Azalin

Does it really matter either way?

Yes to both!

Chelsea, is that you?

Is it just me, or do her teeth match her dress in that photo?

People have been offering up all kinds of speculation, but I've not heard anything official yet. The consensus (thus far) seems to be that he wanted to create chaos, and chose the SXSW festival to do so, when several hundred thousand people flooded into town. Oh, to be a 23 year old anything again! I even had hair back then.

I've actually been unusually busy at work today, and haven't caught up yet. I do know that the guy lived with two roommates who last I heard were not suspects ( as of yet, anyway), so I doubt the house will be booby trapped. Then again, who knows.... Much, much, older.

It's been reported all along there is a family connection between the first two victims. They come from an African-American family that is highly regarded within their community. I find it difficult to believe it coincidence that the first two targets were selected at random. The bomber changed up his MO with the third victim, and each subsequent target after that. You might be correct about his wanting to throw people off his trail, but it seems more likely to me that he just wanted to create as much chaos as he could before going out in a bloody, suicidal blaze. Then again, who knows? The guy was obviously a maniac, so go figure.

Best advice possible.

I awoke to the news just a couple hours ago that the guy is dead, but information is coming in constantly - they're still very active in searching for other devices, and are looking at a motel along IH-35 as well as the guy's house, which apparently is in the north suburb of Pflugerville. From the description they give, after having detonated a bomb in his car while SWAT was moving in, they'll need a bucket to transport his remains.

I'm "30 - 50 years old" and don't have "any terminal illness or anything like that." I'm no expert, but those don't sound much like something a psychopathic bomber would claim in a miniature manifesto-like admission posted on reddit.

Wow, at Brodie now?

You and me both, my friend.

Not only vocal, but adamant. You wouldn't even vote for him as an anti-Hillary vote. You supported Johnson, as I recall.

Rather ironic when you think about it, isn't it?

I agree. The first two attacks were on people with a family connection, were African-American, with the bombs going off as they were picked up on the front porch. That gave the impression of it being racially motivated, or at least on a grudge against a particular family. There are the only two deaths - so far. The third (the one that happened in the neighborhood where I work) was a completely unrelated latino family, where the bomb went off after being brought into the house. Next was the one set off by the proximity detonator, on the opposite side of town, in an affluent neighborhood, injuring two white men in their early 20's. And now most recently, the one that went off (presumably) prematurely at the FedEx distribution center south of here, only causing minor injuries to one employee. Not only does this person have significant skills, he's really making it difficult for the authorities by changing up his MO. Judging by reports on the local news radio, they're setting up a task force just as you suggested. I really hope they get this person before anyone else is hurt or killed. Austin is an odd blend of hippie and redneck cultures. Soon we're going to have drum circles and peace marches down town, and yahoos from the suburbs to the sticks blasting anyone coming cose to their property. It's a bad time to work for the USPS or any other parcel delivery company if you live around here, that's for sure. If he is, and he's in Austin, he'd damn well better contact me for a round of margaritas or I'll kick his ass but good.

I thought it was.

But even if that happens, Hillary still won't be president. Hmmmm....

There's certainly an element of terror involved, but I associate terrorism (perhaps incorrectly) with attacks meant to kill and injure on a larger scale than this. Out of 5 bombs, two people have been killed, one critically injured, and two seriously injured. The most recent explosion is reported to have caused the victim minor injuries. On the other hand, the city is pretty freaked out right now, so whoever is doing this is definitely terrorizing Austin. Police have been responding to hundreds of calls from residents too frightened to pick up their Amazon deliveries.

Have fun! We'll be sure to keep up the bickering while you're gone.

His "white half" was never so noticeable as when he wore those mom-jeans.

Yep, this time it exploded on a conveyor belt in a FedEx distribution center in Shertz, Texas, a suburb on the north side of San Antonio, about 65 miles south of here. They're reporting that the package originated in Austin and was headed to a different Austin address. As a precaution, the FedEx distribution center here in the SE side of Austin has been shut down. The bomb would have been routed through there on it's way to the victim. http://www.wsaz.com/content/news/Package-bomb-explodes-at-FedEx-facility-in-San-Antonio-Texas--477360803.html

You've probably heard that we had a fourth bomb go off in Austin last night. Here's a report from the local paper: https://www.statesman.com/news/local/map-shows-location-austin-bombs/Y6FDTW2EDX3P1JYH0GN6TL/

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