Jesus Fucking Christ.

[WilliamPitt]

Bombs at the marathon. I have friends running the race, waiting to hear from them. It's a goddam bloodbath on Boylston Street.

It happened right by the bandstands, hard to believe this was an oxygen tank or gas line or manhole explosion, but who knows.

Awful.

[boston bean]

1. Channel 4 local is saying it's intentional. Two bombs.

WTF!

[magic59]

75. 3 bombs, one at the JFK Library

Sounds like rightwing nut group.

[hifiguy]

102. Nobody knows a damned thing yet

though I heard some terrorism expert on CNN saying this was something that was easily possible for one or two people to pull off. He said this was something that you could learn how to pull off by way of online research.

In my currently meaningless opinion, this smells like a domestic operation by a nut or two operating on their own, probably right wing. The major terrorism players go for much bigger bangs than this.

I think the best analogy is what happened at the Atlanta Olympics.

[boston bean]

107. And your point to me is??

I said they said it was intentional. they obviously did know a damn thing, I guess.

And what I said they said, was truthful. My post said nothing about domestic or international terrorism.

[hifiguy]

109. Just putting in my $.02

Not trying to make a big point other than that while some inferences may be drawn, they shouldn't be set in stone and wild speculation is unwarranted.

[boston bean]

110. My post did not have any inferences. It was the truth.

Can you please tell me what you think my inference was?

[warrior1]

2. I have a friend also running.

[clarice]

4. Wow !!!!!!! Please keep us updated. nt

[quinnox]

5. If it is a deliberate act, very strange

I'm thinking a domestic terrorist, or some lone mad man. This seems awful clumsy to be a professional terrorist organization.

[quinnox]

11. That is what I'm thinking, a Timothy McVeigh type

But they were very clumsy and they didn't plan it very well. Amateur hour.

[backscatter712]

44. I don't know - they did plenty of damage. Killed at least a few people.

The bombs went off in quick succession - one to do the initial damage, the second to hit the first-responders.

They were pretty powerful bombs too, judging from what I'm seeing on MSNBC. Suitcase-sized?

And at a high-profile event under the noses of dozens of cops. Sounds like someone knew what he was doing.

[quinnox]

14. CNN just said it is "Patriots Day" too

kind of speculating the same way we were.

[kentuck]

19. It didn't happen at an IRS building so it's safe to assume it was meant for the marathon...

if there were bombs. They were meant to kill and maim people. For every action there is a like reaction. It's time to break out the drones...

[kentuck]

45. No one would have any reason to look for revenge against our drones...

Would they?

[kentuck]

59. Seems like the most obvious reason to me...

But some folks don't need a reason to attack Americans. I hope they find who did it. I suspect someone might take "credit" for it?

[kentuck]

64. the reason I doubt that....

....is that gun nuts like to use automatic weapons, not bombs. But it could have been anyone.?

[Bernardo de La Paz]

58. No shortage of reasons real or imagined. No need to whip the drones whipping boy at this time. nt

[merrily]

70. There is always a need to whip the drones, which are not whipping boys.

Though not necessarily a need to tie the Boston explosions to them.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

73. "Drones" have been the soup de jour here for a couple of months, but it is ridiculous to think

"Drones" have been the soup de jour here for a couple of months, but it is ridiculous to think "drones" immediately at a time like this.

Chances are almost certain that people shouting "drones" here about these explosions will soon be embarrassed.

[merrily]

76. I am not clear.

Do you think that you are disagreeing with my post or kind of seconding it? I think we are both saying it is too soon to say if this is in any way way related to people hating us for us our foreign policy.

Seems to me more like a domestic matter, but it is too soon to say that, too.

I don't know about anyone being embarrassed though. I hope not. Too much crap on message boards for anyone to have to feel too bad if a guess turns out to have been wrong.

I am surprised that this got by security for this event. Maybe they at least got video?

Whether this event is domestic or foreign, I have been dreading something around Boston since 911. Too many iconic things and events in Boston not to attract someone or other who has some beef or other. Can't say I was expecting it today, though.

[geckosfeet]

101. Ru kidding? It was at the finish line. There will be weeks of video and

countless stills. If they were there today they are in a video or still.

[merrily]

111. No, I don't mean video of the bombs going off. I meant video of the bombs being placed.

The bombs going off is no mystery. Who put them there is, at least so far--although one person of interest was questioned.

[geckosfeet]

113. That's what I mean. Do you know how many camera crews and tourists and just people

with cameras, phones and video cams were in that area today?

