Until the last days of the Christie administration in NJ and the initial days of the Trump administration, I was slightly right of center. Since then I've shifted radically to the left. I am amazed how the ultra-right needs to resort to lies, deception, ad hominem attacks, violence, collusion with foreign enemies, and -- I wouldn't be surprised to discover -- deals with the Devil. Still and all, the Left stays as calm and collected as it possibly can be in the face of such vile rehetoric, deceitful tactics and outright evil. If the Right is looking for a Civil War and, ultimately, an Totalitarian State, it can look all it wants. Truth, justice, honor, goodwill, and honesty will prevail. It is only a matter of time. But truth, justice, honor, goodwill, and honesty will prevail.
2
Has anyone considered these pipe bombs could be a tactic in the Russian strategy to undermine American democracy?
3
They are SUSPECTED pipe bombs as no one knows whether they are fake or real so I'd appreciate it if the NYTs would not sensationalize an already awful story.
2
It's fascinating to read all these comments and compare them to the more than 5,000 reader comments on the Wall Street Journal.
The WSJ commenters are almost 100% in lockstep with the idea that this was a False Flag, Democrat/Liberal plot to hurt Republicans. And I first heard this predictable right-wing response on the media darling whom Trump channels, Rush Limbaugh.
By now, we have become all too familiar with the denials and reversals our President employs at every opportunity. Kavanaugh is an honest impartial jurist. The Access Hollywood tape is just locker room talk. Fine people on both sides. Enemy of the people. Trump doesn't like people who were captured. The Trump business is in a blind trust.
Maybe those bombs WERE false flags, sent out by Roger Stone to divert attention from MBS. Just kidding.
It will continue to go on and on. My best guess at this point is that the CINC (Trump) will declare martial law and cancel the elections. I know that the Constitution says declaring martial law is the province of the Congress, but when has Trump followed the Constitution?
6
Make no mistake about it, these terrorism act of sending bombs to individuals that have been vilified by Donald Trump for over 2 years, is the result of the continuous incendiary remarks, vicious rhetoric and lies that Trump tells on a daily basis; any person who watches Trump's racist and hate filled diatribes at each one of his rallies who thinks otherwise is completely delusional.
15
"The media has a responsibility to set a civil tone"? President trump needs to resign. His is the most uncivil tone of any President in the history of the US. This mayhem is his responsibility. His weekly rallies inciting deplorables to lock people up and assault reporters are criminal incitements. As President he has only represented this deplorable base of what 30% of the country and asked for the demise of the rest of the country.
Please I implore all no matter what party you are registered, to please vote against trump in the mid-terms. Our country, and for that matter the world, cannot afford his reckless incompetent leadership one more day.
15
"Despicable acts" didn't last long. By Wednesday night at one of his rallies, trump was back to criticizing and blaming the "Fake Media". He just doesn't get it. Words have consequences
10
I hope security measures are effective protecting potential targets and that forensics lead to the capture of the terrorist and exposes any associate to full prosecution. Trump encouraged this with his terrible words before, during and ever since his election. We have bottomed our on garbage from Trump and the entire garbage GOP.
7
Trump in his clueless pandering for the masses. Overlooks the fact that, out there someone acted on those thoughts.
Someone needs to tell him not everyone is stable, not everyone just laughs it off. Someone took his words and acted on them.
6
This is terrible. I'm very glad that no one was hurt.
But no, this is not a "both sides are at fault" situation. Yes, there are some unhinged individuals across the political spectrum.
But the salient difference here is that we have Republican party leaders and the Republican president on television and twitter repeatedly calling the legitimate media "fake news" and an "enemy of the people." The reason? The legitimate press (i.e., not Fox News) is doing an essential service to the country by calling them to account for falsehoods, misdirection, harmful policies and laws, assault allegations, and numerous misdeeds by the president's men and associates.
We have a president encouraging people to rough up reporters, congratulating a Wyoming Congressman for body slamming a reporter, equating neo-Nazis with the brave people counter-protesting, and denying reporters access to his secret meeting with an enemy leader, Putin. All the while, talking on an unsecured iPhone with various friends while he's being recorded by Russian and Chinese agents.
We have a president vilifying, scapegoating, and lying about Obama, Clinton, Soros, Brennan, Comey, people of color, women, anyone (R or D) who report that the "emperor has no clothes."
The president acts in a reprehensible manner and has tacitly & directly encouraged his followers to commit crimes. This is not just immoral and dangerous, it is also against the law.
You don't hear this rhetoric from Schumer, Pelosi, or other top Dems.
13
Why should Americans worry so much about foreign terrorists when the leaders of the country are encouraging home grown violence and terrorism.
14
This is all on Trump and more so on GOP for enabling him w/o questions.
11
Predictable.
You dump lots of carbon into the atmosphere, you get climate change. And the subsequent extreme weather events .You give a man like Trump presidential forums, you get increased hate speech and pipe bombs in the mail.
Anyone who didn't see both of these things coming needs their head examined. Sessions says he wants to get to the "bottom" of this. That should be easy, because the bottom is where Trump has dragged us. And here it is.
12
History matters; we have seen this experiment before:
External money is injected into right-wing media outlets to support broad campaigns of misinformation and propaganda against the existing institutions - 45 years ago it was intelligence agency money, today its private money.
The propaganda campaign generates profound polarization among the people.
The polarization reaches the point of demonizing fellow citizens purely on the basis of political affiliation.
The polarization is so profound, democratic governance becomes ineffective and ultimately unsupported by the population.
In response to mounting frustration and ineffectual leadership, governance ultimately fails and lethal violence results.
We have seen this experiment before because we designed and conducted this experiment ourselves 45 years ago across Central and South America when we wanted to interfere with others' democracies. (e.g. https://www.intelligence.senate.gov/sites/default/files/94chile.pdf)
We wrote the playbook, so we know how this turns out. With enough ignorance and lack of accountability for cynical hypocrisy, no democracy is immune to failure.
We are doing the experiment right now and the only question is how ignorant of history, and tolerant of cynical hypocrites are we all willing to be?
6
I have concerns that the FBI, especially the New York FBI field office, can be trusted to effectively investigate these terrorist acts. During the election the New York FBI office was commonly known as "Trumpland" and was leaking investigative ideas, all to harm one candidate and prop another. Post-election, Trump has fired Comey who refused a loyalty pledge, McCabe has been fired, senior FBI investigators have been fired, and Christopher Wray was appointed as the FBI director by Trump. The FBI reports to Jeff "Lock Her Up" Sessions. The terrorist attacks are clearly politically motivated and target many of the individuals targeted by the New York City FBI office. In times like these we deserve a federal investigative police force; sadly we do not have one.
5
trump telling the media to 'stop the endless hostility' is pathetic and disgusting.
11
Pipe Bombs Sent To Figures Vilified By Political Right.
No further story required.
10
And your point is? Even sending fake bombs is reprehensible. I truly feel that the cause can be laid at Trump’s feet. His constant calls against Democrats, his mockery of reporters, his mockery of disabled reporters, his calling on his minions to attack journalists, his praise of a Republican candidate’s bodyslam of a reporter, his name calling and vitriol of Democratic office holders have all fueled the division in our country.
These devices are meant to create terror, just as his rhetoric is. He talks about stopping terrorism? Let him start with himself.
6
Guess what? The 'bombs' were all fake. There was no explosives in them.
1
Whoever is doing this obviously subscribes to an ideology that is utterly bankrupt.
8
Which political party benefits from the “narrative?”
Follow the motive.
3
We witness targeted humiliation and threat of, if not outright, violence undermine the free press, inhibit free speech, circumvent due process and the right to liberty, qualify freedom of religion, and mischaracterize freedom of assembly, association, and expression. Self-determination and thought are next.
1
I cannot fail to notice that these apparently fake bombs seem to generate a lot more sustained media attention than the actually poisonous ricin letters sent to Trump and some of his people.
Why does someone even put all this effort into sending fake bombs? Makes you wonder whether that person might actually intend to help Democrats in the midterms by creating a false impression that right-wingers are trying to murder liberal icons.
3
@GS
Okay, those letters contained castor beans not actual ricin (and others were cornstarch). And I have yet to read anything definitive about these bombs being fake. But it doesn’t matter—both are attempts to terrorize.
7
Do you remember the attempts on Obama's life? I'm positive you can't recall one of them...
1
Words matter and there are a lot of unhinged people out there these days to hear them. Somebody needs to impress upon Trump and his acolytes that this has gone way too far and that bleating for unity after the fact is like slamming the barn door after the horses have run away. The targets here are no accident. This has to stop before someone really gets hurt.
6
Many of the comments posted are strictly partisan...placing the blame squarely upon radical right-wing republican supporters, republican members of congress, and trump. I agree that most of the violence and deeply set hatred is the work of those individuals, but there are many radical left-wing supporters who are not any better.
Our country is coming apart at the seams, and this is an intentional attempt to divide us, causing chaos, infighting and pitting us against one another, and it is all orchestrated by trump, republican representatives, Russia, and the mega-wealthy “organizations” and individuals such as the Koch brothers and the Mercer family as well as many democrats in government and racial democratic organizations all spreading misinformation and fueling the hatred.
Those of us who are rational human beings (whether democrat, republican, independent, progressive or whatever politically) need to learn a real lesson from these zealots and start engaging in real discussions and debates whereas we listen to one another without a preconceived notion.
When you step back and look at things wisely you will see we all have more in common than these politicians want us to believe.
Just an example: I am a democrat but I believe in the republican concept of smaller, less intrusive government, but I also believe in holding many corporations to stringent regulations for the safety of people and the environment. There are things politically we all hold in common.
7
Is there not, I wonder, a case to be made that trump could be charged with inciting riot among the American people?
9
I don't mean to be paranoid, but could these mailed bomb events be planned to seem innocuous (no one was hurt) and to serve as a talking point, allowing certain media outlets to cast doubt on the veracity of such threats? As a way to condition and habituate people to ever increasing domestic terrorism that, some will claim, is FAKE and planned by the VICTIMS?
1
It isn't the Russians or the Chinese or ISIS that can bring us down: it's terrorism inside the country, fomented by our own President, and enabled by the outlets of "social" media which encourages direct expressions of hatred.
9
The president does not seems to appreciate the power of his bully pulpit, words that can be used for good or evil. When he, along with the right wing media, inflame anger and condone violence, deranged individuals may see fit to act on their words. And now, some on the right, in order to evade personal responsibility, are claiming that this is all a plot by Democrats to garner sympathy (and votes) before the election.
That said, left wing activists' harassing government officials dining in restaurants, and Rep. Maxine Waters' encouragement of the offense, do not help. It just gives Trumps' accusations of mob violence credence, and engenders sympathy for their targets.
4
Being rude to someone in a restaurant is not equivalent to sending pipe bombs.
14
Trump's continuous bellowing of lies is the cause of this. One more reason to move his ilk down the road.
15
Hope they’re not just focused on the bombs but the packages as well. Dust for fingerprints on the tape and stamps and hey! maybe that return address is a clue?!
3
I think the FBI knows how to do its job here.
4
When a president of the United States spews venom and hate against liberals Americans, stating he is a "nationalist," and slapping the hand of the Saudis who murdered a journalist, allowing a possible sexual predator to sit on the Supreme Court, vilifying women who protest against sexual abuse, ignoring the plight of the impoverished and scared immigrants wanting a better and safer world, and calling for them to be locked up, it is no wonder that those who worship this man would take his words and actions as a call to action, and want to hurt the liberal press and the liberal politicians. He helped create this mess yet wants to not be in any way responsible for it, which shows a complete lack of understanding at a basic human level.
16
I am trying really hard to stay optimistic.
Perhaps someday these troubled period in the USA will be seen as the time in our history when a president ripped the mask off of Republicanism to reveal their real intentions of achieving one-party political domination at any cost, and the establishment of National Socialism is the USA.
And, USA citizens finally woke up just in time to see the their lie and realized that Republicanism became a disease in the body politic of our country that was eventually extirpated by massive voter turnout of the real silent majority and took power back for the people and by the people.
No longer was it possible for Republicans to reserve for themselves the right to lie, cheat and steal. And, we lived happily ever after with healthcare for all and quality of life for all citizens that is the envy of the world.
11
When you hold ego rallies all over the United States, and stand on a stage spouting hatred and anger, calling out various people individually, this is what you get. Some loner who thinks they are following trump's message and doing him a favor. Same thing for trump calling out CNN. When you stand on a stage and LIE continually, this is the result. Vote. Enough is enough
24
People need to understand that this is not an attack on democracy, it is a partisan attack fueled by the rhetoric from Trump and his administration. If it were an attack on democracy then Bush, Cheney, Ted Cruz and Roseanne Barr would’ve gotten packages. The political right is going to try to play this off as not being a partisan issue but just a person on the fringe acting out of his own frustration. While it is likely true that this is a fringe actor, it is no coincidence that all the recipients have been targets of Trump since he hit the campaign trail 3 years ago. Trump must come to terms with the fact that he has likely incited a bombing rampage with his rhetoric and should at minimum apologize for it. Words matter!
