Tuesday, April 16, 2013

The Boston Marathon

I will leave this at the top all day if you would like to discuss what happened or share your thoughts or if you have friends and loved ones that were hurt or killed.

171 comments:

  1. My sympathies go out to anyone in Boston.

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  2. I'm so saddened and stunned by what happened. I lived in Boston for many years, and it was very difficult to watch what happened. I hope that anyone on here who's from and/or has loved ones in Boston is safe. My prayers go out to everyone affected by this tragedy.

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  3. My thoughts are with the people of Boston. It breaks my heart to think about the victims. I had several friends running the race - one of them who was running to raise money for cancer research because he just lost his father.

    I pray that the people affected by this tragedy heal as quickly as possible.

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  4. So very tragic. My thoughts are with everyone personally affected by yesterday's events. Godspeed to the investigators.

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  5. This is so awful. My heart & prayers go out to anyone affected.

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  6. Words don't seem to cover it but I'm sending out love and my thoughts to anyone affected by this devastation.
    Each day, I'm losing more faith in humanity.

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  7. The local news has been on the story pretty much all night and all morning this morning.

    It's just so wrong in so may ways.

    I am outside the city--and was watching it live --working from home and I had the tv on in the background. It feels like we've been through this way too many times.

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  8. So incredibly awful.

    I don't want this to come out the wrong way, but when I first read about this, I couldn't help but think of the controversy surrounding the NY marathon, with so many of the NY residents feeling that the marathon runners/organizers were not sympathetic to what it was like to be part of a tragic disaster. I really hope this isn't related to that.

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  9. Peace, light, and love to all. <3

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  10. Continuing to send love and prayers to Boston.

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  11. @Cathy, I think it is more likely this was meant for the NY marathon and the cancellation saved us. Besides, this wasn't aimed at runners. It was clearly aimed at bystanders. Either way, both are innocent people participating in a historic American race and just having a wonderful time.

    The fact is this does more damage psychologically then anything else, and I can already see the fear that is being spread. While any deaths are awful, 3 is pretty minor in the scheme of things. This can only be called a "successful" terrorist attack if we let it terrify us and change how we do things. I fear that will happen. I wish the media would not glamorize this, but they will.

    That being said, I hope whoever did this is caught and hung.

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  12. @Cathy, I think it is more likely this was meant for the NY marathon and the cancellation saved us. Besides, this wasn't aimed at runners. It was clearly aimed at bystanders. Either way, both are innocent people participating in a historic American race and just having a wonderful time.

    The fact is this does more damage psychologically then anything else, and I can already see the fear that is being spread. While any deaths are awful, 3 is pretty minor in the scheme of things. This can only be called a "successful" terrorist attack if we let it terrify us and change how we do things. I fear that will happen. I wish the media would not glamorize this, but they will.

    That being said, I hope whoever did this is caught and hung.

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  13. My son has classes at the new england conservatory & was scheduled for one last evening. Thankfully I got hold of him before he left because he never would have made it into the city & people could not make it out of the city. The Red Sox also played so there were even more people than just for the marathon. An 8 yr old boy was killed as he was hugging his dad who had just crossed the finish line, his wife is in the hospital with a brain injury & his daughter lost a leg. Unbelievable this happened in my backyard!! Prayers to all those affected. (prayers for all of us...this is one scary world we live in!)

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  14. To those saying you've lost faith in humanity, I urge you to read what Patton Oswalt wrote in reaction to yesterday's horrific events. I agree with him...I have to believe this.

    Patton Oswalt: Boston. Fucking horrible.

    I remember, when 9/11 went down, my reaction was, "Well, I've had it with humanity."

    But I was wrong. I don't know what's going to be revealed to be behind all of this mayhem. One human insect or a poisonous mass of broken sociopaths.

    But here's what I DO know. If it's one person or a HUNDRED people, that number is not even a fraction of a fraction of a fraction of a percent of the population on this planet. You watch the videos of the carnage and there are people running TOWARDS the destruction to help out. (Thanks FAKE Gallery founder and owner Paul Kozlowski for pointing this out to me). This is a giant planet and we're lucky to live on it but there are prices and penalties incurred for the daily miracle of existence. One of them is, every once in awhile, the wiring of a tiny sliver of the species gets snarled and they're pointed towards darkness.

    But the vast majority stands against that darkness and, like white blood cells attacking a virus, they dilute and weaken and eventually wash away the evil doers and, more importantly, the damage they wreak. This is beyond religion or creed or nation. We would not be here if humanity were inherently evil. We'd have eaten ourselves alive long ago.

    So when you spot violence, or bigotry, or intolerance or fear or just garden-variety misogyny, hatred or ignorance, just look it in the eye and think, "The good outnumber you, and we always will."

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    1. @Reese, thanks for posting this, we need to be reminded that even though we just witnessed the worst of humanity, we've also witnessed the best.

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    2. Thank you Reese!

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    3. Great post Reesie

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    4. Thanks Reese - posted this yesterday on my Facebook page and was going to post it here as well...glad you beat me to it!

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    5. Reese your quote reminds me of the Mr Rogers quote, that may be cheesy but I think it's nice : “When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, "Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.”

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    6. Anonymous7:15 AM

      @Reese, that was worth repeating. I hope that in a "us vs. them" world the goodness of people will come out on top. My heart goes out to everyone effected by this tragedy and my gratitude goes to those who put their fellow man first and aided in the rescues yesterday. I hope those responsible are found soon.

