Was the Boston explosion a terrorist act?

[Cicero]

Just saw the news special report and its talking about the Boston bombing.

[Yonkers]

We don't know yet.

[StoppingTime]

Yes, it was. A "terrorist attack" doesn't mean a foreign party came and attacked us, or anyone for that matter. It simply means that, literally, an act of terror occurred, and it clearly did.

[Sugaree]

Before everyone starts blaming Muslims for this (and they already have, I've checked Facebook and Twitter to see some hate speech), keep in mind that this might have been a homegrown act of terror. Also, before we start implications, it might be smart to hold any debate off until we have a clearer picture. It's still a bit soon to start talking about it without having key information.

[likemike]

I think it was bombs just dont go off in public places

[Jess]

Yeah of course it was. Doesn't have to be from someone (or more) who is foreign.

[Bethany]

I would say definitely yes. I'm thinking it might have been a Timothy McVeigh-type or Centennial-bombing type homegrown terrorist. The more I think about this, the more it reminds me of the Centennial Park bombing.

[Southside]

Now before all you guys start screaming "IT WAS AL-QAEDA", I personally think it was a domestic bombing such as Oklahoma City. It could also be a type of "lone wolf terrorism" which means that it was one sole person who is not affliated with any group carried the whole attack out by themselves. Too many people these days assume terrorism is automatically some guy with a turban on that lives in a desert.Ive already seen people on blogs and other media go on Anti-Muslim rants, fucking fools.....

[MisterSix]

I wouldn't be surprised if it was an act of war by DPRK. That would actually be quite funny to me.

[Iron Man]

Anyway, lets look at the definition of terrorism:

ter·ror·ism noun \ˈter-ər-ˌi-zəm\


Definition of TERRORISM
: the systematic use of terror especially as a means of coercion

A pair of bombs going off at a busy venue (The Boston Marathon), A few people were killed, many were injured, and I'm pretty sure a few of them shat themselves out of fear. Unless the person responsible just likes to watch the world burn, I'd say this was an act of terrorism. However, until we learn who was behind this, and what their motives were, all we can do is sit here with our thumbs up our asses and let our imagination take over.

Oh, and according to Intelligence Agencies, there was no advanced warning of the Boston Attack. (Prepare yourselves, the conspiracy theories are coming). So, most likely, this was done by a professional.

[Nellerin]

Just saw the news special report and its talking about the Boston bombing.

All signs point to yes. Remember, there is foreign and domestic terrorism so no matter what, this sort of has to fall under terrorism.

[TheBassoonist]

No, it was clearly an act of God to punish us for having gay marriage. Or something like that.

But seriously, unless we know the motive of the bomber(s), we can't declare if it was terrorism or otherwise. It could've been someone who wanted to cause chaos with no other goal.

[xmojox]

It was bombs. Of course it was an act of terror.

[CharlieHorse]

no, it was clearly an act of god to punish us for having gay marriage. Or something like that.

But seriously, unless we know the motive of the bomber(s), we can't declare if it was terrorism or otherwise. It could've been someone who wanted to cause chaos with no other goal.

^^ this

[gipsy danger]

No, it was clearly an act of God to punish us for having gay marriage. Or something like that.

But seriously, unless we know the motive of the bomber(s), we can't declare if it was terrorism or otherwise. It could've been someone who wanted to cause chaos with no other goal.

regardless the cause if it caused mass terror and commotion it is know as terrorism. and I can relate to this because of the London bombing it caused everyone one to freakout. just you saying "it could've been someone who wanted to cause chaos with no other goals" the only goal in terrorism is to cause terror.

[Bethany]

Now before all you guys start screaming "IT WAS AL-QAEDA", I personally think it was a domestic bombing such as Oklahoma City. It could also be a type of "lone wolf terrorism" which means that it was one sole person who is not affliated with any group carried the whole attack out by themselves. Too many people these days assume terrorism is automatically some guy with a turban on that lives in a desert.Ive already seen people on blogs and other media go on Anti-Muslim rants, fucking fools.....

Agreed. Patriot's Day has been associated with several American attacks - Columbine, McVeigh, Waco, and now Boston. The actual details of the attack remind me of the Centennial Park bombing. Columbine, McVeigh, and Waco were all perpetrated by radical libertarian sort of people. Also, the 15th is tax day and there's new gun legislation in the northeast. It seems, simply from the circumstances, that it's a radical libertarian kind of person.

I feel like al-Qaeda would not go to all of that trouble just to kill 3 people. I think, if it were al-Qaeda, it would be bigger - maybe a New York Subway or DC Metro attack. Plus, there likely would have been some sort of threat that had been reported, which there wasn't.

[Taryn98]

It seems like it, but who knows who did it yet. It could be almost anyone really.

[LouBerry]

Yes, it was. A "terrorist attack" doesn't mean a foreign party came and attacked us, or anyone for that matter. It simply means that, literally, an act of terror occurred, and it clearly did.

For real. People need to understand that terrorism does not mean Muslim extremist act. The biggest terrorist attack before the Sep. Eleventh attack was done by a white Christian American. I believe he killed like, 140 something people.

