Explosions at Boston Marathon

[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally Posted by JPhillips

Putin would love an excuse to "punish" Chechans without U.S. objection.

Given the charming nature of the separatists, I'm not sure how much objection I'd have had prior to the events in Boston.

[DaddyTorgo]

Boston bombings: Chilling image shows eight-year-old boy standing in front of Boston 'bomber' moments after he planted explosive | Mail Online

[hoopsguy]

Originally Posted by Passacaglia

Damn right. We should build some improvements in whatever place he is from!

This post has not gotten enough love.

[DaddyTorgo]

Originally Posted by jeff061

Not a chance this extends outside these two.

Disagree. Chechan terrorists are nasty motherfuckers. They don't do things on a small scale. They blow up schools and sports stadiums and suicide bombs in airports and shit.

To me this seems too small at the moment.

[Groundhog]

Originally Posted by DaddyTorgo

Disagree. Chechan terrorists are nasty motherfuckers. They don't do things on a small scale. They blow up schools and sports stadiums and suicide bombs in airports and shit.

To me this seems too small at the moment.

The guys robbed a convenience store earlier today. I dunno, they just seem like isolated nuts to me at this point.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally Posted by DaddyTorgo

Boston bombings: Chilling image shows eight-year-old boy standing in front of Boston 'bomber' moments after he planted explosive | Mail Online

Y'know what doesn't add up for me right now?

The casual stroll away from the bomb site that we see in those pictures & the panicky reactions of the two suspects last night.

[TLK]

Originally Posted by JonInMiddleGA

Y'know what doesn't add up for me right now?

The casual stroll away from the bomb site that we see in those pictures & the panicky reactions of the two suspects last night.

It's possible they no plans of making it this far.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Originally Posted by JonInMiddleGA

Y'know what doesn't add up for me right now?

The casual stroll away from the bomb site that we see in those pictures & the panicky reactions of the two suspects last night.

Big difference between being able to hide in a crowd vs. being the one targeted. Table has turned in that regard.

[jeff061]

Originally Posted by DaddyTorgo

Disagree. Chechan terrorists are nasty motherfuckers. They don't do things on a small scale. They blow up schools and sports stadiums and suicide bombs in airports and shit.

To me this seems too small at the moment.

Yeah, in Russia. If anything America is their ally, we condemn Russia whenever they operate there. If it does trace back its because Russia is manipulating things. But it won't, not a chance.

[BishopMVP]

PS - Bad run of luck for BU Med School lately. The Craigslist killer, a SARS outbreak, now this.

[fantom1979]

CNN says suspect might be in a gray Honda CRV

MASS licence plate: 316 ES9

[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally Posted by Mizzou B-ball fan

Big difference between being able to hide in a crowd vs. being the one targeted. Table has turned in that regard.

Just doesn't feel ... right to me.

I don't have an answer -- drugs (before or after the bombing)? Some wrinkle in their post-bomb planning that we don't yet know about? Something.

But the adrenaline rush that would have had to accompany the bombing effort seems like it should have triggered more reaction if these were guys prone to panic. Instead, that stroll away by the white hat guy seems downright stoic.

I'm not ready to be fitted for a tinfoil hat or anything, I'm just saying that I think we're missing some big piece of info (so far)

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

NBC reporting that suspect is in the building that is surrounded.

Also saying that they are now looking for two additional accomplices.

[Desnudo]

Originally Posted by fantom1979

If in the future this is found to be funded or planned by a terrorist cell in Chechnya, do you think we (as in the US) would take unilateral or drone action in Russian territory? I would think that if we consulted with the Russians, they would want to perform the operation themselves. I am jumping way ahead here, but the thought has been swirling in my head since this started last night.

There's no way Russia allows us to do anything

[kcchief19]

Originally Posted by JonInMiddleGA

Just doesn't feel ... right to me.

I don't have an answer -- drugs (before or after the bombing)? Some wrinkle in their post-bomb planning that we don't yet know about? Something.

But the adrenaline rush that would have had to accompany the bombing effort seems like it should have triggered more reaction if these were guys prone to panic. Instead, that stroll away by the white hat guy seems downright stoic.

I'm not ready to be fitted for a tinfoil hat or anything, I'm just saying that I think we're missing some big piece of info (so far)

I think MBBF is on the right track here. I'm sure there was some "serenity" in their actions on Monday. The panic doesn't seem to have set in until they realized they were in the cross hairs of the authorities.

Witness say Oswald looked perfectly calm leaving the book depository, then panicked when he realized they were looking for him and saw a police officer eying him suspiciously and shot him. Horrifyingly similar circumstance.