The guys image is in someones camera. It's a matter of finding out who it is.

[merrily]

115. I never said there was no video or photo, so what are you going on about and why?

[geckosfeet]

116. I'm not going on.

Think I replied to the wrong post upthread - so sorry.

[merrily]

118. Apology accepted.

However, I don't post here every day. However, it seems that, every other time I do post here, you find something that I post to peck at.

[blueknight]

28. that

is exactly what im thinking

[totodeinhere]

79. Please don't speculate yet. On some other sites people are already accusing

Islamic terrorists. We don't know if it's either one of those or something else.

[Ilsa]

83. 4 days before anniversary of Waco & Murrah Fed Building in OKC.

My bet is anti-government gun nuts.

[fredzachmane]

89. I dont know

In our exprience with domestic attacks they dont target gatherings of civilians, not to say they dont kill civilians, but domestic groups have always selected targets directly related to the government. The Boston marathon is an international race, and the bombers were only likely to kill civilians, both of those facts allign more closely to the foreign terrorist MO. More info is needed.

[fredzachmane]

104. There have been 9 deaths related to abortion clinics

since 1993, as far as I know, they were all from shootings, though there have been arson attempts. I am not aware of any gay bar bombings in the US, there have been a few in London. By the court testimony of the state psychiatrist, and subsequent reports since, Eric Rudolph was a classic serial killer with a flare for theatrics, the psychologists who have treated him have consistently reported that his "anti-abortion, anti-gay" agenda was merely his form of self justification that presents in nearly all serial killers, but that his attachment to those ideas was very "shallow" and it had little to nothing to do with his motivation for killing. He, like all serial killers, simply wanted to kill & chose his victims according to an MO that made it justifiable to himself; again, a trait common to serial killers. Ted Bundy chose victims who looked like the ex who had broken his heart. Rudolphs alleged association with the Christian Identity Movement was put out by the WP. An association that he denies to this day, and which investigators found no evidence to support.
Apart from that, I was responding to a poster who was alleging a connection to "patriot" groups, you are responding with weak examples of "religious" attacks, which are entirely different groups with entirely different motivations (though some of their membership certainly belong in both categories) Again. All of our experience with "patriot" group attacks (of which there are few) the target is not random civilian groups, but people and places associated directly with government.

[fredzachmane]

108. My attempt?

Last edited Mon Apr 15, 2013, 10:51 PM - Edit history (1)

I cited the reports of the psychologists treating him. However, thank you for the grammar policing. It is both unnecessary and irrelevant.

[hifiguy]

103. I think you are probably correct. NT

[backscatter712]

34. I'll bet you it's right-wingers.

Tax Day, in Boston?

The only question now is whether we're talking about religious theocrats, white-supremacists or anti-government/anti-taxers.

[backscatter712]

41. Definitely likely.

The gun-nuts are especially homicidal lately.

[Ilsa]

84. Me too. Four days before Waco/OKC anniversaries. nt

[Tommy_Carcetti]

6. It's been a rough couple of months, news wise.

Hope everyone you know is okay.

[bunnies]

7. omg!!!!

and so close to home.

[riqster]

8. I have a friend running. Trying to get his status.

[Xyzse]

10. That is my reaction as well.

Damn. I love the running community too.

[librechik]

12. two explosions a distance apart (from the pics)--

i don't think that sounds like an accident--that sounds like a bomb designed to knock out the first responders

[B2G]

13. FOX reporting 3 dead

I know, it's FOX, but I'm checking everywhere.

[WilliamPitt]

30. Boston police confirm 3 dead

[myrna minx]

47. My friend's father is retired Boston Fire and

his Dad said that the silver lining is where the explosions happened, the triage was already in place for the runners, so at least the 1st responders were in place already. It's still horrible, but at least they are able to leap into action right away.

[WilliamPitt]

48. They were using lanyards as tourniquets.

[myrna minx]

54. It's so horrible. I'm just glad there were

First Responders already on site.

[HappyMe]

15. WTF!

I'll keep a good thought for any victims. I hope there aren't more.

[nolabear]

16. We are either going to find a way to stop this or our lives are going to change radically.

The world is rapidly becoming a place where we cannot feel safe, and that's not a world that can go on as we know it now.

My thoughts are with them. My heart breaks.

[geomon666]

25. My sentiments exactly n/t

[justiceischeap]

42. I hate to seem antagonistic about this but we are much safer

than most parts of the world that experiences terrorism. I still feel safer in the US than I would say in Palestine or Israel or anywhere in the Middle East.

