Bombs explode at Boston Marathon

[IPD]

Copied from Reddit for some perspective:

Deaths on April 15 by cause:
Terrorism: 3
Smoking: ~1190
Obesity: ~306
Alcohol: ~232
Toxic agents: ~150
Preventable medical errors: ~120
Traffic collisions: ~117
Firearms deaths: ~79 (~29 homicides)
STIs: ~54
Drug abuse: ~46

and that is why i maintain that resiliency, not prevention, is the key.

[j2k4]

and that is why i maintain that resiliency, not prevention, is the key.

Read the wrong way, Thadd, that sounds like we should get all Irish about it.

Resilient is what you are if you make a bit too much of a habit of stubbing your toe or walking into doors.

I'd rather we give the impression we'd just as soon not feel compelled to develop a whole lot of resilience.

[IPD]

Read the wrong way, Thadd, that sounds like we should get all Irish about it.

Resilient is what you are if you make a bit too much of a habit of stubbing your toe or walking into doors.

I'd rather we give the impression we'd just as soon not feel compelled to develop a whole lot of resilience.

it's a simple question of numbers. you have a lot more chance of prevention working when you're talking about several thousand deaths, versus a couple dozen. i believe there is a need for both--but resiliency is tossed out the window on the altar of sacrificing freedoms to the gods of nanny-state government.

[AgentOblivious]

From what I understand, the explosive was black powder or gunpowder?

Sounds domestic. Even suicide bombers in Afghanistan are using ANNM derivatives.

[AgentOblivious]

From what I understand, the explosive was black powder or gunpowder?

Sounds domestic. Even suicide bombers in Afghanistan are using ANNM derivatives.

[NickS VR4]

From what I understand, the explosive was black powder or gunpowder?

Sounds domestic. Even suicide bombers in Afghanistan are using ANNM derivatives.

Harder to get in US. Black powder is low radar.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

[j2k4]

it's a simple question of numbers. you have a lot more chance of prevention working when you're talking about several thousand deaths, versus a couple dozen. i believe there is a need for both--but resiliency is tossed out the window on the altar of sacrificing freedoms to the gods of nanny-state government.

Oh, don't get me wrong - I take your meaning - do you take mine?

[IPD]

Oh, don't get me wrong - I take your meaning - do you take mine?

not really. your meaning is rather obtuse on this one.

[j2k4]

not really. your meaning is rather obtuse on this one.

I would rather they (whoever) not get comfortable bitch-slapping us before we respond - clumsily, if at all.

We allow ourselves to be hamstrung by such as the Geneva Convention merely because the offenders/combatants aren't wearing uniforms.

We need to rewrite that particular rulebook, and we needn't abide a self-righteous UN browbeating us into inaction.

[IPD]

no, the geneva conventions are fine. they deal with UNIFORMED combatants. what we need is an international agreement addressing what would be a CRIMINAL activity (terrorism)--were it to be committed by a native citizen--but is in fact carried out by a foreign citizen. I, for one, have no qualms about following the geneva conventions. if we do NOT abide by rule of law, then what separates us from the terrorists?

i also disagree that an "impotent" response would become the norm. perpetrators would be discovered and dealt with--severely. nor do i feel that prevention is un-necessary or foolhardy. i do, however, believe that prevention has gone too far when due-process goes out the window. that the loss of constitutional rights by native citizens is crossing the line. for if we compromise our constitution in order to "better protect" ourselves, then we are already conceding victory. it means that their methods will work to break down the rule of law.

remember that quote about "he that would give up essential freedom for a little security deserves neither"?