17
Of all bodies, the media preaching that words matter. They sure do Mr. Zucker. How well you know the influence of unrest you have on the common people of these United States.
2
It as simple as this now, Trump could have brought us together yesterday and he chose not to. He chose to keep us divided and fan the flames of bitter partisanship thus, encouraging more violence. If someone were to be killed by one of these bombs, Trump would not change his stand one iota.
This is one of the saddest times in my long recollection of this country, and I lived through the Kennedy assassination and all the killings of Robert Kennedy, MLK, the attempts on Reagan and Ford.
This is a real low point because there is no one to bring us together, our President is encouraging the forces of evil to take hold of this country once again. There's never been anything like this before.
16
I wonder if Trump is simply AFRAID of his own base or if he has done the calculation that by toning down the rhetoric, he would lose more hard core supporters than he would gain from moderates.
Anyway, since his first day in office, he has asserted that he is the president of only a part of the population.
1
I hope law enforcement finds whoever is responsible for this attack in the next few days. The American people need to know before conspiracy theories overwhelm the midterm elections and color the outcomes. I am so grateful that none of the bombs went off. I do wonder if these packages were sent simply to sow chaos among us--Russia came to mind immediately when I considered that goal. Make no mistake, America is in chaos as Trump continues to gin up hate and fear at his rallies. I have to assume that he is sowing his own kind of chaos here in order to affect the midterms. Americans need to be more vigilant than ever--watching not only for dangers like mail bombs, but also to be vigilant in figuring out what is the truth and what is a lie. That vigilance can make all the different in our future.
7
Why doesn't Trump just be honest for the first time in his life and admit he's galvanizing his base to openly menace, if not actually commit violence against, his opponents. Then maybe the fools who think they can sit on the fence and make nice might WAKE UP. There's not going to be bipartisanship with this administration and the Republican leadership of this Congress in place. If you don't help the side trying to keep democracy alive, you're helping to kill it.
19
Something wrong with this story...they are all prominent critics of our potus....enough said.
4
It is simply completely shocking that the Republican Party partisans, who always preach about USA first this, and the Constitution that, are suddenly okay with President Trump's reaction to the attempted assassination of two former Presidents. Have they seriously sunk this low? How much lower can they get?
16
The unraveling of civil order has come to America.
A country awash in guns and weapons, a politically party that has used political rhetoric not only to blame one side for all of our problems but has also worked hard to delegitimize them as Americans. The same party that practices voter suppression, gerrymandering, racial and immigrant fear-mongering to maintain power; no wonder after the assaults on our political system from within and without concludes with a mass assassination attempt. Brought to you by the country leading the world in mass murders
17
"The great enemy of clear language is insincerity.
When there is a gap between one's real and one's
declared aims, one turns as it were instinctively to
long words and exhausted idioms, like a cuttlefish
squirting out ink.
In our age there is no such thing as 'keeping out of politics'.
All issues are political issues, and politics itself is a mass
of lies, evasions, folly, hatred and schizophrenia.
When the general atmosphere is bad, language must suffer."
(George Orwell - "Politics and the English Language". )
12
I can understand a dud or 2 but not all of them. Probably they were not supposed to go off, just intimidate.
2
It is more important to go middle way now than ever before. We live in a country which gives more opportunities than any other and that's more than enough for the beginning.
1
The package did not have enough postage, unlike the unnamed former law enforcement official is credited with stating. There could be more on post offices shelves, waiting for postage due to be paid by recipients.
Keep digging, neighbours.
The bottom is way down there.
13
This is the height of madness. Nothing can beat it.
2
Words have consequences and Trump's constant messages of hate and villification of real or imagined enemies is coming home to roost. Fox News too bears some responsibility.
31
Violence was inevitable. Trump has sown the seeds and stoked the fire. Now, watch him perform as saddened and disgusted. He's playing with us.
17
They're predictably howling "false flag!" over there, and we should remember this: who cares. It's still on Trump. No matter who did it or why, no matter what "exculpatory" weasel stories may emerge, no matter what, this happened only because of him. It's plain as day and his fans are just fine with that. That's who they are, and this is where we live now. Please vote.
32
Who do you find 100% responsible for this hit list? Who is responsible for encouraging violence and hatred at every single "rally"? Who respects the leaders of Russia, North Korea, Saudi Arabia? Who claimed to be able to shoot someone in the middle of Fifth Avenue in NYC and get away with it? When are we as Americans willing to admit to the fact that this is not what we are going to accept, all sides, let us come together in saying NO--this is absolutely not what America stands for, not now, not ever.
29
Friends in Mosinee, WI reported that there were chants of "Lock Her Up" at the Trump rally tonight. There are no words....
30
From up here in the peanut gallery I make this observation: I'm seeing and hearing ever more ominous warnings that the level of infamatory rhetroric and tribal hatreds in the U.S. of A. is at a tipping point -- what with the news reports everday of bomb threats, violent marches, hate-filled rallies, shootings. beatings, and anti-media rhetoric. I fear that unless something changes -- and quickly -- the sort of horrific, escalating tit-for-tat violence that we've seen in Northern Ireland, various Central American countries, Europe in the 1930s, etc. will take root in America. And it it does, all bets are off, and where and how the violence will end is anyone's guess. Frightening stuff, indeed.
17
@Distant Observer
And, yet, no one can acknowledge his/her own rage. As long as Trump is president, we will have this behavior. Blaming Trump for everything is a copout, but they cannot stop themselves.
2
Is everyone ready to stop hyperventilating yet and call it what it is?
A fake bomb stunt.
Probably less than $100 of junk material and postage stamps to cause this much of a stir. Our media is constantly in hype over-drive with segments of the population just waiting for their biases to be applied to anything that happens.
Calm down.
9
Please let the FBI and the Secret Service know they can stand down because “David” says it’s not serious. They seem to be in a tizzy. Crazy, cautious law enforcement entities.
18
Hype over drive? Do you want a bomb to explode and kill people before we take the threat seriously?
9
Frankly, I just wish that Robert Mueller would hurry up and finish his work . . . with any luck this would all be over.
8
@oneinmany There likely is no evidence of election collusion with Russians. Press reports have already hinted at this. At most Russian business dealings from years ago that went unreported. That's not an offense worthy to remove a sitting President.
6
@Not 99pct - which press reports are you alluding to?
My heart weeps. History has not taught us much. Hatred never wins. If only these haters experience healing power love and acceptance.
Only a true leader seeks to unite his citizenry not dives and conquer as they were your enemies
7
None of these have gone off. That's curious. Incompetence or intent? My advice to everyone would be to withhold judgement about any of this until those behind it have been identified.
10
America's President lit the match which ignited this conflagration of hate and for his Administration to disclaim any responsibility is just another example of its construction on a foundation of falsehoods.
The examples of his direct and indirect public references to violence against his dehumanized enemies are too numerous to list.
It was just a matter of time until one or more of his supporters acted on his incendiary rhetoric.
Words matter, Mr. President, and you cannot hide from what yours have wrought.
26
His response seems to be a threat to mainstream media, or more will be forthcoming. He is a danger to the country.
23
It is clear now that the Democrats are desperate for attention. More than five of these items and not one when off. Mailed or delivered to people that are not relevant on a go forward basis but have a following of sympathizers. Another poor strategy that will back fire.
10
I am curious as to why this is not being reported as assassination attempt on two former Presidents, a Secretary of State, and American leaders? Isn’t that the goal of the bombs? If, God forbid, someone had used a gun and shot at them and missed, what would the headline be? I think it is important to call it what it is: assassination or attempted murders. Words matter.
43
@Donna: Agreed, and it would be nice to hear the President say as much. Whether or not the bombs actually harm anyone, this has all the makings of a mass assassination attempt and the whomever is behind it needs to be found and arrested NOW.
1
@Donna
When Senator Collins received ricin threat letters, it barely registered in the news. Neither did her receipt of death threats.
It is terrorism. Domestic. Politically motivated.
3
And now look at who is NOT talking about the issues that matter right before the election. Hhmm.
8
The fact that none of these devices went off suggests that this form of terrorism was intended to intimidate but not necessarily injure.
The perpetrator could be someone on the right seeking to intimidate people on the left. Or it could be someone on the left seeking to make those on the right look bad.
One thing we know, the perp is probably some sort of nut.
24
@MIKEinNYC
Another certainty: The responses of left and right could have been scripted they were so predictable.
1
@MIKEinNYC, or it could be either Putin, Kim, MBS (the list goes on) playing cat and mouse with America's collective head. Face it, we've got ourselves worked up into such a politically and socially frenzied state of mind if someone dropped a book on the library floor we'd all jump like an Abomb just went off.
Despite all the letters asking for unity in the country, I feel strongly that TRump's conduct and comments has precipitated this sort of event whether it be against Democrats or Republicans. He needs to tone down his tweets!!!
15
The Moral Responsibility for these terrorist attacks lies with one person: Donald Trump.
40
@Bartokas Only partially true, but more importantly, who is morally responsible for Donald Trump?
What is the difference between a Saudi Prince who urges his followers to "do something" about a journalist who is an "enemy of the people", (resulting in gruesome death and dismemberment), and an American President who urges his followers to "do something" about CNN, Obama and the Clintons, also described as "enemies of the people" (resulting in bombs that attempt to kill and dismember?)
40
Don't fall for the "on both sides" nonsense they are trying to sell. Trump and his enablers have fostered violence and lies to a degree no one alive today has seen in American politics. The truth is not in the middle. Our democracy is in peril and it is due to the Republicans.
38
Trump's rhetoric is not only demeaning but eliminationist in nature. No wonder why he has to have comments handed to him that decry today's attempted bombings.
Imagine if Nixon had his henchmen like Roger Stone take his enemies list and proceed to use it in a similar manner.
15
Trump was known to be a bully as a boy and his emotional growth stopped there. He recently expressed public public admiration for the guy who “body slammed” a journalist (“My kind of guy,” he said) and has done the same about crooked and sadistic “leaders.” Elections ARE rigged in other countries. What is our excuse? The answers - uninformed voters who are led by their noses, people like Trump and a completely irresponsible, despicable and immoral Republican party and the immoral corporations that buy them. Sending fake ricin to Trump and his family was wrong but I understand the sentiment.
9
As a New York Times reader for many many years I'm sad to see that the average commenter is not capable of saying anything other than 'Trump! Trump!' Trump should be held criminally liable? For what? Why?
What happened to intelligent discourse amongst us readers? If the Democrats lose out on the midterms it will be because all they did was run on an anti-Trump platform.
We have no idea who sent these non-operable pipebombs. It could be an alt-right maniac sure. Or it could be an attempt from the Democrats to steer the course of the midterms. Politicians are powerful people, don't put it past them. We don't know right now and all I'm reading are people screaming in the comments section.
16
Because Trump supports name calling, bullying, and yes, violence against those who are critical of him. This is exactly what haopens when you habe a leader that supports such behavior.
15
Is it just a mere coincidence all the bombs happened to target all the people Trump hates and attacks. He must be telling his supporters "good job."
11
I am thinking and have been thinking of leaving the land that I love.
Not because of what happened yesterday but the chain of events leading up to it and I fear will continue and escalate.
What is troubling to me is that a significant number of our citizens are of the opinion that nationalism and acceptance of a leader who encourages hate and violence is our future.
31
A former colleague of mine, whose opinions I respect, suggested all of this should be laid at Trump's feet. I couldn't agree more.
It's really something, when Trump herds his sheeple at these rallies he stages; spitting venom like a cobra at his usual targets; the Clintons and the media in particular; assorted Democrats who either stand up to him, in general; making references to, or outrightly boasting or encouraging or condoning acts of violence against those who dare speak of him in vain;then at the White House in a contrite manner, makes a hollow appeal for unity.
Is that hypocrisy, or what?
33
“Pipe Bombs” you say? They are the size of a marking pen and very crude appearing using some firecracker innards. Easily detected by the sniffer devices at the post office. So crude they were easily deactivated if that is the right word for those junky looking devices. This was done for sensationalism, and could have been done by anyone looking for the attention they would bring. Anyone!
12
Trump is just itching to figure out a way to point fingers at the Dems for these attacks and/or create a stew of false equivalence, so that he can get back to the business of pointing fingers at the Dems for the caravan before the mid-terms, and deflect attention from the fact that he and the Republicans are in charge.
4
Do the Trumps realize that at some point (perhaps sooner rather than later) Donald will be an ex president just like Clinton and Obama?
13
These horrific events play directly into Trump's hands so don't be surprised if he tries to suspend the midterms based on national security. Given that no one has stopped him thus far from trampling the constitution, he will become increasingly emboldened.
Trump is completely w/o conscience, a sense of duty or patriotism and will do anything to increase his control. Sadly, none of his republican sycophants have uttered a peep and the Dems, lead by Schumer, are utterly pathetic.
These are dark days for America and the rest of the world which used to look towards America as a beacon of liberty and justice, but this is far from over.