[nolabear]

49. The two sentiments are far from mutually exclusive.

[totodeinhere]

78. There is no way to completely stop this sort of thing.

Of course we should try but terrorism will always be with us.

[Logical]

117. You are correct. It has always happened. And always will. Over reacting is a worry also. n-t

[pintobean]

17. Best wishes for you and your friends. nt

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

18. Could be a gas explosion but what a coincidence to happen at that time at that place.

Who knows?

[dixiegrrrrl]

32. Reports of 2 packages left outside a building...

CNN video:

[October]

20. Just came in from my personal run and heard this... wondered if you had news...

[sinkingfeeling]

21. Maybe it's the promised 'war' from North Korea. HLN saying that it

happened at a sports store and that 4 people are in ER.

[quinnox]

52. wow, unusual take. Never thought that someone would jump to "Its the North Koreans"

Wow.

[sinkingfeeling]

55. Sorry, but I just wonder if any deadly attack in this country couldn't

result in another all out war in a foreign country.

[October]

23. Video

[Blue Owl]

27. JFC indeed...

[ellisonz]

35. Jesus

[myrna minx]

24. Oh my god.

[dgibby]

26. Good coverage on MSNBC.

They're talking to reporter on scene. She's reporting unconfirmed info from witnesses that 2 packages were left outside a building near the finish line.

Explosions occured near the Marathon Sports building, according to a witness. Many serious injuries in the crowd of onlookers. No word on runners as yet, but looks like most of injuries were in the crowd.

Video being shown is excellent.

[Rhiannon12866]

33. Watching MSNBC now, live on the scene and talking to witnesses

The bridge has been closed and saying that fortunately medical teams were already on the scene. Many "grave injuries." They''re now saying it was "two bombs." Also a fire at the JFK Library just after the explosions.

[octoberlib]

29. Update

Two powerful explosions — in two different locations — detonated next to the Boston Marathon finish line this afternoon, about three hours after the winners crossed the line. The Boston Fire Department estimates that the first explosion occurred at 2:50 PM. The Boston Herald reports that at least 12 people are injured and Boston Police now says that at least 3 people have died.

olice scanner reports also indicate the presence of multiple suspicious devices and bomb dogs are now being brought in. The Lenox Hotel is being evacuated, the Boston Globe reports.

http://thinkprogress.org/politics/2013/04/15/1868281/explosions-at-the-boston-marathon/

Kevin Roose ?@kevinroose 8m
Gotta be kidding me RT @janus303: AP reporter on TV says Newtown families were in the VIP section right by the explosion. No injury reports

https://twitter.com/janus303

[nobodyspecial]

39. OMG. Haven't they been traumatized enough already?

[octoberlib]

57. Indeed. It's horrible. nt

[dixiegrrrrl]

31. News reports: NYPD is deploying counter-terrorism vehicles around NYC landmarks, including hotels

from Twitter....

Also: lots of "analytical" cameras were all around the area, according to the Times ariticle.
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/16/us/explosions-reported-at-site-of-boston-marathon.html?_r=0

[99Forever]

36. I hope it was an accident...

... though the circumstances sure make it appear not to be. I personally will wait for the pros to get the facts before I make any guesses.

Our hearts go out to all of the injured. I hope you hear that your friends are okay very soon, WP.

[nadinbrzezinski]

37. Try the twitter with your friends

Also realize that phones will be crazy.

And hugs.

I am hoping it's infrastructure, as horrific as that is, for multiple reasons.

But, you've done this shit, so have I...two to three hours before we know anything official.

[davsand]

40. MSNBC just reported a statement from Boston Marathon that said Bombs.

Lots going on there, chaos, and much fear. I sincerely hope that was a mistake in the statement rather than the first acknowledgment of a bombing.

Prayers for all who are impacted by this.


Laura

[Hissyspit]

43. @CBSNews: UPDATE: BOSTON POLICE confirm 22 wounded and 2 dead // MORE LIVE @CBSNEWS COVERAGE: http:/

@CBSNews: UPDATE: BOSTON POLICE confirm 22 wounded and 2 dead // MORE LIVE @CBSNEWS COVERAGE: http://t.co/43l5jNEvIz

[justiceischeap]

46. MSNBC is saying officials claiming "one small IED" nt

[Lone_Star_Dem]

51. A client of mine is running.

I hope she's alright.

[Rex]

53. One explosion, I can believe to be natural, two almost at the same time

no. I don't think so. YEAH THAT IS WHAT I SAID WILL!

