"Good afternoon everybody. Earlier today I was briefed by my Homeland Security team on the events in Boston. We're continuing to monitor and respond to the situation as it unfolds. And I've directed the full resources of the Federal Government to help state and local authorities protect our people, increase security around the United States as necessary and investigate what happened.
The American people will say a prayer for Boston tonight and Michelle and I send our deepest thoughts and prayers to the families of the victims in the wake of this senseless loss.
We don't yet have all the answers but we do know that multiple people have been wounded, some gravely, in explosions at the Boston marathon. I've spoken to FBI Director Muller and Secretary of Homeland Security Napolitano and they're mobilizing the appropriate resources to investigate and to respond. I've updated leaders of Congress in both parties and we reaffirm that on days like this, there are no Republicans or Democrats. We are Americans united in concern for our fellow citizens.
I've also spoken with Governor Patrick and Mayor Menino and made it clear that that have ever single federal resource necessary to care for the victims and counsel the families.
And above all I made clear to them that all Americans stand with the people of Boston. Boston police, firefighters and first responders, as well as the national guard responded heroically and continue to do so as we speak.
It's a reminder that so many Americans serve and sacrifice on our behalf every single day without regard to their own safety in dangerous and difficult circumstances. And we salute all those who assisted in responding to quickly and professionally to this tragedy.
We still do not know who did this or why and people shouldn't jump to conclusions before we have all the facts. But, make no mistake, we will get to the bottom of this and we will find out who did this. We will find out why they did this. Any responsible individuals, any responsible groups will feel the full weight of justice.
Today is a holiday in Massachusetts, Patriots Day, it's a day that celebrates the free and fiercely independent spirit that this great American city of Boston has reflected from the earliest days of our nation. And it's a day that draws the world to Boston's streets in the spirit of friendly competition.
Boston is a tough and resilient town, so are its people. I'm supremely confident that Bostonians will pull together and take care of each other and move forward as one proud city and as they do the American people will be with them every single step of the way.
You should anticipate that as we get more information, our teams will provide you briefings. We are still in the investigation stage at this point, but I want to reiterate, we will find out who did this and we will hold them accountable. Thank you very much."
There are some who are upset that the President did not use the word "terrorism" during his remarks, but I think he is just waiting for all of the information to come in before using language that he knows will upset and frighten a lot of the American people. Plus apparently until they determine that the attack had a "political element" they are not able to accurately describe it as "terrorism."
Like I said earlier it appears to me to be terrorism. The only question remaining is whether it is foreign or domestic.
I am just glad that we have this President in office instead of the last one, or else tomorrow we would be waking up to find out that we were about to attack some oil rich country that has never even heard of Boston.
Update: Well look who finally woke up.
Prayers are with everyone in Boston today.Apparently her ghostwriter has not yet had the time to craft a coherent response for her though.
— Sarah Palin (@SarahPalinUSA) April 16, 2013
Let's hope that for one, that's all she has to say.
ReplyDeleteIndeed, her brevity this time is a relief.
Delete"Prayers" are with everyone in Boston today. Whose prayers?
ReplyDeleteOr did you mean people who pray?
This was on Patriot's Day here in Massachusetts, Sarah, which commemorates the Battles of Lexington and Concord. Remember, Paul Revere ringing his bells?
Maybe it would be better if you just kept quiet for a while. No one asked you about your thoughts on this tragedy, and no one cares what you're thinking.
Sarah is praying that we won't remember her ringing those bells and firing those warning shots. Her people have somehow equated The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere with the US Government coming to take their guns away. If only Sarah could get on a horse and fire them warning shots.
DeleteNow that she is BFF with Paul Revere she felt compelled to say something. A donation to help pay the medical bills of the victims would be proof of her concern. However, I will remember not to hold my breath.
DeleteShe better pray hard.
DeleteBoston cops, feds descend on Revere buildings
"Boston police and a cadre of federal officials descended on an Ocean Avenue apartment complex in Revere last night.
