Posted on 10/06/2005 11:48:06 AM PDT by DallasMike
Thanks. That's a good distinction to make. I guess I was thinking that we don't have quite so many suicide bombers in the United States -- yet.
Here's a Wikipedia link to TATP. My first degree was in chemistry and I recall hearing about it and other explosives but nobody was dumb enough to try and make it. Being pyros by nature, we did make minor explosives -- like the ones used in the old poppers!
Norman Police Investigated Hinrichs
by Ryan Welton, Managing Editor
POSTED: 10:05 am CDT October 6, 2005
UPDATED: 3:02 pm CDT October 6, 2005
NORMAN, Okla. -- Norman police confirmed Thursday that they ran a routine investigation of a 21-year-old University of Oklahoma student who blew himself up on campus Saturday night.
At a 2 p.m. news conference, Norman Police Department spokesman J.D. Younger said an off-duty, plainclothes officer overheard a conversation Joel Henry Hinrichs III had with the proprietor of a Norman feed store last Thursday at 4 p.m. The conversation centered on a purchase of ammonium nitrate fertilizer.
"I think it's important to note that it's not a criminal activity to purchase ammonium nitrate fertilizer," Younger said.
However, he noted that the context of Hinrichs' conversation with a manager of Ellison Feed & Seed was suspicious. Younger indicated that the off-duty officer reported that Hinrichs asked about different types of fertilizer and the concentration of ammonium nitrate in each.
Ammonium nitrate was the primary ingredient in the bomb that killed 168 people in the explosion that brought down the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Builsing in Oklahoma City in 1995.
The officer, according to Younger, took a mental note of the conversation and its context, and then followed Hinrichs outside. The officer took down the student's license tag number, contacted Norman's police department dispatch operation, had Hinrichs checked for outstanding warrants -- but, alas, found nothing.
The officer continued his investigation Thursday night, but could only conclude that Hinrichs was an OU student and lived in university-subsidized housing. The officer did contact a Norman bomb squad technician; however, the plan at that time was for the off-duty officer to complete a written report for submission the following Monday.
Hinrichs died when a bomb he allegedly created exploded as he sat on a bench next to the George Lynn Cross Hall, about 100 yards from Oklahoma Memorial Stadium, where about 84,000 people were watching the Sooners play Kansas State in a college football game.
When asked whether or not the officer could have done something to prevent the explosion, Younger said the off-duty officer actually went "above and beyond" the call of duty to act as he did.
"I think we're fortunate to have an employee go that far," Younger said. "We don't know what would have happened if the officer hadn't been there."
If Hinrichs had not died Saturday night, the Norman officer -- according to Younger -- would have filed the written statement, which would have eventually been submitted to federal authorities. The lead investigative agency in the Hinrichs case is the FBI; however, Younger noted the Norman police department would help as needed and requested.
"I feel confident that we're doing what needs to be done," he said.
Younger had no other comments as to other aspects of the case.
Copyright 2005 by ChannelOklahoma.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
"If Hinrichs had not died Saturday night, the Norman officer -- according to Younger -- would have filed the written statement, which would have eventually been submitted to federal authorities."
Note "would have filed." He didn't file a report. CYA time for sure. "Eventually submitted." Dawdling, more CYA.
Heh. Just imagine if Henrichs had attended church at Valley View Christian Church here in Dallas where Harriet Miers is a member. It would be open season on Christians in the mainstream media. It's interesting how the press is downplaying or ignoring any evidence concerning Henrichs' religion.
Why the hell did this not make any major news outlets?
Why not at least Sports Center?
"It's interesting how the press is downplaying or ignoring any evidence concerning Henrichs' religion."
I assume he was an accolyte of Islam, myself. Is this what you mean? To what religion did he belong, if any, prior? It would have been a very weak association, in order for him to have turned as he did, so any prior religion would likely be immaterial.
"Why the hell did this not make any major news outlets?"
The primary theory here seems to be that coverage has been effectively squelched from on high, Homeland Security or above. Why? That's up in the air ... too much information might jeopardize ongoing investigations, it might cause a panic, it might cause economic problems at a somewhat precarious time for the country. It could be a case of denying "glory" and recognition to terrorist organizations, who seek such infamy. Nobody is completely certain.
It's not the first time terrorist activity has been denied for as long as it could plausibly be denied.
It just proves that if you're a member of a cult (Islam) you can get a free ride in the media. I'm all for profiling when it comes to security. Although it can be difficult to look at someone and tell if they are islamic. Except for the bulging around the midsection with wires attached.
as with most US college papers- they're living in a pre-9/11 world and have not a clue.
Kind of a "different" or unusual choice of vehicle for a 21 year old college student, at least one of his ethnic group.
bookmark for later
Thanks for the ping, Rosie. I'm glad you are aware of this story. Pretty amazing, isnt it? Looks like Oklahoma dodged a big bullet!....or in this case a bomb!
No "normal" person commits suicide by blowing himself up in public with a backpack full of explosives. Yet that is the official story regarding Joel Henry Hinrichs III, who was killed Saturday night in an explosion outside the University of Oklahoma's football stadium, where 80,000 fans were watching a game.
For surely, in the absence of compelling evidence to the contrary, anyone who blows himself up in public near large crowds of people should be presumed to be a terrorist, not a bizarrely suicidal college student.
The troubling thing is that the squelching is so complete. Outside from the local news and a bunch of blogs, nothing. Even conservative media. What's been happening on Fox? On Rush? Hannity? One would think the possibility of a suicide bombing mass-murder attempt would perk more interest than the latest from Aruba
"The troubling thing is that the squelching is so complete."
There was one mention here (NC) on Monday, a small article buried in the B section, about a student suicide. That's all I've seen in print.
I casually mentioned it to my wife last night and was surprised to find that she hadn't even heard the story at all.
There's a guy on the thread about the NYC Subway terrorist threat, claiming that the NYFD reports an explosion, cell phone caller, location currently unknown.
Yup...it had nails....lots of them at that. The thread is around somewhere. I'll post the list of consolidated threads shortly.
Thanks, add me to the ping list if you are running one on this topic.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.