First On Fox. Teen's Mom Speaks Out On Her Son and 'Explosive' Chemicals

www.myfoxphilly.com ^ | 12/19/2012 | Dave Schratwieser, Reporter

[DBrow]

“They found electronic parts and several chemicals that when mixed together could cause an explosion.”

Cell phone, Etch-a-Sketch, CVS cold pack...book him!

[petitfour]

We have a CAR in our garage!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Girlene]

What do you do with vinegar and baking soda?

[Hardraade]

Vegan? Venusian?

[Politicalmom]

I guess nobody ever did the exploding volcano at your science fairs. :)

[libstripper]

I'd like to know what the chemicals were before passing judgment. In my wayward youth I tried many unsuccessful gunpowder making experiments and did build a successful cannon from 3/4” pipe that used match heads for a propellant. Indeed, I could have turned it into a pipe bomb just by capping both ends and using a fire cracker for a detonator. The gunpower experiments failed because I measured the ingredients by volume, not weight, and I used impure charcoal briquettes instead of the pure thing. I make this confession now because what I did was legal at the time and any statute of limitations has expired

[miss marmelstein]

Interesting. Klebold and Harris also had drawings of explosives.

This is a case of damned if you do, damned if you don’t.

[Hardraade]

When I waas a kid, I had a blessedly free access to blasting caps, fuses and dynamite sticks. We learned lots of stuff.

[Girlene]

Oh, thanks.

I was just curious since I use baking soda and vinegar to clean out drains....they’ve never exploded....yet.

[Hardraade]

Hehe. We used match-heads too. Loaded them into empty ballpoint pens and sent them flying around the room like mini-kassams. Then suffered the effects of sulphur smoke; no voice for a couple hours.

[The_Reader_David]

And don’t forget the poison gas attack potential of chlorine bleach and household ammonia! Plainly every old-fashioned housekeeper who keeps supplies of both is intent on murderous mayhem!

[kingu]

I think the more significant part is that someone was arrested and booked by the mere fact that IF you used such a book from the library you MIGHT be able to put together an explosive device out of the items available at his home.

Think about that... A teacher, concerned that the student drew a fire covered glove on his textbook contacts authorities who search his home and find... materials that MIGHT be used to make a bomb and then CHARGE him with possession of an explosive device.

Now, contemplate how this new story might apply to you... Do you have bleach, draino, flour, baking soda, matches and gelatin in your home?

Very frightening that such a thing can happen in the US.

[lwoodham]

Yes, if Homer Hickam were doing his thing today he would probably be seen as a terrorist and be sent to Levenworth for life. Incidentally, I have met him and his wife. I believe they still live here in Hunstville, Alabama where he worked for NASA for years. October Sky is one of my all time favorite movies.

[FoxInSocks]

What do you do with vinegar and baking soda?

From e-how:

Acid and Base Explosion

Sometimes when acids and bases react they can cause a violent reaction. For example, when acidic vinegar mixes with alkaline baking soda, the two form carbon dioxide to create an explosion.

Test the theory at home by mixing 1/2 cup water with 1/4 cup vinegar in a plastic bag. Put 1.5 tablespoons [baking soda] in the center of a 5-by-5-inch paper towel and fold it up. Drop the folded square into the plastic bag and seal it up quickly. Shake the bag and get out of the way...because it's going to blow up and make a mess!

[P.O.E.]

I should have said “should be”. You’re right, under zero tolerance we seem to have lost all common sense.

[rolling_stone]

what I did was legal at the time and any statute of limitations has expired

ok but just to be sure we need to put you on the do not fly or go to a school zone list/s

[duffee]

“Normally I’d be against such an unconstitutional intrusion, but with all of the bad stuff going on lately, I’d be OK with a one time search and seizure operation.”

I’m NOT, and you say that so quickly without asking by who or by what authority, what would be considered contraband, what would the penalities be? Do you have a problem with the searchers being able to determine what’s contraband and being able to shoot the offender in the head?

[Hot Tabasco]

But it’s certainly best not to take chances

Have we really come THAT far?

[kanawa]

My chili ingredients have been known to cause multiple explosions.

[bgill]

I wonder what “daddy” thinks.

Daddies carry around their own personal explosives. Hey, pull my finger.