Shades of the Weather Underground
"Leaders of the radical American student group the Weathermen, (left to right) Jim Mellen, Peter Clapp, John Jacobs, Bill Ayers, and Terry Robbins, march in 1969 at the van of a group of demonstrators during the 'Days of Rage' actions organized by the Weathermen to protest the trial of the Chicago Seven and 'to bring the war home.' David Fenton—Getty Images.
In the past two days a rash of suspicious packages were sent to prominent members of the democratic party, including two former presidents. Fortunately none of the unsophisticated devices exploded. They were also sent to addresses that offered protection to the "intended targets". Whoever sent the packages was unaware of the secret service protection given to former presidents and Secretaries of States. As far as I know, everyone who was sent a package was not home or out of state or on the campaign trail. The entire incident totally dominated the news in an era of non-stop cable news. After being briefed on the days events, the President announced that “The safety of the American people is my highest priority, and the full weight of the federal government is seeking to find and punish those responsible." He added "We have to unify."
We all know how divided the nation is right now. There have been other times in our nation's history when we have been this divided. I have lived through one of them and these packages containing homemade bombs reminds me of that turbulent period. That was the time that shaped most of my political views. That was the time of the Vietnam War and the protest movement of the late 60's and early 70's. The difference then was that the bombs were detonated and they were the calling card weapons of a group of college students. They were known as the Weathermen. They bombed the Capitol, the Pentagon, the State Department, Police departments, monuments and various corporate offices.
In early 1970, three of the founding members died in an accidental explosion in a Greenwich Village townhouse. Fortunately for the survivors, they were neither found responsible for the accidental explosion nor would most of them ever be found guilty of their share of the multitude of bombings that took place during that era. Their most famous leader, Bill Ayers would later say (op-ed New York Times 2008) "we did carry out symbolic acts of extreme vandalism directed at monuments to war and racism, and the attacks on property, never on people, were meant to respect human life and convey outrage and determination to end the Vietnam war ... The responsibility for the risks we posed to others in some of our most extreme actions in those underground years never leaves my thoughts for long. The antiwar movement in all its commitment, all its sacrifice and determination, could not stop the violence unleashed against Vietnam. And therein lies cause for real regret." There were charges against Ayers but they were later dropped in 1980, amid Jimmy Carter's "amnesty period for draft dodgers".
With that in mind I wonder what the motivations of the current "terrorist" (should I call him that?) could be? Is he insane? Oh wait, all the mailed bombs went to progressives. Is this a radical right winger? What is strange is the fact that none of these bombs went off or maybe they are incapable of going off. Is the object to create fear rather that to kill? From the evidence this individual left we will probably find out sooner rather than later.
Then the only question will be his fate. Will he also get the type of justice Ayers got?
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Could this be the a case of the rarest of radicals - the right wing radical?
Yes. Yes it was a right wing republican domestic terrorist, again...
I just got an image of Dennis Franz from NYPD Blue in my head saying "Shades of the Weater Underground"...
I guess great mines think alike. Iv'e had that thought since about noon today
I got it, I fixed it
In early 1970, three of the founding members died in an accidental explosion in a Greenwich Village townhouse.
What is strange is the fact that none of these bombs went off or maybe they are incapable of going off.
seems to me these people dont really know what the hell they're doing.
Is he insane?
Probably IMO: ALL radicals are to one point or another.
Very sloppy work or designed to only instill terror not really hurt anyone
Trout, I was thinking about this this morning as I was watching the news. Ya know, this could actually be a blessing in disguise in a way.
This may tend to unite a few more people for a time at least. Trump mentioned unity for the first time in a long time himself. (then seemingly went back on the attack quickly himself though) For others though It may have just a little longer effect.
So far no one got hurt and I heard trump say unity. That's a baby step. Will hr/we take more is the question.
Tesslyo, IF things were to true a certain way ,I believe trump would blame anyone for anything.
He would also "Buddy up " to anyone or anything. He will say anything and/or use anyone or anything... TO GET WHATEVER HE WANTS.
trump is some what like a chameleon. That's why he doesn't care WTF he says and doesn't care if he's consistent.
"Words dont mean much, its deeds that matter." trump
IF HE NEEDED the democrats I'd expect to see him buddy up. At this time
HE DOESN'T NEED them. It works more to HIS advantage to use them as HIS enemy.
Sad, But I believe true.
IF the democrats take back a sizable amount of power (not likely yet) I have little doubt we will see a dramatic change in presidents trumps rhetoric concerning the dems then, and probably only when and IF that happens though.
..........................................................
He will never accept blame for his actions.
You very well be correct.
Thanks Done, I'll take that as a complement,
But know this I don't as you put it "won’t kowtow to either wing's azzdouchery"
and No many people don't seem ta love it.
(From either side)
Imported or home grown, left or right, vioent terrorists suck...
Rep. Rick Crawford (R-Ark.) used to be a bomb expert for the US Army. He dosen't think these bombs were designed to explode:
“I think it was probably designed to get attention. It was designed to be caught. And while it may be a device that could function, I think it was designed more than anything to strike fear in the hearts of people they were intended to target — not necessarily to kill them,”
Rep. Maxine Waters (D-CA) now ironically a target of violence has finally at long last, come out against it:
“I unequivocally condemn any and all acts of violence and terror.”
"White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders on Wednesday night hit back at CNN over the network president's criticism of the Trump administration's rhetoric toward the press following a bomb threat at CNN's New York City office.