In addition to two Boston Police K-9 units and a bomb squad unit, a large contingent of federal agents from the FBI, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, as well as Homeland Security investigations and state police had assembled at the two buildings.
It was unclear whether the search was connected to the Boston Marathon bombings. Tight-lipped agents said nothing to assembled media. Worried building residents said they were left in the dark."
http://bostonherald.com/news_opinion/local_coverage/2013/04/boston_cops_feds_descend_on_revere_buildings
Since President Obama spent three years at Harvard, he's familiar with the importance of Patriots' Day in Massachusetts. Local offices, libraries, schools, other services close. I thought it was a strange sort of holiday when we moved to MA 25 years ago. Now I think it's really important to remember this first "Independence Day."
DeleteThe teabaggers can claim some sort of association with the American Revolution, but the Boston Tea Party was only one of the first efforts at independence, and ended without much resolution. Lexington and Concord were the real deal.
If I had to say who did this, after Waco, Columbine, Oklahoma City and all the other April events that seem to raise the ire of right-wingers (they also like to attack on Hitler's birthday, which is coming up this week), I'd say this will be the work of some home-grown nuts, not foreign terrorists. Either way, it shows that we are vulnerable, and should work together instead of tearing each other apart.
I don't wish to hear another word from Sarah Palin about an event that has nothing to do with her, and about which she knows nothing. And I doubt she's on her knees praying -- for anything or anyone, other than hoping that her God will send more money her way through her PAC. She feasts on the tragedy of others.
Anon 8:55-
DeleteAs a Bostonian, I thank you for correctly stating the important of Patriots' Day. If you aren't a resident of Boston or New York (this is our equivalent of New Years' Eve in importance to the city and scale of celebration), it's hard to understand this day in the city of Boston. It is a holiday and weekday when the marathon is run. Most of the city is watching the marathon and/or going to the Red Sox game.
I likewise don't want to hear anything from Sarah Palin, who normally can't stand the people of Boston, as we are liberal, supportive, caring people.
SP - please don't worry about us, we can and will take care of our own, whether or not they are from Boston. The people of Boston were there to support the marathoners, regardless of their race, ethnicity or religion, to begin with and will support one another and whomever else needs their love and help. We believe in science and humankind and I am confident that those things will see us through this horrible event and will assist us in recovering together.
i am still leaning to a RW-idiot being behind this: tax day, patriot day, liberal boston....
ReplyDeleteme too
Deleteclose to the anniversaries of Waco and Oklahoma City-- in fact, big public gathering closest to those two anniversaries.
DeleteWell, my heart hurts and it makes me cry to hear this. From what I am reading in Canada, there have been alot of people that have lost limbs in this coward attack. It really sounds like an Al-Queda attack to me. They set these bombs off at the finish line, probably where they would hurt the most people. I trust your President to find out who did this, he seemed very stern in his words. I just hope that the republicans didn't orchestrate this. I don't trust the bastards.
ReplyDeleteAfter the Oklahoma City bombing years ago, the media jumped to the conclusion that Al-Qaeda or foreign terrorists were responsible for it. In the past, Al-Qaeda was quick to claim responsibility for any of their attacks. No one has claimed responsibility yet. I think there is a very real possibility that domestic terrorists are the perpetrators.
DeleteNo way it's al Qaeda. They go for the spectacular in their attacks here. Why would they care about the Boston marathon?
DeleteNOT AL-QAEDA.
DeleteThey used BB's and ball-bearings - that's a very "American" way to pack a bomb. Think Eric Rudolph and the Atlanta Olympic bombing.
Also, foreign terrorists would have been claiming responsibility right away - but, there's been nothing but crickets.
Its home grown terrorists - again.
Remember, its also April 15th today - tax day. It's also Patriot's Day in Massachusetts, and later this week is the Oklahoma City bombing anniversary and Hitler's birthday.
- KAO
Al Qaeda wouldn't have fucked it up. I'm guessing some home grown militia is responsible. Hey, Alaska, have you done a head count on all your nut jobs? Any missing?
