The Swamp

For whoever did this shit--as hard as I can:

rass wrote:This thread sucks.

Like from the start or...?

A neighbor had two brothers running. They couldn't find one of the brothers for a bit and were planning to head to Boston. Then word came that he was ok. Apparently, they found his shoes but not him, which caused a big concern.

Very sad news. In all of this, the one "fortunate" thing is that this did not happen earlier in the day when a lot more folks were there.

I wonder if they had any intelligence on this over recent days. With all the shit that probably hits their radar, it must be hard to discern true threats. Given the heightened LE presence for this event, in general, I wonder how this came to fruition.

Like some of you, I had a lot of friends in the race. Gladly everyone and their loved ones are accounted for. Ironically, I'm not a good enough runner to qualify for Boston because the blast would have occurred about exactly when I finished. (My PR is 4:15). I'm so torn between anger and sadness and whatever fucked up amalgamation of the two you can imagine. I don't have much to add I guess. My people are safe. For that I'm grateful.

Little bombs. Were not scared. Officially passed over for wnba draft on espn. not scared.

Just heard the most generic BOLO ever. Looking for a darker skinned man, possibly with an accent. In other words, Bostonians are being asked to do what they do every night.

Rob cabbies?

brian wrote:Like some of you, I had a lot of friends in the race.

Fortunately, none of my friends are physically fit, so I have nobody to worry about. I probably know people in attendance at the marathon, but I haven't seen or heard any mention of anyone missing, so I haven't given it much thought. Then again, I haven't been on Facebook all day, either.

Watching the videos, I debated the ethics of taping events like this. I'm starting to change my opinion. With that many cops, soldiers and EMTs responding in literally less than 1 minute, it is better that untrained people stay back. Filming these events could be capturing important evidence for police, or important training for future incidents. Either what to do, or what not to do. It also provides the only glimpse of a historical event for those that aren't there. I used to think it was just providing a sick sort of disaster porn and feeding the filmer's need to post something on youtube, but it does serve a greater purpose in documenting history and someone will get the next Zupruder film or plane going into the WTC.

So an eight year old boy is one of the three currently dead. 115 injured, many with lost limbs. So sad.

Anyone have word yet on motive? The Newtown angle is the only one folks seem to even remotely be connecting to.

The early reports are that they're looking for a man who dropped backpacks into garbage cans, one of which apparently did not detonate and was under the grandstand.

I know it's tough, but kind of a bad job by Boston Chief of Police who indicated that the fire at the JFK Library was an explosion that may be related. He ran with limited info, but he reinforced it unnecessarily.

Me and the boys were cheering on the racers in Brookline earlier. As super-far away as we were from any type of harm, the 10 year-old is struggling to process that connection.

Hope all of you and yours are well.

garyclark wrote:So an eight year old boy is one of the three currently dead. 115 injured, many with lost limbs. So sad.

Anyone have word yet on motive? The Newtown angle is the only one folks seem to even remotely be connecting to.

The early reports are that they're looking for a man who dropped backpacks into garbage cans, one of which apparently did not detonate and was under the grandstand.

I know it's tough, but kind of a bad job by Boston Chief of Police who indicated that the fire at the JFK Library was an explosion that may be related. He ran with limited info, but he reinforced it unnecessarily.

Me and the boys were cheering on the racers in Brookline earlier. As super-far away as we were from any type of harm, the 10 year-old is struggling to process that connection.

Hope all of you and yours are well.

Based on nothing more than a high school forensics class and a college course in criminal profiling and no facts, I'd guess a lone wolf nutter. It seems relatively small sized explosives and the timing of the explosives wasn't set intelligently for maximum damage. If it was an Al-Qaeda type group, they would have taken credit by now, have had increased chatter earlier (if they did, we may not have been told), and would have linked it to some event with significance to them, and I am not aware of any. My guess is a highly intelligent disgruntled loner who was never able to connect with people. Pissed off at the world for various reasons, minor personality issues, but no major psychotic disorders or severe mental illness (though I wouldn't be shocked, just doubtful). When they catch the guy, he'll be in his mid to late 20s. People who know him won't be surprised, you won't hear the "he seemed like such a nice, normal guy" bit you here with a lot of serial killers. This dude will have a long history of being anti-social, and it will have been escalating and he will have been becoming increasingly isolated and agitated.

