Arsonist intended murder at Palin's church?

Lobby of Wasilla Bible Church under repair

A leader at Wasilla Bible Church in Alaska suspects the arsonist who started fires that left $1 million in damages intended murder and possibly targeted the church because of the attendance of Gov. Sarah Palin, whose Christian faith became an issue during her 2008 campaign with Sen. John McCain.

"Clearly this was an attack caused by Governor Palin's connection to this little Christian church," writes blogger Kevin Collins in his Collins Report.

Collins said a church elder, Tom
Ryan, confirmed the case isn't a simple arson but a suspected murder.

"There were five adult women and a 17-year-old girl in the church during the arson," Collins wrote.

Senior Pastor Larry Kroon expects services to resume at the building Sunday following the Dec. 12 blaze that affected offices, classrooms and the main entry.

The fire is under investigation as a suspected arson, and Palin's attendance at the church that has suggested a motivation. Investigators say, however they have not confirmed any links. The church has set up a special website to update members on the restoration.

Collins explained that while Alaska "is our largest state in land area, it is a small town in everyday life. If a local Alaskan arson/murderer had perpetrated this crime the authorities would have made an arrest already. If a Wasillian had done this everyone would have pointed to the likely suspect on day one."

"That leaves an outsider," he said. "That means an arsonist who came to Wasilla to kill people in a church no one ever heard of a few months ago. Why would a trained professional arsonist pick a church at random and torch it knowing there were people inside?"

Collins said authorities know wires for the telephones, fire alarms and water sprinklers were cut before the blaze was set from within the building, because footprints were found inside the control room.

"Clearly the arson[ist] knew the victims were present," wrote Collins, who holds a doctoral degree in public administration and served for many years as an adjunct professor of behavioral science.

"The facts speak clearly. This attempted murder was perpetrated by someone from outside of the Wasilla area, a hired assassin who went there to kill people because of what they believe," Collins said. "The facts of this case scream that this was a concerted effort to kill people by use of fire, a crime that could have led to the arsonist[s] being shot on sight by a Wasilla police officer."

Collins said the church recently had sponsored a conference for ex-"gays" that could have provoked a violent activist to target the church, which was the focus of news reports because of Palin.

"Would this be enough motive for some people? Of course it would, but the old media will never mention that possibility. It won't touch the obvious conclusion that this was an attack caused by Gov. Palin's connection with the WBC either," Collins said.