# Best ways to End the Alabama bunker hostage situation? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [February 3, 2013, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-ways-to-end-the-alabama-bunker-hostage-situation/649251 "2013-02-03T20:44:27Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Ferret\_Herder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e47774/32.png) [@Ferret\_Herder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ferret_Herder)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2013, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-ways-to-end-the-alabama-bunker-hostage-situation/649251/41 "2013-02-04T18:23:17Z")
Because oxygen doesn’t run out instantaneously. If the guy noticed things were getting stuffy in there, he would - with good reason - assume the authorities had fucked with his ventilation system and threaten harm to the kid, or claim that the kid was really suffering and hyperventilating. ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2013, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-ways-to-end-the-alabama-bunker-hostage-situation/649251/42 "2013-02-04T18:28:55Z")
CNN: _“We continue to maintain an open line of communication with Mr. Dykes. He continues to make the environment as comfortable as possible for the child,” according to a statement Sunday from FBI spokesman Paul Bresson. \ “Throughout the day, Mr. Dykes has continued to allow us to deliver food, medicine and comfort items to the child. Some of those items we have delivered include a red Hot Wheels car and some Cheezits crackers,” Bresson said._ I’d imagine he’s probably got some 30 gal. sealable buckets for waste. For now just keep on talking. ---
**Author:** ![Clothilde](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/439d5e/32.png) [@Clothilde](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clothilde)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2013, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-ways-to-end-the-alabama-bunker-hostage-situation/649251/43 "2013-02-04T18:29:16Z")
> [@AngelSoft](#): > > Not to be terribly pessimistic, but have they any proof that the child is even alive? I was thinking about this last night, that possibly he killed the boy and is putting up this charade for his own safety? I just haven’t heard seen reports that they’ve been in contact with the boy or anything. I’m in Montgomery, AL and this story is constantly on the news. They’re reporting that they are, in fact, talking to the boy as well as to Dykes. Besides, if they weren’t able to speak with the boy and had a good idea he was dead, they wouldn’t be wasting time or breath to talk to Dykes - they’d go in after him right away. They also reported, for anyone interested, that the way Dykes got onto the bus this time was because he got on the bus a few days before and talked with the driver (they didn’t say what about) and so therefore Dykes was familiar to the bus driver this time - and he was allowed to get on the bus. The news said Dykes demanded two children in specific age ranges. The story about this little boy fainting was also reported here as the reason Dykes nabbed him. ---
**Author:** ![bordelond](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bordelond/32/150_2.png) [@bordelond](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bordelond)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2013, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-ways-to-end-the-alabama-bunker-hostage-situation/649251/44 "2013-02-04T18:43:08Z")
> [@Clothilde](#): > > They also reported, for anyone interested, that the way Dykes got onto the bus this time was because he got on the bus a few days before and talked with the driver (they didn’t say what about) and so therefore Dykes was familiar to the bus driver this time - and he was allowed to get on the bus. This will elicit brand-new zero-tolerance protocols for school bus drivers across the U.S. ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2013, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-ways-to-end-the-alabama-bunker-hostage-situation/649251/45 "2013-02-04T18:45:00Z")
The bus driver could have avoided this if he had been armed. ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2013, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-ways-to-end-the-alabama-bunker-hostage-situation/649251/46 "2013-02-04T18:58:59Z")
> [@Enkel](#): > > okay.. wow… > > [Alabama hostage standoff: At the bunker, talks, Cheez-Its and Hot Wheels; in town, hero bus driver laid to rest - al.com](http://blog.al.com/montgomery/2013/02/midland_city_standoff_at_the_b.html) Heartwarming to read (based on some of the user comments) that the conspiracy-theory fucktards aren’t wasting any time proclaiming this standoff as just another government hoax using crisis actors. ---
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2013, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-ways-to-end-the-alabama-bunker-hostage-situation/649251/47 "2013-02-04T22:14:44Z")
[It’s apparently over](http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504083_162-57567546-504083/alabama-standoff-update-hostage-situation-ends-5-year-old-child-is-safe-kidnapper-dead-u.s-official-says/) with the kidnapper dead and the child safe. I’d rather have the kidnapper alive, but the child being safe is the important thing. ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2013, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-ways-to-end-the-alabama-bunker-hostage-situation/649251/48 "2013-02-04T22:17:26Z")
Apparently a large explosion and then some gun shots. Press conference upcoming… Ethan in hospital getting checked out. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2013, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-ways-to-end-the-alabama-bunker-hostage-situation/649251/49 "2013-02-05T00:01:57Z")
> [@Sampiro](#): > > [It’s apparently over](http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504083_162-57567546-504083/alabama-standoff-update-hostage-situation-ends-5-year-old-child-is-safe-kidnapper-dead-u.s-official-says/) with the kidnapper dead and the child safe. I’d rather have the kidnapper alive, but the child being safe is the important thing. Saves everyone, especially the kid, of having to go through a trial. I hope the kid is OK and wasn’t molested by that piece of shit kidnapper/killer. If I was religious, I’d be glad to see him rot in hell. ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2013, 12:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-ways-to-end-the-alabama-bunker-hostage-situation/649251/50 "2013-02-05T00:33:12Z")
At least the kid is apparently OK. > [@John\_Mace](#): > > If I was religious, I’d be glad to see him rot in hell. I rather liked this from the comments section of the story: > [@](#): > > I hope the dog he beat to death with a pipe gets a hold of him on his way to hell and tears the hell out of him, he deserves it. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2013, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-ways-to-end-the-alabama-bunker-hostage-situation/649251/51 "2013-02-05T00:34:59Z")
