tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3980421295592818922.post4367733164294983490..comments2023-10-23T14:15:29.331-07:00Comments on Shallow Cogitations: Modern Day Snake OilHank Greerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15243840232233423724noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3980421295592818922.post-49725844741235207272013-04-26T12:40:58.630-07:002013-04-26T12:40:58.630-07:00Let's try it out: Misha the Armenian is an FB...Let's try it out: Misha the Armenian is an FBI agent or asset.<br /><br />If so, though, the FBI motive could be to preserve Misha as an asset in other investigations, whether or not Misha inspired the bombings. Maybe that was Napolitano's hint. Maybe the CIA is letting FBI twist a bit in the wind because they're pissed about being out of the loop.<br /><br />I don't have that much trouble with the official line though. The older brother did seem increasingly disaffected. Undoubtedly he stumbled on FBI-jihadi stuff, but that doesn't mean there isn't other jihadi stuff out there. <br /><br />I need an explanation for the younger brother's involvement, which seems punctuated even during the last days. Patiencenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3980421295592818922.post-63735691817436425712013-04-26T11:47:07.699-07:002013-04-26T11:47:07.699-07:00To me, the mysterious drama was a federal judge sh...To me, the mysterious drama was a federal judge showing up and interrupting a mysteriously odd and lengthy interrogation.<br /><br />My question is whether the FBI had something out there prior to the bombing--a person, a website, something that the older brother had met or seen--and they wanted to see if the younger brother knew about it. Could the FBI have played an unintentional incitement role? <br /><br />Given the information coming from the Russia and then the CIA, and the FBIs changing denials of surveillance of the olderr brother...hmmmm. You don't have to be a right wing conspiratorialist to wonder if deviance in procedure might serve more than just a public safety agenda. <br /><br />Maybe the federal bench wondered the same.Chastitynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3980421295592818922.post-18466046765144415122013-04-26T10:31:01.058-07:002013-04-26T10:31:01.058-07:00McVeigh was also armed and dangerous. He was, in ...McVeigh was also armed and dangerous. He was, in fact, arrested because he had a concealed handgun without permit ( he was stopped for tags). But, the trooper didn't know he was a bombing suspect, so that aspect is a bit different. The trooper probably would have called backup had he known. McVeigh probably gambled he'd clear out of the jail and be on his way, and didn't take the risk of a firefight.<br /><br />Still, you have to wonder whether the army-style pursuit of the Tsaraevs may have complicated the capture, particularly for the younger brother. The unexamined assumption is that maximum force is the safest option. However, armies of cops in tanks and semi-automatic weapons etc also presents risks, not just to the suspects. The police admit now that the large majority of rounds fired were police rounds, and all fired in densely populated urban neighborhoods. In retrospect at least, they were firing at suspects with non-tactical explosives with limited utility in a fire fight, and perhaps a single pistol. <br /><br />If police procedures delay surrender, that also represents increased risk. We seem to have lost sight that risk is a balancing act--that massive force also comes with risks, just as too little force increases risks. We also seem too uncritical of the role of misinformation in the Boston approach. There also appears to have been a lack of disciplined, coordinated response at the boat (which should have been a far more controlled and less chaotic scenario than the firefight).<br /><br />The FBI's pre-Miranda interrogation and leaks just seem self-defeating and meant to be prejudicial. I take it that they haven't tied the younger brother in as tightly as they wanted. <br />Patiencenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3980421295592818922.post-65900959563443330332013-04-26T07:14:22.749-07:002013-04-26T07:14:22.749-07:00So, looks like most of what the feds and Boston Po...So, looks like most of what the feds and Boston Police told us already looks not true:<br /><br />No 711 robbery by the suspects.<br />A single pistol.<br />No gun in the boat, no final gunfight. <br />The MIT officer evidence is conjecture and an inconclusive video.<br />Was there a suicide vest?<br />No suicide attempt in boat?<br />Was the younger brother shot trying to surrender?<br />The FBI was "surprised" by the federal court's appearance? So they were never going to Mirandize?<br /><br />Despite the claims of overwhelming evidence of the nature and extent of the younger brother's involvement, it is starting to look like his preMiranda testimony may be vital for a capital conviction. And now, it's excluded. Total incompetence, at top dollar.<br /><br />I keep thinking of McVeigh's arrest by a lone state trooper who Mirandized him. McVeigh is dead.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3980421295592818922.post-64387525600264133262013-04-24T10:58:57.584-07:002013-04-24T10:58:57.584-07:00Well, at least the skeeters have the makings for a...Well, at least the skeeters have the makings for a good Spokesman headline:<br /><br /><b>CITY COUNCIL ALLOWS BABY TORTURE</b><br /><i>Goal was to torture teenagers</i><br /><br />Next up: How should the city lure young families downtown?Swatternoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3980421295592818922.post-10147505024169072662013-04-23T20:52:00.688-07:002013-04-23T20:52:00.688-07:00Bloomberg is still Mayor of the United States, but...Bloomberg is still Mayor of the United States, but most of us can't remember the election.<br /><br />We could make downtown Spokane more safe for babies if we turned off the anti-teen mosquito whistles. What we can't hear, what annoys the teens, was driving a toddler in a stroller crazy the other day. Her mom was oblivious and thought the kid was screaming and grabbing her ears for no reason.<br /><br />I think there's a metaphor in there somewhere for Mayor Bloomberg and Mayor Condon.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com