[Dave S]

I read from some reasoned people who pretty much nailed the fact that this dude was a terrorist. How does that make them, and I for that matter, a conspiracy nut? The truth is evident.

How about attributing to the FBI all sorts of nefarious reasons why they are obviously covering this up. The most ridiculous thing I saw was that they wanted to cover it up so as not to deflate the Holiday celebration on the 4th (so people will spend their $) or so as not to hurt the stock market on the 5th. What crap! What happens when it comes out on the 7th or 8th that it was a terrorist attack? Think people.

Disagree with the FBI's caution in calling this a terrorist attack if you must, but dont assume that to mean that they are somehow covering up something. Seems we know an awful lot for this to have been covered up, huh?

[John W]

They aren't covering anything up, however,"crowd control" has always been high on government's concern list.

[cgbg]

The most ridiculous thing I saw was that they wanted to cover it up so as not to deflate the Holiday celebration on the 4th (so people will spend their $) or so as not to hurt the stock market on the 5th. What crap! What happens when it comes out on the 7th or 8th that it was a terrorist attack? Think people

Who says the FBIs ever have to acknowledge that it was a terrorist attack? Or they could admit it a year later after a far worse event makes the admission irrelevant. Btw it was the media who said the stock market went up on Friday "because there was no terrorist attack on July 4th". _They_ seem to think it matters.

News management is standard government (and corporate, btw) policy. Feed the public what you want them to know. Let further details dribble out when they can do little harm.

You see the government could have taken the opposite approach (not that I am advocating it, btw). They could have changed the color on the Homeland Security board, declared it was a terrorist attack, grounded all aircraft and closed all airports, canceled all athletic events and fireworks displays, etc. Obviously they did not want to do that unless they were convinced this was part of major coordinated activity. The attack was _not_ that. But those who claim the government had a motive to shade the facts to justify remaining calm are making a reasonable claim imho.