Explosion at the Boston Marathon

[memphusk]

The local radio station where I live brought up the fact that there was a small handful of celebrities that were in/at the marathon that were not injured. Classless act. 3 people lost their lives. A young child that never gets to deal with life's vigors. 30 killed in Iraq by cowards. People have lost their way, and radio folks feel the need to let me know about some celebrities that weren't hurt? Sad.

[RougeUnderoos]

Originally Posted by Canuck-Hater

Then why isn't everyone on the roof?

Probably for the same reason everyone doesn't have the best seats in the house for any sporting event -- because they don't have tickets.

[Violator]

Originally Posted by T@T

Why a conspiracy theory? It's another piece of what could be evidence...leave no stone unturned.

I'm not saying i think it is a conspiracy theory when I was on Facebook earlier before i saw the article people were jumping to a conspiracy theory

Like after sandy hook people were saying it was orchestrated by Obama in order for more gun control.

[Yasa]

Originally Posted by Canuck-Hater

Then why isn't everyone on the roof? Please... That is such a lame explanation its too easy to call every critical question a conspiracy theory. You can never rule anything out for this investigation.

That's a lame reason. It's suspicious because not everybody is on the roof? Im guess lots of those buildings are apartments or business. They don't just let anyone on the roof for obvious reasons. And that's only tiny portion of the entire 26 mile event. Im guessing if you look down the entire course there'd be lots of people on the roofs.

[arsenal]

Originally Posted by RougeUnderoos

Probably for the same reason everyone doesn't have the best seats in the house for any sporting event -- because they don't have tickets.

Or connections.

[CaptainCrunch]

Originally Posted by arsenal

Yes, and the bomb squad was doing a practice run of a bomb threat at the same time so it obviously is an inside job.

I don't get that as part of any conspiracy theory.

Ohh they were running exercises just before or during. Isn't that convenient. Its almost insane troll logic invented by idiots like Alex Jones.

Of course they're running an exercise or training, they have to be there anyways they might as well get as realistic training as possible.

the Sandy Hook conspiracy theory people were repugnant so is anyone that's trying to take advantage of tragedies like this to gather a following of suckers and make money.

[Nsd1]

http://i.imgur.com/l3owyja.jpg

Of course its just something someone posted online.

[Minnie]

Originally Posted by Nsd1

http://i.imgur.com/l3owyja.jpg

Of course its just something someone posted online.

And of course, you just couldn't resist posting it again. Awful awful brown people. Let's exterminate them all.

[SeeBass]

Originally Posted by Nsd1

http://i.imgur.com/l3owyja.jpg

Of course its just something someone posted online.

what a pile of crap

the blond white guy in the blue jacket looks just as "suspect" as the darker guys and they are even standing beside each other and yet it is completely missed

I cant believe I wasted my time with this

[Itse]

Originally Posted by WetCoast

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisf...otes-reactions

Didn't take long for this to happen.

Why can't we feel empathy for 24 hours before we're told that what we're feeling is wrong and selfish?

Empathy and intellectual reflection are not mutually exclusive. In fact, that is the way some people naturally fall towards it as a way of handling things. There is no "right way" to react.

As to that article, the writer makes his case for speaking about bombs in far away countries like this:

It's natural that it won't be felt as intensely when the victims are far away and mostly invisible, but applying these reactions to those acts of US aggression would go a long way toward better understanding what they are and the outcomes they generate.

I think it's a reasonable point of view. However, I also think he is wrong on that one. I believe it's counter-productive to talk about those bombings RIGHT NOW, or in that tone at the very least. Giving people a point of reference goes a long way of helping people understand people in far away places, but not at the very moment of crisis. Wanting to talk about "those people" right now IMO propably just makes people more jaded.

Wait a week or a month, and then talk about it from the other direction, and that way I think you could get a lot of people to agree that "yes, it's effed up that we are doing pretty much the same thing as was just done to us".

However, I would still hope that people would read the whole article and note that there actually are five separate points that he is talking about, and the article has a TON of links in it that I recommend reading.

EDIT: Hmm, funny, a facebook friend of mine linked that article saying it was Bruce Schneiers, sorry

[Itse]

BTW; personally I would highly recommend this.

Ignore the News

When a particular incident like today's bombing of the Boston marathon kicks off a news cycle, a common pattern asserts itself. First, there's photographic evidence and rumour. Then there's some initial information—immediate numbers of dead and injured, scary photographs. But the amount of new information coming out tapers off rapidly after the first hour or two, and gives way to rumour and speculation. There probably won't be any meaningful updates for a couple of days: but the TV channels and newpapers have to fill the dead air somehow, to keep the eyeballs they've attracted on the advertisements, so they cobble together anything they can grab—usually talking heads speculating without benefit of actual information. Such speculation in turn increases anxiety levels and causes depression, bringing the onlookers back for more.

Which is why I am about to back away from the keyboard, stop looking for more updated news from Boston, and go swimming. Terrible though the bombings may be, we won't learn anything significant about the responsible parties for some time: and in the meantime I see no reason to allow my emotional state to be manipulated...

Also, since I first started talking about Bruce Schneiers writing on terrorism, here's the links that I put up, since they are related anyway, even though I was originally mistaken in linking that article WetCoast linked to him.


Here's a few good ones, for people interested:

The Boston Marathon Bombing: Keep Calm and Carry On

Empathize, but refuse to be terrorized. Instead, be indomitable -- and support leaders who are as well. That's how to defeat terrorists.

Beyond Security Theater

We should treat terrorists like common criminals and give them all the benefits of true and open justice -- not merely because it demonstrates our indomitability, but because it makes us all safer.

The Seven Habits of Highly Ineffective Terrorists (This is especially worthwhile, as it lays out some very fundamental points about both terrorism and anti-terrorism policies.)

Governments tend to minimize the political gains of terrorism through a no-concessions policy; the international community tends to recommend reducing the political grievances of terrorists via appeasement, in hopes of getting them to renounce violence. Both advocate policies to provide effective nonviolent alternatives, like free elections. Historically, none of these solutions has worked with any regularity.

[Flames89]

Originally Posted by SeeBass

what a pile of crap

the blond white guy in the blue jacket looks just as "suspect" as the darker guys and they are even standing beside each other and yet it is completely missed

I cant believe I wasted my time with this

Aside from MSPaint commentary, I think that pic is fascinating. It is right from the area where the bomb was.

[neo45]

Ya even though the picture racially profiles big time I'm still glad you posted it. Decent image of the explosion site

The CIA/FBI are probably racially profiling big time on their list of suspicious persons anyways

[Caged Great]

4chan might have found one of the bombers, maybe both

Spoiler!

Spoiler!

[TopChed]

^ Or just a guy that realllly regrets buying that backpack

[neo45]

The first guy looks super sketchy


The second two brown looking guys it's hard to see, but I saw a better photo of them posted where it shows a suspicious buldge in their backpack. I'll try to find it

[Caged Great]

Originally Posted by neo45

The first guy looks super sketchy


The second two brown looking guys it's hard to see, but I saw a better photo of them posted where it shows a suspicious buldge in their backpack. I'll try to find it

I don't think the 2nd pic is referring to those guys, but rather the guy with the white hat.

[Ozy_Flame]

I'm trying to see how the brown guys circled are connected? I don't see a backpack. Not sure how the guy in the white hat is suspicious either.

[loob job]

The first guy doesn't look smart enough to make a bomb.

[Ozy_Flame]

http://www.theatlanticwire.com/natio...er-case/64312/

An article about what 4Chan and Reddit are working on.