Boston Marathon

[october_midnight]

Multiple explosions go off at the finish line of the Boston Marathon. (http://news.sky.com/story/1078597/explosions-reported-at-boston-marathon)

What the fuck is going on? Are people really that hard pressed to become internet famous or something? With all the recent shootings and shit, it's starting to make me think that people are actually out to see if they can do something and have it become a fucking Twitter trending topic or something. Multiple serious injuries...fuckssakes.

[Deepvoid]

Thankfully, no deaths have been reported yet.

[october_midnight]

Some are reporting that it could've been a pyrotechnic accident. I know it sounds shitty, but I hope that's it.

[Deepvoid]

Some are reporting that it could've been a pyrotechnic accident. I know it sounds shitty, but I hope that's it.

They just showed video with sound of the incident on CNN. Clearly not pyrotechnic accident. Two distinct explosions could be seen coming from two different buildings.

Here's one picture:

http://i.huffpost.com/gen/1087836/thumbs/o-BOSTON-MARATHON-EXPLOSION-570.jpg?6

[october_midnight]

Fuckssakes.

[mfte]

Possible terror attack?
Gas line accident?

http://hotair.com/archives/2013/04/15/breaking-explosion-at-boston-marathon/

[Deepvoid]

Fuckssakes.

What's disturbing is the number of "ban explosions" or "government work" comments in such a little time.

[october_midnight]

What's disturbing is the number of "ban explosions" or "government work" comments in such a little time.

Seriously! Ugh...

[DigitalChaos]

photos, scanner, etc: http://www.reddit.com/r/boston/comments/1cemgz/massive_explosions_on_boylston_near_the_marathon/

[october_midnight]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3fMukiYAs1w&feature=youtu.be

[Deepvoid]

3 deaths confirmed.

[blackholesun]

Damnit. Please let everyone be okay.

[Elke]

Shit. Just came here mostly to check if anyone here is around. I always get freaked out about these things.

[Deepvoid]

RAW video of the blast

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JVU7rQ6wUcE

[DigitalChaos]

tons of extra info in here. also some horrible images (missing limbs, etc)
http://www.reddit.com/r/boston/comments/1cem4f/did_anyone_just_hear_a_loud_noise_near_copley/

[Space Suicide]

Really? We can't even have running marathons anymore without threat of danger(s)? What is this world coming to?

[slave2thewage]

2 dead, 22 injured is the current official figure.

[DigitalChaos]

Really? We can't even have running marathons anymore without threat of danger(s)? What is this world coming to?
Running marathons are as "dangerous" as they have always been. Don't allow emotions to overblow the reality of the situation, the media will be doing more than enough of that shit.

[mfte]

reports coming in about explosive devices being the cause.
more un detonated devices found.

[Magtig]

http://www1.whdh.com/video/7newslive/

Just said that a government official confirmed the existence of a total of four bombs.

edit - the two that exploded, and two more found by government officials

[slave2thewage]

Sky News here is saying something about a third explosion? I just tuned in, so I'm not too sure.

[Magtig]

Sky News here is saying something about a third explosion? I just tuned in, so I'm not too sure.
It was a controlled explosion.

[october_midnight]

Running marathons are as "dangerous" as they have always been. Don't allow emotions to overblow the reality of the situation, the media will be doing more than enough of that shit.

Decent people react emotionally to terrible events, it's natural and normal. The opposite is to coldly analyze everything in the attempt to condescend those that don't (see: the gun thread).

To what Space Suicide said, no fucking kidding. It's getting to the point where nothing's safe...I know (before it gets said) nothing ever really was, but a marathon? What's the agenda here other than just being a fuckbag? Someone that is worthy of the worst punishment I can conceive...

[mfte]

apparently they are holding a possible suspect

[Space Suicide]

Running marathons are as "dangerous" as they have always been. Don't allow emotions to overblow the reality of the situation, the media will be doing more than enough of that shit.

Of course with exhaustion and dehydration but I just implicated the fact that something like this even has potential mass destruction danger to worry about when it shouldn't.

[Leviathant]

apparently they are holding a possible suspect

When making statements like this, it is helpful to cite your sources.

[marodi]

tons of extra info in here. also some horrible images (missing limbs, etc)
http://www.reddit.com/r/boston/comments/1cem4f/did_anyone_just_hear_a_loud_noise_near_copley/

Jesus, the guy who's missing the end of both his legs (at least it looks like this); how the hell is he still conscious?

Damn those who did this; damn them to hell.

[pigpen]

They just said that there was some kind of incident at the JFK library??? What the fuck!!!

[Magtig]

http://live.boston.com/Event/Live_blog_Explosion_in_Copley_Square

Updating a feed constantly. Including a different video of the explosion from a Boston Globe sports reporter stationed at the finish line.

edit: Permalink http://live.boston.com/Event/Live_blog_Explosion_in_Copley_Square/72926110

[Magtig]

Google put up a person finder: http://google.org/personfinder/2013-boston-explosions/

[miss k bee]

wtf just heard about this. scary shit.

[DigitalChaos]

Decent people react emotionally to terrible events, it's natural and normal. The opposite is to coldly analyze everything in the attempt to condescend those that don't (see: the gun thread).

To what Space Suicide said, no fucking kidding. It's getting to the point where nothing's safe...I know (before it gets said) nothing ever really was, but a marathon? What's the agenda here other than just being a fuckbag? Someone that is worthy of the worst punishment I can conceive...
aaaaand the knee-jerk emotional bullshit starts again (yes, just like the gun thread).

You know who isn't letting emotion take over logic? Every single first responder that is helping those people, every single person who will ever do anything productive to better a situation in the short or long term. Not all humans are as concerned about their personal emotions as you indicate.



I'll just sit back and wait for the claims that we are somehow more at risk now and how we need to make things safer. You go ahead and do the emotional thing.

[jessamineny]

Please, please, please, please, please, please, please keep this kind of stuff out of this thread. Please, please please, please, please, please, please.

[DigitalChaos]

Jesus, the guy who's missing the end of both his legs (at least it looks like this); how the hell is he still conscious?

Damn those who did this; damn them to hell.
Shock. pure shock and adrenaline.
The guys holding him together... just... wow.

And yea, it does look like both his legs are gone. The picture you saw was probably cropped. Here is the uncropped (NSFW) http://i.imgur.com/YqnjCB9.jpg

[DigitalChaos]

Pictures from the Atlantic: http://www.theatlantic.com/infocus/2013/04/photos-of-the-boston-marathon-bombing/100495/

[october_midnight]

Please, please, please, please, please, please, please keep this kind of stuff out of this thread. Please, please please, please, please, please, please.

Agreed, leave the bullshit to the gun thread that almost nobody looks in anymore. Ugh, how some can't get over themselves...

[Magtig]

Please take with a huge grain of salt, but the NY Post is reporting 12 dead: http://www.nypost.com/p/news/national/two_explosions_at_boston_marathon_iMR0LCkcwASg0RQf VsH1yI?utm_source=SFnewyorkpost&utm_medium=SFnewyorkpost

From the same source, a suspect is being held: http://www.nypost.com/p/news/national/authorities_under_suspect_guard_y2m8cJO29uC2PDGIjY BalO

[DigitalChaos]

When making statements like this, it is helpful to cite your sources.
There are several mentions of it. Some boston redditors were talking about a hospital worker who knows about a "person of interest" being held in a hospital. (don't have the link) but there is also this: http://www.nypost.com/p/news/national/authorities_under_suspect_guard_y2m8cJO29uC2PDGIjY BalO

edit: beaten by Magtig

[DigitalChaos]

The singed hair on everyone... :( I didn't realize what I was seeing until just now.

[Magtig]

Please take with a huge grain of salt, but the NY Post is reporting 12 dead: http://www.nypost.com/p/news/national/two_explosions_at_boston_marathon_iMR0LCkcwASg0RQf VsH1yI?utm_source=SFnewyorkpost&utm_medium=SFnewyorkpost

From the same source, a suspect is being held: http://www.nypost.com/p/news/national/authorities_under_suspect_guard_y2m8cJO29uC2PDGIjY BalO
Here is a comment from the redditor (http://www.reddit.com/r/news/comments/1cen3t/there_was_just_an_explosion_at_the_boston/) posting constant updates from here regarding the NYPost's reporting on 12 dead and the suspect.

Update 48 (5:06 PM ET): For everyone posting about reporting from the NY Post, I am not using them as a source. They were getting some crucial facts wrong early on and are still reporting 12 dead, something I have not found confirmed anywhere else.

[miss k bee]

Sky News keep on showing the moment of the explosion. That guy with the legs Jesus!

[sweeterthan]

i really wish i hadn't clicked on that pic of that dude with his legs. I really hope he survives. I am so distraught right now. Too sad.

[Magtig]

io9.com points out a small silver lining in how we learned about this tradgedy today: through social media, from people on the ground without the sensationalization of media and good advice from actual professionals (such as the Red Cross, etc). http://io9.com/why-the-boston-marathon-bomb-gives-us-hope-for-the-futu-473037383

An excerpt:
Within seconds after a bomb detonated during the Boston Marathon this morning, pictures, video and news of the horrific event were pulsing over social networks. And they weren't exaggerations or FUD — these reports from people on the ground were the way most of us learned the truth.

On Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr, and other social networks this morning, we discovered that bombs went off on the Boston Marathon route, killing two and injuring dozens more. More bombs may be in the JFK libraries. Many people were asking whether the attack was caused by terrorists, but few leapt to conclusions. Most people just wanted more information before passing judgment or succumbing to rumor.

