Excellent analysis as always. One minor quibble from this military veteran— please stop referring to all military members as officers. (You are not the only journalist who does this, to be fair, but it drives me — and probably a lot of veterans — insane.) Sergeants are not officers. Corporals are not officers. Petty officers are not officers. Specialists are not officers. I’d be happy to provide a list of the various ranks that *are* officers, if you are still struggling with this.
This is true.The enlisted non commissioned officers enlist in a branch of service,go through boot camp and serve as the"grunts"who actually fight in battle,or do ground based jobs like drive trucks or work as mechanics,or run the offices that do payroll or personel offices.They are the Privates,Corporals and Sergeants,all the way up to Master Sgt.Sergeants also train and command over enlisted personel.
Commissioned officers usually go to military academies,like West Point or the Naval and Air Force Academies,or Marine Corps officer training in Quantico,VA and when they graduate they are Ensigns or Lieutenants,and they are higher ranked than enlisted personel.They can also pilot planes and helicopters.The enlisted people usually do not.
Around where I live in North Florida,there are several military bases where people fly aircraft,they are all commissioned officers.I don't see very many enlisted people around here,but there are a few around.There is also civilian workers who work on the bases,they are mainly support for the military personel.I see bunches of them around.
These people are our defense,who fight for us.They deserve our respect because they are serving our country.Enlisted or Commissioned,they all work to keep us safe.
You may not see enlisted people but I guarantee there are many more of them than there are officers. They repair, refuel, resupply, and crew the aircraft.
More commissioned officers graduate from accredited colleges/universities than the academies. (Approximately 10,500 university graduates versus 3,000 academy graduates.)
— The three military academies graduate approximately 3000 new officers total each year.
— The total O1 (2ndLT, Ensign) population across the military branches is 27,000.
— Typically it takes two years to be promoted to O2.
— Approximately 50% of O1 officers, or 13,500, are in their first year.
— Total 13,500 new O1 officers per year, with 3,000 from the academies, leaves 10,500 entering via ROTC or individual application.
Has nothing to do with a college degree, although most officers do have at least 4 year degrees. Commissioned officers have commissions. Enlisted members enlist. Different terms of service and job descriptions apply.
Kipling wrote that "The backbone of the army is the non-commissioned man." (He wrote long before women were admitted to the armed forces.) And many NCOs have an inverted snobbery where officers are concerned.
Perhaps it's not the VA's fault so much as the power of....war....to absolutely destroy the lives not only of those who are killed but also of the ones who return from horrific things they have seen and possibly done. How do you go on from there? What happens inside your head?
More than we'll ever understand. Those with visible scars is distressing and hard to fathom. Those with invisible scars more elusive. PTSD is a horrible aftermath for those returning and watching/loving someone struggling with it is heartbreaking. You feel powerless.
There actually was a DoD study a number of years ago that showed that ex-military people are three times as likely as non-military to engage in terrorist acts and mass shootings.
Timothy McVeigh and Micah Johnson are just two other well-known example. On a lower level, a lot of the Jan 6 terrorists were also former (or even active duty) military.
Whether it is because the military trains people to become more violent, or whether it tends to attract people who already have violent tendencies, is of course an open question, but there is a clear statistical connection here.
Maybe the decades of active war have exposed a higher percentage of military personnel to the reality of combat, desensitizing our natural aversion to the ravages of violence.
Not only that; it is actually a deliberate goal of military training. The harm is done, to a lesser extent, even to people who never see combat.
The US military found that in WW I, up to 90% of soldiers deliberately missed their targets because they couldn't deal with the idea of killing another human being. Today, a large part of basic training (and other training) is specifically designed to overcome this natural instinct. That includes such things as, dehumanizing the soldiers (and civilians) of the other side as "soft targets" or "collateral damage", as well as things like replacing round shooting targets with human-shaped ones. Of course, today's drone warfare takes this to an extreme, where somebody sitting in a comfortable chair at essentially a gaming console can control a drone halfway around the world.
Barbara, and when these vets look for help? They often can't navigate the process of finding any, and sadly, weapons and other destructive devices are too readily available
Sort of fascinating to hear what the fellow who killed himself in front of the T hotel in a Tesla truck wrote ahead of that--trying, it seemed, to make the people who are in charge of these things how horrible war IS and what it does, to everyone...but then, of course, he supported Trump and Musk.
