be a little off, but not crazy. Like it was said before, the government has a finger in everyone's business. But the cant seem help, to always have their hands out for more of our dollar's and restrictions that make it hard. But yet they can't seem to figure out how to consistently maintain our roads and bridges, until they are forced to. I believe he just reached his breaking point and snapped.
 

Flat Thunder Channel

Senior Member
Joined
Apr 24, 2020
Messages
378
Location
Ohio
I was just interested to see if I wasn't the only guy out there who thought, 'maybe he wasn't as crazy as the media coverage initially portrayed'.

In the documentary the brothers who owned the excavating business said it was a good thing for their little town. It brought more attention and business to the area than anyone could have ever imagined. Not that destroying property is ever a good thing.

It would be interesting to pick his brain if he were still alive. Similarly to how FBI profilers interview convicted serial killers. Use him as an educational tool to prevent or help others in the future.

I think the world has many more people who share similar conditions regarding mental health. The big difference is they lack the knowledge, ability, money and skill to build such a machine.

Now where I can buy a dozer......JK. I play nice with the local government. Please, thank you, yes sir, yes ma'am, paying for permits in such. But a dozer sure would be fun to have ;)
 

Buckethead

Senior Member
Joined
Apr 4, 2007
Messages
1,055
Location
Waterfront
Occupation
Operator
I know the town officials provoked and antagonized him, that will drive anyone crazy. So, I kind of understand where he was coming from. But he could have hurt a lot of innocent people in that town. He was demoing buildings with live humans inside, and the power still turned on. It was a miracle no one got a live wire dropped on their heads.
 

old-iron-habit

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Nov 22, 2012
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4,233
Location
Moose Lake, MN
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Retired Cons't. Supt./Hospitals
Documentaries are often "enhanced" to gain viewers. They are a money game to. I wouldn't believe everything to be fact unless I had visited and talked to the people that live there and gained their perspective.
 
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