Sen. Roger Wicker (R-MS) receives letter testing positive for ricin

apdst said:

The Boston Marathon festivites presented a massed target. Terrorists don't target events, they target the people tht gather for these events. If the Boston Marathon only drew 20 people, it wouldn't be as attractive of a target. If, in fact it was actually terrorist. There's still the chance that it's just some scumbag who wanted to hurt and kill people.

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Good evening, apdst. :2wave:

It's also strange that whoever did this chose Patriot's Day! :werd:.

polgara said:

Good evening, apdst. :2wave:

It's also strange that whoever did this chose Patriot's Day! :werd:.

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Prople choosing to make a statement don't choose a day, they choose an event and an opportunity. Good evening pg... :2wave:

AlabamaPaul said:

Prople choosing to make a statement don't choose a day, they choose an event and an opportunity.

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It could be any of those. The thing is... I don't see any of that. Who knew it was patriot's day? Who cares about the Boston marathon? Fewer people were killed than could be managed in a movie theater with the same explosive. It doesn't make sense. I'm looking forward to them catching the person so they can explain how it makes any sense.

AlabamaPaul said:

Prople choosing to make a statement don't choose a day, they choose an event and an opportunity. Good evening pg... :2wave:

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Good evening to you, AP! :2wave:

:agree: This was a well planned horror, whichever sick mind is responsible! :thumbdown:

polgara said:

This was a well planned horror, whichever sick mind is responsible! :thumbdown:

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If well planned, poorly executed. It only killed three people?

ecofarm said:

Seems pretty weak to me. There's probably as many people in the street downtown New York on any given afternoon. Further, AlQ generally does target events/locations to send a message.

Also, wouldn't the same bomb in a movie theater have killed a lot more people?

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The only constant variable in every single terrorist attacks, is the potential to produce mass casualties. People are way over-playing the, "symbolism", aspect.

Would bombing a movie theater create more casualties? Maybe. Maybe not. The biggest thing to think about: how are you going to get the bomb positioned and where are you going to place it?

The Bean Town Bomber used pressure cookers to camoflauge his devices. A pressure cooker, sitting in the aisle of a picture show just might draw some attention. A pressure cooker, in a garbage can, on the sidewalk? It would go completely without notice.

BTW, pressure cooker bombs are very popuar in the ME.

apdst said:

The only constant variable in every single terrorist attacks, is the potential to produce mass casualties. People are way over-playing the, "symbolism", aspect.

Would bombing a movie theater create more casualties? Maybe. Maybe not. The biggest thing to think about: how are you going to get the bomb positioned and where are you going to place it?

The Bean Town Bomber used pressure cookers to camoflauge his devices. A pressure cooker, sitting in the aisle of a picture show just might draw some attention. A pressure cooker, in a garbage can, on the sidewalk? It would go completely without notice.

BTW, pressure cooker bombs are very popuar in the ME.

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Walk into the theater with it, set it down, walk out and boom. At least a dozen dead.

My point is: 3 killed does not an opportunity make. As I mentioned before, there are probably just as many people on the street in NYC on any given day.

ecofarm said:

Seems pretty weak to me. There's probably as many people in the street downtown New York on any given afternoon. Further, AlQ generally does target events/locations to send a message.

Also, wouldn't the same bomb in a movie theater have killed a lot more people?

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There aren't as many journalists or cameras on the typical downtown street in NYC or a movie theater.

Many terrorists are all about getting publicity for their cause.

sangha said:

There aren't as many journalists or cameras on the typical downtown street in NYC or a movie theater.

Many terrorists are all about getting publicity for their cause.

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Ok, that makes some sense. Still, pretty weak venue choice. Not exactly prime-time TV.

Ricin sounds like Heisenberg's M.O.

ecofarm said:

Ok, that makes some sense. Still, pretty weak venue choice. Not exactly prime-time TV.

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No, not prime time, but it's covered by journalists from all over the world. Doing this guaranteed that there would be video and pictures....bloody pictures

polgara said:

Good evening, apdst. :2wave:

It's also strange that whoever did this chose Patriot's Day! :werd:.

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Right back atcha!

Nothing weird at all. Patriot's Day had everything that a terrorist is looking for in a target: lots of cameras and lots of people.

The TV cameras act as kind of a combat multipier. How many times have you turned on the news and seen nothing but smoke, fire, loud booms, blood, guts and blairing sirens? Yesterday's festivites are a terrorist's wet dream.

ecofarm said:

Walk into the theater with it, set it down, walk out and boom. At least a dozen dead.