[xmojox]

Agreed. Patriot's Day has been associated with several American attacks - Columbine, McVeigh, Waco, and now Boston. The actual details of the attack remind me of the Centennial Park bombing. Columbine, McVeigh, and Waco were all perpetrated by radical libertarian sort of people. Also, the 15th is tax day and there's new gun legislation in the northeast. It seems, simply from the circumstances, that it's a radical libertarian kind of person.

I feel like al-Qaeda would not go to all of that trouble just to kill 3 people. I think, if it were al-Qaeda, it would be bigger - maybe a New York Subway or DC Metro attack. Plus, there likely would have been some sort of threat that had been reported, which there wasn't.

Radical libertarian kind of person?

[Southside]

Agreed. Patriot's Day has been associated with several American attacks - Columbine, McVeigh, Waco, and now Boston. The actual details of the attack remind me of the Centennial Park bombing. Columbine, McVeigh, and Waco were all perpetrated by radical libertarian sort of people. Also, the 15th is tax day and there's new gun legislation in the northeast. It seems, simply from the circumstances, that it's a radical libertarian kind of person.

I feel like al-Qaeda would not go to all of that trouble just to kill 3 people. I think, if it were al-Qaeda, it would be bigger - maybe a New York Subway or DC Metro attack. Plus, there likely would have been some sort of threat that had been reported, which there wasn't.

Also..Is Al-Qaeda even capiable of such a attack anymore? No...

[Bethany]

Radical libertarian kind of person?

Right-wing extremist is the term I was grasping for. Timothy McVeigh kind of person. Though whoever did this seems smarter than McVeigh...considering this attack occurred in a crowded area where everyone was moving around.

[Danny_boi 16]

Yes, it was a "terrorist attack". But our elected officials don't want to call it that yet (both Republicans and Democrats), it is for the safety of the investigation and the congressional, senatorial, presidential, and other Federal briefings

[Cognizant]

Foreign or not, this was an act of terror, making it a terrorist act. Pretty simple!

Yes, it was a "terrorist attack". But our elected officials don't want to call it that yet (both Republicans and Democrats), it is for the safety of the investigation and the congressional, senatorial, presidential, and other Federal briefings

I watched an address by Mr. Obama where he called it an act of terror, and went on by saying his definition of "terrorist."

[Korashk]

I watched an address by Mr. Obama where he called it an act of terror, and went on by saying his definition of "terrorist."
I enjoyed that moment because he indirectly called himself a terrorist.

[Aves]

To answer OPs question, probably. Unless he just likes chaos with nothing else other than that in mind, it was a terrorist act.

[xmojox]

Right-wing extremist is the term I was grasping for. Timothy McVeigh kind of person. Though whoever did this seems smarter than McVeigh...considering this attack occurred in a crowded area where everyone was moving around.

Thanks for clarifying. I'm a Libertarian, and I didn't want my politics to be linked to this horrible thing.

[Left Now]

It was exactly a terrorism act...bombing with the aim of chaos is always terrorism...but terrorism is not Islam or any other religions...The person who did this horrible thing was maybe mentally sick person or wants an advantage from this act...
(SEC:Maybe Some persons want to put the sin of this act on Iran or Iraq...
because this is only a few days from founding the Office of "Mojahedin Khalq" in United States...)

[BebeFleur.]

Yes, it was an act of terrorism (for the reasons stated above by many).

I believe, however, it was domestic, or at least not "professional" (eg. Al-Qaeda). By "professional" I guess I mean organized, a group. They seemed to be crudely made from what I heard (common sharp/metal objects and pressure cookers) and I would think if it was organized it would be made differently. Please correct me if I am wrong.

[kayleethegray]

Just saw the news special report and its talking about the Boston bombing.

It was a terrorist attack, but it was not an attack from a terrorist cell, or else the casualties would have been much higher.

[MrMundane]

Sure it's a terror attack but not from a cell, the bombing was too sloppy. The way the bombs were set up and detonated was just too stupid for a serious group. All the bombs would have gone off all at once otherwise.

[Korashk]

Sure it's a terror attack but not from a cell, the bombing was too sloppy. The way the bombs were set up and detonated was just too stupid for a serious group. All the bombs would have gone off all at once otherwise.
Actually a common tactic is to set off one bomb that brings in a crowd of first responders, and then set of a second bomb later to kill the people who respond.

[CharlieHorse]

There was nails and ball bearings and other metal stuff in the bombs.
Apparently a lot of people who were injured have these metal pieces in their bodies. They are getting a lot of.medical attention.
This was a terrorist attack.
But I doubt it was anything like AlQaeda or other larger group.

[Cicero]

Actually a common tactic is to set off one bomb that brings in a crowd of first responders, and then set of a second bomb later to kill the people who respond.

There was nails and ball bearings and other metal stuff in the bombs.
Apparently a lot of people who were injured have these metal pieces in their bodies. They are getting a lot of.medical attention.
This was a terrorist attack.
But I doubt it was anything like AlQaeda or other larger group.

That's why they say it was a professional attack

[MrMundane]

1 person who knows how to make bombs could be considered a professional, saying they were professional is really vague and doesn't give any answers.

[AwesomeGuy15]

Hopefully not but if so our government and army should be ready

[Emerald Dream]

Locked at OP request. :locked2: