Experts puzzled by bomb 'failure'

Guardian ^

[El Gato]

Maybe all (or almost all) acetone in UK (and in US, too) should henceforth be spiked by trace amounts of heavy metals (like, say, cobalt, iron, or manganese). These would normally cause accelerated decomposition of any peroxides around - and make any acetone peroxide prepared from such a material particularly unstable, more than it normally is.

How about we just catch and punish the terrorists. Trying to "fix" or neuter ever common item that could be used as a bomb or other destructive device will either result in nothing being available without government permits, or most likely abject failure, as there are just too many high energy materials around. Gasoline for example. Gasoline and ground up fertilizer for another.

[El Gato]

But it would make sense if they were made at the same time and the failure was due to some time related deterioration of material

Or due to faulty preparation of a single batch of the material.

[Prince Caspian]

...unless they are willing to believe that the "infinitely benevolent supreme being" wanted them dead.

Ah yes. The "how can a benevolent and all-powerful God let bad things happen to good people" gambit. The argument that always appears larger on the outside than it is on the inside.

[GSlob]

"How about we just catch and punish the terrorists."
One does not preclude another, and may go hand in hand. How about an excremist trying to prepate acetone peroxide, blowing up in the process (helped by acetone spiking) and thus catching and punishing his own excremist self?

[Analog Artist]

The argument that always appears larger on the outside than it is on the inside..

Now you are speaking in tongues brother sir.

[Analog Artist]

Interesting read.. thanks.

[Prince Caspian]

As you wish.

[mercy]

How do you know you are not praying AGAINST God's will. Is it not God's will as the Bible explains that man's iniquity finally come to an end ... and The End Times come about?

[Old Professer]

It took all of 15 seconds to go on Google and get a recipe for a much more stable and more explosive form of acetone peroxide.

[Aquinasfan]

Interesting read.. thanks.

I'm glad you liked it. The Catholic Encyclopedia entry under "Evil," especially, is to me a breath-taking and unrivaled work of erudition, lucidity and concision. I re-read it regularly.

[elc]

Unfortunately, I'd have to add to that:

Expect another attack in the US. Soon.

I ride the metro in the DC area everyday (except for yesterday because of a dream I had). All I can think is it's only a matter of time.

[elc]

Expect a knock on your door soon. Or maybe, just be careful what naughty things you say over the phone for awhile. :)

[TheDon]

I've reconsidered my prediction based on further information and a little thinking.

The information is that the type of explosive used in London degrades significantly in a matter of days and weeks.

If the terrorist that generated the explosives skipped the country before the first attack, and both attacks used the same batch of explosives, considering the last batch had already degraded so much it was no longer effective, we shouldn't see any new attacks in London from that terrorist cell until they get a new batch of explosives ready. They will need to bring the explosives maker back into the country.

Also, from eyewitness accounts, it appears the bombers knew they were committing suicide. It's likely they had some 8 guys ready to give there all to the cause.

It looks like the terrorists are being disappointed in their desire to turn London into Madrid II.

[plushaye]

"How do you know you are not praying AGAINST God's will. Is it not God's will as the Bible explains that man's iniquity finally come to an end ... and The End Times come about?"

I don't believe that God or Jesus condones the killing of innocents, especially children. I don't believe praying or acting to prevent the actions of evil people against innocents is against the will of God. I don't believe that allowing evil doers to run rampant to hasten the End Times (perhaps by appeasement or doing nothing) is an attitude that God would be pleased with. That's my opinion anyway.

[texson66]

Damn, in the military this information would NOT be released!!! Its call Op-Sec - operations security!

Let the terrorists figure this out for Pete's sake! MI-5 should arrest the *sshole reporter and put him away for 20 years!

[mercy]

I thought God was in control of everything.

Who allowed Satan to enter the Garden and corrupt man?

We are just pots after all.

I believe in God. I accept the sacrifice of Jesus for my sins. I EVEN believe that this mess we're in (life) has an ultimate meaning and we will be glad we made it through the test. Doesn't mean I have to like it.

I pray that Jesus Come asap and end all this suffering.

[Southack]

"Israeli invention detects TATP explosives"

That's a direct system. There are much better remote detection systems for explosives that deteriorate so quickly (1/3 mass loss per week).

Oh yeah, and "acetone" is what we commonly call nail polish remover. It packs a smell.

[Analog Artist]

Well yes, the good and evil discussion was good... the only part where I felt quite uncomfortable was when they started referring to Buddhism a religion of pessimism, as if intending to insult all Buddists. I thought that was a bit cavalier. I read the tenets of Buddha & sutras, and they dont sound the least pessimistic to me, infact they merely show the moderate path to enlightenment by stressing good thought and action.

I dont think picking on Buddhism, a religion that has never posed any threat to christianity ever, is a good practice for christians. Buddhists are by far, the most harmless and non-violent of all people (unless radicalised by communism, but in that case they are not buddhist anymore).

I suggest you to read a book called "The good heart" by Dalai Lama.. That book is about the virtues of Christianity.. Dalai Lama, being the gentle and noble soul that he is, talks about the goodness of soul and character inherent in christianity.

I think its very unfair and insulting to all such noble Buddhist people, when they talk so well of us and we keep insulting them and their faith.

[Aquinasfan]

I read the tenets of Buddha & sutras, and they dont sound the least pessimistic to me, infact they merely show the moderate path to enlightenment by stressing good thought and action.

Most religions agree on ethics, or the natural law. It seems to me that there are two important negative aspects to Buddhism. First, "enlightenment" seems to come through self-abnegation, which is different from self-sacrifice. Secondly, the best that eternity can offer the Buddhist is dissolution into nothingness, rather than eternal life with God.

[mware]

Saint Michael was working overtime in London.