[DigitalChaos]

io9.com points out a small silver lining in how we learned about this tradgedy today: through social media, from people on the ground without the sensationalization of media and good advice from actual professionals (such as the Red Cross, etc). http://io9.com/why-the-boston-marathon-bomb-gives-us-hope-for-the-futu-473037383

An excerpt:
Within seconds after a bomb detonated during the Boston Marathon this morning, pictures, video and news of the horrific event were pulsing over social networks. And they weren't exaggerations or FUD — these reports from people on the ground were the way most of us learned the truth.

On Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr, and other social networks this morning, we discovered that bombs went off on the Boston Marathon route, killing two and injuring dozens more. More bombs may be in the JFK libraries. Many people were asking whether the attack was caused by terrorists, but few leapt to conclusions. Most people just wanted more information before passing judgment or succumbing to rumor.

It was good to see. Even the police scanner indicated that they proactively went to social media to alert people. It's a sign that that we are improving on how we handle emergency situations.

[marodi]

I saw the unedited pic of the guy with the legs. I don't normally look at things like that but seeing it made the whole bombing more "real" somehow. I don't know if what I'm trying to say make sense for anyone else.

He's just one guy, one ordinary person who happened to be at the proverbial wrong place at the wrong time. People who do attack like these don't see how it affects other persons; they justify what they are doing by some grand ideology that makes sense only for themselves. But this man who lost his legs is not some convoluted idea, he is real; he has a family and friends and his life is forever changed now. And he could have been you or me. He is you or me.

Sorry for the rant that doesn't make sense.

[orestes]

Yeah, it's best to not cite the NY Post ever.

[october_midnight]

Probably the craziest video of it yet. (http://www.boston.com/video/viral_page/?%2Fservices%2Fplayer%2Fbcpid2080955193001&bckey=AQ~~%2CAAAAAA6piHY~%2CDqRT40XOAr8XmRt9Lw9Lza 1eXkXEagX8&bctid=2303076923001)

[DigitalChaos]

Probably the craziest video of it yet. (http://www.boston.com/video/viral_page/?%2Fservices%2Fplayer%2Fbcpid2080955193001&bckey=AQ~~%2CAAAAAA6piHY~%2CDqRT40XOAr8XmRt9Lw9Lza 1eXkXEagX8&bctid=2303076923001)
That's crazy. Seeing people with numbers on them running away from an explosion seems extra fucked up... like some hunger games/running man shit.

However, what is really interesting is all the people running TOWARD the explosion. Many people all ignoring their personal safety and suppressing emotions so that they can help other people. We don't know who put the bombs there but I guarantee that their numbers will be trivial compared to the number of people who are running toward the explosions. There will be much more focus on the bad than the good. We shouldn't forget that there are far.. FAR more good people in the world than the bad.

[Magtig]

Live update thread #2 on reddit: http://www.reddit.com/r/news/comments/1cf17c/boston_marathon_explosions_live_update_thread_2/

Obama giving an address now.

[DigitalChaos]

Yea, NYPost is horribly inaccurate:
despite some conflicting reports, no suspect is in custody yet, but they are questioning certain individuals.
the JFK Library fire was not related to the marathon blasts
More than 100 are being treated for injuries.


http://newsfeed.time.com/2013/04/15/boston-marathon-horror-twitter-erupts-with-word-of-explosions-at-the-finish-line/#ixzz2QZU1ELnr

[Sutekh]

Another senseless attack and yet another incident that will most likely lead to the destruction and proscription of the group that carried it out. Aren't we ready for the post-terrorism era in the west?

Patriot's day, JFK library, Boston home of the revolution...

If it turns out to be Islamists, America could lurch to the Right, if far-right militiamen, expect Obama to get some serious momentum for gun reform.

[REPLICA]

When I heard about this, I nearly threw up. To make things worse, I was in a public speaking class in which (last week) I spoke about the event of the marathon as being one of the best events to show unity and pride and all that good stuff… I ended up leaving class shortly after my group members finished their speeches. My mom and aunt have a friend who ran Boston today, hopefully she is alright…

Boston is one of the (if not THE) greatest marathons in the world. Seeing something that tragic happen to people who do the exact thing that I love to do is just terrible.

[october_midnight]

An 8 year old has been confirmed as one of the two dead.

[Magtig]

How you can help: http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/04/15/17765837-boston-bombing-aftermath-how-you-can-help?lite

[joplinpicasso]

If it turns out to be Islamists, America could lurch to the Right, if far-right militiamen, expect Obama to get some serious momentum for gun reform.

Completely agree. I'm also grateful for ETS to be so thorough with articles and sources that I might not have uncovered when it comes to these things -- I mean it.

[Fixer808]

I've turned on the news twice today and quickly turned it off in disgust both times. The rampant speculation, not to mention the idiotic technical reports by people using buzzwords they don't understand: "Sources say the bomb contained shrapnel" said one reporter as I reached for the remote...

[DigitalChaos]

^ turn it off and let it die. Things will be incredible when nobody goes to the TV networks for this kind of stuff. Social media handled the shit out of this.

[theimage13]

My brother lives in Boston, and I have a number of friends out there as well. Very relieved to hear that everyone I know is safe and sound, but we still haven't gotten first hand reports of a couple of his friends. Apparently they were working near - but not at - the finish line. My gut says they're fine, but I'd love to know for sure.

[Highly Psychological]

I love Boston how sad, didn't realize this is the first terrorist attack of any kind since 9/11 on U.S soil...

This type of incident on innocent people happened quite regularly in London for decades with the IRA. hope they find the cold broken subhuman dreg(s) behind this.

[NotoriousTIMP]

Speaking of social media; it was handled with near perfection if you ask me. Not once did I turn on the TV today to see what happened but instead I turned to ETS and believe it or not, Facebook.

[cynicmuse]

I went to school in Boston and I'm still waiting to hear from a few friends that live there. It's surreal to see places that I used to frequent covered in blood.
Edit: Yeah, Facebook has been useful for once; it's how I've figured out that people were ok.

[bgalbraith]

My office is along the marathon route about a mile from the finish line. I decided not to go in today because dealing with the crowds can be annoying. Really glad I didn't go in!

[miss k bee]

Patton Oswalt

https://www.facebook.com/pattonoswalt/posts/10151440800582655

[halloween]

I went to school in Boston and I'm still waiting to hear from a few friends that live there. It's surreal to see places that I used to frequent covered in blood.
Edit: Yeah, Facebook has been useful for once; it's how I've figured out that people were ok.
Same exact situation for me- except add "mailing list" to facebook, because of my theater group- some of those were running the day before! Crazy...Some people were just working in the buildings near by too.

So goddamn sad...

[richardp]

I have a friend who just recently moved to Boston and works at the Starbucks that is literally next door to the blast zone. She was walking to work when it happened. Just fucking insane.

[Magtig]

Interview with the guy in the cowboy hat from one of the worst pictures earlier today. Poor guy is shaking and obviously in shock, but it turns out he's a hero.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pWHHWB3Jr60 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pWHHWB3Jr60)

[hollowed_point]

Sorry if it's already been said, but according to CNN, Doctors are "digging ball bearings" out of the wounded. It sounds like whoever is responsible for this wasn't aiming for mass destruction or death, but to maim and injure anyone near the bomb sites. This attack is so sadistic I can't wrap my head around it.
Fuck whoever did this so very, very hard.

[PooPooMeowChow]

This attack is so sadistic I can't wrap my head around it.
Fuck whoever did this so very, very hard.

..and thus is the problem with western culture. You know those people in Pakistan we've been bombing for the last few years, they're really really mad about that....

[hollowed_point]

..and thus is the problem with western culture. You know those people in Pakistan we've been bombing for the last few years, they're really really mad about that....

Yes, I'm well aware of everything wrong that the U.S. has done in Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iraq, etc. etc. etc. Would you rather me say, "Well guys we had this coming! America is reaping what they sowed!" Jesus christ get over yourself.

[Merse]

i really wish i hadn't clicked on that pic of that dude with his legs. I really hope he survives. I am so distraught right now. Too sad.
I got lightheaded at that picture, the shock...but on the upside, it probably doesn't hurt. :(

[PooPooMeowChow]

yeah a little realism wouldn't hurt. better than having a fit over 3 deaths.
EDIT: Point being, I'm not about to pretend I care any more about those 3 people and how ever many are injured, any more than I am the 55 or so who died in Iraq today. or the 12 that died yesterday, or the ones that died the day before that.

[hollowed_point]

yeah a little realism wouldn't hurt. better than having a fit over 3 deaths.

Seriously? Wow. I was gonna reply, but...not worth it.

Link to a photo set at CNN:
http://www.cnn.com/2013/04/15/us/gallery/boston-marathon-explosions/index.html?hpt=hp_c3

[Magtig]

yeah a little realism wouldn't hurt. better than having a fit over 3 deaths.
Realism? Is that what you're calling this, because any of these would be closer: obnoxious, condescending, pious, heartless, tactless, etc.

[Sutekh]

..and thus is the problem with western culture. You know those people in Pakistan we've been bombing for the last few years, they're really really mad about that....

So you believe that US civilians deserve torturous deaths because of what a massively unrepresentative system does - supposedly - on their behalf?

Or are you so dumb/arrogant that you think that poster somehow has no idea what US foreign policy is like/what international opinion is

Or something else?


yeah a little realism wouldn't hurt. better than having a fit over 3 deaths.

???

Realism entailing what? Giving less of a fuck over 3 deaths than you do about a forum post???

PM if you have a reply, don't spam the thread with self promotion

[DigitalChaos]

He said it poorly but he does have a point that here is an imbalance in compassion for people who we can associate with... especially when we are connected to the ones causing harm on the other side. It's nothing new though. It happens all the time. It's good for people to point it out though. The same thing happened in the gun thread. Lots and lots of focus on the rare chances of children dying in school shooting while there is virtually no attention on the kids in poor urban areas who have a much higher chance of being killed. Someone brought attention to that too.



