Bomb Exploded at Boston Marathon Finish Line

[Amnorix]

I've heard an unconfirmed report (a co-worker's girlfriend called him) that there was a bomb at the finish line of the Boston Marathon, with people injured. I am hearing multiple sirens, though I'm not in the Copley area.

[Cannibal]

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/wo...s-8575115.html

Boston Marathon bombing: The initial theories
Early reports link twin blasts to right-wing extremists or al-Qa'ida

By JOHN HALL
Tuesday 16 April 2013
Early reports of the Boston Marathon bombing sought to link the blasts to domestic right-wing extremists.
The main thinking behind a link to the far-right was that the relative small size of the bomb and the fact it took place on Patriot’s Day – a hugely symbolic event.
Patriot’s Day is a civic holiday commemorating the anniversary of the Battles of Lexington and Concord on April 19, 1775. The battles marked the beginning of military action American Revolution and have been seen as a symbol of American independence and freedom ever since.
The devastating Oklahoma City bombing of April 19, 1995, which killed 168 people, took place the day after Patriot’s Day. Perpetrator Timothy McVeigh reportedly considered the date significant to his anti-government terrorist attack.
Patriot’s Day also marks the anniversary of the end of the Waco siege on April 19, 1993. Right-wing groups have long linked Waco’s bloody conclusion – in which 86 people died after the FBI stormed the Branch Davidian cult’s compound following a 51-day siege – as an example of the US government abusing its power.
The right-wing extremist theory was strengthened by fact April 15 is tax day, an event that in recent years has been used as a rallying date for members of the Tea Party group.
The Tea Party movement is, of course, named after the famous Boston Tea Party political protest of 1773 and, with President Obama’s taxation policies widely criticised by many conservative groups – both moderate and extreme - the date is increasingly seen as a focal point for right-wing protest.
Other experts have sought to distance the attacks from right-wing extremism however; suggesting twin blasts are a hallmark of al-Qa'ida.
The Telegraph reported Peter Neumann, professor of security studies at King’s College, London, as saying: “Some groups used a particular kind of attack. With the IRA it was car bombs. With al-Qa'ida it has almost become a cliché but multiple explosions in the same place are regarded as hallmarks of Islamist terror.”
Although the Boston devices are generally smaller than those used by Islamic extremists, the reported use of ball-bearings in backpacks filled with explosives has fuelled speculation that al-Qa'ida operatives may have been involved. Such devices have often been used by insurgents in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Professor Neumann added: “A bomb with ball bearing seems homemade, the type of thing you would build if you don’t really know how to build a bomb, perhaps with some instructions or guide on the Internet.”
As well as Patriot’s Day, yesterday also marked the 65th anniversary of Israeli independence, leading commentators, including the Boston Globe's Lawrence Harmon, to speculate on links to Islamic extremism.
Professor Neumann reportedly called the attacks “amateurish right-wing, or amateurish al-Qa'ida”, adding that investigators will now be looking online for individuals or groups boasting of the attacks or claiming responsibility.
He said: “The point of terrorism is to communicate a message through acts of violence. The IRA used to call a newspaper, and now you often have claims on the Internet.”
Professor Neumann went on to say that, as there currently appear to have been no such claims, it would suggest the culprit was either acting alone or as part of a small group loosely connected to a larger network or ideology.

[BucEyedPea]

I think all those reasons have been fielded for it being a right-wing extremist....except some that makes it less likely to be a rw extremist. One being they usually don't go after innocent civilians like that.

[Cannibal]

Originally Posted by BucEyedPea

I think all those reasons have been fielded for it being a right-wing extremist....except some that makes it less likely to be a rw extremist. One being they usually don't go after innocent civilians like that.

Timothy McVeigh says hi.

[Frazod]

Originally Posted by Cannibal

Timothy McVeigh says hi.

That would just make you day, wouldn't it?

[Cannibal]

Originally Posted by Douchemaster General

That would just make you day, wouldn't it?

Not saying it, or isn't, just posted an article saying expertd are speculating that it could be a RW extremist or al qaeda. Could be either at this point.

[CrazyPhuD]

Personally I'd bet it was the ELF. I mean it does have as much validity as a candidate for speculation as anything else at this point.