DeleteAl Qaeda would have claimed responsibility by now, wouldn't they? And it doesn't seem to the their M.O. to drop backpacks and leave.
DeleteDoes anyone else think POTUS put a emphasis on "Patriots day"?
ReplyDeleteI just saw "Muslims" are trending on twitter?
Why?
There is no proof, it was them? I put my $ on homegrown RW Patriots.
Its time they started getting treatment they deserve. Ted Nugents threats, Sarah Palins Crosshairs, MichelleBachmans 2nd amendment rights all need to be called out for spewing Domestic terrorism.
I totally agree with you.
DeleteI agree, too.
DeleteI noticed the emphasis on "Patriots" too. I also noticed this statement, "on days like this, there are no Republicans or Democrats" I thought it was kind of odd of him to mention political parties.
DeleteI totally agree.
DeleteYay for real Americans! Some real truth tellers broke thru the nazi hold at the pee pond and are telling them how it really is in America and calling them on their hate and tin foil conspiracy theories!!! USA! USA! USA!
ReplyDeleteWe will prevail and gather together and be stronger!
For the victims of this tragedy we give our deepest sympathy to the families and friends. We also give our help and hearts to those who had to bear witness to such a horrific event.
xoxoxo
xoxoxo ya back!
DeletePatriots' Day (Patriot's Day in Maine)
ReplyDeleteFormerly celebrated on April 19th ('Twas the 18th of April in '75, Hardly a man is now alive...)
Currently celebrated on the 3rd Monday of April.
The convergence with the April 15 tax filing deadline is infrequent.
A little OT, but it is about the Boston Marathon. Chuck Heath Sr. claims to have run in the Boston Marathon once. Does anyone know what year? What was his time? Did he run "officially" or did he just kind of show up in Boston, jump in and run for a while in order to brag that he ran in the Boston Marathon. Alot of people do that, jump in and run for a while, while others are registered and have proof of running.
ReplyDeleteI have to confess to never having heard of Patriots' Day. Ever. Until today, in relation to a celebration that is apparently very dear to the city of Boston.
ReplyDeleteListen, my children, and you shall hear
DeleteOf the midnight ride of Paul Revere,
On the eighteenth of April, in Seventy-five;
Hardly a man is now alive
Who remembers that famous day and year.
Sarah Palin had never heard about the Midnight Ride of Paul Revere, either, One if by land and two if by sea, and I on the opposite shore will be, ready to ride and spread the alarm to every Middlesex village and farm.
How about: The British are Coming! Boston has celebrated on the Monday, closest to the 18 of April because Concord and Lexington are two towns quite close to Boston-- a midnight horse ride away. (You do know that the American Revolution began at Concord, the shot heard round the world. There's a statue of the Minuteman, the original militia or standing arm on the bridge where the battle took place).
Boston is the home of the American Revolution, and as proud patriots they have been celebrating for quite some time.
Omomma-
DeleteUnless you are from MA, I wouldn't expect you to be familiar with Patriots' Day - we all have our own holidays - I'd never heard of Cesar Chavez Day until I moved to CA and I doubt few people outside of Boston are familiar with Evacuation Day (aka St. Patty's Day or in Boston a city holiday b/c it's "the day the British evacuated Boston {rolls eyes}). I believe that we are the United States and all of the various things we celebrate, make us a great country.
E Pluribus Unum.
I'm proud to be an American today and even prouder to be a Bostonian, not just because of our history, but because of our beliefs and the way my city responded to a horrific situation.
Thank you Teddy. Anonymous, there's a different founding history out here in Flyoverland. English-speaking people [sometimes referred to as 'Bostonnais'] didn't arrive until after 1800.
Deleteomomma - I didn't know about Patriot's Day in Massachusetts, either. Here in Utah, the 24th of July is known as "Pioneer Day" celebrating the arrival of the Mormons into the Salt Lake Valley and it is a statewide holiday. All state offices are closed, no classes in schools, big parade in downtown Salt Lake City - 4th largest in the U.S. It's a paid holiday for those who still have to work in critical areas (hospitals, police, etc.)
