March 6, 2008
House Democrats Received Letters Claiming Responsibility for NYC Bombing
Late breaking news in the Times Square Armed Forces recruiting center bombing early this morning: eight House Democrats reportedly received mailed letters today from someone claiming responsibility for the bombing. The letters also included photographs of the Manhattan recruiting center before it was bombed, along with the words, "We did it."
The Associated Press has published an email that was sent to members of Congress today from Sen. Dianne Feinstein's (D-Calif.) office that reads:
A few offices on the House side have received a letter today addressed to 'Members of Congress' with a picture of a man standing in front of the Times Square recruiting station that was bombed in New York today with the statement 'We did it.' He is standing in front of it with his arms spread out and he's attached his political manifesto.The U.S. Capitol Police and the FBI are now investigating the letters and their connection to the bombing. The Politico is reporting that the letters and pictures went to Democrats representing New York City-based congressional districts, and that there may have been more letters sent to other members. A congressional staffer who saw the letter told WNBC that the photo showed a white man who appeared to be in his 30s with red hair, and that the man's face was clearly visible.
The still video image above is from police surveillance footage that's been released to the media that shows a bicyclist near the building right before the explosion. Police suspect this bicyclist placed the explosive device at the recruitment center.
UPDATE: The Associated Press reports that officials are saying the letters are NOT linked to the bombing. The writer of the letters is apparently an anti-war activist who sent roughly 100 letters to members of Congress, but who did not have anything to do with bombing.
"It was just an incredibly unbelievable coincidence," said one of the law enforcement officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the investigation in New York is continuing.
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damn, if you can see anything in that photo, you have freakin' eagle eyes
Dammit, he had to use a bicycle.
I am hoping against hope that this does not herald the beginning of a wave of completely useless yet tough-seeming anti-bicycle laws.
'Goph, that's the actual photo of the explosion, not one that shows the cyclist, or the one sent to the Congressmen showing a redhead. All you're supposed to see in that one is the big puff of white smoke.
God I hope we don't have another batch of self-righteous Weathermen-style dilettante bombers developing in this country. Inept domestic "terrorism" incidents like these are exactly the sort of thing that will hasten the creeping authoritarianism these (presumed) idiots are opposing. On the other hand, if these are actual ideologically-driven, hostile foreign terrorists, and this is the best they can do as a target, I think we can sleep a little easier.
Why only Democrats?
Because the whole point of the bombing is to frame Democrats and progressives as anti-American loonies who blow up recruiting centers?
I can't wait for the authorities to come across a bike with one of those "THIS BIKE IS A PIPE BOMB" stickers on it. I pity that poor, smug, hipster fixie rider...
yes 20008, that, and if they were sent to nyc delegation members, they're almost exclusively democrats
Homeland Security will now stop and screen every bicycle entering the District. And make the riders take off their shoes, just because.