In the News: Boston Bombing Suspect Caught

[rabid1st]

Anyone who knows me knows I'm not a fan of the US 24-hour Media outlets. I try my best not to watch their relentless propaganda extravaganzas. But, I happened to be awake last night at 1:30 am, when news about the shoot-out was breaking and I did get sucked into the drama of it all. As it played out in real time from 1:30 to 4:30, it became obvious that we were looking at crimes committed by the bombers. I must say that MSNBC did a credible job of coverage, controlling most of their speculation. There were one or two guys who had obvious agendas...one that kept going on about Al-Queda connections, and one that kept insisting the police would shoot the suspect in the head with a firestorm of bullets as soon as they found him.

But mostly this was an efficient operation, carried out on two suspects who have, as yet, unknown motives. And mostly, the news shows reported actual news. Due process is going to be circumnavigated briefly, it appears. I am torn about that. On the one hand, I think there could well be reasons to question someone like this without a lawyer present. On the other hand, as an American, I firmly believe in due process for every criminal under the law. Even those criminals that are so warped by evil that they commit horrendous acts. My understanding is that the waiving of Miranda rights is temporary and that everything will be admissible in court, but anytime we try someone in the media, I do lament the loss of American values. And on that point, kudos to the officer at the press conference who said "It is always our goal to take suspects in alive." That, to my way of thinking, is a true American.

Comments

[nonlinearmusing.livejournal.com]

I wasn't able to keep up with the story as it unfolded, but the aftermath has been felt throughout the country. This is a horrible, horrible deed by such young men! I can't imagine what they were thinking when planning this! I read an interview with their father in Russia, and it said something to the effect of America falsely declaring his sons terrorists. :(

On the other hand, I admit to being disturbed about martial law being enforced while searching for the suspect. People and businesses told to remain at home with the doors locked, no traffic in or out of the area, home and vehicle searches, etc. The times have definitely changed in our country! It goes to show the impact 9/11 has had on our overall consciousness. It still disturbs me none the less. I feel like the terrorists have won despite our government trying to convince the world they haven't.

My two cents.

Edit: Sleep posting originally, but now I am fully awake! Ha! Link to article here (http://willyloman.wordpress.com/2013/04/19/boston-bombing-fathers-interview-on-video/).

[rabid1st.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the link to that. I don't speak Russian, so I don't know about the translation. But, if it is correct, I think that Father seems pretty normal to me. Given his experience of the police as a Chechnya citizen, a political refuge? And that his other son was already dead when he had the news...it would be hard for him to believe. The press I'd read painted him as ranting anti-American views. But I think this reaction is normal.

Imagine if someone told you that some close relative of yours was being hunted by the police in a foreign country. You would think, "What? How did he get guns? A bomb? This can't be true." Especially if, as everyone seems to be reporting, the one boy hadn't been radical until recently.

The way the father is holding his head, looks like genuine remorse and disbelief. Perhaps a touch of guilt, which is also natural for a parent. One of the things we don't realize is that we can get our hands on so many lethal items here, which isn't the case for citizens of many other countries. Actually, when they first started telling us about the nature of the bombs, I told my SO that they would be easy to build at home. Almost anyone could do what these boys did, it wouldn't require a terrorist cell, just some twisted reasoning and a few months to prepare.

[auntiesuze.livejournal.com]

I was glued to the TV this evening watching the end of the manhunt play out. I have to say, despite a few bobbles, all of the participating agencies did a great job. Taking in the second suspect alive was so crucial. Aside from the fact that you never want to kill someone if you don't have to, he's the best way to find out if there are more IEDs anywhere, why they did it, etc. Obviously they had to keep their own safety and that of the citizens as top priority, so anything could have happened, but they managed to pull it off.

[rabid1st.livejournal.com]

I agree, Suze! The law enforcement agencies did a great job. I admired them even more for the way they all avoided hyperbole and the temptations held out to them by the media to incite hysteria. They kept the media in check, which could have been very important, if it turns out that the suspect had a smart phone of some kind. There are some who say he updated his Facebook while on the run. Of course, I wonder if that IS his Facebook page. But, with today's technology it is easy to monitor what is happening on the news from a mobile device. And, to the credit of law enforcement, every one of them rejected media speculation and instead urged the second suspect to surrender peacefully.

As you say, they definitely want more information, from him. But, I think when the world is watching, it is better for our nation to behave in a civilized fashion. Yes, I am looking at you G.W. Bush!