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    7. Thank you for posting this. Very well put. Thank you to all the first responders, both medical and civilian. Loving thoughts, prayers and positivity for everyone.

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    8. Thanks, Reesie. Love Patton!

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  15. Such a senseless tragedy. My heart goes out to the city of Boston.

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  16. My brother has run in Boston for about 10 years. We were worried yesterday that he wouldn't have finished before the bombs went off, because he'd planned to take it easy since he's scheduled to run in London on Sunday. But--thank God--the weather was cool and he made good time. And also thank God that his wife had just left the finish line area to meet up with him. My heart goes out to the injured people and the families of those who lost lives.

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    1. Oh, kathy - that must have been scary! So glad your brother's ok!

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  17. I'm heartbroken over what happened.. my thoughts and prayers go out to all in Boston. I do believe a time will come when things like this no longer occur.

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  18. Thanks for the Patton Oswalt words, Meanie Reese. I really liked what he had to say.

    I have nothing smart to say here. I started feeling that anxious, sickening feeling that was so prevalent in 2001. I can't even imagine how people on the East coast feel, let alone Boston.

    My heart aches for those physically and emotionally affected.

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  19. I’m angry. I’m sick and tired of this feeling in my stomach when some horrific tragedy takes place and I have to wonder if my friends are OK. Two weeks in a row with this – the stabbings in Houston last week at a school around the corner from my mother’s house, where friends of mine are students. Now this, in Boston. A town with some of my favorite people on this earth, some of whom I just visited there two weeks ago. I feel extremely lucky that no one I know is hurt; I feel so sad for those who aren’t so lucky. But overall I feel an anger and depression and hopelessness and helplessness and exhaustion. I don’t know what I want to happen now. Do I want someone to pay? Will it make it better to know all the details of whatever lunatic did this one? Will it keep it from happening again? Are we all supposed to be afraid to do anything or go anywhere now?

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  20. Thanks for that Meanie Reese. It is true how many selfless people there are. Just like 9/11 the people in Boston rallied together to help each other. Good will overcome evil, I have to believe that.

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  21. Anonymous6:37 AM

    I'm proud of my hometown. Some sick animal decided to turn an area that I've walked through around 5k times in my life into a war zone. And these animals will be found, but I choose to focus on the human spirit. Because however many cowards were in on this, they are outnumbered. Watching cops go straight forward into the unknown the instance disaster struck, watching first responders put saving lives over personal safety, that's what this event showed me, the strength of humanity against monsters.

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  22. sometimes i work over-night shifts. in the early morning, when everyone is either just starting, or just ending the day, the sun will be coming up, and its very peaceful. every once in awhile, some fool will come hauling ass through the traffic and nearly cause an accident.

    most people can follow the rules, be polite, maintain with whateve is going on, but all it takes is 1 fool to put eveyone in danger.

    i haven't lost faith in humanity, but it does make me wnt to go out less.

    peace with all of you today.

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  23. "All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing. " - Edmund Burke

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  24. I was holding back tears all day yesterday. It brought back a lot of ugly memories from 9/11. My thoughts and prayers are with all those affected by this tragedy. My husband lived there for a while before we got married and its a beautiful city full of nice and friendly people and my heart aches for this senseless violence and just hope those responsible are brought to justice quickly.

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  25. My cousin and his sons drove up from CT so they could go to the Sox game yesterday (it was his birthday present from his sons. It was also the Jackie Robinson "42" tribute game.) They stayed after the game until Fenway was almost empty, so they wouldn't have to fight their way through the crowds going out. They had just exited the park when the first bomb went off.

    If they had followed their original plan, they would have fought the crowds and gone to the marathon finish line, to watch the runners coming in. I hate to even think what would or could have happened if they stuck to their original plan.

    Blessings and light to the people and the City of Boston.

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  26. Jaysus, what is the world COMING to?

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  27. Meanie Reese - thanks for posting. That's a good read. Peace and happiness to everyone in Boston and those effected. It's so sad people died and were hurt, just so sad.

    This is a huge failure on the part of our government. They all need to be sent home next election. Their focus should be on protecting us all, not stripping us of our rights and freedoms.

    I don't want the marathon to end. I'm not giving into the fear. I'm just not. And I don't want to see this marathon or any policed to the point it's more like flying than fun.

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    1. Anonymous7:10 AM

      Go away, no one cares about your government potshots. And if you weren't such an idiot, your crying about needing more freedom, wanting less security but expecting government to stop every nut who abuses the freedoms we have would strike you as ignorantly hypocritical. But really, Tea Party jack hole, using this tragedy to prove your cred isn't cute, it's sick

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  28. Wow, I am shocked to see someone talking about the government "stripping us of our rights and freedoms." Freedom for what? To make bombs? And guns do absolutely nothing against pre-placed bombs.

    What a disgusting comment.

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  29. I pray for the families and friends of those affected in Boston yesterday. It truly breaks my heart that innocent people have to be subjected to sick, demented people that want to hurt and kill.
    I have to admit, I hate going anywhere now. Just yesterday evening a woman in her BDU's verbally attacked me on the street here in Las Vegas. I was driving on the road and she was pulling out a strip mall and she started cursing at me and came out of her car. I couldn't believe it! I didn't even do anything wrong, I had the right of way. When she left, the man in the car behind her pulled up and lowered his window to speak to me. He said..."Don't worry about it, I saw everything and you did nothing wrong...the people in this world are just getting worse by the day." I felt like crying.