So, where is CNN? I'm ready to go live with my expert analysis. Bababoey!

I woke up to news alerts, Facebook status updates, and Voxer message from a buddy telling me to turn on the news now. My stomach sank. I am part of a very large running group up in Boston because of Ragnar. Many were volunteers -- some even at the finish. Luckily all are ok and no one I know was affected. I'm very thankful. And I'm also thankful that my friends in attendance weren't affected. The whole scene is just surreal to me.

I called this terrorism, but I know any declaration of the sort is premature without the perp and the motive. The most postive element about the morning was the fact that AFN had ESPNEWS with Bob Ley and Jeremy Schaap doing an incredible job of taking calls of eyewitness accounts, empathizing, and giving clarity to the situation. Never did they go off on a tangent or start speculating. They were also only reporting what hard facts they knew about the injured/dead. Very, very thankful to be seeing that instead of CNN/FOX. For the 10 seconds I flipped the channel to Wolf Blitzer, I immediately flipped back because I could just feels the sensationalist spin. Disaster porn sells.

On the topic of journalizing the scene, I think it's necessary for the points Syb made. Plus with all of those emergency responders there in the moment, taking account of what is happening is a good way to recognize the moments of heroism in the aftermath. Adding people to the crowd who may not know what they are doing just doesn't help things.

I've run quite a number of marathons.

More significantly, I've organized quite a number of marathons. For years, my wife and I were on the organizing committee for the Vancouver International Marathon. Heck, I sent shirts in the mail to a bunch of y'all. Year after year, we arranged this huge international event. Yet . . . who are we? I'm a volunteer, as is my wife. Of course, without us there would be no event. Yet. We're taken at our word, our history; I am the security directory for Victoria's Symphony Splash, an event that attracts 60,000+ people. I'm the one guy in charge of that. Am I qualified to do so? You could make a decent argument that I am not. Although there have been no incidents of note.

Now that I think about it, I was never subject to a background check. Not that it would have been of any relevance.

At the Vancouver International Marathon there are thousands of people coming and going. It is impossible to track everyone. Most of my water station volunteers are college kids. Half don't even show up. Someone approaches me, says in broken English that they are Errrr-errr-err and then point to a name on one of my lists? Hey, the kid showed up; that's a check mark. But he, or she, could be anyone. How would I know?

This is how difficult the world is. The best volunteer I had at the Vancouver International Marathon? A ragged homeless guy. Looked like hell. And my first thought was to chase him away, right? But I put him on a blanket station, giving wrap blankets to people as they crossed the finish line. Runners told me, hey, what a treat, that guy is there for every runner that crosses the finish line (in rain, it's Vancouver).

So . . . whaddya do? Tell this guy that he can't vol for me because I don't have his background check? I make 60 decisions every minute . . .

I stress this. Stress this. It is impossible to police every square inch of a marathon. So much of the run is taken for granted. It's humans accepting what humans do.

It's impossible to stop someone from being an asshole. Sadly.

Tell you what, though. When we are standing on the lines of the Vancouver International Marathon this year, we won't look at it the same way. No. Even here in insaneland greenie world (which is sadly more likely to attract self-entitled activists).

And that will have gone from a yearly joy to a yearly disconcerting.

My hopes for humanity fade at each instant.

I edited the thread title since it was insultingly idiotic, irrelevant, inflammatory, stupid and an absurd blanket misrepresentation of events.

I do not enjoy having to do that. The "original poster" should know better.

FredRomero wrote:Fuck this. I'm gone till Scottie's gone.

As you wish.

Scottie wrote:I edited the thread title since it was insultingly idiotic, irrelevant, inflammatory, stupid and an absurd blanket misrepresentation of events.

