Boston attack

[Ptangmatik]

Do we have any forumites that live in Boston Massachusetts?

Are you guys/gals ok?

There are no solid details yet, but from the footage it looks like a deliberately timed attack

[King Kool]

My mother works in Boston. She's fine, according to my brother.

[The Jester]

It was an attack with two bombs (the police and bomb squad have found more and there's been at least one controlled explosion) on the finish line of the marathon.

As far as I'm aware right now there are only two dead, but over a hundred more injured and many in critical condition. Hospitals in the area have put out a call for blood donations - and at least one is full and will be taking more donations from 7 am tomorrow morning.

Cell phone services, as well as public transport and the airport, have been shut down. The cell service in the hopes that it will foil any call-detonated devices.

Google has created a person-finder, in case you have any friends or loved ones in Boston.

The president has been informed, and has tasked his administration with helping in whatever way it can, the FBI were mobilising to get on the scene when last I saw them mentioned about half an hour ago, which means if they're not there already they're not far off, and some utterly reprehensible scum have already begun making meme jokes about the disaster.

[CaptainEnder7]

I've heard from pretty much all of my friends in the area, which is good. If anyone would like really good reporting I'd urge them to check out the WBUR livestream which is here:
http://www.wbur.org/listen/live
And yeah, it's looking more and more deliberate as time goes on.

[Elomin Sha]

All DB chat members in the area are fine.

[Valkyrie-Lemons]

I'm interested to see who's going to claim responsibility for the attack along with how it was carried out (remote trigger, suicide etc.)

From what I've heard the US and Boston authorities have gone into anti-terrorist protocols, but I'm not sure if that's because they think it's a terrorist incident or if it's just standard procedure they're going with.

[Lord Hosk]

It was a act of terrorism, its just a matter of finding out who and why, Domestic or Foreign, political, religious, to make a name... Any time there is a bomb placed in a civilian area its a act of terror.

There are some signs that point in one direction but I will wait for the authorities to release information.

It should go without saying but I know it needs to be said, probably not to members of this board but possibly your friends.

STAY OUT OF THE AREA! It is highly unlikely that there will be additional devices in the area but the authorities need to preserve the area as much as possible and need all the resources they can muster. every gawker they have to make sure is safe and staying outside the investigation area is one less pair of trained eyes they have looking at the scene. so please if you want to help, STAY AWAY! and anyone you hear suggesting "going down to see whats up" smack them around and get them to stay away too.


Our school regularly sends its "distance team" from the track squad to Boston to compete. They didnt send the team this year because next week is finals. Three people in my Poly sci class would have been there and were complaining this morning that they didnt get to go.

[Ptangmatik]

Possibly a good way to help might be to go to a hospital to donate blood if you're eligible

[Metcarfre]

People should try and do that regularly regardless, but unless you live in Massachusetts it's unlikely you'll be able to help.

[Lemegeton]

words fail me at times like this . they really do
i just hope whoever did this was a lone psycho acting alone

[Valkyrie-Lemons]

Due to the generosity of our donors we don't need blood at this time. Please schedule for a future donation http://redcrossblood.org #marathon

Also, there are reports that the incident at the JFK library was not related to the bombings.

Edit: It's strongly thought that it was a [Fire] at the library. So I misheard. The above should say "The incident at the JFK library was not a bombing." rather than "related to the bombings".

It was a act of terrorism, its just a matter of finding out who and why, Domestic or Foreign, political, religious, to make a name... Any time there is a bomb placed in a civilian area its a act of terror.

I should make clear that I meant they're not sure if it's terrorism related to a certain group (foreign or domestic) or just a deranged individual.

An act of terror and terrorism aren't exactly the same thing.

[Graham]

Further advice, please PLEASE make sure your facts are sourced and that you don't get swept up in the speculation and misinformation that ALWAYS follow shit like this on TV news.

[Metcarfre]

NY Post doesn't count.

[Lyinginbedmon]

Further advice, please PLEASE make sure your facts are sourced and that you don't get swept up in the speculation and misinformation that ALWAYS follow shit like this on TV news.

Quoted for high levels of truth.

[Tycherin]

Further advice, please PLEASE make sure your facts are sourced and that you don't get swept up in the speculation and misinformation that ALWAYS follow shit like this on TV news.

The speculation and sensationalism going on on the major news networks, especially right after the attack...

Rrrgh, I won't even say anything. It makes me too disgusted.

[Garfman]

When my wife told me, I realized...

I have absolutely no idea how to deal with this kind of news. I hate it, and I want to avoid it at all costs. I'm trying to not avoid it, because I feel that it's an inappropriate coping mechanism.

I just want to hear that everything's OK.

[Foxmar]

My thoughts go out the the victims and their families. I hope police find whoever did this quickly.

[Dominic Appleguard]

My thoughts are with Boston.

But my veins unfortunately aren't. I lived in England at an inconvenient time and I legally can't donate blood.

[TheRocket]

When my wife told me, I realized...

I have absolutely no idea how to deal with this kind of news. I hate it, and I want to avoid it at all costs. I'm trying to not avoid it, because I feel that it's an inappropriate coping mechanism.

I just want to hear that everything's OK.

[Dubious_wolf]

I was disturbed when I saw the news. I actually got a little sick.
Who says gamers are desensitized...
My thoughts are with Boston. I just wish I was close enough to donate blood.

[Garfman]

When my wife told me, I realized...

I have absolutely no idea how to deal with this kind of news. I hate it, and I want to avoid it at all costs. I'm trying to not avoid it, because I feel that it's an inappropriate coping mechanism.

I just want to hear that everything's OK.

I saw a similar sentiment from Patton Oswalt, (link) and you know what, both of those help.

[Metcarfre]

I was disturbed when I saw the news. I actually got a little sick.
Who says gamers are desensitized...
My thoughts are with Boston. I just wish I was close enough to donate blood.

People probably need blood right where you are, wherever that is!

[JackSlack]

People probably need blood right where you are, wherever that is!

Almost certainly. I think the stats are something like 70% of people will need a blood transfusion during their lives. 3% donate.

If you can donate blood, do it. Regularly.

[Dubious_wolf]

Yeah. But there was a big call for it. Anyway I usually try to make it by the campus truck...

[Lord Hosk]

As terrible as this was, I would like to point out how smoothly the response went. There was a major attack with thousands of potential victims and so far three deaths and less than 150 injuries have been reported, Of those injured over 100 will be treat and release. There were people who lost limbs, this is something that normally kills people, I know of several young men who lost a arm or a leg, and while under the care of a trained physician within minutes after the incident still died.

The rapid response of all the responders should be applauded. Had this same event happened 15 years ago, I think it is safe to assume that the death toll would be dozens if not more. Boston as a whole responded heroically to this tragedy. From the man who pulled off his belt and improvised a tourniquet, to the women who calmly directed police to additional packages that turned out to be explosives, to the people who picked up scared children and comforted them until parents could be found, to the men and women who donated blood.

Last not to be overlooked as this was vital, when the mayor and the govonor said "get off the streets, get to your homes" everyone left in a orderly fashion, giving rides to strangers. When the police said "stay where you are until we come get you and escort you out" people stayed put.