If the Ds lose the house and senate, whether caused by Gerrymandering or voter suppression, Trump's rampage over democracy has only just begun.
8
Why do journalists report that the FBI is doing a through investigation? The last FBI investigation that received national coverage was of our newest Supreme Court judge.
22
Whether political discourse has become to vitriolic? Yeah, I think maybe.
3
This administration and the Republican party embraced bullyism and promoting hate. The president of USA does not feel the need for unity
A day doesn't go by without POTUS attacking some one or some minority. It feels like the whole nation is under attack by its ruling party. When does end???
27
Watch for Trump to claim that the pipe bombs targeting Democrats (all critics of Trump) are part of a Democratic, liberal conspiracy to discredit his presidency and help Democrats in the midterm elections. That would be a low point even for Trump. What could be next? Shut down the liberal (“enemy of the people”) press? Suspend elections? We are on a very dangerous course. A steady march to totalitarianism, using people’s fears to suppress free speech and voter turnout and undermine democratic institutions. The brave and able members of law enforcement will deal with the pipe bomb threat. Everyone else needs to get out and vote on November 6 and say no to the fear mongers and inept Congressional leadership which cowers in silence.
11
The scariest thing to me is that we should not be in the least bit surprised at these acts, only that they were not attempted sooner. Who makes up a chunk of this country? Trump meant it when he said it that if he killed someone on 5th Avenue...
11
I agree that Trump is the main instigator here. But when the left chases out the likes of Cruz from restaurants, the pot may be close to calling the kettle black.
Don’t add fuel to the fire.
3
Sure the left chased out Cruz from a restaurant. They shamed a politician with words in a public space. It was not right but it was not violent and no threats were made. These Left protestors did not call for Cruz's death nor did they say that Cruz was the enemy of the people.
9
The President is the genesis of these terror attacks, every person targeted is on his list. He has been inciting violence through his rhetoric since he started to campaign- he cares only about winning. He will not stop. He did not even mention CNN tonight, or the Presidents' by name. The Republicans never call out Trump on his violent rhetoric - they are silent. Today Republicans say both sides are responsible. Both sides are not responsible- it starts at the top. Trump calling for unity now is laughable. Hopefully, no one will be hurt.
5
The both_sides_ism in this story is a nice GOP talking point, but utterly false. "[T]he discovery of the pipe bombs ...stirring anew questions about whether political discourse had grown too vitriolic." Seriously? Trump issues daily prompts to violence, marked by the constant denigration of enemies that seamlessly bleed into dehumanization. His party stands mute throughout. If it even is discourse, it's a one-sided and poisonous strain.
15
I am dismayed by the “false flag” conspiracy theory being spread by the usual sources on the extreme right. Let’s let the FBI and it’s counter-terrorism specialists so their jobs. If they find, as I suspect they will, that the perpetrator is a disaffected person or persons from the radical right that has been egged on by the daily venomous lies emanating from the top of the Republican Party, will such commenters believe the FBI? What a sorry state our nation is in. Please vote and get out the vote for responsible leadership.
16
Two things: does the USA still use the old-style stamps that need to be licked?
And: congratulations to all the folks who kept CNN on the air today. Hope it wasn't too cold there.
3
These are clearly actions of one or more deranged individuals. Trump and his enablers are not directly responsible but it is a sign that the inflammatory speeches must be toned down. The continuous number of gun massacres is an indication that in a population of 320 miilon people there are easily a few deranged individuals who will hear in those hatefull speeches a call to arms.
4
“In these times we have to unify,” Mr. Trump said. “We have to come together and send one very clear, strong, unmistakable message that acts or threats of political violence of any kind have no place in the United States of America.”
The president suffers from severe split-personality syndrome. He'd need a good psychiatrist.
12
This is #FakeTerrorism. Not intended to kill anyone. Just meant to sway the election toward Republican candidates. Calling attention to widely-reviled people who had fallen out of the news will bring back 2016 hatreds, affecting voting accordingly. And alarming media coverage will nudge some voters to the Republican Party where it's perceived to be the party of security.
2
It’s deeply unsettling to me that I actually stopped and wondered if Trump is, in fact, upset by these events, or if there’s a part (or more) of him that takes some pleasure that his words and command could have spurred such behavior and any concern he expresses is lip service. Its also unsettling that he seems to be so defensive in taking responsibility for any perceived negative or weakness that he might not even consider that he has some responsibility in spurring these events.
And Putin just laughs and laughs.....
12
Any chance this could be a Russian project? The timing is just right...
2
Having a madman in office inspires madmen to come out from under their rocks and try something like this.
I've seen a few people saying that this is a "joke". The pipe bombs weren't a hoax or a joke. They just didn't go off because they were poorly constructed. The X-ray image shows that there is content within the pipe and the wires lead into the pipe as well. If it were a hoax, nobody would have spent that much time to even make the insides *almost* accurate.
5
Dear Fourth Estate:
I know this is a serious situation with the bombs, which I have to say did not surprise me much. But please don't forget what happened to Mr. Khashoggi. It is critical that you keep up the pressure on his killers, you were doing great work and making them all squirm. Remember his sacrifice. Please. CNN, NYT, Post, all of you, resist the shiny objects. The cops will catch the coward bomber(s) but you will get the critical justice re: Saudi Arabia that so many have been waiting for. Please remember and don't let the story go. I want to see his name on the front page until we have a equal punishment in place. Please.
6
"Mr. Trump called the[m] ... “despicable acts.”The semantic surrealism of HE WHO HAS DIVIDED a diverse peoples in a United States in name and maps only. There are those who may believe what he says, but continue to choose not do what the words mean. There are those who, , hearing the words, but knowing and understanding the message, will likely continue to be complicit as they... There are those who, having learned to discern fact from alt-fact, created fictions and harmful fantasies, will continue... attempting to overcome ever-present toxic-infectious complacency. “despicable [bomb] acts,” co-exist with daily, tweeted, “despicable acts” of temporary and more permanent harmful words and done=deeds. In our enabled WE-THEY daily violating culture. The GREAT divider, the GRANDIOUS divisiveR, now poses as our “despicable acts” GRATUITOUS
diagnoser. Fostered by...Enabled by...Pipe bombs? Pipe dreams of the endless numbers, and types, of personally unaccountable policymakers playing with our personal and national well BE ing. For how much longer?
1
"Donald Trump’s attacks on the media have been condemned by experts at the United Nations, who warned that the US president’s vitriolic rhetoric could result in violence against journalists." according to the Guardian
The president has also labeled the media the “enemy of the American people”
3
Now its Robert DeNiro. Is Alec Baldwin next? None of them were actually functional.
It would be farcical if it weren't a reflection of worse.
1
Can anyone restore the fundamentally decent values that this country was founded upon? Certainly a lesson lost on the occupant of 1600 N. Pennsylvania Avenue.
Should Barack Obama, George Soros, Hillary Clinton, et al condemn these heinous acts? Has it come to that?
Trump, who has 1/100th of their combined experience, is destroying our nation.
7
This may be one of the last chances for people propping Trump up, especially in the White House and on Capitol Hill, to get on the right side of history and stand up to this dangerous president. If not, those who enable Trump will share responsibility when his intentional recklessness inevitably gets someone killed.
12
Where is the outrage from the current administration? Where is is the conviction to find the perpetrator and bring him or her to justice for these acts of terrorism? What if Mitch McConnell and Mike Pence were the targets? This would be a different story and Trump would be using it as a weapon to fan his followers into a frenzy. But instead, he’s focusing on a the “caravan” and venting his venom on George Soros and the Democrat’s “deep state”. Two former Presidents, among others, have been targeted for assassination yet we are asked to believe that a group of men, women and children fleeing unbearable conditions in their home countries are the real danger.
10
You can put whatever political spin that you want on this, but there is no question that we have never had a President before Trump who has so openly fomented divisions within our country. He sounds like a preacher of the religion of hate in his rallies, bating his followers to attack those of us who do not agree with them. I fail to see how anyone can not see the correlation between his incitement of rage and acts such as these.
Republicans started this evil trend by painting people who don't share their beliefs as evil and traitors to the country. The internet connects the pockets of hate around the world and so we descend into chaos. I shudder to think of where this will end and what will be left of the US when Trump finally exits the national stage.
19
In this evening's Washington Post: "In the home stretch of the fall campaign, President Trump has called Democrats “evil” and argued they are “too dangerous to govern.” He has denounced Barack Obama’s presidency and demonized former secretary of state Hillary Clinton, inspiring chants of “Lock her up!” at his rallies."
Is there a difference between what Trump continues to say at his rallies and yelling "Fire!" in a crowded theater (which under well-settled law is a crime)?
12
Correct me if I’m wrong, but everyone that received a bomb have been demonized by Trump’s Twitter feed and or at his rallies?
3
Whoever did this today has handed a gift to both parties. The Democrats look like the reasonable party under attack by violent lunatics incited by Trump, which is great so close to the midterms. The GOP get a smoke and mirrors distraction away from the fact that the stock market lost all its yearly gains today and Trump will not have to answer anymore questions about whether Saudi Arabia is still an ally for the next few days. The news cycle for the two remaining days of the week will be these attacks and by the weekend, the Kashoggi killing will be old news, the stock market will be swept under the rug, and the US can get back to selling arms and weapons to Saudi Arabia which they are happily dumping all over Yemen as we speak.
And I, a lifelong liberal, have become so hardened, so cynical, with the state of this country that I am disappointed that media are bound to be complicit in this distraction exercise by over-covering this story and nothing else for the next week or so.
12
I think what the real story here is the Democrats are desperate. So desperate that they would arrange to intentionally send these packages to themselves.
No one is reporting any details about the bombs. They may look like one and act like one but they were never intended to explode.
They don't like the fact that they are being portrayed as a mob. They know they are losing and aren't going to gain one seat in the election. So lets make America feel sorry for us (the Democrats) and make it look like the real threat to USA is the GOP and Donald Trump.
It's just a ploy to make it look like GOP and Trump look bad.
Ain't gonna work.
And how did Maxine Waters get one? She's not that important.
7
Something is a little strange about this whole episode.
- The person used a fair level of sophistication including computerized printed labels, zero forensic evidence
- The simultaneous mailings were very well coordinated
- Yet ZERO of the "devices" worked
- It is two weeks before the mid-terms
- Not a trace of a fingerprint anywhere
- It's not even clear they were operational, so what motivated someone to do this?
A very smart, but deranged person, but not smart enough for a single one of his or her devices to even have the slightest hint of working. Very strange.
2
MbS —> Khashoghi murder. Ordered or approved. Mission clearly accomplished in our own time .
Henry II —> Thomas a Becket. Comments to courtiers (aka supporters) asking them to rid him of the troublesome priest. Mission accomplished, although Becket was eventually canonized, which no doubt would have been to Henry’s deep chagrin.
Trump —> all the Democrats targeted today. Mission not yet accomplished, despite the ruler’s clear wishes, but don’t rule him or his courtiers and minions, and perhaps even family, out yet. If they succeed, perhaps in future lies the equivalent of canonization, but that could be thin solace for their families.
3
The bomb like explosive devices sent to Onama, Hillary Clinton, George Soros, and the CNN-the perceived enemies of Trump and his cultivated conservative base- marks a new phase of deterioration in the US politics when the ruling dispensation instead of communicating its message through accepted democratic means is rather training its guns on the opponents and critics through scare causing terrorist means,that deserves strong condemnation, and warrants accountability by all the right meaning people who have a stake in the future of US constitutional order and democracy.
2
Recently I have heard from teachers who are Democrats who live in conservative parts of the country that they are now extremely careful not to reveal their political affiliation because they are worried about losing their jobs. They said that it is expedient to massage the egos of parents who are Trump supporters because they don't want to get drawn into some kind of disciplinary inquiry if a Trump-affiliated parent complains. This is now an actual problem because Democrat = violent mob. This is how powerful hate speech and statements by our president are.
10
This sounds like a Banksy.
It seems to have exactly the effect that someone like him would want to have.
Whoever it is, they got Trump to say that political violence is intolerable in America, and that we must unify as Americans.
NOBODY else has even come close to getting Trump to say such things.
You may disagree, but to me this smacks of "disruptive art".
It may not actually be Banksy, but it sure has a similar feel.
Your headline should have read 'vilified by trump'. He is blaming everyone except himself. Don't help him do it because he is the main reason for these actions.
3
Tonight at a rally the venom was at fever pitch when some one mentioned Hillary Clinton. On a day where the world witnessed how far we have fallen the Trump crowd had the gall to chant Lock Her Up. Trump's rally was the true MOB. I am going to wake my law school student son up early on November 6 yo vote. I will tell him thirty years from that date he will remember what he did that day. November 6th will go down alongside 12/7/1941 and 9/11/2001 as a date when we show the world who we really are. My hope is that it is not to late to dig ourselves out of the hole Trump keeps digging.