I do not enjoy having to do that. The "original poster" should know better.

wasn't this thread started before the explosions? was the thread title changed after the explosions?

cerrano wrote:

Scottie wrote:I edited the thread title since it was insultingly idiotic, irrelevant, inflammatory, stupid and an absurd blanket misrepresentation of events.

I do not enjoy having to do that. The "original poster" should know better.

wasn't this thread started before the explosions? was the thread title changed after the explosions?

Yes.

I hope I don't get vilified for this and obviously I'm feeling a great deal of empathy for all of those affected by these attacks,but Brian...not ironic.

Had to be done.

Syb, very nice profile. You just omitted one little teeny tiny detail.

My guess is a highly intelligent disgruntled loner who was never able to connect with people. Pissed off at the world for various reasons, minor personality issues, but no major psychotic disorders or severe mental illness (though I wouldn't be shocked, just doubtful). When they catch the guy, he'll be in his mid to late 20s. People who know him won't be surprised, you won't hear the "he seemed like such a nice, normal guy" bit you here with a lot of serial killers. This dude will have a long history of being anti-social, and it will have been escalating and he will have been becoming increasingly isolated and agitated.

Guy; mid to late 20s. And WHITE!!!

Wait, this DIDN'T happen in Tel Aviv? That thread title really had me going.

bfj wrote:Wait, this DIDN'T happen in Tel Aviv? That thread title really had me going.

Do you require a diagram?

And . . . are you finished trolling? Or do you need some help?

Scottie wrote:

bfj wrote:Wait, this DIDN'T happen in Tel Aviv? That thread title really had me going.

Do you require a diagram?

And . . . are you finished trolling? Or do you need some help?

If you don't like what I write, you can always edit it.

In a Google search for anything related to a suspect, I'm seeing they may have detained a person of Saudi Arabian descent. And that a dude was possibly pulled over in my home town. Is any of this remotely accurate or relating to today's tragedy?

Also, TMZ is telling me that Joey McIntyre missed the blast by minutes. THANK GOD. Where would we be without TMZ popping up erroneously in Google searches?

ETA

Hrmmmm. That link changed from someone being pulled over to an actual search in my home town. Greeeaaaat.

bfj wrote:

Scottie wrote:

bfj wrote:Wait, this DIDN'T happen in Tel Aviv? That thread title really had me going.

Do you require a diagram?

And . . . are you finished trolling? Or do you need some help?

If you don't like what I write, you can always edit it.

If you don't like this forum, you are free to troll elsewhere. I've devoted countless hours to this joint. You've contributed nothing but entitlement.

Like to ride horses? Like sex? Like to travel? Saddle up and fuck off.

I'm sorry. You didn't get my hand written thank you note for all you did? I must have had the wrong address. I love this forum, that's why I'm still here. I'm sorry if that upsets you.

bfj wrote:I'm sorry. You didn't get my hand written thank you note for all you did? I must have had the wrong address. I love this forum, that's why I'm still here. I'm sorry if that upsets you.

No. And I don't require anything from anyone.

I do not want thanks. I don't want praise. I'm not heroic.

You are treading into ugly ground. I encourage you to rethink.

The reason this forum exists is obvious enough. I won't hold your hand and give you a guided tour. You don't need it, right?

You harbor some hatred toward me? You're likely not alone. Although it's baffling why you would continue to engage someone that you don't give a fuck about.

I do not want thanks. I do not want praises. This forum does not exist so I can simply say "Hey! Look what I did!"

C'mon.

I'm a laid back guy. Ask around.

Don't attack me. That pisses me off. And I am far more heavily armed than you.

Exhibit decorum.

Scottie wrote:

bfj wrote:I'm sorry. You didn't get my hand written thank you note for all you did? I must have had the wrong address. I love this forum, that's why I'm still here. I'm sorry if that upsets you.

No. And I don't require anything from anyone.

I do not want thanks. I don't want praise. I'm not heroic.

You are treading into ugly ground. I encourage you to rethink.

The reason this forum exists is obvious enough. I won't hold your hand and give you a guided tour. You don't need it, right?

