Posted on 07/05/2009 7:09:45 PM PDT by Bodleian_Girl
Police arrested a man early Saturday who had a bomb in a backpack that he may have been preparing to use at a school in the area, officials said.
The man, identified as Jason A. Babson, 29, of 13 School St., Hudson Falls, was found with an explosive device just before 3 a.m. Saturday, said Hudson Falls Police Chief Randy Diamond.
The FBI was notified of the incident and is conducting its own investigation into the matter.
Hudson Falls Police Detective Scott Gillis said residents of the area where Babson was walking believed he made a comment about using a bomb at a school.
Babson works as a geologist for a company that designs nuclear power plants and had recently been working in the United Arab Emirates, Gillis said. He was scheduled to return to the Middle East this weekend, police said.
He would not talk to police for several hours after he was taken into custody, but Gillis said he eventually told police he had been drinking and made the bomb to detonate for a Fourth of July celebration. He was "very distraught" over personal issues, the detective said.
Gillis said Babson told police he changed his mind about detonating it and instead was on his way to the Feeder Canal to take it apart and dispose of it when he was arrested.
Police, though, said he had a number of explanations for citizens he came in contact with and police. Among them was a remark about a school, Gillis and Diamond said.
"He's given us several different stories. One of his claims was he was trying to get rid of it," Diamond said. "He's been rambling, making different statements."
(Excerpt) Read more at poststar.com ...
Arabs with bombs? But it’s a peaceful religion yada yada.
So, now we are exporting suicide bombers? This is becoming quite confusing.
Oops, I missed the name: Jason A. Babson
Maybe he just wanted to celebrate the 4th a little late. I say let him out on bail and have someone use him to fill a pothole or two.
They can go back to "the jackhammer" till this WOT clears up.
Outstanding. Isolate him and detonate in place.
Isn’t this racial profiling to stop a Muslim with a bomb?
That’s funny right there!
What...celebrating the 4th of July on the 4th of July is late?
How long have you been friends with him, and when did he convert to Islam!?!?! I was unaware he is Muslim now.
This whole story seems strange from start to finish.
“Babson works as a geologist for a company that designs nuclear power plants.”
OK, why would a company that designs nuclear power plants need a geologist? And what’s he doing in the UAE?
What does it mean, “acting strangely”? That it was late at night and he had a few drinks?
Time to suspend judgment and wait for a few facts, if any.
OK, maybe I figured why they want a geologist. To make sure that the nuke plant is in a geologically stable place?
Another lone suicide bomber (saracasm) just like the one at The University of Oklahoma during a football game.
I didn’t believe the guy that blew himself up (if he did) outside the game was an isolated case then and do not believe this guy is either.
Seeing a pattern with bombs in a backpack but we are supposed to believe what we are told and not think. (sarcasm)
Yeah, right. That's what every bank robber says when he's busted on the way to do the job: "This gun, mask, and map ain't nothin'. I was on my way to the nearest bridge to throw it in the river, trust me!"
Agree.. I don’t see the guy being guilty of anything as of right now.
Guess he’s gonna have to postpone his trip for a while, huh?
Or Zero can just give him clemency now and save the taxpayers
a lot of money.
I have spent a great deal of time in the Middle East and never met a Muslim named Jason.
Gee, UAE chooses nuclear over solar?
Yes, I'm not suprised...they lie a lot too. <>
OK, why would a company that designs nuclear power plants need a geologist? And whats he doing in the UAE?
To make sure the underground test is good.
A geologist is employed at engineering design firms for the purpose envolving foundation design etc, just to mention:a couple: soils testing, rock identification and strength, identification of aggregate sources for concrete. The list goes on and on.
Notice also no photo.
And that the guy worked for a company which designs NUCLEAR REACTORS. Now I know a reactor is not a bomb. But the science is the same as is much of the engineering background required. Also, much of the science/engineering background required, would also allow him to build a nice conventional explosive device as well. Assuming he's not just a mechanical designer or the modern day version of a draftsman.
Siting the plant, or finding the stuff to power it? One of my neighbors was a geologist and used to "hunt" for uranium.
Like the two college kids with explosives who wanted to “celebrate a birthday” on a beach. Later convicted of terrorism.
Charles Bishop was formerly Charles Bishra.
And Robert Reid wasn’t the shoe bomber’s muslim name.
Two guesses as to why!
My first thought was that this was connected to the grid lock in Albany.......but apparently not.
I am in school for geology, and often companies will hire anyone with a background in a hard science (geology, biology, physics etc) for a job which requires critical thinking and general knowledge of math and science.
That, plus to make sure the bedrock under the construction will support the weight OK. It would be a bummer to construct the plant over a limestone cavern, and then have it collapse into a sinkhole. Engineering geologists are used whenever you are building a large structure.
Typical newsmaker exaggeration. Babson seems to have worked for a major engineering firm which, among many other things, has designed one or more nuclear power plants. Odds are that they design high rises and cargo terminals too (for example), for which a good geologist is essential. No indication in the article that Babson was ever involved in designing a nuclear power plant, they just added it to make it scarier.
On another note, as a working geologist Babson probably has some training in the use of and access to explosives.
The media is trying to scare you. He does NOT work for a company that designs Nuclear Power Plants or reactors. Go to the company’s website for proof. The article says he’s a geologist, so his background is on rocks, not engineering. It’s called the media does want to check there facts because the truth wouldn’t get your attention.
You guys are all falling victim to what they want. This is just story of an average American Joe who isn’t all that right in the head and goes and does something stupid. The fact that he has works for an engineering firm that is subcontracted to work on a nuclear power plant project (and probably bridges and roadways, etc) is completely secondary and irrelevant to the story. Do a search online for other articles on the guy. You’ll find pictures, you’ll find work background data.
The media did the same thing you’re all doing. The heard he words nuclean and middle east and decided to draw their own conclusions. He does not “design” nuclear power plants, he’s not muslim, he was born and raised in upstate new york. All he probably does is drill holes in the ground and collect foundation data. Ihighly doubt he does any blasting work since company is a “consultant”, not a contractor. His job has nothing to do with this. It poor journalism intended to ilicit a negative reaction and to strike fear into to public.

The beard maybe?
Pennsylvania officers discover police uniform in bomb suspect's home
Babson is a geologist for Paul C. Rizzo Associates, an engineering and consulting firm based in western Pennsylvania. He has lived in Washington Township, Pa., in recent years but was assigned to a project at a nuclear power plant in the United Arab Emirates over the past year, officials said.
Actually the later story linked in my post above indicates that he was working on a nuclear plant in the UAE. Probably not on the "nuclear" part, but rather on the suitability of the geology of the site.
Neither was the kid who suffered a premature detonation outside the University of Oklahoma football stadium, while a game was in progress. This guy's beard looks a lot like that kids.
At least he wasn't using triacetone triperoxide (TATP), aka The Mother of Satan, which seems to be the explosive of choice for "lone wolf" or "small independent group" Muzzie terrorists, including the most recent London bombers, the Shoe Bomber, and that kid in Oklahoma.
Ah, well, I guess this is that rare exception that proves the rule. Or is the beard actually significant? Does he need to be provided with a prayer rug and Koran?
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