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Right! I'm sure that no one is going to notice you doing that, either. Another objective in the mission is...don't get caught.

My point is: 3 killed does not an opportunity make. As I mentioned before, there are probably just as many people on the street in NYC on any given day.

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Killing people isn't the only objective of a terror attack. Wounding and maiming people is just as good. Scoring kills is langiappe.

APACHERAT said:

They said the shells were corroded. Only the shell casings were corroded. Mustard gas and sarin are not metals and can not corrode. The chemical agents had deteriorated some but the real experts in NBC warfare said the chemical agents were still lethal and were still considered to be WMD's.

Why do liberals keep changing the definitions to further their political agenda ?

If it were President Clinton who would have gone in to Iraq and 500 155 MM artillery mustard and sarin shells were have been found, the Democrats would be calling Clinton a hero and that he saved New York City from a mustard attack. And you know it's true.

BTW: mustard gas has a long shelf life for decades.

In March 2003 UN report about Iraq Weapons of Mass Destruction there is the following on page 77 (Page 79 of the pdf file), paragraph 1 of the report http://www.un.org/Depts/unmovic/documents/6mar.pdf : The Sulfur Mustard contained in artillery shells that had been stored for over 12 years, had been found by UNMOVIC to be still of high purity.

Have you ever been to Johnston Atoll ? I doubt it, It's where the U.S. Army took their fifty year old stockpile of mustard gas and other chemical weapons to dispose of them. Why do you think they don't dispose of 50 year old mustard gas in the CONUS but instead out in the middle of the Pacific Ocean ? The U.S. Army Chemical Materials Activity (CMA) - Johnston Island / Page Not Found - Debate Politics Forums

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Get real. They were found buried 10 years in sand. Take after GW Bush and get over the lie that was WMD's in Iraq hysteria.

sangha said:

There aren't as many journalists or cameras on the typical downtown street in NYC or a movie theater.

Many terrorists are all about getting publicity for their cause.

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Terrorists are all about getting their handy work blasted into every livingroom in America. The primary objective of a terrorist attack is to break down the morale of the citizenry to achieve a desired result.

apdst said:

Right! I'm sure that no one is going to notice you doing that, either. Another objective in the mission is...don't get caught.

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Perhaps

Killing people isn't the only objective of a terror attack. Wounding and maiming people is just as good. Scoring kills is langiappe.

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I dunno. Wounding is just not as terrifying as killing.


I still figure there should be significance beyond an international event with many cameras. Maybe the terrorist hates runners.

Far left wing terrorist could be responsible for both.

It's not by any means a new concept

Leo Burt- Bombed Colleges, Part of Left Wing Terrorist Group 'New Years Eve Gang'.

Jeff Jones - Bombed Pentagon, Killed Police, Current CEO of Appolo Alliance, An eco group funded by Obama

Berandine Dorn - Bombed Petnagon, Killed Police, Obamas friend, baby sat Obamas Kids.

Bill Ayers - Bombed Pentagon, Killed Police, Obamas Best Friend, Wrote Obamas Book.

Amy Bishop- college professor obsessed with Obama, shot 6 people.

Jared Loughter - killed 6 year old girl and shot gabby giffords

James holmes - Batman shooter

John Patrick Bedell -petnagon shooter

Floyd Lee Corkins - Chick Fil A Shooter

David Guy McKay - Plotted to bomb the Pentagon, caught first

Bradley Neil Crowder - Plotted to bomb the Pentagon, caught first

Antonio Martinez - Bombed a Recruiting Station

Una Bomber - Another left wing college professor psychopath

James W. Von Brunn - Holocaust Museum Shooter

Andrew Joseph Stack III - Bush Hating Leftist Who Flew His airplane into IRS building 9/11 style

Ryan Komosinski - Occupy Wall Street, Caught in BOmb Plot.

Brandon Baxter -Occupy Wall Street Protester Caught Planning to Blow Up Bridges


Douglas Wright - Occupy Wall Street Protester Caught Planning to Blow Up Bridges

Anthony Hayne -Occupy Wall Street Protester Caught Planning to Blow Up Bridges

Connor C. Stevens- Occupy Wall Street Protester Caught Planning to Blow Up Bridges

Joshua S. Stafford -Occupy Wall Street Protester Caught Planning to Blow Up Bridges

Chris Dormer Cop Killer and "Bangs" lover

ecofarm said:

Perhaps



I dunno. Wounding is just not as terrifying as killing.