Thanks for the thoughtful piece, Jay. It's long past time we stopped pretending that the biggest terrorism threat we face in this country comes from outsiders. The FBI and other intelligence agencies have been sounding the alarm for years now about home-grown terrorism, especially the potential for radicalization among current and former military members. We need look no further than January 6th to see the evidence of that. But, because most of it comes from the far right, Trump and others have done everything they can to downplay the threat coming from their own side, including as here, trying to blame immigrants.
Whatever their motives, neither of these two murderers had a good enough reason to target innocent people. I hope we can all agree on that.
Thank you for your in-depth reporting. My heart sinks a bit every time events like these take place but we need to know these things to figure out how to respond — both in mind and action — to help stop this extreme madness.
These incidents are heartbreaking for the nation, and particularly for the families of the people who were killed or injured in the attacks. But more troubling is contemplating how the trump administration will respond when—inevitably—similar attacks occur on their watch. Can we expect the FBI (under Patel!) to objectively investigate them, or will they politicize them, spin them to better advance their agenda? I hope we get the answers about these attacks before January 20—and I shudder to think what may come next.
You don't have to speculate, just remember the one President worse than Trump, Bush II. He used 9/11 to launch the anti-Muslim discrimination, turn the US into a surveillance state that kidnaps people without trial to Guantanamo, legitimize torture, even of children, in Black Sites. And on the side he started a war with Iraq for no other reason than he wanted to.
Curious to see what and how security is heightened for next week in DC. 1/6 was already to be a day considered like the Inauguration for security. THEN there's the Carter Funeral at which Pres. Biden and all former Presidents will attend w/ their spouses, and lots of heads of state. That's on 1/9. THEN Orange Putz announced he's having a major event at the arena in downtown DC on 1/19, the day before the Inaug plus on Sat., 1/18 is the People's/Women's March. And MLK Day, and Inauguration. The events of the past two days will no doubt cause more lockdown and more security tho' we can't find yet what. OH and then the SuperBowl which already had planned more security and now ....
That MTG is blaming immigrants when these were people born in the US is so pathetic. And I do not see how a new Administration could have done anything to prevent these unless we get a competent SecDef to look deeply at the military ranks and the far right indoctrination by those in charge (see this site if you want to learn more https://www.militaryreligiousfreedom.org/) and by others. Great place to learn bombs and weapons training to use once one leaves the military.
The events coming up soon that you mention present worrisome opportunities for additional havoc and angst. We knew to expect chaos from trump--we just didn't expect it to happen before he's even inaugurated. The fact that his loyalist minions like MTG are fueling the fires is also no help. I think the first big test will be tomorrow, when Johnson is--or isn't--reelected as speaker. We know that he has trump's backing. Let's hope that House Security is prepared if he's voted down (and utter chaos descends on the House--again); there could be pushback from trump loyalists.
I think too, Evelyn, that state capitals and other big cities are going to see demonstrations around the Inauguration. We live in DC and are stocking up on food and batteries in case. Unsure what else to do when we can't leave.
It's certainly wise to be prepared... I live in Seattle; we're a city that was in trump's crosshairs during his first term. I certainly empathize with your concerns about the inauguration.
I am concerned about Inauguration Day. If they are swarming the capital then...we will know that they will be ready at a moment's notice to do trump's bidding. In which case none of us anywhere in the country will be outside their reach. We have a history of far-right militias in Washington State. They tend to exist primarily in the Eastern regions of the state. But 300 miles isn't enough to keep them from wreaking havoc here in the solidly blue Western side.
I’m painfully aware of your concerns too. I think many areas of the country will be on high alert. I write this on Sun 1/5 as we wait for a blizzard to hit DC. All things are closed starting late tonight through at least 1/6. Fed Govt closed except for essential workers. House & Senate staff are not considered essential. Lives will again be in danger differently. I’ve not found info on contingency for vote certification.
Oh, wow. I've been reading about the impending blizzard. Didn't make the connection about the government being closed and tomorrow being the date for certification of the election. It will be interesting... I hope you are prepared! (I grew up in Ohio. People there are always prepared for big snow. I moved away when I was 20 and returned one April many years later for a family reunion--a blizzard struck the night before I was supposed to go to the airport for an early morning flight. The cab driver who got me to the airport on time was amazing! I know I wouldn't be as lucky if we got a surprise blizzard in Seattle...but I digress.) Stay safe.