You harbor some hatred toward me? You're likely not alone. Although it's baffling why you would continue to engage someone that you don't give a fuck about.

I do not want thanks. I do not want praises. This forum does not exist so I can simply say "Hey! Look what I did!"

C'mon.

I'm a laid back guy. Ask around.

Don't attack me. That pisses me off. And I am far more heavily armed than you.

Exhibit decorum.

See, I don't think I'm attacking you. I just see you attack people and I don't understand why. I certainly don't hate you, that feeling is reserved for people who have actually done something to me, directly. You mention how much you've done here, for us, for The Swamp. It seems like you like to throw that out there. So it seems to me like you feel either unappreciated or disrespected by us. We all are glad we have this beautiful working forum again, you have to know that by now.

Is decorum not engaging you at all if/when you go after someone? Or not engaging you at all if you say something that I disagree with? I'm really wondering. I wish I didn't feel like I have to walk on eggshells around you because you will ruin my IP address or ragdoll me or whatever.

You like to threaten me, you've done it before. I don't doubt your powers.

I just saw a gruesome photo of a victim in a wheelchair, missing most of both his legs. Makes Kevin Ware look quaint.

Not recommended, looks like something out of Iraq.

http://cdn.theatlantic.com/static/infoc ... 227478.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Horrible.

bfj wrote:

Scottie wrote:

bfj wrote:I'm sorry. You didn't get my hand written thank you note for all you did? I must have had the wrong address. I love this forum, that's why I'm still here. I'm sorry if that upsets you.

No. And I don't require anything from anyone.

I do not want thanks. I don't want praise. I'm not heroic.

You are treading into ugly ground. I encourage you to rethink.

The reason this forum exists is obvious enough. I won't hold your hand and give you a guided tour. You don't need it, right?

You harbor some hatred toward me? You're likely not alone. Although it's baffling why you would continue to engage someone that you don't give a fuck about.

I do not want thanks. I do not want praises. This forum does not exist so I can simply say "Hey! Look what I did!"

C'mon.

I'm a laid back guy. Ask around.

Don't attack me. That pisses me off. And I am far more heavily armed than you.

Exhibit decorum.

See, I don't think I'm attacking you. I just see you attack people and I don't understand why. I certainly don't hate you, that feeling is reserved for people who have actually done something to me, directly. You mention how much you've done here, for us, for The Swamp. It seems like you like to throw that out there. So it seems to me like you feel either unappreciated or disrespected by us. We all are glad we have this beautiful working forum again, you have to know that by now.

Is decorum not engaging you at all if/when you go after someone? Or not engaging you at all if you say something that I disagree with? I'm really wondering. I wish I didn't feel like I have to walk on eggshells around you because you will ruin my IP address or ragdoll me or whatever.

You like to threaten me, you've done it before. I don't doubt your powers.

Fair.

One thing you do not know about me, few Swampers do know this, is that the languages in my household are, oddly, Cantonese and Italian.

Perhaps I read too much into the written words of others.

French is a brilliant language. I think it. I dream in it.

Here's a phrase for you.

Revenons à nos moutons

bfj wrote:Is decorum not engaging you at all if/when you go after someone? Or not engaging you at all if you say something that I disagree with? I'm really wondering. I wish I didn't feel like I have to walk on eggshells around you because you will ruin my IP address or ragdoll me or whatever.

This has merit.

If I type something, anything, whether it be about the sun or the moon, kindly disagree. The Swamp is a unique collection of companions. If you want to call me out on something, go ahead. I'll either defend it or admit defeat. There's nothing personal there.

Please do engage me. When I at length write about Korea, for example, challenge me on it. If you don't point out flaws, I'll not learn from my own miscalculations.

I'm no genius.

We're still here, after all this time. Why? Because we respect each other's opinions.

The Swamp is not an accident.

Bickering is what we do. Yet we remind ourselves that we are bickering among loyal friends.

Left, Right, North, South . . . will always be grist for our mill.

It is fun to play with words. It's a privilege to play with words among friends. I'll arise tomorrow, make coffee, and the first thing I do when I online click click? What are the lads saying? What are the guys up to? First thing I look at every day.

