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Just a hint guys, from someone who's been retired for over seven years now (my how time flies!), in the old days everyone that was an NCO was called 'sergeant' until such time as they pinned on Chief, at which point they were called 'Chief.' Anyone who was enlisted and not an NCO was called 'airman.' It was simple and it worked...

Here's one of the best summaries of the day's events that I've read. A couple of initial observations. 1. When hidden behind the anonymity of the internet, people become stupid, heartless, know-it-alls. Perhaps being snarky or political is a way to create distance from the pain for those who can't handle it, but sometimes we need to step back and let the professionals develop the facts before we jump to conclusions. I really appreciated the example Bill O'Reilly provided today when he offered rare praise of President Obama's metered somber remarks following the attack. 2. Everybody wants to blame the person they hate. The most prevalent question seems to revolve around the color of skin, religion, or accent of whomever did this. One of the more compelling images of the aftermath was a middle-eastern man using his own shirt to treat the wounds of a victim. 3. There are still examples of everyday heroes. Not just people in public service, but selfless souls who will run toward the sound of danger, whether it be gunfire, explosions, or screams of horror, to see if there is anything they can do to help. There are also those who will merely gossip, cringe, or run the other direction. Both were present today in Boston. 4. Part of our nation's culture is glorifying violence in entertainment, but shunning it in real life, especially when we can personally relate to the victims.

Naturally. C'mon, everyone knows that Okinawa has outriggers designed to keep it from capsizing. Guam should take a hard look at installing those....

Seriously dude? Do we need to go down the list of no-brain democrats? Lets start from the top...Gaffe-a-day Biden, fienstien, McCarthy (barrel shroud lady), and of course the idiot worried about Okinawa capsizing. Not saying republicans don't occasionally say dumb stuff but I think the dems have the market cornered.

I was there running the race when this happened. I was about 100 yds from the second blast just turning on Boylston St (the finish line). I had three friends that were running ahead of me less than 20' from the blast. They are all fine. I heard the two blasts. I thought two large transformers had exploded. Initially the police on the course had no idea what was happening, but, I could hear there radios chattering like mad. There was lots of confusion but not much panic. People close to the scene jumped in to help. The rest of us just did the best we could to clear the area.

Gullible/ignorant ? Why should anyone care about who's in Congress? As long as the entitlement checks flow to purchase votes. Collective, organized Lemmings

Let the record show that it was neither me, nor Nsplayr, that turned this into a political thread.

Here's a suggestion to slow down your over active imagination...stop watching MSNBC. Your "bunch of coincidences" clearly point to a disgruntled citizen of Great Britain, seeking long delayed revenge on colonial upstarts. I wonder if ball bearing laced explosives dumped in trash cans near large public gatherings are tactics used anywhere else in the world other the site of the Boston Tea Party.

People might ask who would run towards an explosion? Just saw this pic on the Team Red White & Blue facebook page: Team RWB still does not have an update on the safety of most of our 17 runners and their families who are in Boston today---but we can confirm that several of our Team members ran to the chaos and have been serving as first responders. We are incredibly proud of our team every day....and it's moments like this that show what our organization is really about. Team Red, White & Blue (Team RWB) is a veteran support nonprofit organization whose vision is to increase the connectivity between America's combat veterans and people in their communities. We use exercise as a medium to bring people together (running, triathlon, Crossfit, yoga, hiking, etc...) You beat me to it, ThreeHoler...

OK genius, then explain exactly what "Anti government militia mad over taxes, gun control, conspiracy theories of goveremment (sic) takeover and distrust President" actually means! You've got three events on the same day over 20 years. Not quite the conspiracy you're making it out to be!

The outridders were already budgeted and approved for installation but the project got axed with the sequester. In the meantime, Guamanian officials will need to adhere to strict weight and balance guidelines to prevent an out of balance situation and subsequent island overcenter conditions.

I agree that is is sad (nobody with half a heart wants to see anything like this happen), but unfortunately we shouldn't be too surprised even if it is homegrown. We've had fvcked up people shoot up a school and a movie theater recently...horrible as it is, in a country this large with 315 million people, it's bound to happen every so often. Not saying it's acceptable, just being realistic. And I HATE the politicians on both sides who automatically start saying 'Well, we have to do something'. Sometimes all that is needed is a thorough investigation which hopefully leads to a prosecution of who is guilty.

Dude, you're going to have to fight a little bit harder to earn the title 'BO's #1 Asshole' as there are already few others in front of you. Though you're definitely on your way.

Actually, I'm the Chief of Grammar Police in Fuckoff Town. My point was that perhaps the application of proper grammar/spelling might have made your post sound a little less like some nutjob espousing his own conspiracy theory. At the very least, it would have made it slightly more coherent and readable. Carry on douchebag.

My TV hasn't been on MSNBC since... well, probably since never. edit: scratch that. I like watching the prison show Lockup, and I think that plays on MSNBC. But as far as "news" I don't hardly ever watch any TV news anymore.

Interesting that POTUS finally said the word "Terrorism" this morning. I'll be the WH staff was up all night deciding whether or not to finally say it but they were compelled to; after the media now knows that the FBI considers and investigates any multiple explosion as a "Act of Terror" It would have been more important to me for the news bafoons to find an explosives expert, a real expert, to give his/her take on the circumstances.

