Aguirre: The Wrath of Allah

Remember that story about people who run around in costumes claiming to be superheroes? I have another follow-up:

Fernando Aguirre, locally known as Osama Bin Laden, patrols a slum in Bogota. Aguirre, who claims to be the son of al Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden, patrols the most dangerous slums of Bogota and lives from the contributions received from those seeking his protection. Aguirre informs police on petty crimes being committed and is allowed by authorities to brandish his fake rifle.

The costumed crusader in action:

Comments

Episiarch | January 31, 2008, 12:47pm | #

He's not going to find El Dorado in Bogota, I can tell you that.

javier | January 31, 2008, 12:57pm | #

whats with all the pockets on the front? Is that a suicide vest underneath his coat? Anyway, seems to be helping, so whatever.

Ska | January 31, 2008, 12:58pm | #

Even fake terrorist leaders started small.

Or Little Bin Laden learns to Rat.


Whatever.

Pro Libertate | January 31, 2008, 1:03pm | #

Kind of a Guardian Hell's Angel.

kerem tibuk | January 31, 2008, 1:07pm | #

Free market in action.

But people claiming to be for free markets can't help but try to ridicule it.

Hillarious...

Abdul | January 31, 2008, 1:16pm | #

Is "Beirded weirdo with rifle-man" really a superhero?

stephen the goldberger | January 31, 2008, 1:16pm | #

Just becuase I believe in free market principles doesn't mean I can't mock actors operating within it. How else could I make fun of people who watch Vh1?

In any case I think its pretty lame that this dude is co-opting a mass murderer's persona in order to be some underground "vigilante" hero (although he ammounts to basically, a rat).

SM | January 31, 2008, 1:27pm | #

Episiarch winns the thread.

smacky | January 31, 2008, 1:32pm | #

Aguirre: The Wrath of God is an awesome movie. Great title reference!

SugarFree | January 31, 2008, 1:36pm | #

I figured it out. "kerem tibuk" translates as "Juanita."

R C Dean | January 31, 2008, 1:49pm | #

Fake rifle? That guy's got some serious cojones and a short life expectancy.

t. j. | January 31, 2008, 1:59pm | #

yeah, there should be herzog film references every day on this blog if reason wants to remain cool and judging from gillespie's wardrobe i believe they do.

Gzipa | January 31, 2008, 2:01pm | #

He is operating in the Sante Fe neighborhood. That is not the best neighborhood at night. The residents say he is actually making a difference. At least he is doing something instead of just talking or blaming everything on the government and I give him credit for that.

jackanapestarian | January 31, 2008, 2:04pm | #

I'm surprised the photographer could find him.

Werner Herzog | January 31, 2008, 2:30pm | #

The local natives are offering to kill him for me.

Brian Courts | January 31, 2008, 2:42pm | #

Free market in action.

But people claiming to be for free markets can't help but try to ridicule it.

Hillarious...

That has to be one of the lamest attempts to take a shot at libertarians I've ever seen, and that's not an easy accomplishment when you consider the competition. Where is Dan T. when you need him? At least his stuff was occasionally a decent caricature of libertarians - i.e. a grossly distorted simplification that was, at times, humorous. This isn't even close; it really isn't anything.

Look, if we have to spell it out, we feel people, like this nut and yourself, should be free to make an ass of themselves, while other people, like us, should be free to mock them for it.

chancelikely | January 31, 2008, 3:47pm | #

A headline writer's dream.

That's all I've got to say.

Aguirre | January 31, 2008, 5:29pm | #

Thanks for telling everyone my rifle is fake, asshole. Now how am I supposed to intimidate the riff-raff?

Shawn | January 31, 2008, 6:30pm | #

Where's Rove now? I could see this guy playing "superhero" for the Republican party in Gitmo about 1 week before the election.

Stevo Darkly | January 31, 2008, 6:51pm | #

"Criminals are a cowardly, superstitious lot. I must become what they fear, striking terror into their hearts. I will become a creature of the night ... Dark! Terrible! ... That's it! I will become ... OSAMABATMAN!

Xanthippas | January 31, 2008, 7:09pm | #

I can think of a few reasons why that's a bad idea, and one is a missile with the big "USA" stamp on the side of it.

Brian Sorgatz | January 31, 2008, 7:55pm | #

Apparently Colombia now has its counterpart to Emperor Norton.

Heinrick | February 1, 2008, 12:10am | #

"Aguirre: The Wrath of God is an awesome movie. Great title reference!"

So many monkies.

Dee | February 1, 2008, 12:21pm | #

How much does being protected by a fake rifle run these days exactly?

Dyslexinam | February 1, 2008, 12:37pm | #

What do you mean "claiming to be a superhero?" Oh wait, I hear trouble... gotta go!