Looks like that group just wanted some attention. Why else would they call up to tip off the newspaper? Of course, maybe someone got cold feet.

Minor quibble: how is a "left-wing group" the same as anarchic separatists? Seems counter-intuitive. The article could have explained that a little better.

Well, you do get left wing nationalists, and therefore left wing regionalists. Its a bit of a contradiction in terms, however, to consider any nationalist properly left wing - Stalin is a good example of an apparently left wing nationalist who in reality wasn't very left at all. Also Anarchism is a left wing doctrine - however much I may disagree with it I'll give it that! But the combo of left wing nationalism and anarchism is a bit weird, as the reference to Stalin probably implies. The nationalists tend to be quite authoritarian and the anarchists quite the opposite.

What's weird from my perspective is that on your side of the pond these terrorist acts spark a roll of the eyes, a sigh that these people want attention, and a discussion of their political view. Over here, the first order of business would be having them tortured for info and then drawn and quartered.

And when the CIA or FBI is intensely questioning them, they're getting more "attention" that they ever imagined. ;)

If conservatism is left wing, and radical reformism left wing, then I suppose Anarchism is by defenition left wing, but as an ideal, wouldn't Anarchism be OUTSIDE the wings of politics?

And photographed naked. And held for two years without trial. Charming presentation of American justice you have there Timber.

Apples and Oranges, Yorick -- that's not what I said. It's a fine straw man, though, so if you want to blindly beat the shit out of it with your pinata stick, be my guest.