[BourbonMan]

JFC...Some of you people are just as bad as the EFFING media.

[AdumbGuy]

Originally Posted by BigChiefTablet

I don't want to turn this into a DC thread, but I'm all for killing the guy if he is guilty. I just require a little more proof than "I heard it on the news" before I go decreeing someone's death. That's what trials are supposed to be for, to find out the truth.

Agree with this sentiment. The thing is that it whoever wrote that could easily just be some asshole entertaining some murder fetish online. Taken out of context, just think of how chiefs planet might look to outsiders with all the aids tree/rape jokes strewn about.

If that dipshit has acted on any of his works, he should be punished, but if all he's done is write some garbage online, it hardly justifies a trial-less drone strike on him any more than it does on some of our more hyperbole prone posters proclaiming just exactly should done to *****.

I hope they catch whoever did this soon, and that when they do, they try them, prove that they are guilty beyond reasonable doubt and then punish them.

Per CNN:

In Washington, Sen. Saxby Chambliss, the ranking Republican on the Senate Intelligence Committee, told reporters that some of the facts suggest the carnage had its roots in American soil.
"There are a lot of things that are surrounding this that would give an indication that it may have been a domestic terrorist, but that just can't be assumed," Chambliss said.

I'm starting to worry they have no leads and are not going to catch whoever did this any time soon. And that's bad news not just for any "brown men in the wrong spot at the wrong time" but also for any poor schlep that is satisfactorily odd ala Richard Jewell, the man falsely accused in the Atlanta Olympics bombing.

[Bump]

has it been covered here that the Saudi National is a witness, not a suspect?

http://www.reddit.com/tb/1cgyrx

[Fritz88]

Originally Posted by AdumbGuy

Agree with this sentiment. The thing is that it whoever wrote that could easily just be some asshole entertaining some murder fetish online. Taken out of context, just think of how chiefs planet might look to outsiders with all the aids tree/rape jokes strewn about.

If that dipshit has acted on any of his works, he should be punished, but if all he's done is write some garbage online, it hardly justifies a trial-less drone strike on him any more than it does on some of our more hyperbole prone posters proclaiming just exactly should done to *****.

I hope they catch whoever did this soon, and that when they do, they try them, prove that they are guilty beyond reasonable doubt and then punish them.

Per CNN:

In Washington, Sen. Saxby Chambliss, the ranking Republican on the Senate Intelligence Committee, told reporters that some of the facts suggest the carnage had its roots in American soil.
"There are a lot of things that are surrounding this that would give an indication that it may have been a domestic terrorist, but that just can't be assumed," Chambliss said.

I'm starting to worry they have no leads and are not going to catch whoever did this any time soon. And that's bad news not just for any "brown men in the wrong spot at the wrong time" but also for any poor schlep that is satisfactorily odd ala Richard Jewell, the man falsely accused in the Atlanta Olympics bombing.

I think it might take a while.

[Al Bundy]

I see all of the sludge, slime and other crap that ends up in those grease trucks is still here from DC.

[Mother****erJones]

I wish when they found the guy they'd put him in an isolated area and strap a bomb to him, and detonate it.

[suzzer99]

Originally Posted by Johnny Vegas

I'd hold the right wingers just as accountable if they posted similar crap. I can admit that. Liberals can't. Thats what you fail to realize.

Okay so you're holding the 20 or so right-wingers who said something politically stupid in this thread accountable? Also feel free to point to any liberal who said something politically stupid in this thread.

[suzzer99]

From a poster on twoplustwo.com whom I tend to believe:

hey guys, I've struggled with if I should even post this, but I figured I should just so people don't have to speculate about his condition.

The guy in the wheelchair is one of my best friends in life, and I just want to say he is in stable condition and is in great spirits. Words can't express the feelings I'm feeling and how to process all this, but Jeff is tough and one of the nicest people you'll meet.

This will be my only post here, I don't want this to be about me at all or act as if I'm anywhere near as important as someone that was there and effected by this. I just want to dispel any rumors and say he is alive and in stable condition.

Also, I plan on meeting Carlos the man in the cowboy hat real soon.

[AussieChiefsFan]

Originally Posted by suzzer99

From a poster on twoplustwo.com whom I tend to believe:

Good to hear he's alive. But he's going to be in hospital for a while.