Explosions at the Boston Marathon: Resources

[MB: will update as relevant reports come out.]

Video of the Explosions at the Boston Marathon

Michael Benton:

My sympathies are with the victims (and their loved ones) of the Boston Marathon bombing. Unfortunately some of our hysteria-stoking media organizations have viewed this an opportunity to incite collective hatred -- do not allow yourself to be manipulated by fear-mongerers.

The Thinking Atheist:

Horrific scenes out of Boston where two explosions have ripped through crowds watching the Boston Marathon and a third explosion occurred at the JFK library.

That's the latest so far. It's important to keep a couple of things in mind:

1) Some news reports are bound to be inaccurate as journalists race to be first to report on various aspects of the story and, to them, being first takes priority over accuracy

2) We have no way of knowing at the moment who was behind the attacks nor do we know their motivation. For that matter, at the moment authorities are not using the term bomb.

...
our thoughts are with those in Boston and with your family members and loved ones who are suffering the impact of these events.

- Meg

Central Oklahoma Black/Red Alliance (COBRA)

Okay, emergency mode. For those of us far from a disaster that means: don't spread rumors.

Don't trust all news sources equally--the NY Post has already been dissed for claiming a suspect is in custody.
(It also reports 12 dead while the NYT, BBC, etc. report only 2 fatalies.)

Vet information. We don't actually need to instantly know what's going on, however intensely we want to, and it is better to wait for the sifting than to throw more junk info on the conflagration of excitement and confusion.

Also, remember the victims of bombings in Iraq and Afghanistan today too; if you think Boston was bad, try years of days like today. Think about Syria.

Reports:

Talking Points Memo -- Boston Police: No Arrests Have Been Made In Marathon Bombing (UPDATE)

Hemant Mehta: On Twitter, the ‘Godless’ Are Already to Blame for the Boston Marathon Bombing (Friendly Atheist)

Tasneem Raja -- The Man in the Cowboy Hat: Meet Carlos Arredondo, a Hero of the Boston Bombings (Mother Jones)

Asawin Suebsaeng: What We Know About the Boston Marathon Explosions (Mother Jones)

Boston Marathon a "Horrifying Scene" After Twin Blasts Kill 3 and Leave Scores Maimed, Wounded (Democracy Now)

Peace Activist Carlos Arredondo Hailed as Hero for Aid to Boston Marathon Bombing Victims (Democracy Now)

Michael Gibson and Charles P. Pierce - "Like a War Scene": From the Streets to Hospitals, Citizens Rushed to Help Bombing Victims (Democracy Now)

Sportswriter Dave Zirin: Prayers For the People in Boston, Baghdad and Mogadishu (Democracy Now)

Earth First News: The Boston Marathon and U.S. Drone Attacks: a Tale of Two Terrorisms (Earth First News)

Andy Kroll -- Question Everything You Hear About the Boston Marathon Bombing: From Oklahoma City to 9/11 to Newtown, the aftermath of major tragedies is rife with misinformation (Mother Jones)

Christina Coleman: Trayvon Martin's Parents Send Message To Family of Martin Richard (Global Grind)

Paul Haven: US foe Cuba sends condolences for marathon attack (The Miami Herald)

Andreas Germanos: Following Boston Tragedy, Calls to Unite, Calls for Peace (Common Dreams)

Alex Kane: 5 People Hijacking Boston Bombing to Push Their Nasty Politics (AlterNet)

Here is the Boston Police Department's official statement on Facebook regarding their capture of the 2nd suspect (the first suspect was killed) -- it is very telling in its hyping of "terror" and their warped sense of "justice" (has there already been a trial?):
"Boston Police Department (Official): CAPTURED!!! The hunt is over. The search is done. The terror is over. And justice has won. Suspect in custody."

Journalist Allison Kilkenny notes that: "RT @ABC No Miranda warning will be given to suspect, public safety exception is being invokved for limited and focused interrogation"