Wow. Just a horrible way to start 2025 on so many levels. I noted the frustration with the VA in your piece. Prevention of veteran suicides is one of the number one priorities for the VA https://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/suicide_prevention/ The problem escalates when it becomes a murder/suicide of mass proportions. Externalization and internalization of rage and grief = death.
It's so frustrating that people want to provide these services and can't, because the government has made it so difficult to access.
I think it's very telling that here in Australia said services are much more available but still nowhere near enough, and we have a VA department that (mostly) does its job properly. I can only imagine how much worse it is in the USA.
NOTHING with this accursed incoming administration makes me the least bit interested in holding my breath "until things get better". Under Frump, Juvenile Delinquent and Lone Skum, nothing is going to get better until they all get voted out of office.
Haha. I haven't a doubt she is fearless and ferocious in her passion to eliminate misbehavior in canines. Whether she has any brains beyond what is required to pull a trigger, I have my doubts.
This is why veterans who serve in combat NEED therapy to help them return to civilian life. The high levels of untreated mental illness, the sheer trauma of the modern battlefield, and the conditioning required to create a soldier in the first place, all add up to a terrifying toxic mess. Frankly it's a miracle that we don't have more veterans lashing out like this.
I feel most sorry for these men's families, though. They have to live the rest of their lives being connected with these terrible actions.
You raise very good points. It's possible that traumatic brain injury plays a role as well. Some portion of veterans will have TBI, and some portion of those may have serious consequences that can include personality changes or erratic or impulsive behavior.
While I agree with you, what is really needed is that we don't create veterans in the first place. Dramatically scale down the military (and military-industrial complex), and keep it at home.
If these attacks are at all related to the incoming administration (and noone would be surprised if they were), one this is abundantly clear and that is we must be diligent in squashing disinformation. We can't let the right continue to blame immigrants for crime they didn't commit. We can't let it be blamed on "anti trump" individuals if they are in fact MAGGOTS. I mean I am 1000% anti trump but my ex is an R all the way no matter who, and even couples who are married can be in different camps. All of the senseless death is sad and I truly fear for what is to come in the next few years. But one thing is clear- if Tritler continues to deflect blame things cannot and will not stop. The biggest question right now for me is who is going to step up and be the adult in that room because we definitely need one.
Misinformation is the enemy of problem solving. We need to have others who are committed to truth to report to us as our institutions fail us. We have seen that legacy media is not going to fulfill that function, so we move on to new ways of gaining information. Thanks for being one such source. Also, I appreciate that as people are able to comment they often correct and expand on points that are always well made.
Thank you for pointing out this **absolutely** critical need for the best information we can get about (well, everything) these events. Competent policy, decisions of any sort, cannot be made with poor/incorrect/inadequate data.
Wouldn’t this be a good time to get the lying, hate-promoting Fox “News” off all military bases? I am so troubled by the constant stream of hatred spewed from that channel and by the young minds that are affected by it. I know this doesn’t “cause” these types of terrorism, but it adds to our human fears and hatreds.
There probably is a Turo connection, but it's likely not useful for investigative purposes. Both terrorists probably chose Turo independently, for more or less the same reasons.
Turo is not a normal car rental company; it is basically an AirBnB for cars, one of those bend-the-rules-who-cares-what-breaks type of companies we've seen a lot of lately. That makes it attractive for would-be terrorists.
For the Vegas terrorist, Turo had a second benefit. He clearly wanted specifically a Cybertruck for symbolic reasons. But no normal car rental company offers that; most no longer offer any Tesla models.
It's worth noting that the two attempted (?) assassinations of 45 involved homegrown males about whom we still know very little, by design or otherwise.
Excellent analysis as always. One minor quibble from this military veteran— please stop referring to all military members as officers. (You are not the only journalist who does this, to be fair, but it drives me — and probably a lot of veterans — insane.) Sergeants are not officers. Corporals are not officers. Petty officers are not officers. Specialists are not officers. I’d be happy to provide a list of the various ranks that *are* officers, if you are still struggling with this.
This is true.The enlisted non commissioned officers enlist in a branch of service,go through boot camp and serve as the"grunts"who actually fight in battle,or do ground based jobs like drive trucks or work as mechanics,or run the offices that do payroll or personel offices.They are the Privates,Corporals and Sergeants,all the way up to Master Sgt.Sergeants also train and command over enlisted personel.