14
The blame for all these sort of attacks, both against liberal and conservative figures, starts right at the top with Donald Trump with his derisive and inflammatory rhetoric that fans the flames of extremist groups. Never in my life time has one person created such a divide in this nations population. The late 60's and early 70's were bad, but it was a war that divided the nation, not an individual.
Donald Trump talked a lot about the nation needing to unite in the news conferences about these events. What he forgot to add to that statement was "as long as it is my vision of America"!
5
We are dealing with a person(s) who think he is slicker then most. He thinks that he has out smarted everyone by leaving no finger print on the packages. Be sure we are in the digital age and forensic crimes are the new crime scenes. The printer he used to print these address labels have a special coding , which will lead the investigation to a fast closure. The paper and stamps he purchase is also encoded with the place where he purchase the items and time. He or she has already been captured on video and will be identified quickly. Say hello to prison time and good luck to their foolishness.
7
Tonight's "BBC America's" coverage of the pipe bomb plantings pointed out Trump's deliberate deepening of US political divisions. So we imagine the BBC will soon be added to his category of "fake news".
13
@Kaari - I’d say you were correct, except I doubt Trump even has the BBC on his radar. It’s a British news organization and therefore unworthy of his consideration. Plus, they actually report the news instead of shouting conspiracy theories and pro-Trump platitudes, so it’s doubtful he’d be interested in it anyway. Why would he pay attention to anything coming out of Europe? That would make him “an elite”, and God knows that’s the last thing he wants “the base” to think he is - not a pesky “coastal elite”, not him.
7
The most shocking thing about this story?
Somebody is still using the USPS to deliver packages.
Seriously, though, in this age of the badly broken two-party system, bad behavior has become the norm rather than the exception. Sad, but not surprising.
10
@Jeff
I've used all of the major carriers throughout my life for both personal and business deliveries. The USPS has performed as well as any and generally for a fraction of the cost of the others.
2
Observe. After 2 years of purposefully degrading governance, the zealous pursuit and use of deception to undermine facts, stage directed by a hollow/failed individual who values supreme loyalty over reasoned discourse, a new American political party emerges: the Nationalists.
Sound familiar? This is what fomenting civil war looks like. At the beginning. But we are past that now as anyone can see in videos of Trump's Nationalists Party rallies.
15
Let me make sure I've got this right. Bombs were sent to Trump's adversaries mailboxes...and CNN is to blame? The most divisive man ever to hold the office of President is calling for National unity and civility? A President who applauds body slamming reporters for asking the hard questions? A President who cares more about a defense contract than the murder and dismemberment of an outspoken critic of his foreign financiers? And people still support him? What am I missing here?
30
I would be careful about assuming that this is the act of a Trump supporter. That's the more likely explanation, but it also might be a PR prank on the part of a Trump hater. Let the FBI do its job and see what they find out.
14
Wait, now Trump trusts the FBI? That nest of anti-Trump conspirators? The ones who send texts to each other undermining democracy? THAT FBI?
3
Forces on the political right have encouraged violence against liberals and people on the left. This problem has grown under the banner of Trump. It is completely unmatched by the left.
Recall: anti-abortion groups boast about how they are able to shut down clinics or stop doctors from performing abortions. In several cases, this has been done through killings of doctors. The anti-abortion groups will not take credit for that directly, but they make it clear that for them it is a victory.
All this may be related to the fact that rightist and conservative political organizations tend to be far less concerned with thinking than with winning. "By any means necessary."
The irony is that right-wing governments have used the threat of political terrorism and violence, often exaggerated,
to justify states of exception (such as the US has had since 9/11) and otherwise broad political repression of dissidents. It's ironic because it will mostly be used against liberals and the left, while if forces on the right are provoking it, they may get what they want in the government's response, even if that response is initially said to target them, and not their opponents who are the rightists' own targets.
If people in either party, in "respectable" political groups, or in our government are saying things that encourage or give aid and comfort to the terrorists, there should be indictments. Not something like martial law, which could be just what the thugs ordered.
4
Let me begin by saying the attempted terrorist attacks on public leaders is egregious and has no place in this country. The acuity and expertise of the Secret Service and law enforcement absolutely prevented a national tragedy if only one of these bombs killed and are deserving of appreciation.
As someone interested in data analysis, we should absolutely go deeper beyond the superficial/obvious pattern of targets towards prominent Democratic leaders. We absolutely hope there are no more packages in the parcel ecosystem. However, has an analysis been done to alert other critics?
The hypothesis being presented by news outlets is that the most sharply criticized leaders by the president have received packages from this bomber? Let's analyze his speeches? Who are the most criticized (quantity/vitrol of criticism) who have not been targeted? Warren? Sanders? I'm unsure. That's why we have numbers and research tools: to prevent tragedies and make accurate predictions.
1
Yes, trump's rhetoric caused this and the sad thing is that many of his supporters are OK with it.
13
Its a small detail but I'm not sure this should say these bombs didn't "harm" anyone. They did not cause physical harm. Isn't it illegal to yell "fire" falsely in a crowded theater? If people needed to be evacuated from public space, if mail couriers or staff members are now fearful for their safety, or essentially anyone that feels a loss of safety and security as a result of this - that is real harm. The word "terrorism" is used so often to describe people who are not US nationals - but the basic idea is that it describes anyone who weaponizes terror in the public realm.
12
The investigation is still on, but most readers in this forum have already held the President and his campaign rhetoric responsible for these incidents. The individual or the group who did this has succeeded in driving a wedge deeper.
Thanks to the Law Enforcement, there was no harm to anyone. The devices may not have been made to explode in the first place, but have surely assaulted and injured our national unity.
This is a crime, and let us not politicize it. That is exactly the forces who want o destroy the US democracy want.
8
@LongDistance
I agree except that at every rally every day Trump has demonized his enemies for nothing BUT political advantage. To fire up the base. He IS the president after all and should be the leader of ALL Americans...not just his base. If Trump is great at anything it's stirring the political pot.
2
I just saw a video clip of Trump's rally in Wisconsin in which he urged, “all sides to come together in peace and harmony.”
I was really taken aback by the fact that not one of his supporters at this rally applauded or cheered. Not a peep! As he went on, Trump was even heckled by someone in the crowd.
We are in deep trouble. I fear that our divisions are even far worse that what we might think.
18
as a moderate liberal this doesnt suprise me. I've been expecting it. let's back off the fact for one moment that trump is who he is and think of this from the other side. for 8 years we jammed our morals, thoughts and beliefs of what we think society should be down the throats of many people who were just not ready for so much change so quickly. radical change is not something that can happen overnight, it takes time for many people who may be initially against something to come around to maybe that is the right answer. but they need to get there in there own time. to force them to accept something they aren't fully ready for makes it harder for them to accept, not easier.
and let's be honest, the majority of the media pushes a highly liberal agenda/morality. and not just network news and newspaper. look at tv networks and shows, the CW is a perfect example. those shows push gay/lesbian relationships,TG characters (just introduced in Supergirl) and interracial relationships. there are many people who, while maybe not against these concepts, are not ready to have it shoved down their throats at every occasion.
that's why we are seeing this backlash. we created it. while we do need to continue to push for change, we need to respect the rights and opinions of those who dont move as fast as some of us are. to further our issues, sometimes giving people some time to accept them a little bit at a time will advance them faster than if we just ram it down their throat
25
And somehow this makes people mail bombs to politicians? No, just no.
3
Sounds like the arguments of those who advocated a “go slow” approach to ending slavery, and more recently, during the Civil Rights movement. “Go slow” sounds perfectly reasonable — when it’s not your Civil Rights that are in question.
4
@bored critic
How much time does ‘the other side’ need? Some people will never accept equality of all races and sexes and gender preferences.
This is such a divisive event two weeks before the election I wonder if it could be a fabrication by Russia or another party.
It looks like it was done in a simple minded fashion by as not too bright Trump supporter. If no one is caught does that imply a much more sophisticated perpetrator making it look that way.
How could someone with such a crude plan avoid detection given a massive effort to find them?
8
All of a sudden Trump is preaching “peace and harmony “. Coming from him it has a very shallow ring to it.
55
It won't last a day. Hatreds, viciousness, and disrespect are too rewarding for Trump and his base to abandon them.
1
Now the Don can deploy troops at the polls on election day for public safety and make sure millions of undocumented persons don't vote.
Inconceivable.
I suspect this is only the beginning.
30
It appears as though all these "bombs' were attempts to scare, not harm, but I have to ask why they all got through the USPs so easily.
13
They were all intercepted by security. The system is working as it should. None of the bombs, real or not, got near their targets.
2
@Cabanaboy44 They didn't. Two (Soros and CNN) were not sent through the mail, and all of the rest, I believe, were detected by postal authorities as intended.
1
Well, we’ve got a (now) sitting Supreme Court Justice/political operative who falsely vilified the Clintons just a few short weeks ago during his confirmation hearings.
He also warned us of retribution, I recall.
168
Far from a terrorist act. This strategy is age old. "False Flag" simply an attempt to vilify the party in power. These devices while obviously dangerous as touted by the mass media, never reached their destination "intended victims" nor were they ever intended to. They were purely designed as fodder to parade in front of the public to paint the Democratic party as "victims" and bolster support.
24
What a coincidence, Trump also embraces unsubstantiated conspiracy theories.
6
The police have said these were functional bombs, so they could have gone off at any point. They may not have reached those they were addressed to, but they could have injured their employees, their security, or a great number of random people if they had detonated during transportation. The whole idea is to create terror. Whatever you may think of the people targeted, no one deserves this. 71% of all domestic terrorism deaths have been caused by RIGHT wing fanatics, so the odds are really good that the ones who sent these bombs are also right wing.
3
You have not been listening to Trump’s words.
I'm a lifelong, and increasingly liberal, Democrat. It may be best to make that clear at the outset. I consider it extremely important to vote the enablers of Donald Trump's hate-based politics out of office.
However, I'm commenting now to push back -- gently -- against the many comments that start from assumptions about the nature of the perpetrator(s) and their motives. The commenters in question proceed to various conclusions, but they all err at the outset.
As I write, we know nothing about the perpetrators or their motives. The targets are all Democrats and a news organization that is reviled by the right. Of course that's no coincidence. And yet we know none of the facts that will give us an accurate understanding of this non-coincidence. As for motive, it could turn out to be more mental condition than motive.
I don't say that the obvious assumption is wrong, or that a cleverly inverse assumption is wrong, or that mental illness plays a part in the matter. I say we just don't know, yet.
27
Nice sentiments, but:
In the present we have MbS and Khashoghi, and in the distant past we have Henry II and Thomas a Becket.
No doubt others can up with other examples.
The point is, when will we recognize that Trump is in a long line of autocrats who can simply signal who they want killed and expect it to happen?
1
@Kathy
Thanks for your reply.
I appreciate the examples, but I still think I'll wait for the truth to come out before treating it as the truth. I'm a stickler for distinguishing between general patterns and the facts of a particular case.
It's all very well, and to some extent understandable, to try not to assign blame to one side of the politician spectrum. Yes, at different times in history, politically violent speech and action has come from the left or the right. But in this case, nothing could be more clear than the headline to this story on the Times homepage: "Pipe Bombs Sent to Figures Vilified by Political Right".
trump's pointedly brief comment calling for national unity rings hollow given his record of attacking the targets of the mailings in particularly vile terms, again and again and again.
Even-handedness does not require placing blame equally on both sides when it belongs only on one.
31
During the last two years, through his actions and words, Trump -- enabled by the Republican leadership -- has successfully normalized the evil he does.
People show us who they are. Our job is to believe them.
68
The general angst I felt throughout today, in the wake of these attacks, finally resolved into a clear, remembered feeling of shock: JFK, Dr. King, RFK.
28
Bombs have signatures.
The FBI and the ATF will find the perpetrator.
But how many other potential perpetrators are out there proceeding under the assumption that they will be pardoned by Trump?
Dinesh D'Souza is the most prominent reactionary conservative out there pushing the false narrative demonizing George Soros.
And D'Souza was pardoned by Trump for his conviction for violating Federal campaign finance laws.
39
You can do all the verbal condemnation you would like, but it’s the actions and the dog whistles that are a call to arms for these types of demented people. When everything you do is defined by us against them, don’t be surprised when the us does something extreme and violent to the them. This comes straight from the playbook of every dictatorship / authoritarian regime in human history. So go ahead and verbally condemn the behavior of violence, but when every action the state takes defines a group/s and individuals as “others” and an existential threat to us, then don’t be shocked when people take violent actions to defend against the perceived threats. That’s exactly why this type of divisive rhetoric is so dangerous.
31
Yesterday a friend told me he thought we are becoming so divided that he feels our country will be broken up into different countries. I chuckled to myself and thought it wasn't a serious argument. That was yesterday. Today I am beginning to redraw the map in my head. The consequences of all this hate are becoming clearer.
49
Could any adult in the room seek and preserve evidence that these devices were sent (with or without POTUS approval) to distract attention from MBS ?
14
It's a pattern---
Racism we've seen increased.
Plus voter suppression, intimidation, gerrymandering.