It's a bit early to be drawing those comparisons though. How about we at least wait until we know who did it and why.

[Magtig]

Or something else?
I took it to mean that he thinks he's more enlightened than the rest of us because he's so evenhandedly psychopathic.

[ltrandazzo]

yeah a little realism wouldn't hurt. better than having a fit over 3 deaths.
EDIT: Point being, I'm not about to pretend I care any more about those 3 people and how ever many are injured, any more than I am the 55 or so who died in Iraq today. or the 12 that died yesterday, or the ones that died the day before that.

Except that one of those three was an 8 year-old kid. Shut up and think before you post next time.

[millionmilesaway]

thought about going to the marathon today, glad I decided to stay home. My roommate was not so fortunate, he works as a nurse at one of the hospitals and just got home now, was supposed to be out at 4. showed me some crazy pics he took of the emergency room.

[DigitalChaos]

wow...

The 5 Worst Media Reactions to the Boston Marathon Bombing
http://blog.skepticallibertarian.com/2013/04/15/the-5-worst-media-reactions-to-the-boston-marathon-bombing/?fb_source=pubv1

[Atom]

yeah a little realism wouldn't hurt. better than having a fit over 3 deaths.
EDIT: Point being, I'm not about to pretend I care any more about those 3 people and how ever many are injured, any more than I am the 55 or so who died in Iraq today. or the 12 that died yesterday, or the ones that died the day before that.

I'm not downplaying what many would consider the tragedy of a soldier being shot and killed, but that's what is expected by a lot of people when you go into war. Not even necessarily expected but it comes with the territory. It literally comes with the job (yes, literally). That is war and soldiers go to war.

Three deaths is just as bad as one or a hundred or a million. The death of one group of people does not negate the death and injuries of another group. People died and were maimed, and for what? They were at marathon. They weren't in a war zone or in a foreign country with a gun and a battle plan. They were at a marathon. People getting their limbs blown off and dying for no reason and you sit behind your computer screen and talk about "realism" as if you're more aware than the people who actually see this as a tragedy?

Imagine waking up, going about your day as usual, going to a marathon you'd been looking forward to (wasn't it also for charity?), and then getting your legs blown off and watching other people around you lose their limbs and die, all of this happens out of nowhere and not on a battle field. Your life is changed forever and will never be the same again. There is no going back. Then preach about "realism" on this particular subject. I get what you're trying to say but what you're saying is bullshit. I may sound melodramatic but it's all I can imagine what some of these people went through/are going through. And that's just what my brain can fathom or comprehend of a situation like that.

[DigitalChaos]

Interview with the guy in the cowboy hat from one of the worst pictures earlier today. Poor guy is shaking and obviously in shock, but it turns out he's a hero.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pWHHWB3Jr60 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pWHHWB3Jr60)





He has a hell of a story...


He is an immigrant citizen of the U.S. who lost his son in Iraq and is now a peace activist and speaker.
Saved from a burning car, 26% burns, no insurance...
Beaten by 8 members from a right-wing group during an anti-war march...
His remaining son commit suicide...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carlos_Arredondo
http://vimeo.com/43163502


Also, another angle of him helping the guy. It looks like he is literally holding the arteries so they don't bleed out: http://i.imgur.com/I5LY4w9.jpg (NSFW of course)



http://i.imgur.com/V6SwWss.jpg

[DigitalChaos]

... and this is what Carlos walked up to when he started helping the people. That is some intense shit. Few people could deal with this. This guy definitely deserves the hero label.

super fucking gory... like more than anything posted so far... you've been warned.
http://i.imgur.com/YSNYQI6.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/0GAtrFu.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/OzyyUhu.jpg

[Conrad Lienert]

Jesus! It's like a war zone!

Fucking unbelievable! No punishment could redeem such a heinous act!

People enjoying a marathon, and some inhuman scum thinks they will be a suitable target. I just have to keep thinking of Patton's quote.

March on, Boston!

[slave2thewage]

Where did this whole "Muslims did it" thing come from? I could be talking out of my ass here, but seems more like domestic terrorism. Couldn't tell you WHY, though.

[DigitalChaos]

Where did this whole "Muslims did it" thing come from? I could be talking out of my ass here, but seems more like domestic terrorism. Couldn't tell you WHY, though.
I don't think anyone ever said Muslim. You mean Saudi? Saudi was claimed by a few sources... as was "right-wing" and a bunch of other things that were completely pulled from the media's ass: http://politix.topix.com/homepage/5596-media-blames-republicans-tax-day-saudi-man-for-bombing

[Nyx]

What I don't get is, why the hell do people want to look at pictures of dismembered and wounded people?? Not just this thread, elsewhere too. Click this, it's ESPECIALLY gory!! That's some sick voyeurism right there.

[ibanez33]

What I don't get is, why the hell do people want to look at pictures of dismembered and wounded people?? Not just this thread, elsewhere too. Click this, it's ESPECIALLY gory!! That's some sick voyeurism right there.

I'm into it and I have no idea why. I can't even handle much gore in tv or movies but I spent my whole break at work tonight going through those pictures.

NSFW: A 65-image album (http://imgur.com/a/EcMLB) for the other freaks like me.

The guy Carlos was helping in the wheelchair is Jeff Baumer, and has had both of his legs amputated.



Csilla Schneider, 27, said she learned that her 24-year-old brother had both of his legs amputated Monday. Her brother, Jeffrey Bauman, was waiting for his girlfriend to finish the race when the blast happened, she said.
Ms. Schneider spoke outside Boston Medical Center, where she had visited her sedated brother.
"You can talk to him, and he can hear you, but he can't respond," she said. "I don't think he knows yet" about the extent of his injuries.

Source: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887323346304578425193085888504.html cross-referenced here (http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/more-sports/terrorism-ripped-family-brother-marathon-victim-article-1.1317850) to confirm that it's him (there was another Jeff Baumer in the race who was uninjured).

To paraphrase another user from Reddit, "Jeff is going to be the poster-child for this attack; When people talk about this later on, that image is going to be the first one they think of, and America is going to be standing patiently by his side for his recovery".

[jessamineny]

A first-person account (http://www.reddit.com/r/running/comments/1cemo3/explosion_at_boston/c9ftn98) from a marathon volunteer, who was right past the finish line. A real testament to the spirit of community. And you have to read to the end.

[icklekitty]

If it turns out to be Islamists, America could lurch to the Right, if far-right militiamen, expect Obama to get some serious momentum for gun reform.


Oh yeah. Where were all the gun owners yesterday? They're armed to defend themselves, after all.

[theimage13]

What I don't get is, why the hell do people want to look at pictures of dismembered and wounded people?? Not just this thread, elsewhere too. Click this, it's ESPECIALLY gory!! That's some sick voyeurism right there.

Amen. When I used to work for a newspaper, my editor actually used the exact line "if it bleeds it leads" once while we were having a discussion about which of three stories I'd shot should be next day's cover. When I looked visibly uneasy, almost appalled, by what he said, I got a very insincere sounding "just kidding" - and sure enough, the "bleeds" story was page one news the next morning.

I very quickly stopped watching/reading the news yesterday, because I think I've chosen my friends wisely. What I mean: go to any major news website, and it's bloody photos with headlines about massacre and the like. Go on my facebook page, and 99% of my friends are posting positive stories about people who are helping in the aftermath. A bomb exploded. Not to belittle it by any means, but it's fucking old news now. It happened, and it's done. Let's spend a little less time repeating ourselves about that simple and irreversible - albeit tragic -act, and a little more time highlighting the good human beings who came rushing out to help - and continue to do so.

[Deepvoid]

Oh yeah. Where were all the gun owners yesterday? They're armed to defend themselves, after all.

As Cenk Uygur from TYT said:
"If shooter killed 17 people in Boston Marathon w/ assault rifle it wouldn't get near the reaction it would if a terrorist kills 3 w/ a bomb. Our reaction as a country to Boston Marathon is going to be completely different if it's a Muslim w/ a bomb or a white shooter w/ a gun."

[Sutekh]

I don't think anyone ever said Muslim. You mean Saudi? Saudi was claimed by a few sources... as was "right-wing" and a bunch of other things that were completely pulled from the media's ass: http://politix.topix.com/homepage/5596-media-blames-republicans-tax-day-saudi-man-for-bombing

Yeah no-one has any reason to suspect anyone in particular at the moment, but to be fair, Islamists or members of the Far-Right are the most likely options given the nature of what's happened and how it would fit into their respective worldviews

but there's other options, it could be something to do with mexico, iran, north korea. Could be an unabomber style lone axe grinder, or a spree killer. Going to stick my neck out and say it's almost certainly not an element of the far-left

[sweeterthan]

I got lightheaded at that picture, the shock...but on the upside, it probably doesn't hurt. :(
i guess that's an upside. :-/

I am trying to avoid the media coverage today. The speculation, the yapping about the same horrific events over and over. I just can't deal with it.

On the subject of people looking at the gory pictures: I understand why some folks would want to look at it. It's a very sobering and real way to absorb such a tragedy. For me tho, I can't do it. All I can think of is the mental and physical pain that these people are going through right now and I don't need to see it to imagine their pain. It won't get better for them for a long time and that's the part that is so heart wrenching for me.

[Fixer808]

Yeah no-one has any reason to suspect anyone in particular at the moment, but to be fair, Islamists or members of the Far-Right are the most likely options given the nature of what's happened and how it would fit into their respective worldviews

but there's other options, it could be something to do with mexico, iran, north korea. Could be an unabomber style lone axe grinder, or a spree killer. Going to stick my neck out and say it's almost certainly not an element of the far-left
Well, so far there's absolutely no clue whatsoever, so I certainly wouldn't speculate as to who may or may not have been responsible.