[whomario]

@ JonInMiddleGA:

I think it´s sth along the lines of being perfectly able to plan the act of placing the bomb, but everything after being unknown/unplanned by them.

Also, why are people even discussing actions against a whole region when for all we know theese are 2 nuts who happen to be from that area ? I mean, seriously now ... (and that´s not saying the terrorists over there aren´t connected or crazy)
I mean, when someone from Baltimore commits a murder in Dallas, you don´t see people calling for air strikes on Baltimore because since the Wire we all know that they are all gangsters anyway ...

[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally Posted by whomario

@ JonInMiddleGA:I think it´s sth along the lines of being perfectly able to plan the act of placing the bomb, but everything after being unknown/unplanned by them.

Maybe I'm just not buying the notion that there wasn't a plan for the aftermath.

Also, why are people even discussing actions against a whole region when for all we know theese are 2 nuts who happen to be from that area ? I mean, seriously now ... (and that´s not saying the terrorists over there aren´t connected or crazy)

At least as far as the FOFC goes, I think that discussion seems to have been practical/hypothetical, not particularly a recommendation. As I said to my wife a few minutes ago, a dollar will get you a donut that the Russian "investigation" into any possible connection will result in one or more separatists being killed "while resisting arrest". That's just realpolitik.

[Desnudo]

Interesting bio on the younger brother. Sounds like a classic "never saw it coming" person.

Suspects described as brothers from Russian Caucasus - CNN.com

[fantom1979]

My thoughts were completely hypothetical. Obviously their birthplace probably has very little bearing on anything. The thought just popped in my head, so I posted it to get other people's opinion. You are right though, we didn't bomb Saudi Arabia after 9/11 or New York after the Oklahoma City bombing.

[Coffee Warlord]

Originally Posted by JonInMiddleGA

At least as far as the FOFC goes, I think that discussion seems to have been practical/hypothetical, not particularly a recommendation. As I said to my wife a few minutes ago, a dollar will get you a donut that the Russian "investigation" into any possible connection will result in one or more separatists being killed "while resisting arrest". That's just realpolitik.

Totally waiting for Putin to come on offering his deepest sympathies, and will use the full resources of the Russian military to 'investigate' any further threats from Chechnya.

[MrBug708]

Wondering about motive. Nationally, Chechnyans wouldn't have any bone to pick with Americans and anyhow these guys are essentially naturalized Americans

[Autumn]

It's all totally surreal, not something that would happen right here in Boston. A city-wide lockdown? Guys throwing bombs at cops on the run? It feels like a movie.

[RainMaker]

How long are they planning on keeping the city locked down for? This is ridiculous.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Originally Posted by RainMaker

How long are they planning on keeping the city locked down for? This is ridiculous.

They said the reasoning behind it is that they believe that the suspect and/or possible accomplices are people that would actively look to take hostages and create a far worse situation.

[Desnudo]

The completely unbased picture forming in my head is loner older brother with some screw loose. estranged from family in Maryland. Influences his younger brother who is more socially integrated, but easily coerced into doing what his older brother wants. Older brother plans the thing and pressures younger brother into helping on bomb day. Terrorist link is there, but tenuous as the real motive is the same as other recent tragedies -alienated nut job.

[daverick]

I'm sure this impact the immigration bill.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally Posted by MrBug708

Wondering about motive. Nationally, Chechnyans wouldn't have any bone to pick with Americans and anyhow these guys are essentially naturalized Americans

Well, if Mother Jones has it right, the answer might be pretty simple

Did Boston Bombing Suspect Post Al Qaeda Prophecy on YouTube? | Mother Jones

[mckerney]

Originally Posted by Desnudo

Interesting bio on the younger brother. Sounds like a classic "never saw it coming" person.

Suspects described as brothers from Russian Caucasus - CNN.com

And then there's the older brother

Ruslan Tsarni, a Maryland man who said he was an uncle of the suspects, had no sympathy for them and no regret that his elder nephew was killed. "Good," he told CNN affiliate WBZ. "He got what he deserved."

[Desnudo]

Yes - didn't sound exactly suprised

[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally Posted by mckerney

And then there's the older brother

Ruslan Tsarni, a Maryland man who said he was an uncle of the suspects, had no sympathy for them and no regret that his elder nephew was killed. "Good," he told CNN affiliate WBZ. "He got what he deserved."

If you saw that interview, that's a misleading picture IMO.

He was clearly emotional about the death of his estranged nephew - who he said had phoned his family for the first time in two years earlier in the day, apparently some sort of reconciliation effort - and this comment seems to be in line with another part of the interview. He sort of choked up when talking about the one that was killed & when the cameraman (off screen) said something to the effect of "we're sorry for your loss" the uncle said "I'm sorry too" ... the exact phrasing escapes me at the moment but what he was pretty clearly saying was an attempt to apologize to the city (the nation?) for the actions of his nephews.

edit to add: I'm saying that the lack of context in the snippet is misleading, not that you posting it is.