Plus the unbalancing of our economy in favor of elites and against ordinary citizens.
Plus the demonizing of the media from the president.
It's all self reinforcing --- to legitimize DISRESPECT for the citizen majority and our democratic rights.
This motivates the acting out of hostility by unbalanced extremists susceptible to going too far. People and groups translate Trump's destructive talk into destructive actions.
In a less hostile political culture they might THINK them but NOT ACT on them.
Last week we saw alarming news of the violent fight that broke out on NY's Upper East Side after a speech at the Manhattan Republican Club by the leader of the 'Proud Boys', a rw white nationalist hate group. Arrests were finally made after much media publicity. Why did a hate group get invited by the GOP Club in the 1st place?
GOP/Trump have been setting the stage for a blow up. The extremist RW GOP dominates our 3 branches and uses its FOX News media to broadcast unreal, outlandish fantasies to the public.
The opposition has to keep an even tone, but be steadfast, and meet irrationality with evidence and facts. These are its weapons in this political war.
113
This is entirely on the “President”. It is his responsibility. It is the result of his rhetoric and it is happening on his watch. For him to be outraged by these acts of domestic ferrorism is absurd: he called for them. As he sows, so should he reap, not through violence but through legal action and punishment: incarceration in a federal prison.
186
@Ralph I agree, and better yet, those he constantly targets for insults at his rallies and who have now received these pipe bombs should file a class action suit against the president for inciting violence. There is plenty of evidence, his tweets, his rallies where he has offered to pay the legal fees of those roughed up by his goons; he has praised a politician who subsequentlky was arrested charged and convicted of assault, who body slammed a reporter, just last week. In the past Trump has suggested someone take a bullet to Hillary Clinton, and so much more. Perhaps a restraining order keeping him from stoking more violence and vitriol and I would hope that the Attorneys General of New York, Washington D.C., Illinois, Florida and California might decide to take action before someone gets killed.
13
@Ralph Not just the president, but his followers. They enable him.
4
Russia? China? The Global Billionaire Class? It may not necessarily be just Republican vs. Democrat. Who has the most to gain by dividing us with fear mongering and manipulation?
10
Time for truth telling. Trump is the source of this terrorism and Fox news is his enabler and promoter. There will be blood on all their hands if the next terrorist succeeds.
84
"Be assertive. Be hard-charging. Be aggressive." As much as we may deny it, most of us were brainwashed from infancy that Might Is Right. They that sow the wind...
8
@Tumiwisi
These bombs imply weakness not strength. Strength doesn't hide itself.
7
We must remember he didn’t win the popular vote. Therefore, this fringe element making headlines is merely a dangerous detour. It is unsustainable and should be motivation to put checks on the vitriol coming from the White House. He is the same man who called for execution of 5 innocent men. The same man who ran on lies, misogyny and questioning the citizenship of a 2 term president. He is no saint. He is the worst that our nation represents.
Vote in November.
79
@Sheeba Sorry, but almost 63 million people out of 135 million voters can't be dismissed as a "fringe element". Thinking that is itself dangerous.
3
What has happened to US politics? These types of events happen in 3rd world nations...
25
I would say that we were never as just, prudent or wise as we thought. Mostly we were just lucky. Now that luck seems to be running out. Almost any thoughtful minority American could have explained in some detail how and why our self-congratulatory assumptions were nonsense. But another feature of American life is that minority opinion isn’t respected. And so here we are, at the dismal conclusion of “the American Century.” Our descendants will get over it and many of us will avoid understanding what happened until we’re gone. That’s life.
And death.
1
@Stefan but we really at this point have no idea who sent the packages. What's tol say the person is even a US citizen?
1
We want to know about the physical health of our presidential candidates. Why don’t we get a mental health evaluation? The mental state of our current president has been the path to our destruction. More precisely, his sociopathy.
55
@Truthiness
Agree. But what does that say about his millions of supporters?
2
This is a direct consequence of the president's words and actions. He is culpable. His followers are also to blame. Theirs is the shame and the guilt.
62
I find myself most shocked by the fact that I was not shocked by this all. A week after the President celebrates a candidate for beating up a journalist in the same period that a journalist was brutally murdered by his Saudi friends, these events seem pretty much par for the course (if you will forgive the golfing pun)
47
I wonder if these bombs are the work of either the Russian or Chinese Intelligence Services?
6
Why is The Times always so timid? These people were not vilified by the Right. They were vilified by the President of the United States, Donald Trump.
57
this could easily be a ploy to portray Republicans as being extremists and a left winger set this up
13
@nj Theoretically possible, yes. Easy, no. Mainly because Republicans regularly portray themselves as extremists without outside assistance.
3
@nj
Well, Republicans are extremists. They have been for at least 10 years, but really more like 40 years. The notion that a "left winger" (a rare bird, indeed, in this country) is the clarion call of the right who are desperate to pretend that Trump didn't inspire this.
1
This is horrendously disgraceful. The President bears considerable responsibility for our current state of affairs with his mean-spirited, vile, juvenile antics and bombastic behavior on both, social media and his rallies where he taps into the often unhinged emotions of many of his supporters, frantically whips them into wild frenzied behavior that is chillingly reminiscent of the Nuremberg rallies of the third Reich in Nazi Germany in the 1930s. It is not a stretch to make such an analogy.
45
"Pipe Bombs Sent to Figures Vilified by Political Right"
Well, could the NYT's get an more inflammatory with that headline less than two weeks before the midterm?!
It doesn't take a rocket scientist, or even a 5th grader, to infer from this headline that the NYT is leading it's readers to think these terrorist-like actions were the works of right-wingers.
There is no indication from what I've seen or heard yet, at about 8:30pm EST, that these pipe bombs have yet to be attributed to any one person or group - right-wing or otherwise.
Isn't this exactly the type of 'biased' or 'fake' news that President Trump has been railing against since the start of his campaign? Isn't this giving credence to his claim of a 'liberal MSM'??
Appalling - and sad.
17
The pipe bombs were sent to figures vilified by the right. The pipe bombs were sent to figures vilified by Trump. Both statements are undeniably true. Which one would you prefer to see in the press? At every rally over the last two years and more, Trump has vilified one or more of the individuals or groups targeted today. The tone of the headline it's set by Trump himself.
5
The headline is truthful -- the recipients have been villified by the right. It is a fact.
2
Inflammatory, maybe, but true.
These Democrats targeted by trump were also targeted by the maniac or maniacs that sent the devices.
Not a stretch.
Why is the NY Times trying to paint this as a right wing conspiracy of some sort? I do not recall the NY times calling the fake ricine letters to the Trump family a left wing looney attempt, my first reaction is this is the work of Antifa
16
@Joe, Huh? I read the article and All thst i see is a narrative of facts and information.
Were you referring to the blurb:
Mrs. Clinton, Mr. Obama, Mr. Soros and CNN have all figured prominently in right-wing political attacks — many of which have been led by Mr. Trump.
Trump has led by example in name calling, bullying, insults and encouraging violence against people opposed to his behaviors and hateful rhetoric that use free speech.
But really, didnt you see this to coming? Honestly? I only say all this because unless we acknowledge the past, there is vision for the future.
Today the seeds Trump sowed in discord, chaos, and confusion have borne fruit...that how it works that's how it will always work. The Good Book says. "murder begins with the mouth."
But - today Trump offered a tip of an olive branch. I hope he continued his...no not happening..just watching highlights of his Wisconsin rally...
Voting early
What will the Times Headline be if the bombs were made by a disillusioned liberal? Will they print a retraction for assigning this act to the conservative right?
14
@George--The headline does not "assign" the act to the right. It merely says that bombs were sent to figures vilified by the political right. That's true. There's no denying that Clinton, Obama, CNN and Soros have been vilified by the right. The only one assigning the act to a political ideology is you.
49
In case you weren't paying attention, the headline is correct. Regardless of who did it, all of those people are routinely villified by both Donald Trump and the right.
47
@George
A 100% spot on.
@Ms Pea and dmckj
Being factually correct doesn't make it proper reporting - it is a leading headline, leading 'non-thinkers' to jump to the conclusion this was the work of right-wingers. There is no evidence as of yet that that is the case. So, in other words, this is 'biased' news, just like Trump et al keeping ranting about, and, in this case, justly so.
I want to stop the world and get off.
37
Me too, and I'm a Canadian. Even our politics are beginning to reflect the poison spread by Trump. The newly elected premier of the province of Ontario is behaving like a Trump wannabe. Just like Trump, his agenda so far has been to cancel policies and programs put in place by the previous administration. He is a Conservative and the previous government was Liberal. Sound familiar?
I spend a few minutes every few days going to the comments section of various articles on breitbart.com, and nationalreview.com, and wallstreetjournal.com (in increasing order of sanity), and read the replies to the facebook postings of whitehouse.gov. Thank God I am not the target of their turmoil and hot fear. It makes me scared to participate in the dialogue lest they seek me out. The brownshirts are in the open and trying to out-MAGA one another with threats of violence and de-humanizing the Democratic leadership. I am not at all surprised that this is happening and nor, probably, is anyone paying attention in law enforcement. And as if on cue, the mainstream right wing pundits, from Coulter and Limbaugh to the National Review, are calling it a false flag operation by 'the Democrat mob'.
58
Unfortunately, that is no surprise. They probably had their scripts written weeks ago and have been waiting impatiently for an opportunity to broadcast them.
1
Trump has mentioned by name every person who received these bombs, mocking and vilifying them, and calling them "enemies of the people." This is the first transparently Trumpian terrorist act, but we can be sure it won't be the last.
And then Trump has the absolute gall to talk about "unifying" - when all he has done is create and feed divisions. This is the man who called the Democratic party a "mob."
69
What hath Trump wrought?
26
Chris Hayes of MSNBC is funny: “We shouldn’t jump to any conclusions, but these are all the very ones Donald Trump has specifically told us to hate.”
Why does he even bother with any preface? Etiquette nowadays has no place in a bare knuckles fight.
18
I hear President Trump say "We have to unify" and I'm glad to hear it. Whoever did this is completely wrong, and I hope he/she/they are caught and stopped, and I'd say exactly the same thing if these miserably nasty stupid bombs were sent to conservative figures. Anyone who sends bombs; I'm their enemy and they're my enemy.
It would be great if President Trump was interested in being MY president too, instead of just president of his "lock her up" fan club. I'm not holding my breath, but I'd like that. But regardless of our differences, regardless of the "we hate all blue states" policies of McConnell's tax laws and President Trump's agenda, President Trump and Congress are the leaders of my country, and I'm with my country against any attack on any Americans, always.
10
A Woman, a Black man and a Jewish man...the scapegoats of the world are targeted.
If this isn’t deeply symbolic I don’t know what is.
If the Republican Party does not publicly reject everything Trump, ASAP, then they are officially a Neo Nazi Party.
59
Given today's climate, the perpetrator may just be a fringe Democrat trying to increase turnout for the midterms.
6
@Mannyv And that, my friend, is gaslighting at its basest. Yes, it's not inconceivable, but it's highly unlikely. At least wait until more info is available before making outlandish accusations.
37
@Jon Onstot Good job! No one is calling this out.
The country is in peril! Trump spewing more hate at a rally! The same garbage about fake news! Someone in the Republican party must step up, terrorism equals murder!
26
This has taken the attention off the caravan. Coincidence?
8
@Jim
It has also taken the attention off the brutal murder of Khashoggi. And it has taken the attention off another drop in the stock market today.
So my point is that terrorist acts like this tend to overshadow anything else in the news. And your point is politically motivated.
It has been said that we have more to fear from fools than the wicked.
But, I fear wicked fools the most.
It has been said that madness is rare in individuals, but common in groups and in certain times in human history.
I would like Trump to try to make America great in decency and civility.
13
Didn't Charles Blow recently pen an editorial in this very paper (paraphrasing here) entitled "This Is War"? Are we to sweep that under the rug and only focus on GOP rhetorical transgressions? How about Maxine Waters' bombastic remarks?
10
Charles Blow and Maxine Waters don’t run the country. The right wants Trump to be the all powerful source when it comes to policies they like, but somehow his violent rhetoric (punching protesters, taking people out on stretchers, body slamming, jailing innocent people—and let’s not forget that cartoon with the train hitting CNN last year) is on the same level as Maxine Waters saying people should protest republicans in restaurants? Give me a break. You can’t have it both ways, and these statements are not equivalent. Is any kind of violence-inducing rhetoric wrong? Yes. But with great power comes great responsibility, and the president has more of that than any of these other people combined.
45
@Baba, thanks for your reply.
But Ms Waters is a member of Congress so she /does/ help run the country, no? I think you are putting words in Trump's mouth (did he literally instruct anyone to be punched or body slammed? No I don't think that's factually accurate) and simultaneously tamping down Ms Waters language ("push back", "tell them they're not welcome" were here exact words), which called for confrontation outside people's homes (??). Her exhortations were calling for very serious confrontation with ppl you don't agree with, a very certain prelude to conflict.