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    1. Hugs to you Diana G, people can be jerks but don't take it personal, you never know what they're going thru.

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    2. Thanks, All about Eve! ;-)

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  30. Enraging and depressing.

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  31. First the movie theater shooting. Then Sandy Hook nearly DESTROYED me. Now this. I feel so helpless... hopeless. I just want to say home and hug my husband and children all day. But I realize life has to go on and you MUST live everyday to the fullest.

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    1. Agree - Sandy Hook still haunts me and I will NEVER forget the day it happened and all the innocent lives lost.

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  32. Violence is the last refuge of the incompetent. ~ Isaac Asimov

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  34. Awful. I'm concerned about it spawning a new copycat trend.

    @__-__=__, this is the government's fault for stripping us of our rights and freedoms?

    I sure hope you're not referring to the long overdue action being taken to put common sense gun control and background check regulations into effect. Tragedies like this aren't an opportunity to score cheap political points.

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    1. Phoenix, I worry that bombings will become more of a common occurance - like in Israel.

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  35. I just "look for the helpers".

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  36. Anonymous7:21 AM

    Guys please don't turn this into a political discussion. Its not the time nor the place.

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    1. Echoing @katydid. That's already happening elsewhere - please, not here, too.

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  37. I dont know what to say. Idk what is wrong with people. Love and healing and light to all affected, esp new amputees.

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  38. +2 @katydid. Just stop already. :(

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  39. I meant, stop already with the gooberment crap.

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  40. @Katydid. Either I'm channeling you or your channeling me this morning. Both things I've want to say this morning, first the Fred Rogers quote and then stop with the political crap, you've beat me to, All I have left to add is "Well said."

    My heart goes out to all the people of Boston and the spectators. I'll keep my nasty thoughts about the perpetrator to myself for now. This topic doesn't need anymore negativity.

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    1. Anonymous8:02 AM

      Thanks Gayeld. But in fairness it was hurricane tiffany with the quote although I agree with her 100%. This is our time to show those who would do such a disgusting thing what true humanity is capable of.

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  41. It was so hard to explain to my innocent 8 yr old daughter what happened. She was watching it and rushed into the room and told me about it. She was confused.
    She did not experience 9/11, but she know about it. In a way it was easier to teach her about that because it had happened before she was born and the wounds weren't so fresh.
    But these past few events, the Colorado Theatre.shooting, the senseless tradegy at Sandy Hook Elementary and now the Boston Marathon....it is just too much.
    All I can do is totry my best and put on my brave Mommyface and explain, answer questions , and teach her about these tragedies.
    And it's also OK to let some tears slip out (well a lot of tears).
    I love my Country, but whoever these a**holes are, need to knock it the F**K OFF!

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    1. *tragedy*
      I'm sorry, my phone wouldn't let me preview and correct mistakes.
      I also want to say that CDaNers are a great, smart and respectful bunch of people that I have never met! It is why I keep comong back and waving off any other sight.
      Thank you Enty for providing an outlet for Boston and thank you everyone else. My little family loves you!

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  42. My trainer at my gym, Nicole Gross, her husband, Michael Gross, and her sister, Erica were all seriously injured yesterday. They were standing at the finish line waiting on Nicole and Erica's mom to finish. Nicole has now had multiple surgeries as both of her legs were broken below the knee in multiple places. They were unable to find her sister until this morning - she is in critical condition and has had to undergo several partial amputations. Michael received severe burns and was treated at the ER. I know their family needs thoughts and prayers. It is going to be a long road to recovery for them. It is heartbreaking. I just worked out with Nicole last week. I can't wrap my brain around the fact that she went from being so physically perfect to broken in the blink of an eye.

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    1. @goheels- that's terrible. My heart goes out to you and your friends. May they have a speedy recovery.

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    2. @goheels- Thoughts to you and your friends.

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    3. @goheels, praying for you and your friends, hugs

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    4. @goheels, I'm so sorry! Hugs & prayers to your friend and her family!

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    5. @goheels-Praying for your friends.

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    6. Go heels my thoughts will be with your friends.

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    7. Praying for your friends.

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    8. Love and light for them all and you too, goheels

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  43. @goheels. I'm so sorry for you and your friends. Sending posi=energy and tight hugs.

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  44. Anonymous7:57 AM

    @goheels my best to her and her family. They sound like a strong bunch hopefully they will pull through.

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  45. @goheels, I'm so sorry for your trainer and her family. I can't even imagine. :(

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  46. Just FYI-rights and freedoms aren't necessarily guns. It's the patriot act. The US using drones on it's own people. Before you guys freak out about his politics (seriously get a grip Cathy-your first ridiculous post basically implied that it was some disgruntled NYer who was mad at the marathoners who wanted to continue after Sandy)) I think you have to realize that it is a message of hope. Americans will not be terrorized because there ARE more good people than bad in this country, in the world ultimately, and the good people should not be punished for the bad, bc we will prevail.

    Either way it is not the time for any of that. God knows it will be the focus soon but right now people just need to heal. Boston will be fine, Bostonians are a tough lot, and they will not take this lying down, just like NY'ers didn't after 9/11.