[ambergris]

I will start to speculate who's responsible once we know who's responsible.

[Sutekh]

Hmm to be honest, I disagree. By reading the political context and using rational deduction, you can speculate sensibly.

[october_midnight]

Canadian musician Matthew Good weighs in. (https://www.facebook.com/matthewgoodmusic/posts/10151308665832554)

I've said it before, I'll say it endlessly...he's spot on.

[allegro]

This is reminding me, a lot, of the Atlanta Olympics Bombing (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Centennial_Olympic_Park_bombing).

I hope the FBI learned its lesson from that bombing, where they incorrectly blamed this poor guy (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Jewell) and basically ruined his life, when it was really done by this guy (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eric_Robert_Rudolph).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7HPYzwDgVKc

[DigitalChaos]

What I don't get is, why the hell do people want to look at pictures of dismembered and wounded people?? Not just this thread, elsewhere too. Click this, it's ESPECIALLY gory!! That's some sick voyeurism right there.

I didn't see anyone actively seeking the extra gory stuff in this thread, just reacting to it. The warning labels were for those who choose not to look.
Why do some people look at them? Well, why does anyone even care about this news? People want to know what is happening in the world around them. The news is reality. The pictures are reality. Some people chose to water down the reality. I propose that doing so will alter your perception of the reality. There have been several instances where public perception of a war were dramatically shifted when a photo of the human damage was circulated. Sure, they all knew that horrible shit was happening... but seeing it changed things.
Sure, this will probably increase the purely emotional reactions that I detest, but reality is reality.



There are also the people attracted to the dark side of things. I mean... this is fucking ETS right?
"i've always been attracted to darker things, that's excited me, you know, what, how far things can go, if there's a snuff film i want to see it you know what i mean. i'm not supporting it but yeah i guess maybe i am but i am curious you know i want whatever that farthest level some can go." - Trent Reznor (2002)

[miss k bee]

Annoying people on Twitter feeding misinformation by putting up pictures of an 8 year old girl they think died in the bombing who was running for Sandy Hook, although it was an 8 yr old boy that died

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/04/16/martin-richard-photo_n_3092473.html?ncid=edlinkusaolp00000003

and also pics of the man who was alledgely going to propose to his girlfriend at the end of the man cradling her.

[wizfan]

Speaking of Twitter, a popular Greek blogger tweeted a very insensitive joke about the Boston marathon, causing a huge amount of uproar. I feel ashamed.

[Amaro]

As Cenk Uygur from TYT said:
"If shooter killed 17 people in Boston Marathon w/ assault rifle it wouldn't get near the reaction it would if a terrorist kills 3 w/ a bomb. Our reaction as a country to Boston Marathon is going to be completely different if it's a Muslim w/ a bomb or a white shooter w/ a gun."

This man on break at work was saying something like "I hope it's just some messed up college kid behind it, or else..."

Referring to the possibility of it being foreign terrorism. And how that's where he has a problem.

[DigitalChaos]

As Cenk Uygur from TYT said:
"If shooter killed 17 people in Boston Marathon w/ assault rifle it wouldn't get near the reaction it would if a terrorist kills 3 w/ a bomb. Our reaction as a country to Boston Marathon is going to be completely different if it's a Muslim w/ a bomb or a white shooter w/ a gun."

This man on break at work was saying something like "I hope it's just some messed up college kid behind it, or else..."

Referring to the possibility of it being foreign terrorism. And how that's where he has a problem.

The easier it is to draw a line between "average American" and whoever causes a problem the easier it is for everyone to start blaming the "other" group. "Muslim" is more different than "white guy with a gun" is more different than "random college kid"


It's the stupid fucking tribalism that runs rampant in humanity.

[slave2thewage]

I don't think anyone ever said Muslim. You mean Saudi? Saudi was claimed by a few sources... as was "right-wing" and a bunch of other things that were completely pulled from the media's ass: http://politix.topix.com/homepage/5596-media-blames-republicans-tax-day-saudi-man-for-bombing
Eh, it was the whole mention of countries like Iraq and Pakistan in one of the posts here. Mama can read the subtext.

[thelastdisciple]

What I don't get is, why the hell do people want to look at pictures of dismembered and wounded people?? Not just this thread, elsewhere too. Click this, it's ESPECIALLY gory!! That's some sick voyeurism right there.
That's pretty much what i said about when those Luka dismemberment "snuff" style videos came out and after the news broke that it was an actual real person being slaughtered, people were still going about it as if it were just an outtake from a fucking Saw movie or something, "NOT ENOUGH BLOOD, TURN THEM FOUNTAINS UP", "THIS ISN'T REALLY THAT GOREY GUYS", "CUT HIS FINGERS AND TOES OFF, DO IT NAOW!" etc.

Apparently it still never clicked in that it was a REAL person in there. I'm sure it'd be a different story if it was a bit more intimate....

Ugh, people are just so happy with being their desensitized selves these days.

I don't think we're all going to have to be surgeons, and have to get ourselves used to this stuff. There's no need for this fetish.

[allegro]

This man on break at work was saying something like "I hope it's just some messed up college kid behind it, or else..."

Referring to the possibility of it being foreign terrorism. And how that's where he has a problem.

Again, though, as I said (above) (http://www.echoingthesound.org/community/threads/1573-Boston-Marathon?p=81391#post81391), a terrorist bomb doesn't have to be "foreign."

[orestes]

Oklahoma City, Olympic Park, Amtrak Sunset Limited-- all domestic attacks. If this was done by a foreign source we would know by now.

[Wretchedest]

I agree. If this was by some group, especially an international group, responsibility would have been claimed. ideas asserted. If the bombing meant something to the attacker/s we would know what it was.

[DigitalChaos]

I've always found it interesting how we can't call it terrorism when it's a US citizen that does it. Especially if they aren't muslim.

I am waiting for the day that we start calling it terrorism and open up the global battlefield to include our own land. That'll be a great excuse to continue stepping on the rights of our own citizens. Hopefully Boston isn't used as a justification. There have been several people asking for increased government in response to this but it doesn't seem to exist heavily in the media rhetoric. I'm hoping that means this event won't be used for political gain. It would be a nice change of pace...

[Aladdinsanity]

I am waiting for the day that we start calling it terrorism and open up the global battlefield to include our own land. That'll be a great excuse to continue stepping on the rights of our own citizens. Hopefully Boston isn't used as a justification.
http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm218/timbenj/Miscellaneous/PhoenixWrong_HeadSlam.gif

[hollowed_point]

I've always found it interesting how we can't call it terrorism when it's a US citizen that does it. Especially if they aren't muslim.

Um, I live in Oklahoma City, and ever since the moment we found out it was Tim McVeigh and Terry Nichols we have called it terrorism. DOMESTIC terrorism, but terrorism nonetheless. Don't see your point.


I am waiting for the day that we start calling it terrorism and open up the global battlefield to include our own land. That'll be a great excuse to continue stepping on the rights of our own citizens. Hopefully Boston isn't used as a justification. There have been several people asking for increased government in response to this but it doesn't seem to exist heavily in the media rhetoric. I'm hoping that means this event won't be used for political gain. It would be a nice change of pace...

Asking for increased government? Who (other than probably Bloomberg) has been calling for this? I've seen calls for heightened security at major venues nationwide (which makes sense and won't be permanent) but I haven't heard anyone screaming that we need more legislation. Are you trying to bait people, or what?

[Satyr]

Oh yeah. Where were all the gun owners yesterday? They're armed to defend themselves, after all.

Just curious....How are you saying someone armed with a firearm defends themselves against a bomb?

[miss k bee]

Sarcasm mate!

[playwithfire]

Just curious....How are you saying someone armed with a firearm defends themselves against a bomb?

how do i sarcasm is this bad

-----

To actually contribute something to this, which I don't *think* has been posted yet, I liked Patton Oswalt's words about this:

http://i.imgur.com/TIy8fiy.png

[Satyr]

Sarcasm mate!

Why bring up gun owners or firearms at all then? What was the point?

[orestes]

Obama declared it an act of terrorism (http://www.govexec.com/oversight/2013/04/obama-boston-marathon-bombings-are-acts-terrorism/62563/) yesterday. You were saying?

Oh right, that the U.S. government will declare war on its own citizen in it's war on terrorism and everything it entails: rendition, indefinite detention, drone attacks.

Right? Right?

/straw man argument

[DF118]

Just curious....How are you saying someone armed with a firearm defends themselves against a bomb?

Exactly! Everyone should carry bombs around with them all the time instead, this would be far less likely to happen.

[DigitalChaos]

Asking for increased government? Who (other than probably Bloomberg) has been calling for this?

My phrase was "There have been several people asking for increased government in response to this but it doesn't seem to exist heavily in the media rhetoric."

Here are the few instances of people asking for increased government that I've seen:

Peter King asking for more camera surveillance
http://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2013/04/16/gop_rep_peter_king_on_boston_bombing_i_do_think_we _need_more_cameras_.html

"This particular incident is going to cause the administration and Congress to evaluate our overall security programs around the country, particularly for major events. We can't leave it just to the communities that host these events to provide the security."
http://thecable.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2013/04/16/saudi_national_no_longer_person_of_interest_in_bos ton_bombings_no_other_suspects

Barney Frank saying that we should increase taxes to increase government involvement
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=WqCyertNDNw



I don't even care what these people are asking for. It's fucked up that people are leveraging this situation to advance politics... especially when we have no idea what actually happened.

[Space Suicide]

https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/547625_503955479659708_1844129707_n.jpg

[hollowed_point]

My phrase was "There have been several people asking for increased government in response to this but it doesn't seem to exist heavily in the media rhetoric."