I think Trump's language has been poorly chosen and inflammatory, but he is not alone among politicians.
@Mike S: I don’t recall Mr. Blow effusively praising physical assault against opponents, a la trump. Nor do I recall him braying about locking up someone just because they are who they are. Please refer to the concept of apples and oranges.
Play stupid games, win stupid prizes. This is what happens when you weaponize tribalism for political gains. And I'd bet it won't be the last time it happens during this administration.
19
We ain’t seen nothing yet. Being a senior citizen I lived through multiple assassination, and multiple race riots across our land,
and sometimes it just comes down to common sense.
I’m reminded of Rodney King, who was brutally and merciless beaten by the LAPD, and the quote attributed to him.
“Can’t we all JUST get along?”
19
Invest in Brown Shirts and American Flags super patriotism aka Fascism is around the corner.
19
Donald Trump has been sowing the wind with his violent, decisive rhetoric for years. Now he is reaping the whirlwind. These attempted bombings are Trump’s Kristallnacht.
25
@Adrian Benepe That's really horribly insensitive toward people who suffered through the real thing.
I think that we'll see Kristallnacht attempts to subvert the election if the Democrats do well. After all, Trump suggested armed resistance if Hillary Clinton had been elected president. He's laying the groundwork by suggesting that the midterm elections are rigged.
1
The simple-minded, reflexive and intellectually dishonest nature of some comments is disappointing. When Democratic party figureheads are targeted in an anonymous bomb threat, we are urged to blame Trump and interpret events as representative of a broader political theme/stance eminating from the Right. When a man opens fire at a softball game featuring GOP law makers ... well ... that's just one 'wacko' that doesn't represent anyone else, and it's not to be further interpreted or contextualized.
Fact is we know Nothing about this event at the present time, so it's complete rubbish to lay this at anyone's footsteps. It could be an unstable person who over-embraced far Right ideology, I could also see a "false flag" angle, and as evidenced here many are chomping at the bit to run with the "blame Trump" narrative.
If you weren't complaining about the intensity and tone of political discourse after the GOP softball shooting, you are being quite hypocritical to raise that concern now.
12
@Mike S You make a good point, I looked this up:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2017_Congressional_baseball_shooting
The only difference is, I never heard a Nancy Pelosi or a Chuck Schumer urging people to be violent against the press or GOP politicians. I am not aware of anyone on the left running around the country in gangs beating up people on behalf of the GOP. They were even at a GOP event recently.
The source of all this hate rhetoric emanates from the right, starting with President Trump. The president is encouraging the behaviour, he showed no remorse at a rally for those attacked. A man of honor would have cancelled the rally, instead he bashed the press yet again.
A sociopath always needs willing loyalists to carry out his or her deeds. And, an even larger silent majority that stands by and says or does nothing.
My father came to this country to escape this very behaviour in his homeland Germany. The baseball incident was terrible, both incidents were
wrong but please don't rationalize one against the other.
3
Maybe it’s because we have all heard Trump’s words.
The New York Times believes these radical acts were perpetrated by the conservative right. Finally, their liberal fanatic position has been shown for what it is. Rather than speak out agains such acts The Times would prefer to weaponize the act and attack conservatives.
10
FALSE. the Times had simply observed that the targets were people vilified by the Right. That is 100% true!
1
Weaponize the act of sending a bomb? Sounds right to me.
This action is the result of our toxic partisan take-no-prisoners politics as practiced by the grifter and further sown by his advisors on a particular network masquerading as a news outlet.
Perhaps all politicians, Democrat, Republican and Trump should stop with the hate mongering, the personal attacks and look at the people as one, not as black, white, brown or purple.
As for the Trump supporters-throw those ridiculous red hats in the fires of hate that you help stoke and work for the betterment of the country.
20
Yesterday I saw an ad that said that All Democrats where socialists who were destroying American values, encouraging a flood of immigrants, and trashing the American economy.
You can't spread that kind of hatred without consequences.
Vote no to right wing extremism.
VOTE DEMOCRATIC!
67
President Trump is fomenting domestic terrorism. Does he understand that?
43
@Cliff Yes, he understands exactly what he is doing. He is following his puppet master Putin's orders to sow dissent and divisiveness. An America divided is an easier target. Remember that 2 hour meeting when no one, even Mike Pompeo, knew what was discussed? It was Putin giving Little Donnie his performance review and his new orders: divide America.
18
Trump probably sent it to them.
7
We have a president that only cares about 43% of Americans, those that voted for him. All others he considers trash. We also have laws that punish people from inciting riots and falsely screaming "fire" in a crowded theater. How will we hold this repulsive human Molotov Cocktail responsible for encouraging the creation of a hit list which includes 2 former presidents?
32
When the president of the United States sanctions violence against journalists, threatens to lock up his political adversaries, and gives permission to a certain segment of the male population to grab women whenever and wherever they want, this frightening outcome is not surprising. Whether it serves as a wake-up call to some Trumpers, in and out of congress, remains to be seen. If it doesn't, the rest of us need to think seriously about what comes next, and take very seriously that feeling of "being very, very afraid." We are reaping what Republican voters have sown. It's terrifying.
52
Today may very well be this generation's Fort Sumter moment. The political violence witnessed today may mark the day when a second American civil war shifted from "cold" to "hot". The day when our country is now faced with divisions that may lead to unthinkable ends. The twist is that the Confederate stand-in for Jefferson Davis, is indeed the current US president. Perilous times the likes of which we have not seen since WW2.
26
Wasn't it Democrats Maxine Walters and Senator Booker along with Secretary Holder who encouraged citizens to challenge and confront Republicans and White House officials wherever they can?. Wasn't Press Secretary Sanders nastily confronted by Democrats at a luncheon forcing her to leave in front of friends and all other customers but its the Republicans that are the cause of the violence?.
11
False equivalency. Turn off Fox News.
43
If you don't understand the difference between confronting politicians with whom you disagree and sending mail bombs, I just don't see how we could have a meaningful discussion.
41
Again, these examples are far from equivalent to the rhetoric coming from the president.
24
Let's continue to discuss who is more at fault for these attacks for dangerous political rhetoric. That seems to be the gist of Republican hand wringing today. Maybe they will rise up and condem Trmps hate speeches. So far, not.
Or, let's remember how absolutely critically important it is to VOTE.
22
Am America divided is an America defeated. This is what people like Putin want, and what Trump promotes.
I hope that this changes in 2020, when America fires Trump.
19
It sounds to me like all or some of the bombs were fake. We shall see as the authorities share more information.
5
Fake they may be, but they have still created a lot of political and social chaos. I would say that they did not need to be real to serve their purpose.
2
@John Mulholland Does it matter that the bombs may have been fake? The intent sends a message.
Could this be Russian interference in the mid term elections? Stoking fear and political tribe violence? Let's explore all avenues before coming to a conclusion.
8
The media is already going on and on about “both sides do it”. This threat has Trump written all over it and I’m tired of the equivocation. That’s why we are where are today, with a former president’s life in jeopardy: a refusal of the press to call it for what is is, allowing him to get away with the excuses.
On the amateur sleuth front, because it’s easier to distract myself from the terrible place we are in as a country: there are a few things that strike me about these bomb packages. They don’t have postal cancellations on the stamps, they must weigh well over 6 Oz., but they only have postage enough for 5 Oz, so how did the one that got “sent back” to Wasserman-Shultz’s office get there? A few were confirmed to have been delivered via courier. But the postal service would never have done that return with an uncancelled package. They look to be printed with a desktop printer and most manufacturers embed a serial number in a light yellow ink on every single page that is printed, visible only with special filters, so one of those strips may have that serial number on it. Perhaps when put together, the letters that are incorrect may be a clue.
6
It has been reported that they all had sufficient postage.
It started with "lock her up" which the GOP let fly & stayed silent about, so this is a logical continuation. The day I hear Democratic party condone this kind of language & actions is the day I will switch my political affiliation to Independent. If parties or elections will even matter at that point.
15
Does anyone know/why these packages all got through the usps system? It's my understanding that a large envelope costs $3.50 to ship and all these letters have $3.00 postage? And that doesn't even account for the weight of a pipe bomb.
3
24 October, 2018
These Pipe Bomb attacks represent a serious escalation of the political divide of our country.
But it cannot be lost on anyone that since trumps election the political divide within the country has widened and hate groups are on the rise with little condemnation from the current administration. The president vilifies the free-press and implies rhetorical advocacy of violence at his rallies towards groups, organizations, and individuals who hold views different from his own.
My point is this. The dangerous rhetoric and policies advocated by this president and enabled by a self-interested GOP Congress has further divided the country. Whether by plan or by accident some easily influenced minds will see these words as mandate and act on them to the detriment of us all.
My hope is that public safety agencies will solve the bomb attack issue and moderation will quiet the zealot voices.
11
This is another of the reasons why I can never, ever support Trump, even though I'm a conservative-leaning moderate. Not only does he disparage McCain, our men and women AND their families who are serving and have served our country (both major red lines for me), his vitriol has led to this kind of behavior. I agree with some here that these kind of actions were most probably carried out by fringe individuals, but it doesn't help that they're getting their message and directive from the top. Trump is supposed to be the President of the United States, not the President of Whoever Voted Trump.
Heck, I detest Fox News, Infowars, Kellyanne Conway, Ann Coulter, Alex Jones and Sean Hannity, but I would never, ever condone or encourage violence against them or their families just because I disagreed with them or disliked the drivel they've been peddling.
This is not an attack on one side or the other, this is an attack on US citizens. And no, throw that birther nonsense about Obama out of the window and into the trash heap of despicable lies.
59
Call it like it is!! This is the fault of one person: DONALD J. TRUMP. Own it, Donald!!!
33
I've read comment after comment, pleading for us on the left to be civil, to be peaceful, in the face of the worst assault against our democracy since the Civil War.
This assault began two years ago when Trump realized he could energize nearly half of our citizens to take up arms against the other half. Trump understood that those of us on the left wouldn't fight back. He knew that as Democrats we would try to resolve our differences in a civil, respectful manner. And this is precisely why he won, and precisely why his rabid base has stayed with him. We wouldn't fight back -- he knows this, and his base knows this.
But understand this. All this "reaching out" to Trump voters has gotten the rest of us absolutely nowhere. In fact, we are in much worse danger that we were two years ago. Trump has told his rabid, armed hordes that we are their "enemies". This group of white Americans is just waiting for him to say the word, and their militias will start targeting us.
This will happen for one reason only: We've shown that we won't fight back.
Meeting threats of violence with a plea for "dialogue" is laughable. Trump voters don't want dialogue. They don't want compromise. They want an ignorant, racist backwater of a country in which their "dear leader" tells them they're superior to the rest of us. This is all they want. This is all they've ever wanted. And they're willing to use violence against anyone who disagrees with them. As for me, I'd rather go down fighting.
68
@Sterling Hayden
I agree with you whole-heartedly (even though it's unpopular to say such things out loud).
12
@sterling - this is exactly right. I fear it is already too late to defeat 45 in 2020. The things going on in Georgia and the campaign being carried out by Russia to ensure their agent retains the presidency are barely being challenged. Everyone goes to work and school. We are not in the streets. We are not on strike. We are not shutting down traffic or operations at Mar-A-Lago or Trump Tower. We have tolerated concentration camps for children, an out and out raid on the US Treasury, and Trump's followers attempting to assassinate our legitimate president. If none of this is enough to prompt us to fight for our country, apparently we don't deserve the nation we once had.
2
This story brought to mind the wisdom of Justice Robert Jackson, in West Virginia State Board of Education v. Barnette:
"Those who begin coercive elimination of dissent soon find themselves exterminating dissenters. Compulsory unification of opinion achieves only the unanimity of the graveyard."
11
The FBI and Secret Service need to look at the “Proud Boys,” Patriot Prayer, Richard Spencer, Matthew Heimbach, David Duke and the alt-right. While this can be laid squarely on the exhortations of Donald Trump, these America-hating traitor gangs probably harbor the culprit.
17
How is our president not guilty of incitement?
44
Bombers Target list was written by Donald Trump!
34
This is totally false comment and totally incorrect and untrue. But his verbiage during rallies made me feel this way. He needs to stop the decisive comments immediately. if he really loves this country before it breaks apart!
As I read the story I can across several paragraphs suggesting (from experts) that these appeared to be fake bombs. But earlier stories said that the one sent to Soros was detonated by authorities. Can we have a follow up to this?
10
Indeed, acts of violence and threats have no place in the United States. But the obvious suspects for these poison attacks on Obama and other Democrats s is that they are false flag attacks by the British and their minions in the CIA and FBi. I would bet on this at 100-1.
5
'“In these times we have to unify,” Mr. Trump said."'
Oh, yes. We're going to unify, all right.
Vote Nov. 6th!
69
@JGar: Vote, sure. More actively , get others out to vote !!!
6
@John California, you are absolutely right!
Most of the commenters on here are partisan immediately blaming Trump for these horrific acts. They have no idea who was behind this but of course they say it had to be a right wing nut job and Trump is responsible. It is very transparent that the left is politizing this.
