Boston Marathon bombed

[Lemur]

Looks like there's a suspect. Good.

[V]ideo footage from the Lord and Taylor department store and from a local Boston television station has led investigators to believe that they have "clearly identified" the individual who placed one of the explosive devices at the site of the second explosion. The department store on Boylston Street is located near the site of the second explosion. [...]

A separate report by the Boston Globe indicated that authorities have an image showing a suspect "carrying, and perhaps dropping, a black bag at the second bombing scene on Boylston Street." The Globe quoted a source who said authorities are "very close" in the investigation.

[Whacker]

There's a ton of stuff going on the 4chan boards about this. Apparently there's been a number of pretty damn good "dissections" of all the "evidence" and they seem to have identified upwards of two people that seem to have been potential bombers. Someone's also posted an analysis of the bombing materials found and it looks like really common stuff, a low-expertise build, and the bomber may have had to have been within several hundred feet when it went off. Some of the stuff makes sense, it's amazing what the Internet enables folks to do these days.

[Seamus Fermanagh]

US domestic mentality is also small, in the form of poisoned letters, for example.

I'm leaning towards a random loonie right now, kind of like that Batman cinema shooter.

Apparently we have that running at the moment too; risin laced letters sent to D.C.

[Greyblades]

I wonder why someone would think a poisoned letter would be a good method to kill the president with.

[Fragony]

There's a ton of stuff going on the 4chan boards about this. Apparently there's been a number of pretty damn good "dissections" of all the "evidence" and they seem to have identified upwards of two people that seem to have been potential bombers. Someone's also posted an analysis of the bombing materials found and it looks like really common stuff, a low-expertise build, and the bomber may have had to have been within several hundred feet when it went off. Some of the stuff makes sense, it's amazing what the Internet enables folks to do these days.

Indeed, someone payed really good attention there, must be the guy

[Greyblades]

So there's been a huge explosion down texas way and surprisingly enough it wasnt an oil platform. Connected?

[a completely inoffensive name]

So there's been a huge explosion down texas way and surprisingly enough it wasnt an oil platform. Connected?

Not really, it was a storage facility for ammonia nitrates (for the purpose of fertilizer) from what I hear. You don't want to be around that stuff if a fire accidentally breaks out.

[Conradus]

There's a ton of stuff going on the 4chan boards about this. Apparently there's been a number of pretty damn good "dissections" of all the "evidence" and they seem to have identified upwards of two people that seem to have been potential bombers. Someone's also posted an analysis of the bombing materials found and it looks like really common stuff, a low-expertise build, and the bomber may have had to have been within several hundred feet when it went off. Some of the stuff makes sense, it's amazing what the Internet enables folks to do these days.

Unfortunately for every decent analysis the internet gives us, there are two more conspiracy whacko's who appear.

[ICantSpellDawg]

The 4chan photos are convincing. There are 2 conspicuous white people and 3 conspicuous middle eastern people. The photo of the guy with the big bag then without it is also convincing. I think that this is a homegrown Islamic extremist. I feared that it was some crazy 2A supporter, but that doesn't seem likely.

Listen, I'm a history major, but black powder is one of the easiest things to make. 3 ingredients. In a common pressure cooker with lightbulb ignition, this is the simplest concept imaginable. It is scary to think how much damage can be done and how easily, it is a miracle that these things don't happen every day. I have always avoided large, crowded places for the noise, smell, overpriced food, standing room only, uncomfortable temp. Add this to the nearly endless list of why these things are a dumb and pointless idea

[Rhyfelwyr]

I noticed that this explosion took place in Waco. That wouldn't by Waco as in, Waco Siege would it?

[johnhughthom]

Yep.

[Rhyfelwyr]

Surely that would point to homegrown extremism? I'm surprised nobody has mentioned this.

[drone]

Surely that would point to homegrown extremism? I'm surprised nobody has mentioned this.

The Waco explosion was at a fertilizer plant that was already on fire. Industrial accident, not terrorism. Ammonium nitrate can be some nasty stuff.


But on the Boston bombing, I'm leaning towards domestic.

[Beskar]

Another Anders Breivik then.

[Seamus Fermanagh]

The fertilizer factory is located in West, Texas. The Waco fire department (about 30 minutes away) is handling the problem because the West Volunteer fire department, all six of them, were apparently killed in the blast. The area is currently being treated as a crime scene, just on the off chance that it was not an accident, but there are no specific indications that this was NOT an industrial accident.

