Times Square bombing gets more serious: UPDATED

Any time there is a bombing, you need to worry. Even the dubious Bill Ayers bombing excuse, "We made a decision to hurt property" does not make setting of an IED a harmless exercise. Bombs cause fires, passersby can get hurt by shrapnel, broken glass and other debris.

From Politico:

Eight House Democrats were mailed a letter and photo of a Times Square recruiting station in Manhattan before it was bombed this morning, according to House insiders.

The letter did not contain any specific threats against the lawmakers or the site, but the U.S. Capitol Police and the FBI are now investigating the matter.

It was unclear which lawmakers received the letters or when, but House aides confirmed they were all Democrats.

The New York Times is reporting that the "improvised explosive device" used in the attack "was 'roughly similar”' to the devices used in two earlier bombings at foreign consulates in Manhattan in 2005 and 2007.

From AP:

The Associated Press obtained a copy of an e-mail from the office of Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., to other lawmakers Thursday that reads:

"A few offices on the House side have received a letter today addressed to 'Members of Congress' with a picture of a man standing in front of the Times Square recruiting station that was bombed in New York today with the statement 'We did it.' He is standing in front of it with his arms spread out and he's attached his political manifesto."

The e-mail says the recipients were told to leave the letters alone and call police.

Manifesto. Reminds me of Ted Kaczynski, the Chicago-born Unabomber. His manifesto came later, but remember his first bombs were amateurish contraptions, his expertise improved--and his bombs became more deadly--over time.

UPDATE March 7: The "We Did It" letters and poster are not related to yesterday's bombing, according to law enforcement officials. But the bombing is still a serious matter and should not be viewed as a prank.

Related post:

Weather Underground's 2008 Tragical History Tour

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