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  47. @goheels - I am so sorry for you and your friends (and all involved). It really brings it close to home when you hear first accounts of people that have been affected. Thank You for sharing this with us.

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  48. omg goheels83, my thoughts and prayers go out to them for sure, for all the victims, and that those responsible be discovered and confined to a prison cell pronto.

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  49. I'll only say this: I don't care if it was some Muslim jihadist, some home-grown RWNJ or LWNJ. Whoever did it is no better than a mad dog, and when he (or they) are caught should be treated accordingly.

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  50. goheels 83, devastating. So grateful my direct family are all OK. Thank you for sharing that name. I will follow their path because of it, and use any resource I have to assist. God Bless.

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  51. For years I lived a block and a half away from the blast scene and tended bar right by the blast site. This is one of the most beautiful parts of Boston. Bostonians are a tight knit and resourceful people and will overcome this adversity. My heart goes out to all those involved and to all those who helped in the aftermath, I salute you.

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  53. @katie cunningham - I didn't say that I thought that was what happened. I just said that it was what first went through my mind and that I hope the two events aren't related. There's a difference. I'm pretty sure that most of the regular posters here are aware that I'm a thoughtful and rational person, so I'd appreciate it if you don't try and twist my words around and then tell me to "get a grip." K? thanks.

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  54. As a New Yorker who was here for 9/11 I know only too well what the people of Boston are going through.
    My prayers are with them....

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  55. CNN was playing the footage of the bomb explosion all night. I can't get the sound of the screams from all the innocent people out of my head. One can watch a zillion movies with explosions and bombings, but when you see this situation occur in real life it hits every emotion you have.

    I'm hoping for the best concerning your friends Goheels.

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  56. I was at the marathon yesterday and left about 20 minutes before this happened. I haven't read all of the posts in here but they have been going through the apartment of a guy they think is connected to it. He's here as an exchange student so we'll see what happens.

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  57. Some facts and some irresponsible speculation written yesterday:

    Facts:

    Today is Patriots Day in Massachusetts, the commemoration of the famous Midnight Ride of Paul Revere. It's HUGELY significant in the Right-Wing Anti-Government Nutbag movement. Timothy McVeigh's truck bomb destroyed the Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City, killing 168 people, 19 of them children under the age of six, on April 19th, 1995 - Patriot's Day.

    Today is "Tax Day," April Fifteenth, the deadline for Americans to file their income tax returns. This is also hugely significant to the Right-Wing Anti-Government Nutbag movement, as, to them, taxation=tyranny.

    Boston is the cradle of the American Revolution. This is where Crispus Attucks fell, the first American to die in the American Revolution. It's the home of John Adams, of Nathan Hale, of Paul Revere. The Right-Wing Anti-Government Nutbag movement consider themselves the spiritual successors of those original patriots.

    Boston was, of course, the site of the very famous Boston Tea Party, an event considered iconic by the Right-Wing Anti-Government Nutbag movement.

    Boston is also, of course a famously liberal city, capital of a famously liberal state, nearly universally loathed by the Right-Wing Anti-Government Nutbag movement.

    Irresponsible speculation:

    We're going to find that this was an act of domestic terrorism, the Right-Wing Anti-Government Nutbag movement.

    And when you see some scraggly guy from some "Militia" brought in in cuffs, remember this: What he believes in differs in only one significant way from Rick Perry, Rick Santorum, Ted Cruz, and the rest of the Teabaggers who have infested American politics: Willingness to outright murder innocents to make their political points. Everything they believe in, everything they fight for, would make Timothy McVeigh smile.

    A few thoughts from this morning:

    A couple of thoughts about the Boston bombing:

    A trauma surgeon from Tufts Medical Center -- a hospital very close to the bombing site -- pointed out in a radio interview that if you want to kill large numbers of people, Boston, with its plethora of the greatest hospitals in the world, is the wrong place to try it. A lot of lives have been saved.

    And, not to seem to prideful, but, Bostonians are hard to cow. It's called terrorism for a reason: The goal is not the individual casualties, but to spread fear among the populace. Boston's a tough old city, proud of its cheerfulness and stubbornness, and it's just hard to scare. Remember: Bostonians drive in Boston traffic. Not much is as scary as that.

    I appreciate the kindness of people saying prayers for the city of Boston, but it's important to remember: Boston is a city of about 626,000 people. Three were killed, and about 140 were injured. That's not trivial, of course. People died, and many suffered. But it's not 9/11, with three thousand dead. The "crime scene" closed off for the investigation consisted of 15 blocks of one street, reduced now to about 12 blocks, and contracting. The area actually affected by the bombs looks to me like about 5 blocks.

    Boston, again, is a tough old town. It's not on its knees. It's going on about its business.

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    1. You echo my thoughts re: this is a right wing nut job. I'll be very surprised if the person/s responsible are brown.

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  58. Nicely said, JAS.

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  59. Jonathan - I would expect nothing less from Boston! And totally agree Boston with all it's hospitals and all the people running to help instead of running away was the wrong place to do this.

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  60. My heart is sending comforting, peaceful and healing energy to my favorite city. And all my friends and family who are affected by this senseless, mean and spiteful action.

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  61. JAS - one of those three killed yesterday was an 8 year old boy. I get what your saying, but even one 8 year old child killed (and as far as I'm concerned he was killed - I don't know what other way to phrase it, as this was an attack whose intent and purpose was to ultimately kill) is still one way too many.