> [@Sampiro](#): > > [It’s apparently over](http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504083_162-57567546-504083/alabama-standoff-update-hostage-situation-ends-5-year-old-child-is-safe-kidnapper-dead-u.s-official-says/) with the kidnapper dead and the child safe. I’d rather have the kidnapper alive, but the child being safe is the important thing. Yes, of course. In a false-flag op, the patsy always has to die so he can’t testify. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![chizzuk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e36b37/32.png) [@chizzuk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chizzuk)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2013, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-ways-to-end-the-alabama-bunker-hostage-situation/649251/52 "2013-02-05T01:43:01Z")
What a totally bizarre situation. I guess maybe it’s a function of the news not broadcasting any of the hostage-taker’s demands, so we had no idea as to the motive, but what a seemingly random, pointless crime. Like that guy who ran into Leiby Kletzky when he got lost in Boro Park and decided for whatever reason that day that he wanted to abduct and dismember a random 8-year-old. Though fortunately this scenario ended better. I hope we get some kind of explanation beyond “he was batshit crazy.” This case has been bugging me all week. ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2013, 2:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-ways-to-end-the-alabama-bunker-hostage-situation/649251/53 "2013-02-05T02:46:37Z")
> [@chizzuk](#): > > What a totally bizarre situation. I guess maybe it’s a function of the news not broadcasting any of the hostage-taker’s demands, so we had no idea as to the motive, but what a seemingly random, pointless crime. IIRC, the authorities themselves have mentioned that they didn’t get any clear idea from him of what he was hoping to accomplish. Unless he left a diary or something it may never be known I suppose. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2013, 2:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-ways-to-end-the-alabama-bunker-hostage-situation/649251/54 "2013-02-05T02:55:33Z")
I think it’s better for the kid that this guy is dead. The young kid will never have to worry that the bad guy is returning for him. Maybe he’ll have fewer nightmares. > [@](#): > > CBS correspondents John Miller and Bob Orr report the FBI’s Rescue Hostage Team carried out the rescue when it was clear the kidnapper’s mental state was deteriorating – and he began brandishing a gun. > > The FBI used a flash-bang to create a diversion before going in, and the whole operation was over very quickly. An official stressed that ‘seconds make all the difference’ in these types of rescues. > **[Back in his mother's arms: Parents' joy as they are reunited with son after...](https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2273494/FBI-officers-storm-bunker-Alabama-boy-Ethan-reunited-parents-murder-suspect-Jimmy-Lee-Dykes-DEAD.html)** > > FBI officials were forced to storm the underground bunker of a 'survivalist killer' after growing concerns over the armed suspect's mental state - ending a seven-day hostage ordeal. ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2013, 2:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-ways-to-end-the-alabama-bunker-hostage-situation/649251/55 "2013-02-05T02:59:44Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > I think it’s better for the kid that this guy is dead. The young kid will never have to worry that the bad guy is returning for him. Maybe he’ll have fewer nightmares. He’ll still worry. This will take a long time for the kid to deal with. Fortunately this one had a good outcome. I am relieved. ---
**Author:** ![Daylate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9dc877/32.png) [@Daylate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Daylate)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2013, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-ways-to-end-the-alabama-bunker-hostage-situation/649251/56 "2013-02-05T03:00:08Z")
> [@](#): > > I’d rather have the kidnapper alive, but the child being safe is the important thing. Why in the world would you want to take the kidnapper (and don’t forget, also a murderer) alive? The resulting trial would inevitable cost millions, and tie up a judge and courtroom for months on end. And the end result would probably be a sentence of 20 years maximum, with him very likely being out on probation in half that time. Unless they found him to be insane, when it would now only mean hospital time. Forgive me if I sound slightly cynical about our justice system. ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2013, 3:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-ways-to-end-the-alabama-bunker-hostage-situation/649251/57 "2013-02-05T03:19:48Z")
Nope, that’s exactly how I feel too. I’m a gun owner but I sure don’t brandish them at neighbors. I don’t build paranoid defensive positions or befriend schoolbus driving grandfathers to set them up for kidnapping and murder. Four shots isn’t to wound. And I don’t cart off children under threat of death to make a point on what I disagree with, be it politics, intrusion, liberty slights or whatever. You go THERE and I’ve got a problem with a cell and three squares. I could care less about the why. The guy had a stupid beef. It’s that simple. It turned out right except for one thing. He really should be buried in the very grave he dug. ---
**Author:** ![straight\_man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/straight_man/32/3027_2.png) [@straight\_man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/straight_man)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2013, 3:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-ways-to-end-the-alabama-bunker-hostage-situation/649251/58 "2013-02-05T03:55:43Z")
The best outcome would be one in which a five-year-old boy _didn’t_ have to watch someone shot to death in front of him. Come on, guys, there are more considerations than the bother of holding a trial. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2013, 4:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-ways-to-end-the-alabama-bunker-hostage-situation/649251/59 "2013-02-05T04:09:00Z")
> [@straight\_man](#): > > The best outcome would be one in which a five-year-old boy _didn’t_ have to watch someone shot to death in front of him. Come on, guys, there are more considerations than the bother of holding a trial. I disagree. It would have been nice if the kid didn’t have to witness this, and we don’t know that he did, but I think he’s better off not having to face this guy again. ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2013, 4:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-ways-to-end-the-alabama-bunker-hostage-situation/649251/60 "2013-02-05T04:24:43Z")
> [@straight\_man](#): > > The best outcome would be one in which a five-year-old boy _didn’t_ have to watch someone shot to death in front of him. Chuck Poland? We’re there already. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-ways-to-end-the-alabama-bunker-hostage-situation/649251.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-ways-to-end-the-alabama-bunker-hostage-situation/649251.md?page=4)