Boston Marathon

[Ben]

The Boston Marathon Bombing: Keep Calm and Carry On:

http://www.theatlantic.com/national/...rry-on/275014/

[robertlouis]

A lot of angry water has flowed under the bridge since I posted nine hours ago. Firstly, when I responded to lick's initial post, I was taking it as it read and replying to what seemed on the face of it to be an extremely intemperate and illogical reaction to the bombings. I don't apologise for that first response but I do sincerely apologise for anything I said which may have inadvertently set off his demons, and I hope he receives whatever counselling and support he needs.

As to continuing speculation and the desperate desire to pin blame, it's clear that, some 36 hours later, the investigating authorities are no nearer to identifying a culprit, or, at the very least, they don't yet feel sufficiently confident in the available evidence to do so.

And the crazy conspiracy theories continue too. Give it a rest, if only for the sake of common decency.

[Ben]

A lot of angry water has flowed under the bridge since I posted nine hours ago. Firstly, when I responded to lick's initial post, I was taking it as it read and replying to what seemed on the face of it to be an extremely intemperate and illogical reaction to the bombings. I don't apologise for that first response but I do sincerely apologise for anything I said which may have inadvertently set off his demons, and I hope he receives whatever counselling and support he needs.

As to continuing speculation and the desperate desire to pin blame, it's clear that, some 36 hours later, the investigating authorities are no nearer to identifying a culprit, or, at the very least, they don't yet feel sufficiently confident in the available evidence to do so.

And the crazy conspiracy theories continue too. Give it a rest, if only for the sake of common decency.

We have to be rational. Easier said than done. I mean, we don't know anything. We can't be given to racist vitriol or complete irrationality.
Obama described it as an act of terror. And not terrorism. Because, again, at present we don't know who the perpetrator or perpetrators are.
I mean, it could be some crazed person. Acting alone. We just don't know.
One of the first stories to emerge was that a Saudi was in custody. Which was completely false.
Again, we need to be and stay rational.... Difficult to do when we're a country driven by irrational urges --

[fivekatz]

We have to be rational. Easier said than done. I mean, we don't know anything. We can't be given to racist vitriol or complete irrationality.
Obama described it as an act of terror. And not terrorism. Because, again, at present we don't know who the perpetrator or perpetrators are.
I mean, it could be some crazed person. Acting alone. We just don't know.
One of the first stories to emerge was that a Saudi was in custody. Which was completely false.
Again, we need to be and stay rational.... Difficult to do when we're a country driven by irrational urges --

It is also important to remember that acts of terror are not the sole providence of radical Islam. The second worst act of terror on US soil was committed by right wing-nuts. And I don't know what else one could call the rampant lynching and church bombings of the 60 years of the 20th Century. And it was not Islamic radicals but rather white, bigoted Christian extremists responsible for that rein of terror.

Ordinarily organized terrorist groups claim ownership of their deeds rather quickly and the silence here is notable, while not conclusive.

We all need to let the investigation take its course. Personally I have faith that the White House is not busy trying to spin this into a reason to have a war with a nation state but rather has their eye on the ball. There will be justice I pray.

At any rate a freaking shame that the innocent are used by any group or individual to make statements of displeasure.

[robertlouis]

We all need to let the investigation take its course.

A typically thoughtful and reflective post, katz.

I've quoted that one sentence because it contains all that needs to be said for the moment. Peace.

[natina]

Westboro: We'll Picket Boston Marathon Funerals

Westboro Baptist Church blames gay marriage for bombings

Newser) – We'd call this a new low for Westboro Baptist Church, but these are the people who threatened to picket Sandy Hook. Now they say they'll picket the funerals of the Boston Marathon victims, the Raw Story reports. The church's reasoning, per a press release: "GOD SENT THE BOMBS! How many more terrifying ways will you have the LORD injure and kill your fellow countrymen because you insist on nation-dooming filthy [gay slur] marriage?! ... Massachusetts invited this special wrath from God Almighty when it was the FIRST STATE to pass same-sex marriage."

A We the People petition calls for the WBC to be banned from the funerals, and a Twitter account associated with the Anonymous hacktivists threatens the church: "Dear @WBCSays, I wouldn't f--k with the people of Boston when they're mad. #BostonBeatDown." It was Anonymous that thwarted the Westboro's Sandy Hook plan, the Raw Story notes; the hackers publicized the hotel where church members were staying, and a human shield was formed to block them. Yesterday, the New York Post ran a piece by Libby Phelps Alvarez, a granddaughter of WBC founder Fred Phelps who left the church—and now fights for gay rights.


http://www.newser.com/story/166324/w...-funerals.html



Westboro Baptist Church thanks God for Boston bombs, vows funeral protests


http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/...ston-bombs-vo/

Westboro Baptist Church said that the bombings during the Boston Marathon were sent by God as punishment for same-sex marriage and that members would definitely show up at funerals to protest.

It is also important to remember that acts of terror are not the sole providence of radical Islam. The second worst act of terror on US soil was committed by right wing-nuts. And I don't know what else one could call the rampant lynching and church bombings of the 60 years of the 20th Century. And it was not Islamic radicals but rather white, bigoted Christian extremists responsible for that rein of terror.

Ordinarily organized terrorist groups claim ownership of their deeds rather quickly and the silence here is notable, while not conclusive.

We all need to let the investigation take its course. Personally I have faith that the White House is not busy trying to spin this into a reason to have a war with a nation state but rather has their eye on the ball. There will be justice I pray.

At any rate a freaking shame that the innocent are used by any group or individual to make statements of displeasure.

[fivekatz]

Having grown up in Boston I would say it is very good advice to WBC not to "fuck" with pissed off Bostonians.

Where these people come up with God was punishing New Orleans for all the gays and booze with Katrina or now the Marathon bombing because Mass allows same sex marriage?

Sometimes these people should just keep it to themselves IMHO. It was a horrific thing done there yesterday, designed by the nature of the bombs and their placement, the intention was to cripple and kill innocent people enjoying a regional holiday celebrating a tradition of freedom. I don't see God's hand in that and have a hard time thinking anyone who tries to parlay the events into a social/political statement of their choosing has God in their hearts.

The very freedom that was being celebrated yesterday in Boston during Patriot's Day allows wing nuts like the WBC to be the freaking clowns they are, but freedom of speech does not mean that the speech is sane.

[Jimmy W]

fivekatz - ignore the westboro baptist church - they thrive on any hair trigger response. Theyre professionals at getting you pissed off and once youre in their net you succumb to their carefully choreographed nonsense. I lived in Boston a long time as a Met fan including 1986 so I know their wrath. Dont waste it on these publicity whores.

[BellaBellucci]

Eva - really lovely as that picture of you is, shouldn't it be posted in a different strand. This thread is all about the killings and maimings of innocent people in Boston. Just saying....

That's just what shamelessness and disproportional attention does to people.

Don't fuck with Boston! 617 FAH EVAH!

~BB~

[BiBoyinBeantown]

My God what is happening? The nutcase Muslims are at it again!!!

It's irresponsible to speculate as to who might have done this until there's actually some evidence. There are plenty of nutcase terrorists that are homegrown right here in the USA, too. Tim McVeigh and Eric Rudolph, for two.