TVTropes Now available in the app store!
Open

Follow TV Tropes

Following

The General US Politics Thread

Go To

Nov 2023 Mod notice:


There may be other, more specific, threads about some aspects of US politics, but this one tends to act as a hub for all sorts of related news and information, so it's usually one of the busiest OTC threads.

If you're new to OTC, it's worth reading the Introduction to On-Topic Conversations and the On-Topic Conversations debate guidelines before posting here.

Rumor-based, fear-mongering and/or inflammatory statements that damage the quality of the thread will be thumped. Off-topic posts will also be thumped. Repeat offenders may be suspended.

If time spent moderating this thread remains a distraction from moderation of the wiki itself, the thread will need to be locked. We want to avoid that, so please follow the forum rules when posting here.


In line with the general forum rules, 'gravedancing' is prohibited here. If you're celebrating someone's death or hoping that they die, your post will get thumped. This rule applies regardless of what the person you're discussing has said or done.

Edited by Mrph1 on Nov 30th 2023 at 11:03:59 AM

Achaemenid HGW XX/7 from Ruschestraße 103, Haus 1 Since: Dec, 2011 Relationship Status: Giving love a bad name
HGW XX/7
#53151: Apr 15th 2013 at 1:07:09 PM

[up]

Don't speak too soon. I remember Sky's coverage of 9/11 - first it was a terrible accident. The we had Kay Burley announce that we were seeing footage of the plane hitting the first tower...until she realized this was live.

EDIT: Boston Authorities have announced they will perform a controlled explosion in the next few minutes, but have released no details. I'm going with foul play, if this is true.

edited 15th Apr '13 1:11:01 PM by Achaemenid

Schild und Schwert der Partei
Ekuran Since: Feb, 2010 Relationship Status: watch?v=dQw4w9WgXcQ
#53152: Apr 15th 2013 at 1:07:21 PM

Were there any tropers here at that marathon? It would be nice to know if they're okay if they were.

Deadbeatloser22 from Disappeared by Space Magic (Great Old One) Relationship Status: Tsundere'ing
Achaemenid HGW XX/7 from Ruschestraße 103, Haus 1 Since: Dec, 2011 Relationship Status: Giving love a bad name
HGW XX/7
#53154: Apr 15th 2013 at 1:12:20 PM

[up]

R.I.P

My thoughts and condolences.

EDIT: And already some comments on the Guardian website are saying "where was the outrage about the drone strikes?" and blaming it on Obama's foreign policy. Fucking hell. The sheer...cuntishness of some people.

edited 15th Apr '13 1:16:50 PM by Achaemenid

Schild und Schwert der Partei
Kostya (Unlucky Thirteen)
#53155: Apr 15th 2013 at 1:13:25 PM

It just occurred to me that one of the Assistant Scoutmasters in my Troop likes to participate in marathons. I hope he's okay...

Deadbeatloser22 from Disappeared by Space Magic (Great Old One) Relationship Status: Tsundere'ing
Kostya (Unlucky Thirteen)
#53157: Apr 15th 2013 at 1:20:22 PM

Yep, this was intentional.

Two people are dead and from the sound of it more could still die. Not good.

TheBatPencil from Glasgow, Scotland Since: May, 2011 Relationship Status: I'm just a hunk-a, hunk-a burnin' love
#53158: Apr 15th 2013 at 1:22:06 PM

Somewhat conflicting reports about what's going on at the JFK Library, apparently.

And let us pray that come it may (As come it will for a' that)
rmctagg09 The Wanderer from Brooklyn, NY (Before Recorded History) Relationship Status: I won't say I'm in love
The Wanderer
#53159: Apr 15th 2013 at 1:22:10 PM

Terrorist attack confirmed.

Hugging a Vanillite will give you frostbite.
Deadbeatloser22 from Disappeared by Space Magic (Great Old One) Relationship Status: Tsundere'ing
#53160: Apr 15th 2013 at 1:23:03 PM

[up] Do we have a source for that?

[up][up]Apparently there's been some sort of mechanical fire.

edited 15th Apr '13 1:24:39 PM by Deadbeatloser22

"Yup. That tasted purple."
Kostya (Unlucky Thirteen)
#53161: Apr 15th 2013 at 1:24:15 PM

[up]Not exactly but it's pretty likely. Two explosions happened at a big public event and there was another unexploded bomb found. This was clearly intentional.

edit: Multiple sources are saying this.

edited 15th Apr '13 1:24:32 PM by Kostya

SeptimusHeap from Switzerland (Edited uphill both ways) Relationship Status: Mu
#53162: Apr 15th 2013 at 1:24:45 PM

Here?

"For a successful technology, reality must take precedence over public relations, for Nature cannot be fooled." - Richard Feynman
Achaemenid HGW XX/7 from Ruschestraße 103, Haus 1 Since: Dec, 2011 Relationship Status: Giving love a bad name
HGW XX/7
#53163: Apr 15th 2013 at 1:25:02 PM

No one's claimed responsibility yet, which can mean one of four things:

  • Despite the evidence (which is panicky and firsthand, remember), this was an accident. This is perhaps the least likely.
  • This was carried out by people who didn't want to be recognized for it. I don't know who that might be, but it wouldn't fit the pattern of terrorists. It could be a particularly elaborate and sociopathic gang or mob hit. Perhaps the second least likely.
  • Whoever carried it out is enjoying the speculation or being tardy for some other reason. Joint most likely.
  • Worst case scenario: whoever did it isn't finished, and is expecting more attacks. Joint most likely.