Here are the few instances of people asking for increased government that I've seen:

Peter King asking for more camera surveillance
http://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2013/04/16/gop_rep_peter_king_on_boston_bombing_i_do_think_we _need_more_cameras_.html

"This particular incident is going to cause the administration and Congress to evaluate our overall security programs around the country, particularly for major events. We can't leave it just to the communities that host these events to provide the security."
http://thecable.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2013/04/16/saudi_national_no_longer_person_of_interest_in_bos ton_bombings_no_other_suspects

Barney Frank saying that we should increase taxes to increase government involvement
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=WqCyertNDNw



I don't even care what these people are asking for. It's fucked up that people are leveraging this situation to advance politics... especially when we have no idea what actually happened.

So you're saying that because the bare minimum for the definition of "several" are insisting on more government interference in our lives that they speak for the majority of American citizens/politicians? Seriously? Peter King may be trying to further a political agenda, but he is, from everything I've seen, speaking as a small minority. If you seriously think that something he mentioned in a single interview is going to affect NATIONAL POLICY then you are absolutely blind to what is going on here.

Your second link is to the remarks of Saxby Chambliss, a "ranking" republican from Georgia, on how we can't leave security for events involving people from all corners of the globe up to local officials. Hardly concrete evidence of the opinion of the PEOPLE AND POLITICIANS REPRESENTING THE MAJORITY OF THE UNITED STATES.

Finally, Barney Frank, a FORMER congressman, gives his opinion on the situation and perhaps hints that the government needs to be more involved than necessary. A valid source for the opinions of the majority of American politicians/citizens? I think not.

Now, to quote you:


I am waiting for the day that we start calling it terrorism and open up the global battlefield to include our own land. That'll be a great excuse to continue stepping on the rights of our own citizens. Hopefully Boston isn't used as a justification. There have been several people asking for increased government in response to this but it doesn't seem to exist heavily in the media rhetoric. I'm hoping that means this event won't be used for political gain. It would be a nice change of pace...

In your last post, you took your OWN WORDS out of context. You were explicitly trying to imply that prior to this point, every domestic terror attack in this country has been used as a stepping stone to "stepping on the rights of our own citizens," and that it was BOUND to happen again, but you HOPED it wouldn't. I'm arguing that you are wrong, you are fear-mongering, and that what you are implying is flat-out wrong. Quoting me 3 examples of somewhat influential politicians/former politicians does not justify the fear you are trying to incite.

Yes, it's very fucked up to use this situation to advance politics, but it is not the majority, and this country isn't going to turn into a carbon copy of 1984​ because of it.

[DigitalChaos]

Reading comprehension.


I specifically pointed our that its currently a minority stance and I hope it stays that way. Please don't let me get in the way of arguing with yourself though.

[DigitalChaos]

And yea, we do have a history of using these situations to increase government and advance politics. It will be nice if we manage not to this time.

[Jinsai]

Reading comprehension.


I specifically pointed our that its currently a minority stance and I hope it stays that way. Please don't let me get in the way of arguing with yourself though.

tragedy happened? Let's talk about how we need to prevent this from resulting in "bigger government," even if it's a minority opinion that practically nobody is expressing, it's at the core of your interest in practically everything... just don't accuse others of "arguing with themselves"

[Magtig]

It's fucked up that people are leveraging this situation to advance politics... especially when we have no idea what actually happened.
Oh for the love of head splitting irony! YOU are using THIS situation to advance YOUR politics, like you always do. You share company with the same shameless politicians you're decrying. For fuck sake, you hijack every goddamn headline as a means to wind your way around to your myopic libertarian idealism.

[Sutekh]

I don't even care what these people are asking for. It's fucked up that people are leveraging this situation to advance politics... especially when we have no idea what actually happened.

It's really not that fucked up... it might smack of cynicism because it's what they do to earn a crust, but don't forget their job is to help maintain & (where necessary) improve society - an incident like this suggests there are problems within a society. Really it's the second best time to consider if any kind of legislation or initiatives can reduce the chances of this sort of thing happening (the best time being before anyone gets killed).

[orestes]

Since when do we cite congressmen who have well known and public ties to the IRA as a reputable source?

"I'm leaning toward thinking this an Al Qaeda affiliate but wouldn't be surprised if it was a white supremacist." - Peter King. Al Qaeda, white supremacy- same difference.

[jessamineny]

Oh for the love of head splitting irony! YOU are using THIS situation to advance YOUR politics, like you always do. You share company with the same shameless politicians you're decrying. For fuck sake, you hijack every goddamn headline as a means to wind your way around to your myopic libertarian idealism.

Actually, I don't think he's trying to persuade anyone -- just the opposite; he's trying to incite. He just uses the In the Headlines forum as his playground. He's fully admitted to trolling for sport.

[Deepvoid]

For the world's sake I hope the guy's name is fucking Jack Smith and that he goes to church every freaking Sunday.

[october_midnight]

Oh for the love of head splitting irony! YOU are using THIS situation to advance YOUR politics, like you always do. You share company with the same shameless politicians you're decrying. For fuck sake, you hijack every goddamn headline as a means to wind your way around to your myopic libertarian idealism.

Fucking....thank you.

[Deepvoid]

I've got a serious question for you guys.

I'm going through some youtube videos and I'm seeing a lot of videos with the usual words like conspiracy theory, Illuminati and hearing Alex Jones regurgitating insanities.
My question is ... what's the percentage of people who actually believe those conspiracy theories? Does it represent a significant portion of the American people? By significant, I mean, big enough that it is somewhat worrying.

I understand that it is important to ask questions and seek the truth but according to those people every act of violence or domestic terrorism is the work of the government, which would mean that the actual population consists of angels and unicorns incapable of violence.
So are those people a really tiny minority or not?

[DigitalChaos]

Since when do we cite congressmen who have well known and public ties to the IRA as a reputable source?

"I'm leaning toward thinking this an Al Qaeda affiliate but wouldn't be surprised if it was a white supremacist." - Peter King. Al Qaeda, white supremacy- same difference.

Who said anything about reputable? When trying to anticipate media rhetoric you sample whatever is being spewed out. That seems to be a skill completely lost on everyone above, you included.

It's funny... we all seem to agree that the few people listed are a minority right now. Somehow that means we need to argue about it. Agreeing with a phrase remotely attached to "limited government" would be too enraging.

[marodi]

I've got a serious question for you guys.

I'm going through some youtube videos and I'm seeing a lot of videos with the usual words like conspiracy theory, Illuminati and hearing Alex Jones regurgitating insanities.
My question is ... what's the percentage of people who actually believe those conspiracy theories? Does it represent a significant portion of the American people? By significant, I mean, big enough that it is somewhat worrying.

I understand that it is important to ask questions and seek the truth but according to those people every act of violence or domestic terrorism is the work of the government, which would mean that the actual population consists of angels and unicorns incapable of violence.
So are those people a really tiny minority or not?

Strangely enough a nin.com user posted this a few days ago (so credit to RhettButler)


Conspiracy Theory Poll Results (http://www.publicpolicypolling.com/main/2013/04/conspiracy-theory-poll-results-.html)


On our national poll this week we took the opportunity to poll 20 widespread and/or infamous conspiracy theories. Many of these theories are well known to the public, others perhaps to just the darker corners of the internet. Here’s what we found:


- 37% of voters believe global warming is a hoax, 51% do not. Republicans say global warming is a hoax by a 58-25 margin, Democrats disagree 11-77, and Independents are more split at 41-51. 61% of Romney voters believe global warming is a hoax


- 6% of voters believe Osama bin Laden is still alive


- 21% of voters say a UFO crashed in Roswell, NM in 1947 and the US government covered it up. More Romney voters (27%) than Obama voters (16%) believe in a UFO coverup


- 28% of voters believe secretive power elite with a globalist agenda is conspiring to eventually rule the world through an authoritarian world government, or New World Order. A plurality of Romney voters (38%) believe in the New World Order compared to 35% who don’t


- 28% of voters believe Saddam Hussein was involved in the 9/11 attacks. 36% of Romney voters believe Saddam Hussein was involved in 9/11, 41% do not


- 20% of voters believe there is a link between childhood vaccines and autism, 51% do not


- 7% of voters think the moon landing was faked


- 13% of voters think Barack Obama is the anti-Christ, including 22% of Romney voters


- Voters are split 44%-45% on whether Bush intentionally misled about weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. 72% of Democrats think Bush lied about WMDs, Independents agree 48-45, just 13% of Republicans think so


- 29% of voters believe aliens exist


- 14% of voters say the CIA was instrumental in creating the crack cocaine epidemic in America’s inner cities in the 1980’s


- 9% of voters think the government adds fluoride to our water supply for sinister reasons (not just dental health)


- 4% of voters say they believe “lizard people” control our societies by gaining political power


- 51% of voters say a larger conspiracy was at work in the JFK assassination, just 25% say Oswald acted alone


- 14% of voters believe in Bigfoot


- 15% of voters say the government or the media adds mind-controlling technology to TV broadcast signals (the so-called Tinfoil Hat crowd)


- 5% believe exhaust seen in the sky behind airplanes is actually chemicals sprayed by the government for sinister reasons


- 15% of voters think the medical industry and the pharmaceutical industry “invent” new diseases to make money


- Just 5% of voters believe that Paul McCartney actually died in 1966


- 11% of voters believe the US government allowed 9/11 to happen, 78% do not agree


Full results (http://www.publicpolicypolling.com/pdf/2011/PPP_Release_National_ConspiracyTheories_040213.pdf )

[Deepvoid]

Thanks for the numbers.
Some of them are quite interesting .. and disturbing at the same time.

