# The Boston Marathon Bombing Debate Thread **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [April 15, 2013, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-boston-marathon-bombing-debate-thread/655799 "2013-04-15T23:21:56Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 9
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2013, 12:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-boston-marathon-bombing-debate-thread/655799/161 "2013-04-17T12:37:31Z")
The police say they have a suspect in the ricin mailing. [http://nation.time.com/2013/04/17/senator-police-have-suspect-in-ricin-mailing/#ixzz2Qihdobyt](http://nation.time.com/2013/04/17/senator-police-have-suspect-in-ricin-mailing/#ixzz2Qihdobyt) > [@](#): > > Unlike with the Boston Marathon bomber, police have a suspect in mind as they try to determine who mailed a letter to Sen. Roger Wicker that tested positive for poisonous ricin, a Senate colleague said. > > “The person that is a suspect writes a lot of letters to members,” Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Mo., said Tuesday as she emerged from a classified briefing. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2013, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-boston-marathon-bombing-debate-thread/655799/162 "2013-04-17T14:42:16Z")
> [@Euphonious\_Polemic](#): > > I doubt it. If it turns out to be a right-wing tax protesting nutcase, then a year from now . . . . . . he’s going to have actual **fans.** ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2013, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-boston-marathon-bombing-debate-thread/655799/163 "2013-04-17T15:54:19Z")
> [@davidm](#): > > But it’s a hell of a coincidence. I don’t know if this guy could be in any more trouble than he’s already in, but he sure picked the worst possible time. Another suspicious letter was sent to Obama. ---
**Author:** ![Lightnin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lightnin/32/180_2.png) [@Lightnin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lightnin)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2013, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-boston-marathon-bombing-debate-thread/655799/164 "2013-04-17T15:57:26Z")
> [@Larry\_Borgia](#): > > On a slightly more serious note, why not just some random asshole who wanted to kill people and cause mayhem for the hell of it? Motivation the same as the Columbine killers. Seems as plausible as anything else. While I must admit that I wouldn’t be surprised if the bomber turned out to be a right-wing nutter (given the date and the city), I’m more inclined to expect some random asshole… primarily because nobody’s stepped forward to claim responsibility. It’s hard to make your act of terrorism send a message if you don’t tell anyone what the message is supposed to be. ---
**Author:** ![Blkshp](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blkshp/32/7135_2.png) [@Blkshp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blkshp)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2013, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-boston-marathon-bombing-debate-thread/655799/165 "2013-04-17T15:58:50Z")
> [@davidm](#): > > And if we go back even farther we can blame it all on Ghengis Kahn. What about if we stick to more recent times rather than cherry picking starting dates to try to prove some point? What point is it you think I am trying to make? People have been citing terrorist acts and I wanted to share a reference I found that was apparently unbiased, succinct and complete. My arbitrary selection of 1970 was predicated on my personal memory and a penchant for round numbers. I thought the list was evenhanded in its attribution, in fact it refrains from assigning blame when others might more readily do so. My only point was that there are homicidal nut jobs in the world and, being “extreme”, they sometimes gravitate to extreme causes. People, I think stupidly, try to use the actions of obvious extremists to indict adherents of moderate mainstream political (or other) beliefs. But hey, what fun is there in agreeing that homicidal maniacs are bad no matter what t-shirt they wear. And while Ghengis Khan (I’m guessing you meant the Mongol, not Madeline’s boorish brother), was terrifying, I don’t think he was a terrorist. He actually conquered and governed territory amassing and administering an enduring empire. And if you survived the initial slaughter of conquest he was fairly tolerant as long as the tribute was paid on time. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2013, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-boston-marathon-bombing-debate-thread/655799/166 "2013-04-17T16:04:14Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > I don’t know if this guy could be in any more trouble than he’s already in, but he sure picked the worst possible time. Another suspicious letter was sent to Obama. ABC Radio News is reporting several suspicious letters addressed to various Congresspeople have been intercepted. ---
**Author:** ![Steve\_MB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steve_mb/32/5339_2.png) [@Steve\_MB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steve_MB)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2013, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-boston-marathon-bombing-debate-thread/655799/167 "2013-04-17T16:06:12Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > Another suspicious letter was sent to Obama. Does this guy actually have a mental image of a mailbox on the White House porch where Barack Obama personally picks up and opens envelopes? ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2013, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-boston-marathon-bombing-debate-thread/655799/168 "2013-04-17T17:01:07Z")
> [@Lute Skywatcher](#): > > ABC Radio News is reporting several suspicious letters addressed to various Congresspeople have been intercepted. That’s AP Radio News. My bad. ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2013, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-boston-marathon-bombing-debate-thread/655799/169 "2013-04-17T17:12:12Z")
> [@Lightnin](#): > > While I must admit that I wouldn’t be surprised if the bomber turned out to be a right-wing nutter (given the date and the city), I’m more inclined to expect some random asshole… primarily because nobody’s stepped forward to claim responsibility. It’s hard to make your act of terrorism send a message if you don’t tell anyone what the message is supposed to be. You’re probably right. The random nutter asshole would likely be sure that the organization that is shooting thoughts into his brain will simply KNOW what his message is. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2013, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-boston-marathon-bombing-debate-thread/655799/170 "2013-04-17T17:13:28Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > . . . he’s going to have actual **fans.** Probably does already. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2013, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-boston-marathon-bombing-debate-thread/655799/171 "2013-04-17T17:37:28Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > I don’t know if this guy could be in any more trouble than he’s already in, but he sure picked the worst possible time. Another suspicious letter was sent to Obama. I’m sure any day Obama does **not** get poisoned hate-mail is suspicious, to the Secret Service. “I don’t like this, sir . . . It’s too quiet . . .” [arrow sprouts from chest] ---