I still figure there should be significance beyond an international event with many cameras. Maybe the terrorist hates runners.

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Tell that to the dozen, or so, barnd new amutees that this attack produced; see if they think that being wounded is way less terrifying than getting killed.

poweRob said:

Get real. They were found buried 10 years in sand. Take after GW Bush and get over the lie that was WMD's in Iraq hysteria.

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Whereas Iraq has consistently breached its cease-fire agreement between Iraq and the United States, entered into on March 3, 1991, by failing to dismantle its weapons of mass destruction program, and refusing to permit monitoring and verification by United Nations inspections; Whereas Iraq has developed weapons of mass destruction, including chemical and biological capabilities, and has made positive progress toward developing nuclear weapons capabilities” — From a joint resolution submitted by Tom Harkin and Arlen Specter on July 18, 2002

“Saddam’s goal … is to achieve the lifting of U.N. sanctions while retaining and enhancing Iraq’s weapons of mass destruction programs. We cannot, we must not and we will not let him succeed.” — Madeline Albright, 1998

“(Saddam) will rebuild his arsenal of weapons of mass destruction and some day, some way, I am certain he will use that arsenal again, as he has 10 times since 1983″ — National Security Adviser Sandy Berger, Feb 18, 1998

“Iraq made commitments after the Gulf War to completely dismantle all weapons of mass destruction, and unfortunately, Iraq has not lived up to its agreement.” — Barbara Boxer, November 8, 2002

“The last UN weapons inspectors left Iraq in October of 1998. We are confident that Saddam Hussein retained some stockpiles of chemical and biological weapons, and that he has since embarked on a crash course to build up his chemical and biological warfare capability. Intelligence reports also indicate that he is seeking nuclear weapons, but has not yet achieved nuclear capability.” — Robert Byrd, October 2002

“There’s no question that Saddam Hussein is a threat… Yes, he has chemical and biological weapons. He’s had those for a long time. But the United States right now is on a very much different defensive posture than we were before September 11th of 2001… He is, as far as we know, actively pursuing nuclear capabilities, though he doesn’t have nuclear warheads yet. If he were to acquire nuclear weapons, I think our friends in the region would face greatly increased risks as would we.” — Wesley Clark on September 26, 2002

“What is at stake is how to answer the potential threat Iraq represents with the risk of proliferation of WMD. Baghdad’s regime did use such weapons in the past. Today, a number of evidences may lead to think that, over the past four years, in the absence of international inspectors, this country has continued armament programs.” — Jacques Chirac, October 16, 2002

“The community of nations may see more and more of the very kind of threat Iraq poses now: a rogue state with weapons of mass destruction, ready to use them or provide them to terrorists. If we fail to respond today, Saddam and all those who would follow in his footsteps will be emboldened tomorrow.” — Bill Clinton in 1998

“In the four years since the inspectors left, intelligence reports show that Saddam Hussein has worked to rebuild his chemical and biological weapons stock, his missile delivery capability, and his nuclear program. He has also given aid, comfort, and sanctuary to terrorists, including Al Qaeda members, though there is apparently no evidence of his involvement in the terrible events of September 11, 2001. It is clear, however, that if left unchecked, Saddam Hussein will continue to increase his capacity to wage biological and chemical warfare, and will keep trying to develop nuclear weapons. Should he succeed in that endeavor, he could alter the political and security landscape of the Middle East, which as we know all too well affects American security.” — Hillary Clinton, October 10, 2002

“I am absolutely convinced that there are weapons…I saw evidence back in 1998 when we would see the inspectors being barred from gaining entry into a warehouse for three hours with trucks rolling up and then moving those trucks out.” — Clinton’s Secretary of Defense William Cohen in April of 2003

“Iraq is not the only nation in the world to possess weapons of mass destruction, but it is the only nation with a leader who has used them against his own people.” — Tom Daschle in 1998

“Saddam Hussein’s regime represents a grave threat to America and our allies, including our vital ally, Israel. For more than two decades, Saddam Hussein has sought weapons of mass destruction through every available means. We know that he has chemical and biological weapons. He has already used them against his neighbors and his own people, and is trying to build more. We know that he is doing everything he can to build nuclear weapons, and we know that each day he gets closer to achieving that goal.” — John Edwards, Oct 10, 2002