The Boston Marathon!?!?! REALLY!?!?!

[Lady Freedom Returns]

56. We really don't know anything yet.

We have to wait for them to do the WHOLE investigation.

Just try to relax. Your friends are more than likely busy with investigators, giving statements. I am sure you will hear from them this evening.

Just hang in their OK?

[redqueen]

61. Here's hoping ...

Was hoping there wouldn't be any fatalities, but I just saw reports stating otherwise.

Terrible news ...

[Rhiannon12866]

62. Boston PD: 2 dead, 23 injured

They've closed the bridge and the Green Line in the area is shut down. Watching live coverage on MSNBC. They're saying it was 2 small IEDs and that the JFK Library fire was unrelated.

[virgogal]

63. I have a daughter and grandaughter running but I think I could

express myself better than you did.

Good Lord!

[smirkymonkey]

65. I am watching the local news on this. Absolutely horrifiied!

This is out of control.

[Butterbean]

67. Sweet mercy. I was napping with the kids, had no idea. Are your friends okay?

[WilliamPitt]

68. Don't know.

Between people I know who are running the thing, people I know who are watching, and people I know who work right down there, I know a couple dozen people who were likely right there.

[Butterbean]

74. I'm so sorry. I'm slightly freaking out right now, so I can't even imagine your feelings.

[Chico Man]

69. Patriots Day

I'm hoping this does not have some sick connection to the anniversary of the start of the revolutionary war.. I'ts not just marathon day today in Boston.

Patriots' Day (officially Patriots' Day in Massachusetts[1] and Patriot's Day in Maine[2]) is a civic holiday commemorating the anniversary of the Battles of Lexington and Concord, the first battles of the American Revolutionary War.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patriots'_Day

[quinnox]

71. CNN just reported the experts say the devices are "crude", and indicates "home-grown" suspects

[Marrah_G]

72. scary shit

My ex was standing right there a half hour before with his little girls.

BPD said it was bombs

I'm so sad and angry.

[ReRe]

77. You are the one I thought of when I heard about this...

...glad to see your post. Hope you can make contact with your friends soon. Stay home! Hug baby and wife...

[ailsagirl]

80. I'm sick to my stomach

This is horrific

[Odin2005]

81. I just learned of this while browsing Reddit.

WTF? Islamists? Teabaggers?

[Stuart G]

85. No one knows..very very sad....just a thought..

After the Oklahoma Bombing we were coming back from a day off of work, some friends and I, and I recall clearly one of the people in the car started a rant about the Islamic Terrorists..this was in 95 ........before 9/11
....and it was an ex marine who did it in relation to the Waco tragedy...let us wait..

[starroute]

86. Waco, Oklahoma City, Columbine

It's a time of year when the crazy comes to the surface.

[greatauntoftriplets]

88. Horrible, just horrible.

[Roland99]

91. Isn't this the anniversary of the VT massacre?

[warrprayer]

93. some of the runners

were raising money to benefit the survivors of Vt. massacre. Seems to point to one of the gun nutcases claiming the Newtown shootings never happened.

[Roland99]

95. Too early to speculate anything, really, even with the area hit being populated w/Newtown families.

[warrprayer]

96. just my hunch. n/t

[Spitfire of ATJ]

92. Still nobody claiming responsibility....

Keep in mind that many terrorist groups announce beforehand so there is no doubt.

This may be domestic.

[warrprayer]

94. the marathon was raising money

for survivors of Newtown shootings. I'd bet on one of the nutcases who was harrassing survivors and says the Newtown shootings never happened. Our homegrown whackos.

[Spitfire of ATJ]

98. I'm not going to go there yet....

One blast occurred right next to a bunch of international flags and that could go either way considering there is an anti-internationalism element in right-wing ideology. If a foreign attack the specific location relative to a specific flag may be a factor.

[fadedrose]

97. I hope your friends are okay

I vaguely remember your post to a friend saying you'd meet there or something like that, long time ago. Sorry to hear you've been affected by this directly - we all are indirectly. Awful...

[mrmpa]

99. A lullaby for you to give to your...........

daughter for pleasant dreams tonight.

[Wolf Frankula]

100. Someone's ass is gonna fry for this

I just hope it's the right ass.

Wolf

[warrprayer]

105. welcome to D.U.

and I agree.

[RyanThomas]

114. I hope your friends are all right

It is a terrible tragedy when such events strike from the blue, leaving a pall of horror and pain in the trampled path of evil.