**Author:** ![sachertorte](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sachertorte/32/3727_2.png) [@sachertorte](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sachertorte)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2013, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-boston-marathon-bombing-debate-thread/655799/172 "2013-04-17T17:45:24Z")
> [@davidm](#): > > The letter may turn out to be a false positive, but if it’s real then it’s a hell of a coincidence. If real. But I’m left wondering whether or not testing congressional mail for ricin is SOP _all the time_ or if testing was stepped up after the Marathon. If they ramped up mail testing after Monday, then there’s your correlation right there and a higher probability of a false positive. Time will tell. ---
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2013, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-boston-marathon-bombing-debate-thread/655799/173 "2013-04-17T17:47:32Z")
Now there’s one addressed to the President. > **[Who is 'KC'? Hunt for mysterious letter writer 'who sent ricin-tainted...](https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2310533/Obama-ricin-Second-letter-tested-positive-poison-addressed-president.html)** > > The FBI is hunting for a person who called themselves 'KC' and likely sent identical ricin-tainted letters to the president and Mississippi Sen. Roger Wicker. And as far as I know, yes it’s SOP all the time. Why wouldn’t it be? ---
**Author:** ![sachertorte](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sachertorte/32/3727_2.png) [@sachertorte](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sachertorte)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2013, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-boston-marathon-bombing-debate-thread/655799/174 "2013-04-17T17:50:23Z")
> [@davidm](#): > > And as far as I know, yes it’s SOP all the time. Why wouldn’t it be? I don’t know. There is security all the time too, but after Monday security was significantly beefed up. ---
**Author:** ![An\_Gadai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@An\_Gadai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/An_Gadai)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2013, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-boston-marathon-bombing-debate-thread/655799/175 "2013-04-17T17:57:53Z")
Looks like they’ve picked someone up for it. ---
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2013, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-boston-marathon-bombing-debate-thread/655799/176 "2013-04-17T17:58:22Z")
> [@sachertorte](#): > > I don’t know. There is security all the time too, but after Monday security was significantly beefed up. They set up the system for screening mail after 9/11 (actually after the anthrax letters that came after 9/11). It wouldn’t make a lot of sense to stop doing it once the system has been set up. It’s too easy for someone to mail a toxic substance. ---
**Author:** ![Merneith](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/57b2e6/32.png) [@Merneith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merneith)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2013, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-boston-marathon-bombing-debate-thread/655799/177 "2013-04-17T18:03:00Z")
Just a few data points - The person who sent the [Anthrax Letters](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthrax_letters) in the wake of 9/11 was never conclusively identified (the FBI had what they felt was a strong suspect, now deceased, but he was never tried or convicted and his guilt is not universally accepted.) There were two ricin letters sent in 2003 by someone calling him or herself “Fallen Angel”. > **[2003 ricin letters](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2003_ricin_letters)** > > The 2003 ricin letters were two ricin-laden letters found on two occasions between October and November 2003. One letter was mailed to the White House and intercepted at a processing facility; another was discovered with no address in South Carolina. A February 2004 ricin incident at the Dirksen Senate Office Building was initially connected to the 2003 letters as well. > The letters were sent by an individual who referred to themselves as "Fallen Angel". The sender, who claimed to own a trucking ... The first letter - well, package, really - mailed in October, was found in a South Carolina postal facility with no address or return address. The second letter, mailed in November, was addressed to the White House and warned that if some new trucking regulation was passed by congress, DC would become a ‘ghost town’. The trucking regulation passed in January 04. A month later, ricin was discovered on the mail sorting equipment in Bill Frist’s office (Frist was the Senate Majority Leader at the time, you’ll recall). No clue to the identity of Fallen Angel or any tangible connection between Fallen Angel’s letters and the ricin in the mail room was ever discovered. Meanwhile, back in present day - they appear to have arrested someone for the bombings: > **[Suspect NOT Arrested](https://www.huffpost.com/entry/boston-marathon-bombing-suspect-identified_n_3101865)** > > Suspect NOT Arrested ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2013, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-boston-marathon-bombing-debate-thread/655799/178 "2013-04-17T18:04:28Z")
AP Radio News is now reporting three questionable packages found in Senate buildings. ---
**Author:** ![sachertorte](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sachertorte/32/3727_2.png) [@sachertorte](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sachertorte)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2013, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-boston-marathon-bombing-debate-thread/655799/179 "2013-04-17T18:04:56Z")
Thanks. That was very informative. ---
**Author:** ![XT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xt/32/456_2.png) [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2013, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-boston-marathon-bombing-debate-thread/655799/180 "2013-04-17T18:21:02Z")
There are some photos on infowars (sorry, can’t link to them atm) that show who they think are suspects (the one guy is a white guy with a brown beard, another is a white guy in a baseball cap with sun glasses on). No idea how solid this stuff is, but it points to a right wing group doing this if it’s true. :mad: [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-boston-marathon-bombing-debate-thread/655799.md?page=8) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-boston-marathon-bombing-debate-thread/655799.md?page=10)