Commissioned officers usually go to military academies,like West Point or the Naval and Air Force Academies,or Marine Corps officer training in Quantico,VA and when they graduate they are Ensigns or Lieutenants,and they are higher ranked than enlisted personel.They can also pilot planes and helicopters.The enlisted people usually do not.
Around where I live in North Florida,there are several military bases where people fly aircraft,they are all commissioned officers.I don't see very many enlisted people around here,but there are a few around.There is also civilian workers who work on the bases,they are mainly support for the military personel.I see bunches of them around.
These people are our defense,who fight for us.They deserve our respect because they are serving our country.Enlisted or Commissioned,they all work to keep us safe.
You may not see enlisted people but I guarantee there are many more of them than there are officers. They repair, refuel, resupply, and crew the aircraft.
https://t.co/WLjr9fZn5y
More commissioned officers graduate from accredited colleges/universities than the academies. (Approximately 10,500 university graduates versus 3,000 academy graduates.)
— The three military academies graduate approximately 3000 new officers total each year.
— The total O1 (2ndLT, Ensign) population across the military branches is 27,000.
— Typically it takes two years to be promoted to O2.
— Approximately 50% of O1 officers, or 13,500, are in their first year.
— Total 13,500 new O1 officers per year, with 3,000 from the academies, leaves 10,500 entering via ROTC or individual application.
Don’t forget us 16 week OCS wonders!
How did I do that?? I was almost one of those. USAF had a program to recruit engineers.
Are the 10,500 with college degrees also called "Officer"?
Has nothing to do with a college degree, although most officers do have at least 4 year degrees. Commissioned officers have commissions. Enlisted members enlist. Different terms of service and job descriptions apply.
Kipling wrote that "The backbone of the army is the non-commissioned man." (He wrote long before women were admitted to the armed forces.) And many NCOs have an inverted snobbery where officers are concerned.
"Don't call me sir! I work for a living!"
Thanks for this correction.
Perhaps it's not the VA's fault so much as the power of....war....to absolutely destroy the lives not only of those who are killed but also of the ones who return from horrific things they have seen and possibly done. How do you go on from there? What happens inside your head?
More than we'll ever understand. Those with visible scars is distressing and hard to fathom. Those with invisible scars more elusive. PTSD is a horrible aftermath for those returning and watching/loving someone struggling with it is heartbreaking. You feel powerless.
There actually was a DoD study a number of years ago that showed that ex-military people are three times as likely as non-military to engage in terrorist acts and mass shootings.
Timothy McVeigh and Micah Johnson are just two other well-known example. On a lower level, a lot of the Jan 6 terrorists were also former (or even active duty) military.
Whether it is because the military trains people to become more violent, or whether it tends to attract people who already have violent tendencies, is of course an open question, but there is a clear statistical connection here.
Maybe the decades of active war have exposed a higher percentage of military personnel to the reality of combat, desensitizing our natural aversion to the ravages of violence.
Not only that; it is actually a deliberate goal of military training. The harm is done, to a lesser extent, even to people who never see combat.
The US military found that in WW I, up to 90% of soldiers deliberately missed their targets because they couldn't deal with the idea of killing another human being. Today, a large part of basic training (and other training) is specifically designed to overcome this natural instinct. That includes such things as, dehumanizing the soldiers (and civilians) of the other side as "soft targets" or "collateral damage", as well as things like replacing round shooting targets with human-shaped ones. Of course, today's drone warfare takes this to an extreme, where somebody sitting in a comfortable chair at essentially a gaming console can control a drone halfway around the world.
Barbara, and when these vets look for help? They often can't navigate the process of finding any, and sadly, weapons and other destructive devices are too readily available
Sort of fascinating to hear what the fellow who killed himself in front of the T hotel in a Tesla truck wrote ahead of that--trying, it seemed, to make the people who are in charge of these things how horrible war IS and what it does, to everyone...but then, of course, he supported Trump and Musk.
Thanks for the thoughtful piece, Jay. It's long past time we stopped pretending that the biggest terrorism threat we face in this country comes from outsiders. The FBI and other intelligence agencies have been sounding the alarm for years now about home-grown terrorism, especially the potential for radicalization among current and former military members. We need look no further than January 6th to see the evidence of that. But, because most of it comes from the far right, Trump and others have done everything they can to downplay the threat coming from their own side, including as here, trying to blame immigrants.
Whatever their motives, neither of these two murderers had a good enough reason to target innocent people. I hope we can all agree on that.