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  62. Westboro "church" is already planning to protest the funeral of the little boy killed. Anonymous has already said that if they show up, they will do something.

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  63. OKC bombing took place on a Wednesday so no it did not occur on Patriots Day which takes place in the third Monday in April.

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    1. @RCB - Actually Patriot's Day is April 19th, but Massachusetts celebrates on the third Monday of April to have a 3 day weekend, so technically McVeigh did bomb on Patriot's Day.

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    2. @Rickatoo- McVeigh clearly stated that the date he chose for the OKC bombing was the association of that day with Waco. It may have coincided with Patriots Day, but it had more to do with David Koresh.

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    3. @FS - you're right and I was going to add that, but I was responding to just RCB's comment about a Wednesday not being Patriot's Day. I'll add that Patriot's Day isn't celebrated or even acknowledged outside New England.

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    4. @FS - you're right and I was going to add that, but I was responding to just RCB's comment about a Wednesday not being Patriot's Day. I'll add that Patriot's Day isn't celebrated or even acknowledged outside New England.

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  64. @goheels, I'm so sorry about your friend and her family. I'll keep them in my prayers.

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  65. @kelgela2, how depressing. If there is a modern day example of demonic infestation, the Westboro Baptist Church has a bad case of it, and in God's name no less. It makes me crazy.

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  66. @goheels I am so sorry. I am sending good thoughts.

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  67. Jason Blue Eyes, I not only get that, I said that.

    But, again, eight children between ages two-and-a-half and eleven were killed in New York on 9/11. Eighteen children under the age of six were killed by McVeigh in Oklahoma City.

    The death of 8-year-old Martin Richard is a terrible, terrible tragedy. Nobody's saying otherwise.

    But one little boy is not the same as eight or eighteen, and three fatalities are not the same as three thousand.

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  68. Please consider not giving any further publicity to the Westboro Baptist Church (COS=Church of Satan).

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  69. RejectedCareBear

    Patriot's Day is traditionally the nineteenth of April. The state holiday floats thanks to its 1969 inclusion in the "Monday Holiday Bill," but the actual date is the 19th of April.

    Yes, Wednesday, April 19th, 1995 was the actual date of Patriot's Day, and that was why McVeigh selected it to commit his atrocity.

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  70. As a Bostonian who was downtown yesterday killing time between games (Red Sox and the later postponed Bruins match), can we please not get into a death-off comparing numbers and ages of dead incident to incident? It's douchey, achieves nothing and minimizes the losses of all the lives from those various incidents.

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    1. Dewie, I had folks at the Red Sox game , folks who were under lockdown at their offices with Bruins tickets in hand, and folks at Heartbreak Hill cheering on fellow neighbors running in the Marathon. So glad you are OK. Other Boston area cdan folks, Robin, Vicki Cupper, car54 are all ok from what I have read. Devastating.Just so very sad.

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  71. JAS - Didn't mean anything by what I wrote or disputing your meaning. I have a little brother in his teens - wasn't that long ago he was 8. News reports of children getting hurt or worse around that age just get to me at times.

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  72. @goheels: I'll be praying for your friends.

    @rejectedcarebear: Technically, there are 2 Patriots' Days (well, 3 if you want to count 9/11, which I think may also have that title now): For many years, April 19--which is the actual date of the skirmish on Lexington Green--was celebrated as Patriots' Day; however, in modern times, the state of Massachusetts has celebrated Patriots' Day on the 3rd Monday in April, and the Boston Marathon is also run on that Monday as well.

    (I can't be the only one who gets antsy during this stretch in April, can I? Between Waco, Ruby Ridge, OKC, Columbine, Virginia Tech, and now this--did I miss anything?--it almost makes me want to crawl back into bed and hide until after the 21st or so.)

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  73. Go Heels-My thoughts and prayers are with your friends. I am sorry for their injuries but happy they survived.

    Reeses: Thanks for the Patten Oswalt posting. It was perfect.

    JAS: I don't think anyone is saying Boston compares to 9/11 exactly. (I would see it more as the OK due to the bomb being on the ground.) I think what people mean is it touches a nerve regarding terrorism on our soil. 9/11 was epic in it's scale.

    As an aside I just read Jonathan Safran Foer's "Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close" that addressing what a 9 yr old boy is going through after the loss of his father to the trade center bombings. It was a lovely book and for me personalized the tragedy since I wasn't in NYC nor did I lose someone. I highly recommend.

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  74. I couldn't stop crying. That's my home city where I grew up and went to college. I used to live right near there. My family is still up there, but thank GOD, they're all ok.

    My hearts go out to all who were hurt and affect by what these horrible monsters did.

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  75. The Columbine killers chose April 20th for their shooting spree not for the pot ref but because it was Hitler's Birthday.
    Odd but true, insane people who simply want to kill others (and plan it out) have been known to choose dates that are symbolic to them.
    There is speculation (and just that, speculation) that the 9/11 terrorists chose that date to mock our emergency services.
    I don't think yesterday was just randomly chosen. I am surprised they didn't go after the Red Sox game (MY TEAM) only because each of their games have been sold out for the last 10 years. Then again perhaps security is a lot more tight in an enclosed area. These cowards probably had ample time to plant those bombs leading up to the race.
    goheels83, my prayers are with your friends, stay strong for them.

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  76. Thank you so much to everyone for your kind words and prayers. I will pass those along to Nicole and her fam.