I don't look at CNN or FOX. I look at Swampers.

Only a fool would complain.

Runner's POV of the blast.

howard wrote:I just saw a gruesome photo of a victim in a wheelchair, missing most of both his legs. Makes Kevin Ware look quaint.

Not recommended, looks like something out of Iraq.

http://cdn.theatlantic.com/static/infoc ... 227478.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The Man In The Cowboy Hat.

Funny you mention Iraq:

One of the responders in the photograph—the man in the cowboy hat—has been identified as Carlos Arredondo, a Costa Rican immigrant whose Marine son died in action in Iraq in 2004.

Please drop the keys to the website and take 10 steps backward.

howard wrote:I just saw a gruesome photo of a victim in a wheelchair, missing most of both his legs. Makes Kevin Ware look quaint.

Not recommended, looks like something out of Iraq.

http://cdn.theatlantic.com/static/infoc ... 227478.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Wow. I was sure I had seen that photo multiple times, but without the mangled leg. I looked back and yes, I had seen it on other news sites, but it had been cropped. Very different picture this way. The apparent composure of the victim is striking (he's not blurred in the cropped pic).

Shirley wrote:

howard wrote:I just saw a gruesome photo of a victim in a wheelchair, missing most of both his legs. Makes Kevin Ware look quaint.

Not recommended, looks like something out of Iraq.

http://cdn.theatlantic.com/static/infoc ... 227478.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Wow. I was sure I had seen that photo multiple times, but without the mangled leg. I looked back and yes, I had seen it on other news sites, but it had been cropped. Very different picture this way. The apparent composure of the victim is striking (he's not blurred in the cropped pic).

Here's guessing he's in pretty much extreme shock. Kevin Ware was one of the more composed people when he was hurt. And his was clearly far less traumatic than this one.

Shirley wrote:

howard wrote:I just saw a gruesome photo of a victim in a wheelchair, missing most of both his legs. Makes Kevin Ware look quaint.

Not recommended, looks like something out of Iraq.

http://cdn.theatlantic.com/static/infoc ... 227478.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Wow. I was sure I had seen that photo multiple times, but without the mangled leg. I looked back and yes, I had seen it on other news sites, but it had been cropped. Very different picture this way. The apparent composure of the victim is striking (he's not blurred in the cropped pic).

Yeah, same here. But I'm agreeing with Shirley. Extreme shock more than composure. No idea from the cropped picture that the guy's legs were completely amputated.

A teacher from my kid's pre-school was injured pretty badly. She was up there watching her mother race. Her mom had bought tickets to Boston for her kids and spouses as a Christmas gift. Everything I've heard says she'll make it, but no idea long term as far as her feet and legs are concerned. It's horrible enough when this stuff happens, but it takes it to another level when you know someone directly involved.

Why are there so many horrible leg wounds? Is that common? Was the bomb in a garbage can on its side?

howard wrote:Syb, very nice profile. You just omitted one little teeny tiny detail.

My guess is a highly intelligent disgruntled loner who was never able to connect with people. Pissed off at the world for various reasons, minor personality issues, but no major psychotic disorders or severe mental illness (though I wouldn't be shocked, just doubtful). When they catch the guy, he'll be in his mid to late 20s. People who know him won't be surprised, you won't hear the "he seemed like such a nice, normal guy" bit you here with a lot of serial killers. This dude will have a long history of being anti-social, and it will have been escalating and he will have been becoming increasingly isolated and agitated.

Guy; mid to late 20s. And WHITE!!!

I skipped the obvious. Except for the DC Sniper, it's always a white guy. But thanks for reminding us of our racial shame.

Steve of phpBB wrote:Why are there so many horrible leg wounds? Is that common? Was the bomb in a garbage can on its side?

I would imagine that since the trash can was not made to withstand a blast, the detonation blew the sides of the can away and many of the projectiles were sent at high speed waist level and below. Looks to me like the intent was to cause as much blood-letting as possible and any deaths would be a 'bonus'.