The biggest cache of explosive devices ever discovered was this past week. A white man in Virginia, go figure.
I'm betting the evidence inventory shows a healthy collection of MAGA merch, too.
Don't you mean, an unhealthy collection?
It is unhealthy, but I meant sizable.
I knew that. Should have added a smiley to the joke!
Why mention his race?
Because it is probably relevant, given what appears to be his political position.
Clear, straightforward, in depth and trustworthy reporting. Beats the hell out of corporate media.
Thank you for your in-depth reporting. My heart sinks a bit every time events like these take place but we need to know these things to figure out how to respond — both in mind and action — to help stop this extreme madness.
These incidents are heartbreaking for the nation, and particularly for the families of the people who were killed or injured in the attacks. But more troubling is contemplating how the trump administration will respond when—inevitably—similar attacks occur on their watch. Can we expect the FBI (under Patel!) to objectively investigate them, or will they politicize them, spin them to better advance their agenda? I hope we get the answers about these attacks before January 20—and I shudder to think what may come next.
You don't have to speculate, just remember the one President worse than Trump, Bush II. He used 9/11 to launch the anti-Muslim discrimination, turn the US into a surveillance state that kidnaps people without trial to Guantanamo, legitimize torture, even of children, in Black Sites. And on the side he started a war with Iraq for no other reason than he wanted to.
And for all that he wasn't even impeached.
Curious to see what and how security is heightened for next week in DC. 1/6 was already to be a day considered like the Inauguration for security. THEN there's the Carter Funeral at which Pres. Biden and all former Presidents will attend w/ their spouses, and lots of heads of state. That's on 1/9. THEN Orange Putz announced he's having a major event at the arena in downtown DC on 1/19, the day before the Inaug plus on Sat., 1/18 is the People's/Women's March. And MLK Day, and Inauguration. The events of the past two days will no doubt cause more lockdown and more security tho' we can't find yet what. OH and then the SuperBowl which already had planned more security and now ....
That MTG is blaming immigrants when these were people born in the US is so pathetic. And I do not see how a new Administration could have done anything to prevent these unless we get a competent SecDef to look deeply at the military ranks and the far right indoctrination by those in charge (see this site if you want to learn more https://www.militaryreligiousfreedom.org/) and by others. Great place to learn bombs and weapons training to use once one leaves the military.
The events coming up soon that you mention present worrisome opportunities for additional havoc and angst. We knew to expect chaos from trump--we just didn't expect it to happen before he's even inaugurated. The fact that his loyalist minions like MTG are fueling the fires is also no help. I think the first big test will be tomorrow, when Johnson is--or isn't--reelected as speaker. We know that he has trump's backing. Let's hope that House Security is prepared if he's voted down (and utter chaos descends on the House--again); there could be pushback from trump loyalists.
I think too, Evelyn, that state capitals and other big cities are going to see demonstrations around the Inauguration. We live in DC and are stocking up on food and batteries in case. Unsure what else to do when we can't leave.
It's certainly wise to be prepared... I live in Seattle; we're a city that was in trump's crosshairs during his first term. I certainly empathize with your concerns about the inauguration.
Thank you. I fear too militias roaming to protect their leader from day one.
I am concerned about Inauguration Day. If they are swarming the capital then...we will know that they will be ready at a moment's notice to do trump's bidding. In which case none of us anywhere in the country will be outside their reach. We have a history of far-right militias in Washington State. They tend to exist primarily in the Eastern regions of the state. But 300 miles isn't enough to keep them from wreaking havoc here in the solidly blue Western side.
I’m painfully aware of your concerns too. I think many areas of the country will be on high alert. I write this on Sun 1/5 as we wait for a blizzard to hit DC. All things are closed starting late tonight through at least 1/6. Fed Govt closed except for essential workers. House & Senate staff are not considered essential. Lives will again be in danger differently. I’ve not found info on contingency for vote certification.
Oh, wow. I've been reading about the impending blizzard. Didn't make the connection about the government being closed and tomorrow being the date for certification of the election. It will be interesting... I hope you are prepared! (I grew up in Ohio. People there are always prepared for big snow. I moved away when I was 20 and returned one April many years later for a family reunion--a blizzard struck the night before I was supposed to go to the airport for an early morning flight. The cab driver who got me to the airport on time was amazing! I know I wouldn't be as lucky if we got a surprise blizzard in Seattle...but I digress.) Stay safe.