“The debate over Iraq is not about politics. It is about national security. It should be clear that our national security requires Congress to send a clear message to Iraq and the world: America is united in its determination to eliminate forever the threat of Iraq’s weapons of mass destruction.” — John Edwards, Oct 10, 200

“I share the administration’s goals in dealing with Iraq and its weapons of mass destruction.” — Dick Gephardt in September of 2002

“Iraq does pose a serious threat to the stability of the Persian Gulf and we should organize an international coalition to eliminate his access to weapons of mass destruction. Iraq’s search for weapons of mass destruction has proven impossible to completely deter and we should assume that it will continue for as long as Saddam is in power.” — Al Gore, 2002

“We are in possession of what I think to be compelling evidence that Saddam Hussein has, and has had for a number of years, a developing capacity for the production and storage of weapons of mass destruction.” — Bob Graham, December 2002

“Saddam Hussein is not the only deranged dictator who is willing to deprive his people in order to acquire weapons of mass destruction.” — Jim Jeffords, October 8, 2002

“We have known for many years that Saddam Hussein is seeking and developing weapons of mass destruction.” — Ted Kennedy, September 27, 2002

“There is no doubt that Saddam Hussein’s regime is a serious danger, that he is a tyrant, and that his pursuit of lethal weapons of mass destruction cannot be tolerated. He must be disarmed.” — Ted Kennedy, Sept 27, 2002

“I will be voting to give the president of the United States the authority to use force – if necessary – to disarm Saddam Hussein because I believe that a deadly arsenal of weapons of mass destruction in his hands is a real and grave threat to our security.” — John F. Kerry, Oct 2002

“The threat of Saddam Hussein with weapons of mass destruction is real, but as I said, it is not new. It has been with us since the end of that war, and particularly in the last 4 years we know after Operation Desert Fox failed to force him to reaccept them, that he has continued to build those weapons. He has had a free hand for 4 years to reconstitute these weapons, allowing the world, during the interval, to lose the focus we had on weapons of mass destruction and the issue of proliferation.” — John Kerry, October 9, 2002

“(W)e need to disarm Saddam Hussein. He is a brutal, murderous dictator, leading an oppressive regime. We all know the litany of his offenses. He presents a particularly grievous threat because he is so consistently prone to miscalculation. …And now he is miscalculating America�s response to his continued deceit and his consistent grasp for weapons of mass destruction. That is why the world, through the United Nations Security Council, has spoken with one voice, demanding that Iraq disclose its weapons programs and disarm. So the threat of Saddam Hussein with weapons of mass destruction is real, but it is not new. It has been with us since the end of the Persian Gulf War.” — John Kerry, Jan 23, 2003

“We begin with the common belief that Saddam Hussein is a tyrant and a threat to the peace and stability of the region. He has ignored the mandates of the United Nations and is building weapons of mass destruction and the means of delivering them.” — Carl Levin, Sept 19, 2002

“Every day Saddam remains in power with chemical weapons, biological weapons, and the development of nuclear weapons is a day of danger for the United States.” — Joe Lieberman, August, 2002

Oh look, another Liberal Narrative shot to pieces. You think you guys would have learned by now but then again, you ARE Liberals for a reason.

apdst said:

Terrorists are all about getting their handy work blasted into every livingroom in America. The primary objective of a terrorist attack is to break down the morale of the citizenry to achieve a desired result.

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The monks in Tibet set themselves on fire to protest things. It gets a lot of TV coverage, and innocent people are not killed. Whoever did this is not only extremely self-centered, but an egotistical, irrational, grandstanding showoff with no moral character! This site will not permit my real thoughts to be posted!

apdst said:

Tell that to the dozen, or so, barnd new amutees that this attack produced; see if they think that being wounded is way less terrifying than getting killed.

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I mean to outsiders.

ecofarm said:

I mean to outsiders.

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I'm purdy damn skeered of getting my pecker blowed off and not dieing...jus' sayin'.

Do kills carry more shock value? Sure they do, but wounds carry a high shock value, too.

apdst said:

I'm purdy damn skeered of getting my pecker blowed off and not dieing...jus' sayin'.

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Over 4 hours and you're supposed to call a doc.

ecofarm said:

Over 4 hours and you're supposed to call a doc.

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Blowed OFF, not blowed UP...lol!

Re: Envelope tests positive for ricin at Washington mail facility

The media silence is curious. I believe the government has recognized pushing for publicity on this isn't a good thing.