McGrath, I wasn't suggesting that some "nutcase" who had ALREADY decided to assassinate SOMEONE would then pick a target based on internet rumors or media coverage.   My thinking is more along the lines that there are disturbed individuals in need of either attention/recognition or an outlet for their frustrations or both and that the IDEA of ASSASSINATING someone as a means to such ends might be put into their minds by the media talking about the likelihood of that happening.