Wow. Just a horrible way to start 2025 on so many levels. I noted the frustration with the VA in your piece. Prevention of veteran suicides is one of the number one priorities for the VA https://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/suicide_prevention/ The problem escalates when it becomes a murder/suicide of mass proportions. Externalization and internalization of rage and grief = death.
😞💔
It's so frustrating that people want to provide these services and can't, because the government has made it so difficult to access.
I think it's very telling that here in Australia said services are much more available but still nowhere near enough, and we have a VA department that (mostly) does its job properly. I can only imagine how much worse it is in the USA.
You also have far less of a culture of violence, and as I understand it, your military tends to stay home more.
NOTHING with this accursed incoming administration makes me the least bit interested in holding my breath "until things get better". Under Frump, Juvenile Delinquent and Lone Skum, nothing is going to get better until they all get voted out of office.
Does this mean you lack faith in Kristi Noem's leadership to protect the Homeland (she queried sarcastically)?
Haha. I haven't a doubt she is fearless and ferocious in her passion to eliminate misbehavior in canines. Whether she has any brains beyond what is required to pull a trigger, I have my doubts.
This is why veterans who serve in combat NEED therapy to help them return to civilian life. The high levels of untreated mental illness, the sheer trauma of the modern battlefield, and the conditioning required to create a soldier in the first place, all add up to a terrifying toxic mess. Frankly it's a miracle that we don't have more veterans lashing out like this.
I feel most sorry for these men's families, though. They have to live the rest of their lives being connected with these terrible actions.
You raise very good points. It's possible that traumatic brain injury plays a role as well. Some portion of veterans will have TBI, and some portion of those may have serious consequences that can include personality changes or erratic or impulsive behavior.
While I agree with you, what is really needed is that we don't create veterans in the first place. Dramatically scale down the military (and military-industrial complex), and keep it at home.
Yes please. We don't need to have so many trained killers.
If these attacks are at all related to the incoming administration (and noone would be surprised if they were), one this is abundantly clear and that is we must be diligent in squashing disinformation. We can't let the right continue to blame immigrants for crime they didn't commit. We can't let it be blamed on "anti trump" individuals if they are in fact MAGGOTS. I mean I am 1000% anti trump but my ex is an R all the way no matter who, and even couples who are married can be in different camps. All of the senseless death is sad and I truly fear for what is to come in the next few years. But one thing is clear- if Tritler continues to deflect blame things cannot and will not stop. The biggest question right now for me is who is going to step up and be the adult in that room because we definitely need one.
You had a typo. It’s “Titler”, not “Tritler”. Or did I miss the latest Doomsday Dictionary?
Oh well I call him Tritler (TRump+hITLER) but I do have a friend that calls him Titler. I stole it from someone else to be fair LOL
It is all so terrifying! I pray that this is not a precursor to the coming years.
The news noted one death from the Tesla explosion. Are they reporting the driver committed suicide?
Everything I ever saw was that the lone death was the driver. Whether it was a separate suicide, or a suicide bombing, I don't know.
The driver shot himself.
Misinformation is the enemy of problem solving. We need to have others who are committed to truth to report to us as our institutions fail us. We have seen that legacy media is not going to fulfill that function, so we move on to new ways of gaining information. Thanks for being one such source. Also, I appreciate that as people are able to comment they often correct and expand on points that are always well made.
Thank you for pointing out this **absolutely** critical need for the best information we can get about (well, everything) these events. Competent policy, decisions of any sort, cannot be made with poor/incorrect/inadequate data.
Wouldn’t this be a good time to get the lying, hate-promoting Fox “News” off all military bases? I am so troubled by the constant stream of hatred spewed from that channel and by the young minds that are affected by it. I know this doesn’t “cause” these types of terrorism, but it adds to our human fears and hatreds.
There probably is a Turo connection, but it's likely not useful for investigative purposes. Both terrorists probably chose Turo independently, for more or less the same reasons.
Turo is not a normal car rental company; it is basically an AirBnB for cars, one of those bend-the-rules-who-cares-what-breaks type of companies we've seen a lot of lately. That makes it attractive for would-be terrorists.
For the Vegas terrorist, Turo had a second benefit. He clearly wanted specifically a Cybertruck for symbolic reasons. But no normal car rental company offers that; most no longer offer any Tesla models.
It's worth noting that the two attempted (?) assassinations of 45 involved homegrown males about whom we still know very little, by design or otherwise.