Authorities have made no conclusive statements regarding the perpetrator(s) in Boston. The 24 hour news cycle is, of course, leaping at any half-statement made.

[HoreTore]

The fertilizer factory is located in West, Texas. The Waco fire department (about 30 minutes away) is handling the problem because the West Volunteer fire department, all six of them, were apparently killed in the blast. The area is currently being treated as a crime scene, just on the off chance that it was not an accident, but there are no specific indications that this was NOT an industrial accident.

An industrial accident like that should be treated as a crime, becaus it likely is one. I find it hard to believe that you can have an accident like this and not break any laws regarding proper handling of dangerous materials.

[HoreTore]

Minimal government FTW!

The free market can regulate itself.

[Lemur]

Supposedly authorities have two pics of two men, which will be released Thursday.

And one of the main suspects "identified" by 4CHAN and Reddit has approached police to clear his own name. Police agree: He's innocent.

As with everything on this story, until it's all confirmed by police, nothing should be taken as a given.

[Papewaio]

So in response to the explosion in West Texas can we expect a War on Fire as the outcome?

[Seamus Fermanagh]

An industrial accident like that should be treated as a crime, becaus it likely is one. I find it hard to believe that you can have an accident like this and not break any laws regarding proper handling of dangerous materials.

You are correct, of course, but the investigative process used when an "accident" is suspected -- which may well be negligence in action -- isn't usually labeled a "criminal" investigation. It is, but doesn't get that label.

[HoreTore]

Supposedly authorities have two pics of two men, which will be released Thursday.

And one of the main suspects "identified" by 4CHAN and Reddit has approached police to clear his own name. Police agree: He's innocent.

As with everything on this story, until it's all confirmed by police, nothing should be taken as a given.

4Chan got something wrong?!?!

They get everything wrong. Period.

You are correct, of course, but the investigative process used when an "accident" is suspected -- which may well be negligence in action -- isn't usually labeled a "criminal" investigation. It is, but doesn't get that label.

Ah. It does here, so that's the source of my confusion... Oh well, precaution because of Boston it is then, I guess.

[drone]

So in response to the explosion in West Texas can we expect a War on Fire as the outcome?

This is fertilizer we are talking about, so it will be a War On .

[Papewaio]

There is a good reason that we allow relatively easy access to ammonia nitrates.

"Fertilizer generated from ammonia produced by the Haber process is estimated to be responsible for sustaining one-third of the Earth's population" Haber Process -Wikipedia

Essentially even when abused and handled incorrectly and used as a bomb the number of deaths is far less then automobiles & ammonia nitrates are responsible for allowing more human lives.

To break even on human lives-deaths with ammonia nitrate it would take about 800 million Boston bombings to wipe out the amount of people alive because of ammonia nitrate.

So yes it should be treated with care. But we should be careful how we react to its use otherwise we will cause an increase in food costs for very little benefit.

[Tellos Athenaios]

It is surprising to me that such a plant was allowed to stay open after failing to meet basic standards seven years ago! The fertilizer they make in that plant is the prime ingredient in most loony home-made bombs. Even in Iraq in 2008 most of the bombs were made from fertilizer and ball-bearings (because, you know, eventually you run out of the good stuff). I know everybody needs fertilizer, but if ever there was an industry that ought to be regulated much better then I would imagine this is one of them.

Meh. Judging by the NRA crowd; that would only make the red neck types go back tot the good old days of every farmer his own dung heap which will promptly catch fire come the hot, sweltering summer.

[Populus Romanus]

Shots fired at MIT.

[Hooahguy]

This week cant end fast enough, what the hell is going on with the world?

[Visor]

https://twitter.com/search?q=MIT&src=typd

Officer killed and gunman on the loose.

http://www.theatlanticwire.com/natio...own-mit/64379/

Warning: Graphic image.

[a completely inoffensive name]

Shots fired at MIT.

GOOD THING WE DON'T NEED THOSE BACKGROUND CHECKS ANYMORE GUYS. GRAB YOUR GUNS AND LETS GET THEM!

[Hooahguy]

Holy hell, if you listen to the police scanners they are asking for long guns and that there are multiple explosives and grenades.

What the...

EDIT: apparently the National Guard was called in?

[Populus Romanus]

Is this coincidental correlation, copycat, or related to the bombings?