I guess it's inevitable that a portion of the population will always contest the evidence that's being brought in front of them.
Anything under 10%, I would consider normal. When you get 20% and above with regard to some theories, it's starting to be worrisome.

[DigitalChaos]

Thanks for the numbers.
Some of them are quite interesting .. and disturbing at the same time.

I guess it's inevitable that a portion of the population will always contest the evidence that's being brought in front of them.
Anything under 10%, I would consider normal. When you get 20% and above with regard to some theories, it's starting to be worrisome.

You need to keep in mind that a sizable portion corresponds to who the president is. Right now the majority of the conspiracy nuts are right wing. They were happy with how things were during the Bush years. During the Bush years it was a large chunk of left wing. Draw your own conclusions there.

[orestes]

Who said anything about reputable? When trying to anticipate media rhetoric you sample whatever is being spewed out. That seems to be a skill completely lost on everyone above, you included.

It's funny... we all seem to agree that the few people listed are a minority right now. Somehow that means we need to argue about it. Agreeing with a phrase remotely attached to "limited government" would be too enraging.

You're such a condescending prick.

Thanks, Neo!

[Deepvoid]

You need to keep in mind that a sizable portion corresponds to who the president is. Right now the majority of the conspiracy nuts are right wing. They were happy with how things were during the Bush years. During the Bush years it was a large chunk of left wing. Draw your own conclusions there.

I don't think it would influence most of those numbers.

The people who believe in Bigfoot will most likely remain the same whether it's a Democrat or Republican President.
Same things goes for Aliens/UFO, Chemtrails, Moon landing, Paul McCartney, Tinfoil hat etc...

[DigitalChaos]

Actually, I don't think he's trying to persuade anyone -- just the opposite; he's trying to incite. He just uses the In the Headlines forum as his playground. He's fully admitted to trolling for sport.

I prefer: playing devils advocate in an echo chamber.

My statement about media rhetoric was nothing but an observation that was surprisingly pleasant though.

[DigitalChaos]

I don't think it would influence most of those numbers.

The people who believe in Bigfoot will most likely remain the same whether it's a Democrat or Republican President.
Same things goes for Aliens/UFO, Chemtrails, Moon landing, Paul McCartney, Tinfoil hat etc...

Very true. The nonpolitical ones are very indicative of the true nuts. I want to give some credit to the UFO question though. It *was* a UFO. I am a heavy skeptic and would have agreed. They should have said UFO of alien origin or something.

[Magtig]

Actually, I don't think he's trying to persuade anyone -- just the opposite; he's trying to incite. He just uses the In the Headlines forum as his playground. He's fully admitted to trolling for sport.
mikeyliz

...

[allegro]

Why does this thread have to be about anything other than the subject at hand?

[allegro]

I prefer: playing devils advocate in an echo chamber.
Dude, on a forum that still = troll. Really. Trust me. I've been online since the Pleistocene epoch.

[Magtig]

Why does this thread have to be about anything other than the subject at hand?
Because DigitalChaos. Seriously. This is what he does in every thread, and every thread turns into what this is turning into. Can we get some flood control or something?

[Deepvoid]

Alright, let's bring this back on track.

How much clues can one obtain from a pressure cooker lid?
Breaking news:

"Investigators believe they have identified a suspect in the Boston Marathon bombings, a source who has been briefed on the investigation told CNN's John King exclusively. The breakthrough came from analysis of video from a department store near the site of the second explosion. Video from a Boston television station also contributed to the progress, said the source, who declined to be more specific but called it a significant development."

http://www.cnn.com/2013/04/17/us/boston-blasts/index.html?hpt=hp_t1

[allegro]

Wow I hope this pans out!

[DigitalChaos]

Alright, let's bring this back on track.

How much clues can one obtain from a pressure cooker lid?
Breaking news:

"Investigators believe they have identified a suspect in the Boston Marathon bombings, a source who has been briefed on the investigation told CNN's John King exclusively. The breakthrough came from analysis of video from a department store near the site of the second explosion. Video from a Boston television station also contributed to the progress, said the source, who declined to be more specific but called it a significant development."

http://www.cnn.com/2013/04/17/us/boston-blasts/index.html?hpt=hp_t1

It's crazy how much damage can come from something only 6 liters in size that his "home made"

It's interesting to see all the leads but it seems like they are grasping at anything right now. The ricin stuff (tests that commonly have false positives), the pictures of people "fleeing the scene", etc. It's very early stage discovery.

[october_midnight]

Apparently an arrest has officially been made? (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/04/17/boston-marathon-bombing-suspect-identified_n_3101865.html?1366218651#307_cnn-an-arrest-has-been-made)

[Deepvoid]

Yes, every news outlet now reporting the arrest.
Not yet identified but should appear in Court later today so it's just a matter of time before we finally know the identity, race, religion, motives and penis size of the culprit.

[DigitalChaos]

Nobody said it was a man!

is he circumcised? we need a debate about circumcision.

[Jinsai]

My question is ... what's the percentage of people who actually believe those conspiracy theories?

It's a small but very vocal group. Every time something awful happens, they show up to imply that it's some part of a grand conspiracy. For the most part, there's no point in engaging them in a debate.

[Deepvoid]

I'm gonna go slightly off topic again but by curiosity, when is the last time a woman was arrested for either mass shooting, serial killer, terrorist act? Aileen Wuornos in 1974?

[Deepvoid]

Ok so now the Boston PD is tweeting that NO arrest has been made.

Can we get it straight for once?!

[allegro]

when ABC news broke into regular programming a little while ago, they said that an arrest could be made "very soon" based on surveillance video from Lord & Taylor, but nothing yet.

[marodi]

Anonymous has taken over the WBC's Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Westboro-Baptist-Church/400347320041300?fref=ts)

In retaliation for them saying they were going to "attend" the funerals of the Boston attack victims.

Don't fuck with Anonymous.

[DigitalChaos]

The media is going to jump on any hint of news right now since there is a lack of anything to report on. Let them continue to chew on their own faces.

[Deepvoid]

Seen on twitter:
CNN confirms: Schrodinger's cat definitely alive... probably. Box still closed. But totally alive for sure. Or dead.

[Nyx]

Anonymous has taken over the WBC's Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Westboro-Baptist-Church/400347320041300?fref=ts)

In retaliation for them saying they were going to "attend" the funerals of the Boston attack victims.

Don't fuck with Anonymous.That page never belonged to WBC. It was created by Anon and has been run by them for months now.

[DigitalChaos]

Seen on twitter:
CNN confirms: Schrodinger's cat definitely alive... probably. Box still closed. But totally alive for sure. Or dead.
"Maybe CNN can get that Dove Real Beauty campaign sketch artist to draw the suspect as others see him, but also as he sees himself."

edit: for those who haven't seen it yet: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=XpaOjMXyJGk

[Deepvoid]

That was a pretty neat video.

Buzzfeed has been a good source for information
http://www.buzzfeed.com/ellievhall/suspect-in-boston-bombing-reportedly-in-custody

[DigitalChaos]

Is there a surge in weird activity the last few days or is it due to a surge in reporting abnormal stuff?
In my area there has been a coordinated attack (http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section=news/local/south_bay&id=9067176#&cmp=twi-kgo-article-9067176) on a power substation and phone lines that left them offline for a while. There was just a big gas leak from a pipe breach a few miles from the giant San Bruno gas explosion that made national news. I know that most of the SF Bay area went on high alert immediately after the Boston explosions but... wtf

[orestes]

Because DigitalChaos. Seriously. This is what he does in every thread, and every thread turns into what this is turning into. Can we get some flood control or something?

We do have a shiny ignore button. I advise everyone to use it.

--------

I would be hesitant to go by anything the MSM are reporting, especially television, because 1) everyone is in a race to have a scoop, regardless of whether the so-called "facts" have been confirmed and 2)questionable sources.

http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2013/04/boston-marathon-bombing-fact-fiction

[Sutekh]

speculation by bbc security boffin Frank Gardner on lines of enquiry http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-22192379

I'm surprised north korea gets mentioned but mexican cartels don't, but whatever, maybe it's not that likely

[Frozen Beach]

http://nation.time.com/2013/04/18/fbi-releases-images-of-2-men-at-boston-marathon/

[allegro]

wtf all hell has broken loose in Watertown and at MIT. I guess MIT was just given the all-clear but the Twitter feed and police scanner and live feeds of this stuff is surreal!!

[Frozen Beach]

http://www.theatlanticwire.com/national/2013/04/theres-shooter-loose-and-officer-down-mit/64379/
Apparently the suspects are the ones from the bombing. One is supposedly in custody, though I heard on a news feed that he was dead.

edit: NBC reported they found a pressure cooker at the Watertown crime scene.

[NINisamazing]

They said the one suspect is dead, and the other one is still at large.Who was the naked guy then?

[Leviathant]

I've been glued to this for the past few hours: https://twitter.com/dannysullivan/watertown

Edit: Late nights + twitter do not always facts make.

[NINisamazing]

I am still wondering who the naked guy is? They confirmed that suspect one is dead, and one is still at large? Who was the guy also laying on the ground with his arms spread? Are there more then 2 people? Eh,I am going to bed. We will know more later.

[NINisamazing]

Ok, the naked guy was nobody. Wrong place, wrong time.

[cynicmuse]

This Middlesex DA press release (http://live.reuters.com/Event/Watertown/73672864) sums up the current state of events. For the non-massholes, Cambridge and Watertown are both in Middlesex county.

[Sutekh]

BBC is refusing to name names but AP reports suspect is a Chechen national
http://bigstory.ap.org/article/ap-surviving-boston-bomb-suspect-identified-dzhokhar-tsarnaev-19-cambridge-mass

[jessamineny]

They're also brothers. Neither one is the missing Brown student.

[Deepvoid]

Wow! Crazy stuff happening.

