Posted on 10/23/2002 2:39:33 AM PDT by Peach
Let's keep a live commentary thread going again today. The FBI Tip Line #1-888-324-9800.
All seems quiet since yesterday's news the shooter may target children specifically. It was released on various news outlets the shooter's 3-page letter to police was in broken English and threatened extreme violence. Police announced an electronic transfer of $10m as requested by the shooter was not possible but other options for transfer remain open. No one seriously believes police will actually give the shooter $$, but police are trying to keep a dialogue open with the shooter in an effort to capture this monster.
Yes - I believe you are correct - today could be a very sad, sad day. I pray that it is not.
(What are the limits of our new toleration of PC 'Pluralism'/'Worldviews'?)
IMHO.......we are now finding out!
"U.S. Citizens are being attacked!"
Thank you for sharing your thoughtful comments!
Is it possible that they already killed 20 people and will tell LEOs where to find the bodies? Why such a specific number ahead of time?
Yep. People talk about "nutcase" and "terrorist" like they're independent, mutually exclusive possibilities. But they're not. The shooter/s or shooter team could be some of both.
"Mercenary" and "professional" could be part of the mix, too. AQ or another organized player could have contracted with someone. Or manipulated them into doing it.
The shooter team is so good at not leaving evidence and knowing where police look and don't look one has to wonder if there's a law enforcement background in there too.
My own suspicion is that the shooter is not leaving the shooting scene in a car or truck. They might be staying in the area in a safe place until things quiet down or even using public transportation. I haven't heard that the police are stopping buses and searching the passengers.
Depending on how bus coverage works near Tuesday's shooting, the shooter maybe could have walked somewhere close by and caught another bus. Would be an ironic touch after they just shot a bus driver (prayers for his family and may his soul rest in peace).
But there's a lot we don't know.
20 body bags
Doesn't sound very detail oriented.
I concur with several of the above posts that those of us who know any little detail had best keep quiet and not give it to the press (some of whom seem to read Free Republic).
It is actually pretty amazing that some school security measures (of which many of us parents are aware) have stayed out of the press, and, yes, even off this thread. After this is over, I can provide some examples.
The schools around here are desperately trying to keep a low profile, but school personnel and we parents are having to unite against the media. The media want to blab to everyone, including the murderer/s, everything the schools are doing to protect our children Look what happened when the word got out that football games were being relocated - a man was murdered at a site where supposedly at least one team had stopped.
Right now parents, kids, and school staff should stay out of the news. I live across the street from an elementary school and just found an unknown van with out of state plates in my driveway (which is screened by foliage). I then found three self-proclaimed network reporters on school grounds, but not visable to the staff, videotaping kids and the parents dropping them off. I ran (literally) back to our house and reported them and their vehicle to the school system's media office, and at last check, the three strangers were being chased off school property. Sure these guys have a job to do, but I do NOT want MY kid's school on the news this week!
The police and the various school superintendents ARE working together and are doing everything they can think of to assure the safety of our children. We have to help, and keep our mouths (and typing fingers) quiet for the duration - except to report anything suspicious.
Wire transfer to a wahala here in the states, which makes the money available (with no written record) in Pakistan or Afghanistan.
The Congress passed a law in 1993 that does not regulate wahalas, but just requires them to report suspicious activity within so many days to the Feds. (that would take months, probably, and still the written record stops at the water's edge.
I've got a million things to do today - and I shouldn't even be on here at all right now - but I couldn't help myself. FR is the place to go. LOL
And the note also said "anywhere". He could completely take them by surprise and hit another state at this point.
I wonder what the police told all of the other hundreds of kooks which confess to any high-profile crime, when they called in to get their 800 numbers...
As I have said before, per standard operating procedure, if there was information, especially from the notes, letters, and phone calls that this was international terrorism, then the federalies would have taken this investigation over. Just as they did the 9/11 investigation, and the prosecution of Moussaoui, and John the Taliban Lind. The fact that this is still a local/county/state gig is a strong indication that this is domestic, and not "terrorism" in the normal sense that we think of "terrorism". Yes, the feds are offering support and assistance, both technical and in manpower, but this investigation is local. oh by the way, morning to all my good friends in Freepland.
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