WTF is with these two bullets? So they're mad at conspiracy theories and distrust of the President? And WTF is a "goveremment"? I think you should stop at 12 posts and move along.

Thanks. I didn't get to finish, but, that's ok. The police blocked the streets and wouldn't let anyone near the scene within seconds. The police were urging everyone to go back. My thoughts were to clear the area, get word to my family and find my friends. It was a pretty tense hour or two. I am sad for the people and families that were directly effected by this. The race itself is damaged also. The finish line was great place of joy and celebration for families, friends, and runners. I fear that will be lost with new security requirements. I hope the person or persons that did this rot in hell.

Concur, with one caveat. Our biggest problem is that our society, in general, is gullible/ignorant enough to keep electing the same politicians. It reeks of the definition of insanity...keep doing the same thing with the expectation of a different outcome.

Ever. For anything.

I don't think either party has a monopoly on dumb politicians. Our biggest problem is that we keep re-electing the same politicians, even when the overall approval rating is in the single digits.

How bout google the airman interviewing the general, yes I'm that guy. You will find her audition to TIB.

Even after the release of the general's letter and the court documents, the public opinion is still tilted against the general. Reading some articles makes your blood boil, like this one: "Air Force General Defends Overturning Sexual Assault Conviction By Blaming Victim" https://thinkprogress.org/security/2013/04/11/1851221/general-overturn-sexual-assault/?mobile=wt The author obviously read the memo with their mind already made up. The facts they cherry picked for the article were the weaker facts and they completely left out the bigger holes in the case. The comments are even more maddening, and it's obvious 99% of those commenting didn't even read the memo but instead threw out their Jump To Conclusions mat... Worse, now Hagel is jumping on the popular bandwagon and suggesting that GCMCAs be stripped of any ability to overturn or set aside any part of convictions... "Hagel wants military brass stripped of ability to overturn convictions, officials say" https://www.cbsnews.com/8301-201_162-57578482/hagel-wants-military-brass-stripped-of-ability-to-overturn-convictions-officials-say/ Did any of these clowns READ any of the trial testimony? I read a lot of it today as well as the general's letter and there are HUGE question marks. There were NO smoking guns or clean kills presented by the prosecution. And Gen Franklin did say that it wasn't impossible for the events to happen the way the accuser stated they did, but he felt strongly that it was also not proven beyond a reasonable doubt that it did happen. After reading the court information, I also had significant questions that were not addressed. Unfortunately we live in an era where in these types of cases you are often guilty until proven innocent.

I certainly hope this doesn't turn out to be domestic... too many things lining up to appear to be though. April 15th - Tax Day, Patriot Day, city where the Boston Tea Party occurred... I hope that's just my over active imagination putting a bunch of coincidences together.

It gives me great pride in my fellow citizens to see the large numbers of them, first responders and not, that immediately ran toward the site of the blast, with no thought of anything other than helping people they did not know. If the attackers hoped to demonstrate some underlying flaw in the American character, they failed. :beer: ... To Boston

tunes, thanks for taking this on. I know it has been a long process, but hopefully it will be ending soon. Thanks again for making this happen (and to the others that took care of things in the background when you were gone).

Did anyone else notice the guy in the middle photo? It looks like he made a tourniquet out of his shirt. A lot of other civilians were helping as well. Once again, I'm completely baffled why anyone would arbitrarily kill people, but I take solace in the way some people responded.

This one hurts....senseless. That's three fatal accidents on 90 in the past year for the Laughlin family. Lt Col Koontz was a staple, he will be sorely missed. Thoughts and prayers for the family, ESP Zach.... XC Brief: "Don't be a goober and forget your shoes, unless you want to be that guy in green boots, in which case you will find yourself alone." Him Him

I've had the pleasure to work for General Franklin before, he is an outstanding man of integrity. I believed it then and believe it even more so now.

Smokin', that's what I read as well. If Franklin does get screwed because of this, he will be remembered as being a man of integrity and that should mean more than a fourth star! And if that does happen, he still should remain as a case study in how real leadership works. I don't know the man but I have great respect for him after reading that letter. I don't care what rank he is, it showed a dedication to values that many just pay lip service to. It has restored my faith a little as well, but I also expect to see him pay a price for doing the right thing...

As a parent, the difference for me comes down to choice. I absolutely believe in the power of a community assisting parents in the raising of their children. Assistance by the community of a parent's choosing is the natural extension of that parent's authority in raising a child. Having watched the video numerous times, it truly seems that she is suggesting that my parental rights be transferred to the community, regardless of my choice, to ensure my children have a proper, socially sanctioned, upbringing. This transfer of parental rights is already happening in our schools and through certain government agencies. On occasion it is a good thing and can help children who are really disadvantaged by their parents' choices. Sometimes, as in the case of abuse, it can be very necessary. Taken to extremes, however, almost any good thing can become extremely bad. This woman has shown in other speeches and interviews that she is a vocal extremist in areas of abortion, religion, socialism, and feminism. Based on her comments in those other areas, I have no reason to doubt that her comments on education and parenting were planned and literal.