14
Come on. Let’s not be Pollyanna about this. Trump’s rhetoric is taken by these people as a permission slip. That’s why responsible leaders don’t act like that.
And sending bombs is the most Un-American thing a person can do.
13
@dave
Oh, and you mean that trump and the Republicans have never "politicized" anything?
Let's start with Christine Blasey-Ford, OK?
13
If I recall correctly, last year Trump immediately politicized the shooting by one deranged person at the Congressional softball game.
12
Trump operatives at work. Republicans need to own the vitriol they've created. This *is* a partisan issue.
9
How do you know? It could have been anyone with an agenda of dividing Americans, hurting the centrists and lefties, or hurting Trump and supporters by making it seem obvious it was they who did this. It could have been done, by whoever actually sent the packages, by or with help of or a demand of Russia, Saudi Arabia, N Korea, China, Iran or any number of players.
Let’s wait a bit before assigning blame, but I’m the meantime it seems that, either way, trump’s behavior, words, and actions/lack of actions have all set the stage for judicial and extrajudicial violence, division, hate, and retribution based on only a crude and myopic assessment of whatever or whoever the retaliation is targeted.
Let’s all be mindful and grow more positive unity in response to these attacks. There seem to be many (though still not the most of us) who seek to shake our sense of trust of one another and in each other’s good will and who seek to divide and conquer us. They have been studying, long before 2016, how to lay the ground work for, create and implement an autocratic, or oligarchical government here and elsewhere. Let’s prove that we all studied as well, and we won’t allow it. Vote Vote Vote! And more.
3
Democrats like mobs, Republicans like bombs.
9
The inflammatory rhetoric eminating from both sides of the political spectrum has been disappointing but make no mistake President Trump deserves the bulk of the blame for inciting this violence. His divisive campaign rallies encourage those in attendance to attack the media, people of color, and anyone with diverse views. Is it any wonder that we are at this juncture? What a sad day for our democracy. Time to go to the polls and neuter this president.
34
Since all of the recipients of these bombs were in the Democratic or neoliberal camps, the natural conclusion that we are to arrive at is that the source of the attacks were right wing terrorists. Such attacks are always dangerous, not so much for the direct harm they may or may not inflict as for what they say about the threat of totalitarian rule. The likelihood of the attack actually originating with some small, organized terrorist group--right or left--is small. Far more likely is some element of the permanent government believing it can arrive at a desired end through a form of subterfuge that goes back to the intrigues of ancient Rome and beyond. The only remedy for such machinations is an informed, dare we say educated citizenry. Let us hope that Reichstag fires and other such false flag operations do not become hallmarks of this dangerous period in our history.
10
The hater in chief bears some of the responsibility for these acts of terrorism.
41
Some of? I would say 100 percent.
1
The messenger certainly hit this preliminarily detailedstory out of the park! No further reporting is required. Mission accomplished.
I’d been following the early details of these incidents here in this paper about small pipe bombs, none of which have hurt anyone nor from whom, being sent in the mail while I was at work today and understood that someone is suspected of sending letter bombs to some who happen to be Democrats. Another Unibomber, I figured. When I got home my wife immediately hysterically asks: Did you hear that Trump has stirred his entire base so rabid that they’re all viciously attacking Democrats with their foaming bare teeth!?
Who needs actual evidence of such when there’s any incident and the will to believe it to mean whatever you want with enough support of those who feel the same political antipathy?
6
@John Doe, I should mention she’d been watching MSNBC all afternoon. No coincidence, obviously.
1
And they just “happened to be Democrats. “
Lay this one at the feet of POTUS Donald Trump. Period.
58
What I find amazing about some of the individuals you see commenting on outlets such as Fox News — and unfortunately also my conservative family members — is how easy it is for them to gang on the conspiracy that “Democrats planted these to frame Republicans”.
How are we so indoctrinated to suspend the reality that groups are made up of individuals. How does one not realize that there’s not a big monster named “Republicans” nor is there one named “Democrats”.
The generalizations only play into the fear-mongering that drives the divisiveness. The fear that tells my mother her child might be murdered by an immigrant. The fear that tells her America will be destroyed if a certain candidate wins.
Maybe, one day, we stop the generalizations. Maybe one day we’ll be objective enough to not need them. Maybe one day we’ll be better.
11
The culprit is surely a radical leftist trying to influence the midterms. Any other conclusion is fantastical and dishonest.
6
@Rolf There is not the slightest bit of evidence to support this.
13
Trump will be paying legal fees for the bomber? He has promised this to his thugs.
Trump incites violence several times a week.
22
The 2017 shooting of the Congressional Republican baseball team is another false equivalency on the right.
Democratic leaders were not using language that in any sense would be considered as inciting such actions.
By contrast, Trump has repeatedly used incendiary language against the press ("enemies of the people"), his political opponent Clinton ("lock her up"), the Democrats in general (an "unruly mob"), etc., etc. Just a few days ago, during a rally, he praised a Nebraska Congressman who had assaulted a reporter.
18
Welcome to trump world
11
Since Trump has been in office his white nationalist volatile rhetoric has encouraged an army of murderous white nationalists terrorists to come out of the woodwork to do their destructive work. One way or another our Gropenfuerher has to be silenced.
6
Today, Trump condemned the fruits of the seeds he has sowed to create a far more virulent strain of terrorism than any of those foreign peoples he constantly inveighs against.
What is so horrifying is that he has ordered his fascist mob to cease and desist. Like he is going to put the genie back in the bottle? Today circus boy ordered his mob and his cowardly colluders known as the GOP to stop.
And as Dana Garvey playing the church lady on Saturday Night Live used to say, "isn't that special?". If you are so shallow and self absorbed that you incited violence for over a year with a Media that did not understand they should have turned off your microphone during the republican primaries and now you want to tell these same people to just knock off what you've been working them up to do the whole time you've been in politics, you are the naeve little circus boy that more perceptive observers have known all along.
He has created a monster and now he wants to send it away. It inconvenient for circus boy. But you reap what you sow. It's not just word games with clever reversals calling liberals the mob when you've been creating a crazed mob this entire time. Your cancer to the country pal, you're a very sick unit. Resign and do the country a favor.
14
We might not like this but I think we need to take a lesson from this, about how marginalized working-class (mostly) whites felt before Trump swept them off their feet. (And Hillary just says to sock it to 'em, harder than they've his us.) Nothing happening today is reasonable or excusable but we still have to try to learn from this that pre-Trump America wasn't working for many Americans. Trump's America isn't working for people either, we know. But Trump's adept at using any mistakes the left makes, and mistakes are made. Get smart, Democrats.
3
In the real world, when someone sends bombs to political leaders' homes, those are called "assassination attempts."
58
@Amelia are these confirmed, fully functional bombs with lethal capacity? I honestly haven't learned that yet, but if they were intentional "duds"... That is not attempted assassination, that is political manipulation and potentially treason
This act should be condemned by all well meaning citizens of the united states. Nigeria is a similar example of how corrupt politicians invented terrorism to achieving their selfish aims, DO NOT LET no fool mess up the relative peace you all enjoy as a nation. speaking from experience.
11
the Present, who is already an un-indicted co-conspirator in a felony conviction, ought to acknowledge his complicity in this. His unceasing attacks on a free press, his delight in body-slamming a reporter, his musing on better ways to have killed Kashoggi, his shout-out to Second Amendment folks about Hilary Clinton, his offer to pay the legal bills of supporters who assault protestors--all this points to his responsibility for inciting violence. Lock him up.
13
People are delusional in believing that Trump is exclusively to blame for these acts of aggression (terrorism). The media fans the flames for every single Trumpian tweet, that in many instances, magnifies and distorts their original meanings.
Furthermore, the incendiary rhetoric coming from the left are also cause for concern. Some of the Black Lives Matters spokespersons have stated that all policeman are corrupt and need to be dealt with. And shortly afterwards, there were several random killings of police officers, whereby it is entirely likely, that their killers were motivated by said rhetoric.
What about the aggression demonstrated at student rallies whereby police cars were burned, windows smashed and shops looted?
What about the people who harass Republican politicians and their spouses while their having dinner in a public setting? Is that not violence?
What about the corrupt Democratic nomination campaign that unfairly gave Clinton an edge over Bernie Sanders? By doing so, the party alienated millions of angry Sanders' supporters who were betrayed by their own party? Does that not create the potential for violence?
While it's time for Trump to start behaving like a real president, it's also time for Democrats to reflect on their own weaknesses.
5
@Michael
Nonsense.
17
Republicans are still even today when several bombs were sent out to murder many people are demonizing Democrats. They are attacking Jewish people like George Soros and Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schulz. They are attacking prominent black people such as President Barack Obama, Representative Maxine Waters, and former AG Eric Holder. They are attacking women with the lynch mob changes of "Lock her up" about Hillary Clinton, even tonight. They attack media and law enforcement .
For years, Republicans ignored or laughed about the racist and bigoted smear of Barack Obama being a Muslim born in Kenya. They never denied it. They encouraged it.
This is the same thing.
This is hate. It is absolute hate. It is one-sided. This is never what Democrats say. It is Trump, but also every single Trump politician.
There should be no false equivalences here. This is on the Republican side, and the bombing campaign intended to commit mass murder was against prominent Democrats.
Republican rhetoric on the campaign trail from Trump on down is ugly, it is bigoted, and it is not American.
48
The time for worry was yesterday. The time to plan is now. Campaign on principles, the idea the common good is a better measure of policy than partisan political wins. Your opponents may be wrong but they are not inherently evil for failing to agree.
5
Bottom line, tonight, Donald Trump, in his capacity as president, will align himself either with terrorists or with all law abiding Americans. Not very hopeful based on his behavior to date
7
When did the Democrats call out antifa?
The mainstream media must stop being so neutral when it comes to discussing hate speech and acts of political terrorism. All day, I have heard anchors on NPR, reporters, columnists being so careful to say that politics has become so rancorous "on both sides." I understand that these people are trying not place blame, but that is less than helpful when the majority of the problem is coming from one side. Yes, there are crazies on the left, too, but it's obvious that most of the violence and threats are coming from the political right.
We can't solve the problem until we identify and name the problem. That problem is the "alt-right," aided and abetted by the GOP.
6
Don’t blame the usual suspects in Moscow this time! Nor Trump either. Look at the local hate TV political ADS for who is causing this nastiness in politics now!
5
I think I know who did this! It was Trump...
4
I’m surprised the the “bombs” weren’t accompanied with a “Boo” which may be more threatening than any possibility they might explode. It is after all Halloween season where phony masks and costumes are employed to instill fear in the populace. The bombs were obviously duds which begs the question, what was their purpose? The democrats have seen their electoral “blue wave” reduced to a mere ripple. If a cynic were to answer the question posed above, the answer might be it’s a “Hail Mary” attempt by the left to change an increasingly apparent dynamic that favors republicans.
3
There are two types of people these days: 1) Those that know for sure "who" did an act like these series of pipe bombs -- or root for an outcome that matches their politics. or 2) People that wait for the facts to come in.
I hope to be in the latter camp.
But here's some food-for-thought:
Do you all remember when more than 50% of the 100 or so anti-Semitic bomb threats last year came from a left-wing false flag hoaxer who wrote for The Intercept (Juan Thompson) and money-seeking Israeli teenager (Michael Ron David Kadar)? You don't remember them? I don't even know who committed the other half of the threats. That's because the media didn't do a follow-up after multiple weeks of news stories about rising anti-Jewish hate crimes occurring in the first months of Trump's presidency.
Just something to consider.
5
I am fairly confident Russia is behind this. It just feels way too obvious to go after Soros, CNN, Hillary and Obama at the same time. Those are the most obvious figures you would go after if you want to make it seem like a right wing nutcase was behind it all (and to make it wayyyy too easy to write articles about how Trump’s hateful rhetoric is at fault). Also consider the timing so close to the midterms.
2
Look for a wormy looking character wearing a red baseball cap with MGA On it
6
I'm not from America so I don't completely understand all of the politics but what I do understand is that America was built on the freedom of speech. And this attempted bombing was obviously because Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama and John O. Brennan spoke up and had their own opinion that was most likely different to the attempted bombers opinion, and I think that it is completely idiotic that some one would to kill another living person just because they did not agree with them. If someone else says something different to what you think you don't have to like you just have to respect it.
5
The prezzz i dunce Trumpet is himself fomenting violence against dissidents. Lock him up!
All his hateful speech in recent weeks---say, in recent years--- cannot be undone by the Trumpet's indignant call for "unity," as I'm certain that by pronouncing "We have to unify" the Trumpet really means "You need to stop opposing my fantastic success at Making America Great Again."
The implication is that we are not unified because we who oppose Trumpet are trying to SAVE AMERICA; whereas, he wants it for himself, remade to suit himself and his sycophants.
The Trumpet needs to be silenced before he destroys us all.
