# Explosions at Boston Marathon **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [April 15, 2013, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explosions-at-boston-marathon/655781 "2013-04-15T19:16:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 18
**Author:** ![Jenaroph](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e8c25b/32.png) [@Jenaroph](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jenaroph)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2013, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explosions-at-boston-marathon/655781/341 "2013-04-16T00:50:49Z")
> [@Kimmy\_Gibbler](#): > > That’s too bad. I think it is an important—quite precisely because it is so disturbing and enraging—photograph. Much like [_The Falling Man_](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Falling_Man) from 9/11. > > We don’t want wholly abandon our decision making to our emotions, but there is also a danger of over-intellectualizing the event in order to distance ourselves from some realities that it looks like we still need to reckon with. > > (I am trying to keep this on the importance of photography — particularly stark, striking photography, of events like these — and not include a political component.) You know, I’m having kind of a similar reaction myself. I’m not squeamish enough to be repulsed from even looking though I understand why people are; that is a truly horrific photo. But (and I’m not trying to pick on anyone, or even limiting it to reactions to this particular event) the attitudes that “this can’t happen here” or even “that _has_ to be photoshopped” don’t do anyone any favors. It did happen, and it IS that bad, and there were a whole lot of people up close and personal who could hear the screams and smell the blood who aren’t going to forget any time soon. Photographs drive these realities home for us who weren’t there, and that’s a good thing, because it isn’t just the people of Boston who need to understand why this attack is important and how to address it, when we find out who is responsible. It’s going to affect all of us. ---
**Author:** ![steronz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steronz/32/11765_2.png) [@steronz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/steronz)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2013, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explosions-at-boston-marathon/655781/342 "2013-04-16T00:52:50Z")
Well I don’t want to ruin anyone’s day further by pointing this out, but in the infamous picture, cowboy hat guy is literally holding one of the victims’ arteries so he doesn’t bleed out. I happened to see that picture from another angle and it’s frightfully apparent what he’s doing. I’m in awe. ---
**Author:** ![Missy2U](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/3bc359/32.png) [@Missy2U](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Missy2U)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2013, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explosions-at-boston-marathon/655781/343 "2013-04-16T00:53:56Z")
Just heard on the press conference that three are dead, and the FBI has taken over the investigation. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2013, 1:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explosions-at-boston-marathon/655781/344 "2013-04-16T01:08:47Z")
Who was that fucking tool at the press conference yelling about this being the government wanting to take away civil liberties and control guns and all other manner of conspiracy bullshit? ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2013, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explosions-at-boston-marathon/655781/345 "2013-04-16T01:11:39Z")
Gov. Patrick did well not to engage him. ---
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2013, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explosions-at-boston-marathon/655781/346 "2013-04-16T01:13:49Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > Who was that fucking tool at the press conference yelling about this being the government wanting to take away civil liberties and control guns and all other manner of conspiracy bullshit? > [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > Gov. Patrick did well not to engage him. “No.” That was one more word than the dipshit deserved. ---
**Author:** ![Missy2U](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/3bc359/32.png) [@Missy2U](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Missy2U)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2013, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explosions-at-boston-marathon/655781/347 "2013-04-16T01:16:20Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > Who was that fucking tool at the press conference yelling about this being the government wanting to take away civil liberties and control guns and all other manner of conspiracy bullshit? > [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > Gov. Patrick did well not to engage him. > [@Maserschmidt](#): > > “No.” That was one more word than the dipshit deserved. There’s (at least) one in every tragedy, isn’t there. It’s just disgusting. ---
**Author:** ![galen\_ubal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/galen_ubal/32/4440_2.png) [@galen\_ubal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/galen_ubal)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2013, 1:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explosions-at-boston-marathon/655781/348 "2013-04-16T01:22:05Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > Who was that fucking tool at the press conference yelling about this being the government wanting to take away civil liberties and control guns and all other manner of conspiracy bullshit? > [@Maserschmidt](#): > > “No.” That was one more word than the dipshit deserved. > [@Missy2U](#): > > There’s (at least) one in every tragedy, isn’t there. It’s just disgusting. > [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > Gov. Patrick did well not to engage him. And I imagine there’s somebody quietly questioning him after that little outburst… My gut instinct is that it was a domestic terrorist - someone with similar views to the above. Probably a good thing I’m not involved in the investigation. ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2013, 1:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explosions-at-boston-marathon/655781/349 "2013-04-16T01:25:16Z")
> [@galen\_ubal](#): > > My gut instinct is that it was a domestic terrorist - someone with similar views to the above. Protesting what? ---