[RomaGoth]

Originally Posted by Autumn

It's all totally surreal, not something that would happen right here in Boston. A city-wide lockdown? Guys throwing bombs at cops on the run? It feels like a movie.

This is the kind of shit you see on tv from the middle east. Never thought I would see it right here in the US.

[Autumn]

It's bizarre that these two obivously thought they could get away with this. It seems most terrorists basically expect to get caught or die. These guys are robbing a store and carjacking a car like they're just going to make it over county lines and be safe. A really strange juxtaposition--guys who can make bombs and a plan like this, yet are unaware of how many cameras there are in boston at a marathon?

[RainMaker]

MA Rt. 9 Window Cam on USTREAM: A live look outside my window. Other 24/7

They have a suspect out, old guy with a dead man switch. This is intense.

[Coffee Warlord]

Boston PD has someone at gunpoint right now - not the other kid, somebody else. Apparently with a device, waiting for bomb squad to arrive at scene.

[Coffee Warlord]

Heh. Me and Rain on the same feed.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally Posted by RainMaker

They have a suspect out, old guy with a dead man switch. This is intense.

Suspect? Or left-behind hostage perhaps?

(totally speculating on my part there, just wondering if there's been a hint of that)

[molson]

Originally Posted by Autumn

It's bizarre that these two obivously thought they could get away with this. It seems most terrorists basically expect to get caught or die. These guys are robbing a store and carjacking a car like they're just going to make it over county lines and be safe. A really strange juxtaposition--guys who can make bombs and a plan like this, yet are unaware of how many cameras there are in boston at a marathon?

I guess maybe you just have to have a lot of delusions to think something like this advances your cause or is otherwise a good idea to begin with. And once they pull it off, I can see them maybe being cocky and committing more crimes. They are dumb criminals, ultimately, and ones that might not be entirely tuned in with things like ubiquitous cameras. On that boxing website, one of them said that he hadn't made one American friend because he doesn't understand them. So he's living in a community that more resembles a Chechnyan community than anything we could relate to.

[lungs]

Putin will turn the Cossacks loose in the Caucasus region.

[daverick]

Appears that the old guy was just an idiot.

[Autumn]

Originally Posted by molson

I guess maybe you just have to have a lot of delusions to think something like this advances your cause or is otherwise a good idea to begin with. And once they pull it off, I can see them maybe being cocky and committing more crimes. They are dumb criminals, ultimately, and ones that might not be entirely tuned in with things like ubiquitous cameras. On that boxing website, one of them said that he hadn't made one American friend because he doesn't understand them. So he's living in a community that more resembles a Chechnyan community than anything we could relate to.

Yeah I expect something dumb like this from a regular criminal. But it seems like terrorists have generally accepted their demise. I guess there's variety there too.

[daverick]

This is the address that the police just gave out on the scanner.

390 arsenal, watertown, - Google Maps

[mckerney]

UMass Dartmouth is being evacuated after finding a suspect connected to bombing is registered as a student there.

[RainMaker]

Originally Posted by JonInMiddleGA

Suspect? Or left-behind hostage perhaps?

(totally speculating on my part there, just wondering if there's been a hint of that)

I hope suspect, I don't want to see some old guy blow-up. They are talking about negotiating with a suspect.

[JeeberD]

Dzokhar has already been reported as being enrolled there...is there another suspect there as well?

[Autumn]

I missed this earlier if it had been reported, report says the brother ran over his brother.


http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-04-19/one-boston-marathon-bombing-suspect-dead-federal-official-says.html

[mckerney]

Originally Posted by Autumn

It's bizarre that these two obivously thought they could get away with this. It seems most terrorists basically expect to get caught or die. These guys are robbing a store and carjacking a car like they're just going to make it over county lines and be safe. A really strange juxtaposition--guys who can make bombs and a plan like this, yet are unaware of how many cameras there are in boston at a marathon?

They also carjacked someone and withdrew $800 from an ATM with his debit card last night. With that and robbing the 7/11 it seems like they really had no plans to escape but panicked after their photos went out.

Based on them seemingly having more explosives similar to those used at the marathon I wonder if they had originally been planning more bombings in the area.

[corbes]

My unsupported working theory is that that they didn't go into the convenience store with the intent of committing a robbery, but that they were recognized while they were in the store, and it went downhill from there.

[Autumn]

Good point, Corbes. Seems possible.

[corbes]

Was the carjacking before or after the convenience-store robbery?

[Autumn]

After.