TIMES SQ. SUBWAY BLAST HURTS COP

The New York Post ^ | 07/20/2004 | The New York Post

[GAGOPSWEEPTOVICTORY]

A small pipe bomb packed with gunpowder and BBs exploded in a subway station last night, injuring a transit cop and throwing several blocks near Times Square into chaos.

A police spokesman insisted that authorities do not believe that the incident was terrorism — but federal officials, including the Secret Service and the Joint Terrorism Task Force are investigating, it was learned.

The officer, whose name was withheld, was standing near a staircase leading to the A, C and E trains at 43rd Street and Eighth Avenue at around 8 p.m., when he saw a burning knapsack, police said.

He quickly pushed two commuters to safety, but as he was calling for assistance, the bag exploded, cops said.

[Terridan]

I am shocked that subways across America are left without security checks. All of those great looking guards and I mean great looking, have no way of surveilancing everyone and everything!

[CyberAnt]

Yep .. I think it's a dry run.

Just like when they left the suitcases on the subways.

[American in Israel]

Welcome to the Jihad. Not a dry run, a bomb packed with schrapnel in a subway. When they catch him, execute him for attempted Mass Murder. Set an example now, or pay thousands of times over later.

[geopyg]

Dittos. (Although I prefer life in prison rather than the death penalty). Regardless - it is Terrorism and attempted mass murder and the full weight of the law should be used. Hope they can catch him.

Thanks to a cop with heroic actions and quick thinking no one else was seriously hurt.

[bondjamesbond]

At this point, I'm ready to give Barney and Uzi.

[Truth29]

CNBC just reported (6amEDT) that it was a bag of fireworks. Given the NY Post's recent record for accuracy, I hope there are more reports that will provide specific corroboration of what really happened.

[rabidralph]

No matter what the nationality of the perp, it's terrorism. I wish law enforcement would stop beating around the bush.

[bored at work]

A police spokesman insisted that authorities do not believe that the incident was terrorism

perhaps we should redefine the definition of terrorism.

[samtheman]

A police spokesman insisted that authorities do not believe that the incident was terrorism

Who decides to put out this horse manure?

Obviously the people who say they "do not believe that the incident was terrorism" do in fact believe that the incident was terrorism.

Please list the alternative categories a pipe-bomb in a subway can fall under:

1. Modern love?
2. Boys will be boys?
3. Girls just want to have fun?
4. Hot time, summer in the city?
5. Let the good times roll?

What is the yearly salary of the genius who does "not believe that the incident was terrorism"? Maybe we can save that money and hire some more cops.

[Labyrinthos]

Great. I've got to spend next week in the Big Apple on a business trip, taking the subway every day from Newark to Times Square. Sigh.

You really need to worry -- not because of terrorism -- but because there is no subway running run Newark to Times Square. What you will need to do is take the PATH train into Penn Station and then the A, C, or E subway to Times Square.

[Labyrinthos]

People need to go through metal detectors and have their belongings x-rayed at all major public transport areas.

Something like two million people a day ride use the MTA --mass transit system -- in NYC. The turn "rush hour" would lose its meaning if each of those two million riders had to undergo port of entry screening. Sensors are probably the better choice.

[hocndoc]

This is terrorism. We just don't know who the terrorist is.

[Sister_T]

Just better hope it wasn't a "dirty bomb".

[Teplukin]

I suspect it is some cretin who thought it would be fun to cause a bit of confusion, not even thinking about potential dangers. Heck, I was in Howard Beach last weekend, at a playground, and some idiots lit off firecrackers when kids were playing.

Just too appalling for words.

[2nd amendment mama]

Then you've got this:

"Manhattan Federal Judge Robert Sweet's decision - made public yesterday - prohibits blanket searches of bulky bags and backpacks in the absence of a "specific threat."

[sarasota]

Speaking of dry runs, there's a follow up article in the Women's Wall Street online site regarding the Terror in the Skies article posted last week. Seems this story is going to break nationally soon.

[OldFriend]

Now that the federal judge has decided that the police have NO right to inspect bags and backpacks of protesters during the Republican convention I see the probability of a lot more of these incidents.

[ConservativeMan55]

Thank you for reading my mind!

[Destro]

This is not al-Qaeda nor is it a dry run. Al-Qaeda does not do operational dry runs (wet runs?) because it may bust an operation - they do walk throughs but they don't set off mini bombs as prep work for a bigger bomb. Al-Qaeda does spectacular terrorisim. This can be everything from a lefty group or a righty group or a lone nut to a lone jihadists.

Highly unlikely it is al-Qaeda.

[Flint]

"whether it's terrorism related or not"

A pipe bomb in a subway station is terrorisum. You don't have to have a rag tied around your head and smell like a camel to qualify as a terrorist.