"[ President Trump ] asked Americans 'to come together and send one very clear, strong, unmistakable message that acts or threats of political violence of any kind have no place in the USA' Yet you chose to attack and divide. America should unite against all political violence," Sanders wrote on Twitter, following Trump's rally in Wisconsin that evening."
Another aspect of this is the timing - 12 days before the election. Is this another leftist hoax to portray democrats as victims and the right as violent? What of these devices? No word on why they are not being set to explode. Strange....
“The safety of the American people is my highest priority, and the full weight of the federal government is seeking to find and punish those responsible." He added "We have to unify."
Another aspect of this is the timing - 12 days before the election. Is this another leftist hoax to portray democrats as victims and the right as violent?
Irony or are you not listening to Him?
Always, just like I listen to you
My brain goes all over the place with this one.
Are these sent like "testing the fence"? Once they find a hole they use it?
Is this some dumbass lefty thinking he's doing a favor by instigating more distrust?
Is it a group on the right telling us something?
Is this just some whack job or a couple 14 year olds causing trouble?
Is this going to be planted with enough forensic evidence that leads law enforcement everywhere but the actual target? Like each pkg. would have sand from Florida, another Dust from Texas, Tar from LA, etc. When it's really coming from Kansas.
It's the Russians stirring up trouble again
What do you make of the fact that these may not even be explosive devices?
There was an FBI guy on today that said that if they had 'explosive power' in them, they are defined as an 'explosive device' by the ATF and the DOJ.
Just because the guy wasn't a good bomb maker, doesn't mean that he can claim any level of innocence.
A texturalist like yourself should be aware of that word IF in that statement. Nobody is telling us what was in the devices.
Just because the guy wasn't a good bomb maker, doesn't mean that he can claim any level of innocence.
Innocence? I don't see how he is innocent. How do you know it is a case of incompetence? The question I'm raising is if the devices were designed not to hurt anyone? If so, why? I guess, we won't know until he is captured.
Actually, it was reported that there was 'pyrotechnic' black power in the pipe bombs.
That isn't a question you asked previously and as you state, we won't know until he is interrogated...
When?
That isn't a question you asked previously and as you state, we won't know until he is interrogated...
I asked it in the article plus in posts #5, #8 and #9.2 and the investigators don't have to wait to ask anybody. They know already, but aren't telling anyone just yet. For instance, even if those devices contain bomb materials, yet lack a trigger - that alone would indicate that they were designed to be harmless. (Unlike the Weathermen). In that case the devices were still sent for a political purpose (Just like the Weathermen). Clear enough?
You are batting one thousand. Every single one of your lame theories on these bombings are wrong, again...
Yesterday.
There is NO question in #5.
In #8 you asked: What are theses devices', NOT 'if the devices were designed not to hurt anyone?'
Yes, in 9.2 for the FIRST time.
Yes, it's quite clear that you're sticking to your false equivalency.
False.
The charges against Ayers were dropped in 1974, 3 years before Carter took office.
BTW, the title of your piece, 'Shades of the Weather Underground' infers that you somehow know the 'political' agenda of the current bomber. Please tell us what it is and how you know it...
I guess you missed it and I even explained it in the article. Here:
"I have lived through one of them and these packages containing homemade bombs reminds me of that turbulent period. "
Somebody sending what appeared to be bombs isn't reminiscent of the Weathermen?
Actually, NO. The Weatherman didn't MAIL there bombs. Maybe you're thinking of the UNA bomber...
BTW, what you quoted doesn't answer my question.
Oh and there is this:
Do you think that Sessions' DOJ/FBI will illegally wiretap and conduct warrantless searches?
I know they didn't, but they did use the threat of bombings for political ends. They also exploded bombs, which this individual/group has not. Still there is a similarity in the use of fear.
BTW, what you quoted doesn't answer my question.
I don't know the political agenda of the current NON-bomber, but then again I never said I did, nor does the title suggest that.
Do you think that Sessions' DOJ/FBI will illegally wiretap and conduct warrantless searches?
Sessions? No. warrantless searches? Hum.....How about warrants that were fraudulently obtained? It looks like you are again left with my question - Will the current extremist using fake bombs get the same justice as the cool leftist Ayers got?
Broke with the SDS when some became violent and went weather. The 60's were crazy. Miss that decade.
Yet you JUST stated:
What evidence do you have the devices are 'NON-bombs'?
BTFW, if the purpose is terrorism, whether the bombs were 'functional' [there is no evidence that they weren't] is irrelevant.
So your answer is 'Hum'?
I answered your question. If the current bomber is illegally wiretapped and searches are conducted without a warrant, he will be due the same justice that Ayers received.
Believe it or not, you got it again
About as much as you have that they were bombs. Doesn't it seem a little odd that 10 devices (suspected bombs) are mailed, yet none goes off?
So your answer is 'Hum'?
Correct. If your monstrous bomber from the 60's gets off for a process failure involving warrants, the Mueller investigation should get dropped for the same reason. How's that?
I answered your question.
Not really. Ayers, most of the weathermen and Daniel Ellsberg all got off on technicalities that the left is delighted about. Depending on what the current extremist's motivations are is how he will be defended. If this is a hoax, he will get off easy. If not he gets the maximum penalty. Do I sound like I lost my mind? Just watch how it plays out.
No, it isn't 'odd' at all. NONE of the bombs MAILED by the Unabomber went off prior to delivery.
So I presume you have some evidence that the Mueller team has failed to get proper warrants. Please post a link to that evidence.
YES REALLY.
WHO on the left, other than those not charged was delighted? Please be specific and post a link.
The perpetrator has been captured and may he be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. Thank you all for contributing