    <3 CDANers

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  77. STFU, Jonathan Sheen. Don't go blaming this on politicians and political parties when it really is just some frakked up nutjob who acted on his own.

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  78. oh sheesh *addressed* no addressing...proofreading can be your friend.

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  80. Guys, out of respect can we not argue on this thread? Please?

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  81. @IC hugs honey. My kids were 6, 4 and 2 when 9/11 happened. It is hard to explain this to babies. Just love on her, and assure her she is safe and school is safe and home is safe. And that we will get the bad guys.

    @goheals, oh honey, please know I am sending tons of hugs and love and prayers.

    Yesterday, I switched it to foxnews at 2pm (CST) to check what the markets were doing. Just like any other day. Heartbreaking, horrific and maddening.

    Hugs to everyone in Boston, and hugs to all of us.

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  82. I started crying when the news said an 8 year old was killed. My 2 year old put his hand on my knee and said, "What's wrong, mommy?" He has no idea what death is, so I said, "Oh honey, a kid got hurt really bad." He said, "Aww, we need to give him a bandaid. It will be ok!"
    Lots more tears.

    My heart is with everyone in Boston and everyone affected by this.

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  83. @Leah, I sure hope not, but at times I wonder where the escalating violence and willful ignorance of those who think nothing of resorting to it is headed myself.

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  84. Sending my love and thoughts from down under , my son is 8 so my heart especially goes out to this little boy and all those affected by this terrible event , I hope the people of Boston don't let this define how they live their lives and can emerge more stronger and united as a result .

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  85. oh, goheels, my thoughts and prayers are with your friend and her family, and the entire city of Boston.

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  86. Love my hometown paper, the Chicago Tribune. They put it better than I ever could

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  87. @goheels83, please keep us posted on your trainer/friend and her family. I know there are a lot of people, myself included, praying for them.

    one of my best friends was there for work, covering the finish line. luckily he was on the other side of the road. he accounted for all of his crew and then he saw the people running away - all the families and he just rushed right in. i wish i could share his fb post. truly one of the most vivid & touching stories in a tragedy that i have ever read - as we did not have social media like this in 2001. he is a fun-loving guy who goes about his business and doesn't make himself the news, so for him to share, total shock! - what an unsung hero! although he would completely downplay this.

    his brother had left the spot of the first explosion 20 minutes earlier. he also works in the same field and had his 2 daughters w/him. so glad that they didn't have to see the carnage first hand, but to know what my friend saw...how horrible! one of the girls asked her daddy - why are people so mean...echoing the sentiments from a commenter above, whose name i didn't get.

    these boys lost their older sister to a tragedy a few years ago and for their parents to know that their two surviving sons were in the midst of another...can't even go there...so glad that we have social media, so they were able to connect right away!

    something i have heard via video quite a few times today (and also read) - they are all dead - scares me...death reports via the federal agencies were listed at 12 on the Washington Post and NYPost - yet they are just listed as 3 every other place i have seen...could some people not be accounted for, because they were blown apart? i truly hope this is not the case!

    this might not be anything nearly as bad as 9/11, but it is the first significant hit by terrorists since then. while that is very scary, there have been so many that have been caught BEFORE they were able to cause harm.

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  88. uuuugh my just like any other normal day comment.. I meant, I always flip it over to foxnews at 2pm to see what the markets are doing, and my crush on Shepard Smith! Not that this was like any other normal horrific day. Yesterday, was horrific and terrifying and heartbreaking.

    I hope I didn't hurt any feelings or come off as a total jerk.

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  89. Thank you Enty. I'm still in a daze over this and am so angry too. I want to know why and who did this. I've been praying for all those people who were injured and killed by this. I do have to say I am also so proud of my city. We rallied together and helped when it was needed most and bc of this a lot of people were saved. I want to thank all those who first responded you didn't hesitate for a second.

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  90. Apparently, mid-April is a bad time to be out and about.
    I was glad to hear that the runner that fell by the first explosion was okay. He was 78 years old and running his third marathon. He even walked back to his hotel.
    God bless the first responders and those surrounding that helped those hurt and dying.
    God bless the young woman and the 8 year old who died, their lives cut too short, and the third victim yet to be named.
    And God be with all the victims.

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  91. Let's not turn this into political debate (based on speculation, because WE DON"T KNOW WHY THEY DID THIS!). Terrorism only succeeds when it hurts our future behavior. Terrorists want to divide. They want to terrorize so we live in fear. They want us to point fingers at each other, so we are weaker. To jump in and point blame blindly is to GIVE INTO THE TERRORISTS.

    Let's use this time to mourn, while our wonderful first responders and doctors and nurses take action to save lives. Let's use this time to mourn, while our brave security and investigators probe into what happened and why and by whom.

    Eventually we will know who did this and why. When that happens, we can take appropriate action to improve our society or against our enemies. Until then, we need to take time and breathe, and refrain from pointing fingers. That only tears us apart. And only by tearing us apart will the terrorists really succeed.

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  92. This is so sad. I know that this is at a much higher level than the shooting that happened at the Lone Star College campus and the guy that slashed 12 people at the Cy-Fair campus, but, it just hit home because my cousin and aunt go to Lone Star. When I first heard about the shooting, I went crazy because they wouldn't answer their phones, etc. I was so relieved to know that they didn't even go to that campus. The stabbing WAS at their campus, but luckily they weren't in class that day. I pray I never have to go through that again and I pray no one else has to either.

    I must add: My friend went to the Xfactor auditions in New Orleans. She called me last night telling me that she passed through to the Simon auditions. She had no idea what happened in Boston because she was stuck inside the stadium without cell phone service. I felt like such an ass telling her and basically bringing down her day. I could literally hear her chocking back her tears.

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  93. My heart and prayers go out to the people involved and effected by the Boston bombing yesterday. I know how it feels because 18 years ago, I was in their place. My mom was in the OKC bombing. I was right down the street at my junior high and I felt the ground shake beneath my feet and looked out the window to see a cloud of smoke overtaking the blue sky. Ten minutes later, the principal if my school came and got me from my class to tell me that a bomb had gone off in the building that my mom worked in and no one could find her.

    And no, April 19th was not chosen because it was Patriots Day- McVeigh chose April 19th because its association with Waco.

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  94. My kids and I were in Boston for university tours last January. It's a beautiful place. We went to an outdoor hockey game at Fenway Park. There were 2 games scheduled and the weather delayed the first game. Thousands of people tried to exit Fenway, at the same time as thousands more tried to enter. My friend, a police detective here in Toronto, said it was an "incident waiting to happen" because of the crushing of the crowd trying to move in opposite directions. He actually spoke to security about getting people to move safely. I took photos to show my husband when I told him how scary it was. I can't even imagine if someone had put a bomb in there with that many people. It would have been more horrendous than yesterday's events already are. God Bless all those affected.

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  95. Prayers to all of the people of Boston and their family and friends...

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  96. @FreudianSlip, was your mom okay? What a terrible thing for you to go through. I've been to the memorial and cried the whole way through.

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  97. Momster- my mom did get out of the Murrah Building. She had spilled a drink on her shirt and gotten up to go to the restroom to clean it up, which saved her. The rest of her office parished. It was a horrific event and I am saddened that other cities have had to experience something similar to what OKC went through.

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  98. I can't even bring myself to snark on the photos today.

    Sending good thoughts to all affected, mourning, or just sad.

    And even good thoughts to Bieber. Okay that might be taking it too far.
    God only knows what he's tweeting now.

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  99. @FreudianSlip. So glad to hear about your Mom. I know Loma Prieta was a natural disaster, but it still amazes me today how many lives were saved because the A's were playing the Giants in 1989. Normally the Cypress structure is a parking lot that time of the evening, but everyone had left early to watch the game or beat the game traffic.

    I'm pretty much an agnostic, but every once in a while something like that makes you wonder.

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  100. @goheels83, so sorry to hear about your friends. Count me in with the people who will be praying for them.

    Tragedies like this, whether large or small, symbolic or not, are still tragedies and still scary. <3 to all my CDAN friends!

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  102. My love to everyone in Boston. I wish I wish could unsee the horrific pictures. Many tears for the victims and it brought back horrible feelings of the 7/7 bombings. I cannot even begin to imagine what everyone has been going through. But it's people like this that give hope and light in such tragic times. Seeing everyone helping each other out and rallying together has starting to restore my faith in humanity. http://www.buzzfeed.com/erinlarosa/boston-marathon-tragedy-met-with-amazing-acts-of-kindness
    Stay strong Boston...London is thinking of you x

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  103. Many prayers @goheels- please keep us posted. They will be in our prayers.

    I can't properly express my grief and the heartache I feel toward my incredible running community. I'm glad all my run group was safe and beyond gutted that some idiot took away from the goodness of my sport.
    I can only pray that we all do not let the evil win and refuse to live in fear.

    If you're a runner make sure you wear a race shirt in solidarity and lace up. My heart and soul are with Boston.
    Peace

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  104. My heart goes out to anyone and everyone who has been affected by this tragedy.

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  105. Sending love and positive energy from Down Under to all affected by this. We woke up to the news yesterday and it's just a sick pit feeling in the guts thinking of all those who are there and the ramifications that are ongoing. I think about the people I've never net and likely never will but who impact my life late at night when I can't sleep or during the day when I get a chance to sit down and drink a coffee and read their comments on blog posts.

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  106. As a born and raised Bostonian--and someone whose religion is all things Boston--sports, traditions, customs, Marathon Monday is my favorite holiday. To the rest of the country it's Patriot's Day. But to us it's a day we gather with friends, welcoming the beginning of spring, and cheering on runners. It's a day I cry every year in joy as I watch soldiers run by in their gear, people running in memorial of others, and a day inspired by wellness and care. This year I was there to watch a dear Friend run in honor of my sister who passed away last summer from cancer at 30. Ive always said if you're feeling defeated in humanity, watch a marathon. The way strangers cheer on strangers is what literally gets them through each 1/10 of a mile. It will inspire. It will bring you to tears. Boston is a city of strength. We don't have the glory of NYC or the fame of LA. We were built my enduring. We will endure and we will cheer each other on to get us through.

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  107. My prayers and thoughts of healing go out to all that are affected by the horrific events in Boston.
    Our government are now very concerned that the London marathon may also be targeted and are tighening security.

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  108. My prayers and thoughts of healing go out to all that are affected by the horrific events in Boston.
    Our government are now very concerned that the London marathon may also be targeted and are tighening security.