And who saw that one coming? Possibly Chechen rebels?

[Sutekh]

BBC has put together a short profile of them which suggests chechen/islamist links

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-22219116

Doesn't look good :(

[WorzelG]

I hope this doesn't turn into a Jean Charles de Menezes situation

[october_midnight]

The pic of the dead suspect in the morgue is fuckin' gnarly...

[Dra508]

Having lived in Watertown and Boston at one time, traveling those roads and neighborhoods I imagine they are as quiet as when we have blizzards and they ask folks to stay off the roads. But to have to stay locked in your home, so unreal for Americans.

[DigitalChaos]

Woke up to a bunch of idiots ranting about how Islam needs to "clean house before the US does it for them" and similar stupid statements.

Everyone is dissecting one of the suspect's youtube pages: http://www.youtube.com/user/muazseyfullah?&desktop_uri=%2Fuser%2Fmuazseyfullah

And this isn't going to help the conspiracy nuts: http://www.minds.com/blog/view/53725/anzor-tsarnev-father-of-boston-bomb-suspects-says-he-believes-secret-services-framed-his-sons

[Dra508]

Where did this whole "Muslims did it" thing come from? I could be talking out of my ass here, but seems more like domestic terrorism. Couldn't tell you WHY, though.
There you go, both.

[Minpin]

And this isn't going to help the conspiracy nuts: http://www.minds.com/blog/view/53725/anzor-tsarnev-father-of-boston-bomb-suspects-says-he-believes-secret-services-framed-his-sons
As much as I really don't want to be associated with the conspiracy nuts, I couldn't help but think it when I heard Chechen terrorists.
Maybe I have been taken in by the 'conspiracy' bug, but since reading Litvenenko's account of the Dagestan apartment bombings in Blowing up Russia, I'm pretty skeptical of Chechen terrorism. I'm not convinced that wasn't an FSB plan to foment another war with Chechnya.
But again this doesn't really reflect on the Boston bombings, it's hard to equate that situation with this.

[DigitalChaos]

As much as I really don't want to be associated with the conspiracy nuts, I couldn't help but think it when I heard Chechen terrorists.
Maybe I have been taken in by the 'conspiracy' bug, but since reading Litvenenko's account of the Dagestan apartment bombings in Blowing up Russia, I'm pretty skeptical of Chechen terrorism. I'm not convinced that wasn't an FSB plan to foment another war with Chechnya.
But again this doesn't really reflect on the Boston bombings, it's hard to equate that situation with this.

There is no problem with being skeptical. In fact, it's fucking awesome. I wish more people were! You go into conspiracy nut land when you start accepting the conspiracy through a lack of skepticism in the opposite direction. Official reports do not automatically mean truth. Actual conspiracies have happened.
I had a coworker and good friend who retired from the Department of Defense. His time there caused him to not trust a single thing the government ever said. He war labeled a conspiracy nut by most of the right-wing people during the Bush years. I wish he was around to see Rachel Maddow's "Hubris" circulating so heavily in the public spotlight.

[Sutekh]

As much as I really don't want to be associated with the conspiracy nuts, I couldn't help but think it when I heard Chechen terrorists.
Maybe I have been taken in by the 'conspiracy' bug, but since reading Litvenenko's account of the Dagestan apartment bombings in Blowing up Russia, I'm pretty skeptical of Chechen terrorism. I'm not convinced that wasn't an FSB plan to foment another war with Chechnya.
But again this doesn't really reflect on the Boston bombings, it's hard to equate that situation with this.


I don't trust Putin but really does the FSB need to stage false flag attacks to get what it wants? They do what they want... look at Litvinenko.

I'm not really sure what you mean by "I'm pretty skeptical of Chechen terrorism"... I'm guessing you don't mean that generally, I can't see how something like the theatre siege would have been a false flag

But seriously... Russia is not going to carry out a terrorist attack on US soil (slight risk of nuclear armageddon)... and even if they were, why would they do it via some weird false flag proxy? America isn't going to get involved in some war in Chechnya helping Russia expand its sphere of influence (USA did pretty much everything it could to bring Georgia closer to the Western sphere, cold war is not entirely over in some ways), a response to something like this will be "let less chechens in and spy on the ones we have"

It's an interesting angle but I don't think it's the shape of what happened

[DigitalChaos]

Holy shit. Their uncle tears into them: http://www.nbcnews.com/video/nbc-news/51596458/#51596458

[slave2thewage]

There you go, both.
Oh. Dear.

I'm scared to look, but has the "BOMB THE MUSLIMS AWAY" segment of the Internet come out to play yet?

[DigitalChaos]

Lots of pictures of stray bullets going through people's windows, walls, furniture, etc. One went right through the center of the headrest on someone's computer chair. Are there any reports of people getting injured from this?

[Minpin]

But seriously... Russia is not going to carry out a terrorist attack on US soil (slight risk of nuclear armageddon)... and even if they were, why would they do it via some weird false flag proxy? America isn't going to get involved in some war in Chechnya helping Russia expand its sphere of influence (USA did pretty much everything it could to bring Georgia closer to the Western sphere, cold war is not entirely over in some ways), a response to something like this will be "let less chechens in and spy on the ones we have"

It's an interesting angle but I don't think it's the shape of what happened I agree, it was literally just a knee jerk reaction to hearing that they were possibly chechens. It really doesn't hold any weight in this situation. I was posting more in response to digitalchaos' article with the father saying 'false flag'.


I don't trust Putin but really does the FSB need to stage false flag attacks to get what it wants? They do what they want... look at Litvinenko.

I'm not really sure what you mean by "I'm pretty skeptical of Chechen terrorism"... I'm guessing you don't mean that generally, I can't see how something like the theatre siege would have been a false flag As I said, i thought the incidents preceeding the second Chechen war were suspect. Incidents that were pinned as Chechen terrorism. Theatre siege was a retaliation to the war. As much as theyd like to, Russia was in no position to instigate another Chechen war. FSB with Putin made it happen. As you say, look at Litvenenko.
its really nothing to do with this situation though. Hahaha I'm just flashing my 'conspiracy nut'...

[Minpin]

Double post

[Sutekh]

Absolutely... I mean who's to say? Just making sure we weren't in flat out tinfoil territory.

I don't believe in the ridiculous conspiracy theories (9/11, contrails, illuminati etc), but there are instances where outlandish theories have later been substantiated & bear analysis

google "stakeknife", that whole business broadened my estimation of what is likely

[DigitalChaos]

I absolutely HATE Glenn Beck (like top 5 worst of every political persona out there)... but i'm adding this here for posterity of the conspiracy topic:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LiEpSggvZFU


Hoping for egg on his face come monday...

[brokenfragility]

Wait....what is Glenn Beck implying there? Does he really think anyone in the government even cares about his "by monday" ultimatum?

[poinoup]

"Lonesome Roads" Beck? People still care about this guy?

Attention whoring son of a bitch.

[Dra508]

Oh. Dear.

I'm scared to look, but has the "BOMB THE MUSLIMS AWAY" segment of the Internet come out to play yet?I personally don't suspect know. I've been listening to National Public Radio who have been making corrections all day:

_ no, someone else robbed the 7-11 store
_ no, suspect #1 actually studied accounting at Bunker Hill Community College, not engineering as first reported
_ no, no controlled explosion.

A bit freaky that all the reporters are hanging around the parking lot of the mall I worked at while in college.

I'm thinking this kid (#2) is already dead, by his own hand.

[Frozen Beach]

If Suspect 2 is still alive, I hope they can get him alive. Call me crazy, I don't care, but the last thing we need is more death, and I'm hoping with his capture, it could solve the mystery as to why they did what they did.

[Tums206_BFY]

Shots Fire in Watertown, this might be it....around the same area of last nights events.

[Deepvoid]

Gotta say that you guys put on quite the spectacle. I've been glued to CNN since I came back from work. This coverage is the epitome of American Culture.

[DigitalChaos]

Sounds like the have him pinned down. It's an area right next to the media staging area. Reporters must be shitting themselves and taking cover.

[DigitalChaos]

This is also right after they lifted the "stay inside" lockdown and started public transit up again
yeeshh

[allegro]

ATF going in, this is surreal.

[DigitalChaos]

ATF going in, this is surreal.
It's like getting 6 stars in Grand Theft Auto but in real life.

[DigitalChaos]

The chances of the suspect coming out alive from this are crazy slim. I hope he does just so we can avoid all the speculation of intent but...

[allegro]

Yeah I REALLY hope he stays alive. But he's not surrendering. And now ABC is saying they're not sure it's just this guy. Or if he has a bomb strapped to himself.

Now they're sending in a robot?

[Deepvoid]

http://www.ustream.tv/channel/ma-rt-9-window-cam

for those who wanna listen to police scanner.

[poinoup]

http://www.ustream.tv/channel/ma-rt-9-window-cam

for those who wanna listen to police scanner.

Not the greatest quality...but live streaming from Boston: http://www.myfoxboston.com/category/235888/fox-25-live-video-stream
SWAT Team pulled back and the robot is going in.

EDIT: Allegedly, the scanner just had the line "We're going to light up the boat."

[Deepvoid]

Should just order a drone strike on that boat.

[Piko]

Yeah, they keep referring to the "boat". It's funny. CNN is saying the complete opposite of what they're saying on the scanner.

edit: nm, missed the part about the robot

[Deepvoid]

Not the greatest quality...but live streaming from Boston: http://www.myfoxboston.com/category/235888/fox-25-live-video-stream
SWAT Team pulled back and the robot is going in.

EDIT: Allegedly, the scanner just had the line "We're going to light up the boat."

I thought they needed light on the boat.