DeleteAnd I don't expect anyone outside the state (except for anonymous at 8:18 who, no doubt knows all about it)to have any reason to know anything about it, either.
"Prayers are with everyone in Boston today. Send money to SarahPac because this, also too, is all about ME."
ReplyDeletePrayers are with everyone is true. Sarah didn't say that she is praying and offering her prayers. I know, only 140 characters. So much to say, so little space.
DeleteSarah, does that mean you now consider us Rill Muricans?
ReplyDeleteAnd here I am, sitting about 7 miles from where all this went down. Even this far away from the city, it's very, very quiet tonight. There's no chatter (publicly) by any authorities speculating on what this attack was. The city itself is full of police, firefighters, EMTs, national guard, SWAT, you name it. F-15s were scrambled over the city within minutes of this horrendous crime happening.
ReplyDeleteBut this is Boston. We will come back from this even stronger than we were before. May the gods help whoever did this, because they will find no mercy from anyone who lives here.
And Palin? Ugh. Palin can go fuck herself. Again.
Very interesting about the F16. And good!
DeleteOn 9/11 it took 45 minutes to scramble, many were sent on goose chases. Look it up.
The President set exactly the right tone and balance with his speech. Comforting to hear and reaffirming our resolve to bring whatever evil mind responsible for this attack to justice.
ReplyDeleteNone of that "when the going gets tough, the tough go shopping" bullsit Prsident Bush the second gave us.
And look who inserted herself with her uber insightful facebook scribble! What, no cookies? No mention of your tight abs and gravity defying marathon runs? You're slipping, Baldy! How about reposting that patriotic "Runner's World" cover, you know, to inspire donations to your big gulp fund?
In all sincerity, my heart goes out to all touched by this tragedy.
Just saw the supreme assholes the westboro "church" is going to picket funeral?
ReplyDeleteUnfucking real. How do those people hold their head up? So despicable.
http://www.policymic.com/articles/35451/westboro-baptist-church-plans-to-picket-boston-marathon-funeral
I think those people from Westboro had better watch their step right now if they try to show up in Boston. People won't be in any mood to tolerate their vile behavior after what has just happened.
DeleteWhy is Baldy's Tweet dated for tomorrow?
ReplyDeleteWhen it became Daylight Savings time, she didn't set the clock on her phone ahead an hour. She advanced it by an entire day.
DeleteMaybe her ghost writer is in London, for the funeral, don't you know? OMG, do you think that Sarah is already in London?
The smartphones reset the time automatically. WHO KNOWS where $he is or what $he has done to her phone...
DeleteI'm surprised Facebook Sarah didn't mention in her post about Boston that we should also pray for Willow who graduated a year earlier and completed a tough year in hair school and to praise God that Willow doesn't have any debt and not to forget to pray for Willow's haircut business she is starting after dropping out of high school as a sophomore and to thank everybody for coming to see Sarah in Willow's graduation parade in the Palin's new favorite home state of Arizona.
ReplyDeleteI hope Bristol won't post that shes upset at President Obama for not congratulating Willow during his Boston speech tonight for finally completing hair school without quitting. Three cheers for Wasilla's very own Wild Child Colony Girl gang leader for her GED and hair school certificate of participation.
ReplyDelete"...some who are upset..."?
ReplyDeleteI guess that means Fox News and Rush Limbaugh...as usual.
I'm surprised Sarah Palin wasn't running the Boston Marathon. I thought she was a runner.
ReplyDeleteWithin minutes of the President's statement, CNN had a streamer noting that he had not used the word "terror." I think that President Obama, as usual, chose his words very carefully. He spoke sparingly but forcefully and said exactly what needed to be said. However, to appease those who want to think only in terms of "terror" the White House subsequently issued a short statement that any incident involving more than one explosion is considered an act of terror. What is wrong with the right-wing controlled media in this country? Just a rhetorical question obviously.
ReplyDeleteBeaglemom