Schild und Schwert der Partei
Greenmantle V from Greater Wessex, Britannia Since: Feb, 2010 Relationship Status: Hiding
V
#53164: Apr 15th 2013 at 1:26:17 PM

2117: In London, a Metropolitan Police spokesman confirms police are working with London Marathon officials to review security plans for Sunday's race.

2117: The Secret Service have closed the pedestrian walkway in front of the White House in Washington DC. New York police have also announced heightened security.

Looks like we're getting a lockdown again. Good to see London's responding. As it says there, the London Marathon is on Sunday.

Keep Rolling On
Achaemenid HGW XX/7 from Ruschestraße 103, Haus 1 Since: Dec, 2011 Relationship Status: Giving love a bad name
HGW XX/7
#53165: Apr 15th 2013 at 1:28:48 PM

Could it have been domestic terrorists? It is Tax Day after all.

EDIT: From the BBC.

BREAKING NEWS: Citing a US intelligence official, the Associated Press reports two more explosive devices have been found at the Boston Marathon and are being dismantled.

edited 15th Apr '13 1:31:04 PM by Achaemenid

Schild und Schwert der Partei
Greenmantle V from Greater Wessex, Britannia Since: Feb, 2010 Relationship Status: Hiding
V
#53166: Apr 15th 2013 at 1:29:59 PM

[up] That is exactly what I was thinking — Right Wing Militia Fanatics.

edited 15th Apr '13 1:30:37 PM by Greenmantle

Keep Rolling On
TheStarshipMaxima NCC - 1701 Since: Jun, 2009
NCC - 1701
#53167: Apr 15th 2013 at 1:30:29 PM

Thoughts and prayers go out to those injured and to the families of those lost.

Gratitude to Boston law enforcement for containing the threat.

And sincere wishes that whoever's responsible pays dearly.

It was an honor
chihuahua0 Since: Jul, 2010
#53168: Apr 15th 2013 at 1:32:14 PM

My Twitter feed is 95% Boston Marathon-related tweets.

Is it more respectful to minimize non-Boston-Marathon-related tweets, or should we let life go on a little bit?

Achaemenid HGW XX/7 from Ruschestraße 103, Haus 1 Since: Dec, 2011 Relationship Status: Giving love a bad name
HGW XX/7
#53169: Apr 15th 2013 at 1:32:29 PM

Boston Police will be holding a news conference in 15 minutes at the Westin Hotel: BPD twitter feed.

Schild und Schwert der Partei
Kostya (Unlucky Thirteen)
#53170: Apr 15th 2013 at 1:32:45 PM

I have a feeling they aren't domestic terrorists. My first thought is that it would be related to North Korea.

edit: What would tax day have to do with anything?

edited 15th Apr '13 1:34:07 PM by Kostya

Achaemenid HGW XX/7 from Ruschestraße 103, Haus 1 Since: Dec, 2011 Relationship Status: Giving love a bad name
HGW XX/7
#53171: Apr 15th 2013 at 1:33:50 PM

[up]

Surely even they aren't that stupid? It would be logistically tricky too.

Schild und Schwert der Partei
Fighteer Lost in Space from The Time Vortex (Time Abyss) Relationship Status: TV Tropes ruined my love life
Lost in Space
#53172: Apr 15th 2013 at 1:35:07 PM

We've done a fairly good job wrapping up international terrorists. For them to have struck in this manner would be a monumental intelligence failure. Domestic is more likely.

"It's Occam's Shuriken! If the answer is elusive, never rule out ninjas!"
Kostya (Unlucky Thirteen)
#53173: Apr 15th 2013 at 1:35:32 PM

[up][up]Well this could be a way to attack us without risking retaliation. They just wouldn't take credit for what happened.

[up]Why does that make domestic more likely? I'd think any form of terrorism would be harder to pull of if that were the case.

edited 15th Apr '13 1:36:26 PM by Kostya

Silasw A procrastination in of itself from A handcart to hell (4 Score & 7 Years Ago) Relationship Status: And they all lived happily ever after <3
A procrastination in of itself
#53174: Apr 15th 2013 at 1:36:25 PM

[up][up][up][up] North Korea doesn't have the capability to conduct such an attack. Even if it did it would have no reason to do so, an attack on South Korea would make much more noise domestically but cause much less anger within the US.

edited 15th Apr '13 1:36:42 PM by Silasw

“And the Bunny nails it!” ~ Gabrael “If the UN can get through a day without everyone strangling everyone else so can we.” ~ Cyran
Deadbeatloser22 from Disappeared by Space Magic (Great Old One) Relationship Status: Tsundere'ing
#53175: Apr 15th 2013 at 1:36:25 PM

North Korea isn't above state terrorism, but I don't think it's likely here.

edited 15th Apr '13 1:37:54 PM by Deadbeatloser22

"Yup. That tasted purple."

Total posts: 417,856
Top