Fred Thompson's Curious Assertion

Last night, he said:

"We're living in a nation beset by suicidal maniacs."

Any idea how Thompson's employing "beset"? If he means "to set upon," then this is likely another repulsive, opportunistic reference to 9/11. But if, courtesy of m-w.com, he mean "to hem in," then I do believe he's just referred to the entire population of Canada as "suicidal maniacs."

Eh?