**Author:** ![Noodles\_Fellicini](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/e36b37/32.png) [@Noodles\_Fellicini](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Noodles_Fellicini)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2013, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explosions-at-boston-marathon/655781/350 "2013-04-16T01:28:40Z")
> [@Jenaroph](#): > > You know, I’m having kind of a similar reaction myself. I’m not squeamish enough to be repulsed from even looking though I understand why people are; that is a truly horrific photo. But (and I’m not trying to pick on anyone, or even limiting it to reactions to this particular event) the attitudes that “this can’t happen here” or even “that _has_ to be photoshopped” don’t do anyone any favors. It did happen, and it IS that bad, and there were a whole lot of people up close and personal who could hear the screams and smell the blood who aren’t going to forget any time soon. Photographs drive these realities home for us who weren’t there, and that’s a good thing, because it isn’t just the people of Boston who need to understand why this attack is important and how to address it, when we find out who is responsible. It’s going to affect all of us. I said the photoshop word but did not say “that _has_ to be” in any way. I explained CLEARLY in my post(s) that I had seen the photo earlier, differently, and it took me a few minutes to align my perceptions (by comparing the various versions of the photo/video.) I was more horrified by the possibility that it had been altered than I was horrified by the photograph (I mentioned I was an EMT) so you are attributing an attitude that was in no way present in my comments. ---
**Author:** ![Tripler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripler/32/21807_2.png) [@Tripler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tripler)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2013, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explosions-at-boston-marathon/655781/351 "2013-04-16T01:29:46Z")
never mind. Wrong post, for the wrong thread. Tripler ---
**Author:** ![Kimmy\_Gibbler](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Kimmy\_Gibbler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimmy_Gibbler)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2013, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explosions-at-boston-marathon/655781/352 "2013-04-16T01:32:05Z")
> [@Leaffan](#): > > Protesting what? [_Let’s Move!_](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Let's_Move!)? ---
**Author:** ![Noodles\_Fellicini](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/e36b37/32.png) [@Noodles\_Fellicini](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Noodles_Fellicini)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2013, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explosions-at-boston-marathon/655781/353 "2013-04-16T01:38:26Z")
> [@steronz](#): > > Well I don’t want to ruin anyone’s day further by pointing this out, but in the infamous picture, I didn’t quote your spoiler but yes I noticed, and also noticed that cowboy hat guy and the woman pushing the wheelchair both appeared to be athletes. Adversity and courage. ---
**Author:** ![Plynck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3e96dc/32.png) [@Plynck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Plynck)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2013, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explosions-at-boston-marathon/655781/354 "2013-04-16T01:44:05Z")
Man, I wrote [this](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=8471487&postcount=93) back in 2007. _Plus ça change…_ Considering how much speculation and bad reporting fueled the media in the first few hours of 9/11, I’m waiting until some official announcements come down the pipe. ---
**Author:** ![Fair\_Rarity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fair_rarity/32/153_2.png) [@Fair\_Rarity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fair_Rarity)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2013, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explosions-at-boston-marathon/655781/355 "2013-04-16T01:52:55Z")
Lots of people I know in the area today, all fine. It’s going to be rough around here. It’s eerily quiet outside all day. It’s fairly quiet on a holiday, but it was even more quiet than it should be. ---
**Author:** ![Missy2U](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/3bc359/32.png) [@Missy2U](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Missy2U)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2013, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explosions-at-boston-marathon/655781/356 "2013-04-16T02:05:18Z")
> [@Fair\_Rarity](#): > > Lots of people I know in the area today, all fine. > > It’s going to be rough around here. It’s eerily quiet outside all day. It’s fairly quiet on a holiday, but it was even more quiet than it should be. I’m glad you and yours are well. ---