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  109. Through the eyes of a child: my 3yr old niece last night was told that some people in Boston did bad things after she caught the story on TV. She kept saying afterwards "Some people are bad, but we are nice. Some people do bad things, but we do nice things momma." Absolutely true.

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  110. Through the eyes of a child: my 3yr old niece last night was told that some people in Boston did bad things after she caught the story on TV. She kept saying afterwards "Some people are bad, but we are nice. Some people do bad things, but we do nice things momma." Absolutely true.

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  111. This breaks my heart. All those innocent people just out enjoying their day and to have it end like this. I am praying for the victims. This world is getting darker and darker everyday. :(

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  112. Replies
    1. CamColty, this was NOT a "false flag".

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  113. My friends brother was running in it yesterday. Thankfully he and his family were unharmed. My my thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families.

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  114. My little cousin ran it and was a mile out before the bomb hit. She said it was utter chaos. She said that all of sudden there was a wall of people and there was no where to go. I'm grateful for her friends that were at the finish line waiting for her. When they realized what had happened, they fanned out and corralled her. They said they passed the first explosion point at Marathon Sports and there were a bunch of girls there cheering and having a good time. I wonder how they fared. I was supposed to be cooking for the after party, but I couldn't leave my computer or Facebook, as all phones were shut down. It made me realize how vulnerable we all are. Seriously. Make a plan, have an exit, pretend it's a visit to a theme park, just communicate so you have a way out.

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  115. @goheels: Nicole and Michael made the BBC website:

    http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-22157894

    Hopefully this will get even more people thinking of and praying for them...

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  116. I think I'm still in shock. Nothing but carnage ran all day on tv here in Boston. This is my first venture out, so to speak.

    Make plans people. If a disaster happens, you should know what to do. Those two hours I waited to hear from my cousins were brutal - and there was nothing I could do about it.

    I'm trying to get her friends to give a statement, for they were in that precise area only 10 minutes prior. One of them wanted to buy flowers, but it was taking too long so they left. Thank God for impetuous kids! I think their testimony will help paint a picture.

    Then I got a text at 2 in the morning. My friend had to walk 8 miles home. No transportation was available. Terrible.

    The sense of helplessness is brutal.

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  117. And Thank You Enty for placing that image on top. It really does mean a lot.

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  118. My mom was in a panic because my little sister works only a few blocks away. So, so grateful this happened on tax day (she's in an accounting firm) because it meant no one was allowed to leave the office all day anyway.

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  119. I have so much respect for the people who immediately ran TOWARDS the explosion to start ripping away the fencing and to help.

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  120. Senseless. Utterly senseless.

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  121. My thoughts are with everyone affected & America in general. My husband & I are still coming over in July. We had no plans for Boston but we would have still gone if we did. We flew into New York the day that idiot tried to bomb Times Square, & we went to Times Square the next day. We will enjoy our visit & not allow ourselves to be cowed by weaklings who use violence. We have many differences, but we as nations are friends because we believe that it is every person's right to walk freely, live freely & love freely. We are not perfect, but we are so much greater than these cowards & our resilience will prove the folly of their actions.

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  122. I haven't read everyone's comments since I'm on my way out the door, but I wanted to add my sympathies to everyone affected. I'm visiting my mum, sisters and nephew and niece in Wales (I live in Scotland) right now and I hugged them all a little tighter when we found out.

    To everyone hurting by this tragic and senseless tragedy, we hurt with you. Sending hugs across the Atlantic.

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  123. @Amari, sometimes the young ones are the most wise <3

    Of course some internet trolls are out and about spouting false flag ect right now. I am just not ready to hear about false flag, homegrown, fundraiser ect yet. Those will come flying out later.. but for right now, my heart is just so heavy.

    And now the ricin (sp?) letter in the mail. *puts tinfoil hat on* part of me wonders if someone is testing our response times and actions? *takes off tinfoil hat* That kind of unnerved me yesterday.

    Good idea about revamping the plan. I haven't done that in a while, or discussed with the wild bunch lately. It just kinda morphed back into 'what to do during a natural disaster' type thing, living in Tornado alley tends to do that. Thankfully school is within walking distance so our meetup place is close.

    Be safe everyone, and continue to send out good thoughts to the universe. We all could use them.

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  124. Anonymous8:26 AM

    I don't understand why anyone would do this. What are the motivations? What could someone want to get out of doing this? I hope that they find who is responsible, or that someone comes forward. This is just senseless destruction, for what????

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  125. I posted yesterday about a friend I had who was right there when the bombs went off. I am very proud of him and had to share this link as he was interviewed by a local paper for his natural first responder instincts. To know Matt is to love him, for I believe he is one of the few out there who has no enemies in the world!

    http://www.nashuatelegraph.com/news/1000561-469/news-photographer-lends-a-hand-following-marathon.html

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  126. It was senseless and horrifying. The speculation on the news is endless. I hope they find whoever is responsible very quickly. My prayers and sympathies to all affected in this tragedy.

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  127. "Whilst this is a terrible event I can't help but wonder if our response to it is part of the problem. 37 people in Iraq died in bomb attacks last week. Their loss of human life and opportunity is just as tradgic. Only one story in the newspaper and not 24/7 global coverage. Whether intended or not does not this imply that we value Western life as some how more valuable then life in the developing world?

    Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/comment/targeting-amateurs-in-a-sport-for-everybody-20130416-2hxbu.html#ixzz2QoQtAwX9

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