[Deepvoid]

http://www.bing.com/maps/?v=2&cp=r1ty2x921y8h&lvl=18.83&dir=348.55&sty=b&where1=Franklin St, Watertown, MA 02472&form=LMLTCC

You can see the boat there.White cover on it.

[kdrcraig]

CNN is falling all over themselves to say things like "possible suspect" and "we believe, don't want to get ahead of ourselves", too late CNN, you already did that. This shit is crazy though

[poinoup]

That makes sense. After the drone strike and the officers there being in earshot of the media...you never know.

More explosions?!

[elevenism]

Sadly, i am shocked that there haven't been more of these attacks since 9/11.
Another thing that's sort of sad is that my mom just told me that "It turns out that it's a terror attack..."
Well NO SHIT it was a terror attack. Then i made the grim connection. Thanks to W. and co, terror=islamic extremists in the eyes of the majority of Americans.
I just hope this isn't a false flag attack involving our OWN government...like 9/11.
Yes, i'm one of THOSE guys. I'm going to go get my tinfoil hat now.

[Piko]

CNN is falling all over themselves to say things like "possible suspect" and "we believe, don't want to get ahead of ourselves", too late CNN, you already did that. This shit is crazy though

The lady in red got all excited and said "we got him". They didn't want to report it yet or something. They cut her off, then reported it (again) a few minutes later.

[poinoup]

The lady in red got all excited and said "we got him". They didn't want to report it yet or something. They cut her off, then reported it (again) a few minutes later.

Like I saw on The Young Turks: CNN - The most busted name in news.

http://www.reddit.com/r/news/comments/1cpb55/live_boston_update_thread_part_7/ <-- Far better info than CNN...

[DigitalChaos]

More explosions?!
flashbangs
They are prepping with teargas now... they are really trying to take him out alive.

[DF118]

BBC news has good coverage:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-22213651

[DigitalChaos]

With the number of things they have been doing to find the guy and the number of rounds shot... this kid sure seems like fucking Rambo or something.

[DigitalChaos]

Holy shit. CNN is referencing Zero Dark 30 to explain what is about to happen.
what in the fucking fuck.

[DigitalChaos]

from the scanner: "we have an issue with your downlink... it's being broadcast on the internet"

[kdrcraig]

Holy shit. CNN is referencing Zero Dark 30 to explain what is about to happen.
what in the fucking fuck.

They're so bad. Brought Anderson Cooper in to try to keep the clowns in check.

[Deepvoid]

How long is this gonna take geez ..
It's small boat not a freaking yacht.

[poinoup]

They've been ordered to stay at their post until 2100 hours. Something going down then?

[DF118]

Cheering in the crowd now. Have they got him?

[Piko]

They got him

[DigitalChaos]

alive and in custody
holy shit

[poinoup]

They got the fucker~!

[spiralout]

Holy shit! Maybe now I can finally get some work done today.

[Deepvoid]

Good job by everyone!

[kdrcraig]

That's awesome! I can't believe they got him alive

[poinoup]

That is how you handle things LAPD, not shooting at random older ladies....

[DigitalChaos]

keep in mind, they have not confirmed the identity of the guy in the boat.

[Piko]

If it counts for much. MSNBC is confirming it's him.

[Fixer808]

keep in mind, they have not confirmed the identity of the guy in the boat.
Yeagh, they've apprehended a suspect, not- as CTV New Channel was crowing- the confirmed bomber. "THEY'VE CAUGHT THE BOSTON BOMBER!" That's some good reporting right there.

[Deepvoid]

Suspect is apparently injured.

[DigitalChaos]

Yeagh, they've apprehended a suspect, not- as CTV New Channel was crowing- the confirmed bomber. "THEY'VE CAUGHT THE BOSTON BOMBER!" That's some good reporting right there.

How awesome would it be if person in boat is naked guy from last night?

[Frozen Beach]

They confirmed it was the 2nd suspect of the boston bombing over the police scanner.

[poinoup]

Suspect is apparently injured.

Sources said he was injured in the shootout last night.

[SM Rollinger]

With the number of things they have been doing to find the guy and the number of rounds shot... this kid sure seems like fucking Rambo or something.
We live in a modern police state. Now that the Soviets and threat of nuculear apocalypse are gone, people need to be kept scared by precieved threats of terror. Fear controlls the masses, and it sucks that people are dying for no good reason whatsoever.

I read an article the other day, about a father that found in this 7 or so year olds backpack, scrawled in crayon, something to the effect of "its ok to give up some of my constituntional rights, so that im safer"

Thats probably all ill ever say in regards to that topic.

[jessamineny]

People have come out of their homes and are lining the streets to cheer for the police officers as they drive by. I almost can't stand it.



(Edit: It's so emotional, I mean.)

[allegro]

SO glad he's in custody. So glad that law enforcement practiced some level of restraint.

No Miranda is being given due to "public safety." The "only recognized exception recognized by Supreme Court."

The kid is allegedly a US citizen who took the oath last year on September 11.

Not sure this kid is gonna live, though; he's been bleeding in a boat for many hours. Word is doctors are going to try everything possible to keep him alive.

[DigitalChaos]

The kid is allegedly a US citizen who took the oath last year on September 11.


This whole thing is playing out like a movie. The moment the kid who lost his legs was the person to ID the suspects... I don't even know... It's just amazing the way everything unfolded. Like a Hollywood script.

[jessamineny]

It's been such a tense day. Maybe a bit of levity? How awkward can a one-night stand get? (http://www.esquire.com/blogs/culture/lust-during-wartime?src=soc_fcbks) Imagine being stuck in her apartment all day during a citywide lockdown.

[Magtig]

It's been such a tense day. Maybe a bit of levity? How awkward can a one-night stand get? (http://www.esquire.com/blogs/culture/lust-during-wartime?src=soc_fcbks) Imagine being stuck in her apartment all day during a citywide lockdown.
Hahaha! That last paragraph is the real kicker.

Glad they got this guy, and glad they got him alive!

[DigitalChaos]

It's been such a tense day. Maybe a bit of levity? How awkward can a one-night stand get? (http://www.esquire.com/blogs/culture/lust-during-wartime?src=soc_fcbks) Imagine being stuck in her apartment all day during a citywide lockdown.

Haha, holy shit.
I really want to know naked guy's story. I bet it rivals this.

[BRoswell]

I read an article the other day, about a father that found in this 7 or so year olds backpack, scrawled in crayon, something to the effect of "its ok to give up some of my constituntional rights, so that im safer"

And you believed it? Kind of reminds me of a David Cross bit where he reads from a Christian book about a woman on a flight who met a Satanist who told her she was fasting for the death of all Christians. It's just a story intended to scare people into buying into an idea. That's no different than the news reporting about a new virus found in Asia, or even all this recent talk about North Korea.

I'm not one of those "America is the greatest country in the world, and our government does no wrong" type of people, but I fear people like you more than I fear our government. We have a bunch of dumbasses in our government who I don't trust to run an Arby's, let alone run our country (hence why this country is becoming more like an Arby's at 3AM). I can't be afraid of them because they are silly people. People like you go around spreading just as much fear as the media and the government. You add nothing to the conversation other than "Be afraid. Be very afraid."

*yawn*

We're not living in a police state, we're living in a paranoid state. Too many people running around claiming to know the truth and too many people buying into it because they want something to hold onto. The world is a chaotic and highly complex place. Learn it. Dig it. Love it. Hate it. Just be aware of it. The truth isn't that simple. Anybody who pretends it is is just trying to scare you into buying a big pile of manure. Don't fall for it. Don't believe the lies on all sides.

[jessamineny]

Haha, holy shit.
I really want to know naked guy's story. I bet it rivals this.

Didn't he just happen upon the scene of the shootout with the suspects? I thought he was acting uncooperative, so they weren't sure he wasn't related to the bombers in some way... so they stripped him to make sure he didn't have explosives on him.

[theimage13]

Serious condition and in a hospital for life saving treatment - probably without insurance?

Fuck, just let him go if he lives. He'll be fucked for life anyway. (Mostly sarcastic; facepalm away if you like.)

[Deepvoid]

Are they really thinking of trying him as an enemy combatant?
Isn't he an American citizen who committed a crime on American soil?

[DigitalChaos]

Didn't he just happen upon the scene of the shootout with the suspects? I thought he was acting uncooperative, so they weren't sure he wasn't related to the bombers in some way... so they stripped him to make sure he didn't have explosives on him.
I was at the HTDA show while everything unfolded. I heard about it all after the fact. People made it sound like it was someone streaking or something at a very bad time.

[DigitalChaos]

Are they really thinking of trying him as an enemy combatant?
Isn't he an American citizen who committed a crime on American soil?
He is a citizen. Try him in court. Innocent until proven guilty. Show the world that the US has some standards and principles.
If we dont do this I will be pissed but not surprised.

[Wretchedest]

i really hope they try him regularly...

Has anyone else seen his twitter? It's just.... normal... like he was just a regular social networker... i don't get it.

He had completely embraced american life and culture... and he was a popular guy. i don't understand the motivation.

[slave2thewage]

He had completely embraced american life and culture... and he was a popular guy. i don't understand the motivation.
I read some speculation earlier that his brother may have drawn him into his own little scheme, seemingly he didn't really assimilate into the US lifestyle at all.

[SM Rollinger]

People like me Broswel? What do you think im some conspiraty theorist (birther, 911 truther, ect)? Wrong, I believe what I see with my own eyes, and im smart enough to know what is a real threat and what is a precieved threat, I dont live my life in fear. Nor do I spread it around.

Back on topic, i doubt this guy will get a trial. With they way the US treats "terror" suspects, regardless of citizinship or not. I agree with DigitalChaos, we need to show the world we still have standards. Otherwise, were going to keep having "terror" incidents like this.