**Author:** ![Jenaroph](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e8c25b/32.png) [@Jenaroph](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jenaroph)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2013, 2:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explosions-at-boston-marathon/655781/357 "2013-04-16T02:11:47Z")
> [@Noodles\_Fellicini](#): > > I said the photoshop word but did not say “that _has_ to be” in any way. I explained CLEARLY in my post(s) that I had seen the photo earlier, differently, and it took me a few minutes to align my perceptions (by comparing the various versions of the photo/video.) I was more horrified by the possibility that it had been altered than I was horrified by the photograph (I mentioned I was an EMT) so you are attributing an attitude that was in no way present in my comments. I’m not attributing an attitude to you at all. You’ll notice I specifically said I wasn’t picking on anyone, nor just referring to this event. The idea that that was photoshopped I’ve seen elsewhere as well, and not just with the concerns that you state, but in the way I phrased it, which I think is a denial of reality that is damaging to believe. People really can be hurt that badly, and being sheltered a a group from that reality doesn’t help in the long run. Some things need to be allowed to be seen. ---
**Author:** ![lisacurl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/41988e/32.png) [@lisacurl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lisacurl)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2013, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explosions-at-boston-marathon/655781/358 "2013-04-16T02:20:26Z")
Cowboy Hat Guy is [Carlos Arredondo](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carlos_Arredondo), a well-known peace activist who happened to be at the finish line to support someone running the marathon in honor of his deceased son. I recognized the name in a caption at the Washington Post. Just found this article as well, which seems to confirm he was holding that victim’s femoral artery closed until he could get to paramedics. [Meet Carlos Arredondo, The Cowboy Hat-Wearing Hero Of The Boston Marathon Bombing](http://www.ibtimes.com/meet-carlos-arredondo-cowboy-hat-wearing-hero-boston-marathon-bombing-1194089) ---
**Author:** ![MsWhatsit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eb8c5e/32.png) [@MsWhatsit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsWhatsit)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2013, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explosions-at-boston-marathon/655781/359 "2013-04-16T02:20:50Z")
I think it’s less a denial of the reality of horrible injuries and more an acceptance of the reality that every-blessit-thing is photoshopped these days. ---
**Author:** ![gwendee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/35a633/32.png) [@gwendee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gwendee)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2013, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explosions-at-boston-marathon/655781/360 "2013-04-16T02:25:52Z")
> [@Gangster\_Octopus](#): > > I don’t know if it makes me an awful person, but I ran one marathon in my life and I trained for months to do it. I was very disciplined. So when I heard about this my first thought was "Fuck, all those people having their hard work ruined. Especially in the Boston marathon, which is exclusive and basically the pinnacle. > > I have managed to re-adjust my perspective and sympathy toward those actually injured and dead, versus those who have simply been inconvenienced. I don’t think that makes you anything close to an awful person. A college friend of mine was running in Boston for the first time. Before I go on I want to say she’s fine. For a while now she’s been posting on facebook about her training runs and other races and how amped up she was to run in THE Boston Marathon. So when I read the first headline that just said “Explosion Near End of Boston Marathon” my very first reaction was to be angry that the joy of the experience had been taken away from her. > [@yellowjacketcoder](#): > > [Graphic of the bomb locations](http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2013/04/15/us/site-of-the-boston-marathon-explosion.html?_r=0) I go to a conference every year at the Hynes Center in the first weekend in May. The office for the organization that runs it is RIGHT THERE. I’m certain that no one tries to go to work there on the day of the Marathon, but I know this will affect them deeply. > [@Leaffan](#): > > I don’t even want to turn the damned TV on at this point. > > What a fucked up world. I’m keeping it off. I’m crossing my fingers that I can get through this week, and far beyond without seeing the much discussed photo. A facebook friend of mine shared what I think is an interesting thought. She said she will not read or watch any coverage of whoever is caught and charged for this. She started expressing similar thoughts right after the Newtown shootings. What makes her angry is that the way these stories are covered more people know the names of the perpetrators of these horrors than know the names of their victims. I’m guilty of that. I know McVeigh’s name, but not one person who died in OKC. Ditto James Holmes, and whatshisname Lanza. I’m going to try and follow her lead. I know it won’t change reporting, but it might make me a more thoughtful consumer of reporting. > [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > NBC News is reporting one of the dead is an eight-year-old child. Dammit! I don’t have words. I won’t reply individually my relief that folks’ friends and family are checking in and okay, but I am very, very, glad to hear it. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explosions-at-boston-marathon/655781.md?page=17) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explosions-at-boston-marathon/655781.md?page=19)