7
Trump has encouraged extremists; given cover and comfort to internal and external foes of our democracy. His calls for unity ring hollow to the many ears who have been listening since these several years. He has no moral ground to lead.
11
Oh and he also encouraged the leftist lunatic that shot Scalise????
1
This is the fruit of 30 years of extremist right-wing propaganda. 24x7 hate -filled propagandizing to a crowd incapable of discerning fact from fiction. Add effective organization by the neo-fill-in-the-blanks using social media and Hitler rises from the dead.
9
If we build a wall, it will be to keep terrorists in, not out. We have people who believe Hillary is running a child slavery ring out of a pizza parlor and we allow them to buy guns. The Republicans couldn't even have a baseball game without being shot at.
Is Trump making things worse? Of course he is, but we must not take the bait. Putin need not do anything when Americans are mailing bombs to each other.
3
Welcome in Trumps USA
Obviously it is time to reap what this presdident is sowing.
2
These packages could have been sent by a Democrat trying to throw authorities off the trail. The person is obviously sick and deranged with a lot of hate. You have to be to do something as evil as this.
The same people who are blaming Donald Trump for his rhetoric also have spewed hatred and disdain for President Trump. Maybe we all should tame our speech for the good and safety of our country. Let's practice what we preach.
3
Nobody knows for sure who is responsible but this is exactly the kind of thing democrats would do for political purposes just before the elections.
1
No, we know Donald Trump's rhetoric was a cause.
If any of these bombs had exploded as would have been intended, then their credibility as terrorist acts would have been confirmed. As they did not, it would seem that those responsible are about either of two things. One, these items could be designed to upset the equilibrium of both the addressees and the public by implying violence when there is none known to exist. Two, they could be a diversionary tactic to mask something more substantial which is in the works. The choice of type of "bomb" could be a message, albeit obscure, regarding the political impetus behind them, or whatever. A pipe is a conduit, something which facilitates a discursive movement of some substance. Just what point "B" is relative to "A" is not easily scrutinized. In the case of a pipe bomb having been reportedly placed beneath the car of the wife of Captain Rogers of the U.S.S. Vincennes sometime after the July3,1988 debacle in the Persian Gulf that "A" to "B" movement was unmistakable in its intent and being, except that it did not explode. These are somewhat different matters. It could be that they will be interpreted as "messages" calling for political change, which is something badly needed.
1
One pyscho person sent these, I believe.
No one should read anything else into it.
4
The Faithful will just say 'False Flag'. Nobody hurt, right?
7
Making America Great Again one pipe bomb at a time.
11
“In these times, we have to unify, we have to come together,”
Interesting words from a man who, just last week, praised a political candidate for body slamming a reporter, who repeatedly labels the media (with the exception of Fox News) "the enemy of the people," who glories in chants of "lock her up" at his sideshow rallies, who riles up his supporters with baseless accusations that his political rivals are attempting to destroy American society by financing a caravan of immigrants, who daily spouts blatant lies (riots over sanctuary cities in California—I live here and have no idea of what this unhinged egomaniac is talking about), who ...
This pathetic excuse of a president is leading this country into fascism.
15
How ridiculously hypocritical of trump to say "we have to unify, we have to come together,” when he's the one who started the hate fest we see all over this country today. He's the one who made it acceptable to call each other by - to use his own term - despicable names, and now he tries to act as if he's Mr. Nice Guy. Too little, too late for this Democrat.
11
We know:
1. The bombs seem to be unsophisticated.
2. There was near zero probability they would meet their target.
3. There is a great deal of physical evidence.
This would seem to imply that whoever did it was quite unsophisticated. Further implying that he/she should be caught within the next 24 hours. If they are not caught then the unsophisticated assumption might be wrong, which could imply many things. False flag operation, Saudis trying to change the subject, maybe Russia causing mischief?
1
If you haven’t read Chuck Palahniuk’s latest novel “Adjustment Day”, you should. It is a window into where this is all headed. It’s eerily prophetic. Be prepared to see the very near future unfold chapter by painful chapter.
2
I remember clearly the events of 9/11. The horror that visited us on that crisp fall day – one not too different from this mild, breezy day – are seared into my memory and will, because of the trauma that day induced, forever affect the way I respond to threats of terror and collective injury. On 9/11, as I taught, the information, rumors, and news were gleaned from colleagues coming back from breaks and lunch, behind the backdrop of students eating, singing, and playing. Today, as I taught, as my students began the hard work of writing their literary essays, my phone kept vibrating – alerts from the city, news updates from the various media I subscribe to, and I turned to my coworker in fear that we, too, would soon have to take shelter. I have to talk to children too frequently about the violence that all-too often "inexplicably" visits and revisits our society. I spend too much of their learning time teaching them how to hide from dangers, from gunmen, and from terrorists. I seethe to contemplate that this is their reality and that this might continue into their adulthoods.
Unlike 9/11, however, we cannot permit our democracy to fall like those gleaming towers. It is clarion, this thing we must do, this repudiation we have to undertake if we want our way of life to survive, if we are to tell our children that it's safe outside once more – safe to play, to learn, to write, and safe to disagree.
Vote.
6
I think what we are seeing is a power shift all over AMERICA like Alvin Toffler said would happen. AMERICA is going through a major shift by 2025,2030 this country will be flooded with a Democrat outlook so many on the right are trying to push back the upcoming trends,more gay rights,more women in control ,more minorities in power by 2028.I hate to say this but by 2022 we will see more crazy behavior from many that want the 21st century to go away news flash we have more decades of change that are coming our way.lets do a time experiment just close your eyes and project yourself to 2029 or 2033 what do you see my fellow Americans what do you really see what trends have come to pass, what has transpired from 2018 through 2030 or 2033,just my outlook on todays trends.
1
I'll venture that Trump is secretly enjoying this wave of attempted violence against his "enemies" and knows his dog whistles are heard loud and clear by his "kind of guys".
11
At some point, Americans in the center and on the left will no longer be silent.
We will no longer care about "reaching out" to Trump voters, who've shown that they love an ignorant bigot for president, a man who shares their hatred and bigotry.
At some point, we will no longer turn the other cheek in the face of hate crimes -- skyrocketing since Trump took office -- against ethnic and religious minorities. We will no longer believe that we must kowtow to a far right, racist group of Americans who've controlled our nation for the past two years.
At some point, we will no longer be victims of Trump voters. Victims of hate crimes. Victims of voter suppression. Victims of policies that strip health care from the most vulnerable of us. Victims of white men who believe sexual assault is their right. We will begin to fight back.
At some point, we will no longer be quiet. We will use our voices when Trump voters use their guns and bombs. We may lose a few battles, but we will win the war.
At some point, we will fight for every precious Constitutional right we have -- so that we do not have to face daily racism, bigotry, sexism. This is not violence. This is standing up for ourselves. Standing our ground.
And at some point, we will prevail. Not this year. Not next year, and not for many more years. But the sooner we begin to fight, the sooner we may get OUR country back -- the one which respects the rule of law and all peoples regardless of background. That day will come.
13
I'm not writing a long comment just a little short message- so when the President of the USA decides to glorify body slamming journalists then we can expect nothing less than what happened today. Doesn't matter which side did this - the perpetrator was emboldened by the irresponsible talk.
Let's all stop talking so much and take some action by going to vote.
13
The sentiment and the vocabulary used in the remarks attributed to DJ Trump, clearly demonstrate that these were not his words.
13
@Karen Lee I agree. He just showed that he could read the words off the teleprompter.
3
The United States President is complicit in this. At least he didn't offer to pay the legal fees of the culprit.
15
@Virginia No surprises there in not offering-Trump usually doesn't pay his bills as seen in his fabulous business dealings.
8
These are dangerous times.
There is some speculation Trump might call into question close midterm races that go to the Dems. He already declared 2.9 million extra presidential votes for Hillary invalid without a shred of evidence.
A constitutional crisis after the election will bring countless citizens into the streets. A few misguided right wing nuts (think Pizza-gate) might feel compelled by right wing media (and Russian trolls) to use bombs or guns to protect their fatherland.
And does anyone doubt Trump would be tempted to declare martial law in the face of significant unrest? He already wants to send the military to fend off a few Honduran peasants.
Dangerous times, indeed.
5
When you have a president who loves to stoke the fires of hatred, bigotry and makes the media the villain, these things happen. And now, he is calling for "unity". Gee, shouldn't that have been the thing he should have been saying all along?? No, because he loves the applause and he likes getting his base pumped up....sadly, he just never imagined it could get this far. Well...now it has and this is the country we live in. We should all be very afraid because depending on who Trump decides to pick on next, those people will be the new targets for the people who think he's the greatest thing since sliced bread. We need a responsible adult in the White House who realizes the gravity of his comments and rhetoric. When you encourage this kind of divisiveness, the only person responsible is you.
6
Many comments lay this at the door of Donald Trump. Actually, there’s pleny off blame to go around. Maxine Waters: “Get in their face”. Eric Holder: “kick ‘em”. Oh yes, those were Democrats. So, most commenters choose to blame a Trump. Priceless.
6
These events were inevitable. And so now we teeter on the brink of the abyss. May we please have a civil discussion about a peaceful division of the country before things get more out of hand?
4
Measuring by the responses here, I don't think we are any closer to having a more civil discourse. Radical extremists on both sides, or all sides, are the problem. This should be bipartisan, but...
Extremists in Islam are a problem, extremists in our political discourse are a problem, wherever we find extremism, we find serious problems.
Extremism only dissipates when we have genuine and free discourse, not the complete b.s. coming from here, there, and the next place.
5
Hopefully the culprit or culprits will be exposed. In the interim perhaps Ms. Clinton will embrace a return to civility, Eric Holder can manage to refrain from kicking anyone, Maxine waters will manage to stifle her demands that her acolytes harassTrump cabinet members and “enablers” wherever they encounter them, George Soros will stop funding the ambush of judicial committee senators in elevators and perhaps even John Brennan can manage to refrain from issuing baseless accusations of treason and Russian "collusion" against our president.
3
This is the endpoint of the road "win at any cost" - nothing is off limits. We're all going to be in a heap of trouble, unless we move from "win at any cost" back to "public service for the good of the nation" and that move cannot come too soon.
14
Can do we expect anything better when so called president constantly incites hatred and violence and stokes fear and division among people? It is all on Trump.
3
Something tells me Donald Trump isn't the guy Americans will look to "unify" this nation.
Just a hunch.
6
Trump’s appearance made me think of the baptism scene at the end of The Godfather in which Michael Corleone says he renounces Satan and all his works while his goons murder mob bosses.
3
Didn't Trump just say that the Republican "congressman" who body slammed a reporter is "His kinda guy!". A fish rots from the head and the country reeking from Trump's divisive hateful rhetoric.
19
Its again laughable that the President called for unity. The most intentionally divisive President in modern history, has some nerve, not to mention a complete lack of shame, to make that statement.
I knowingly ask; is he really as clueless, to his own rhetoric, as he continually sounds? Yes...yes he is...
7
To: President Trump and the Complicit Republicans
From: America
Re: Civility in Politics
Your call for unity is a day late and a dollar short. Try again.
11
Will this be the wake-up call that we all need? I’d like to think so, but I’m not too optimistic. Listening to MSNBC today, I was struck by the fact that not one Republican politician would say anything negative about trumpf’s blustering, but called out the
“negative” comments made by the Democrats as being behind those cowardly attacks.
And the attack on CNN? Not one Republican that I heard spoke out on behalf of the media.
6
Whenever politics surrenders to the idea that all problems can be attributed to certain group of people, you end up with tyranny and violence.
We are getting there. Democrats against Republicans, whites against non-whites, poor against rich, intellectuals against blue collar, citizens against non-citizen, atheists against religious, women against men....
That which divides us makes us weak.
1
It’s not whites vs nonwhites! It’s racist white xenophobes vs everyone else. Not all white people are racist dullards, just most white Republicans.
6
What are the odds that the bomber is an avid FOX "news" viewer? Just a wild hunch.
7
When will this nightmare end? We cannot allow this to continue. Though there are "bad people on both side" there's one bad egg, one "bad hombre" at the very top of it all. Look where we are. The communists of laughing while our country seems on the bring of something nearing a civil war. Very dangerous times with more to come. Perhaps its time for a coalition government.
2
Put the words " Terrorist Attacks" in 4" letters. Right now.
2
Rabid Trump.
2
Taking the nation to the level of emergency status would be like a Nazi nightmare coming true, so I expect that to happen within the next few days. Expect the worst, you won't be disappointed. That's how people got through WWII.
4
Reading t he news this morning before this happened saddened and distraught me to the point I had to look at Pinterest. Then bombs sent to more people Trump hats and calls out at his rallies. I do not trust Trump or the government to get to the bottom of this. Republicans are complicit in Trumps hatred and calling for Hillary to be locked up, Maxinne Waters called out... Trump's rallies are invitations to violence and hatred, led by our president. If I were a praying person, I would pray for our country. But, since I don't believe in divine intervention, I hope that our "leaders" do something to stop the hatred at he top, I.e., TRUMP.
4
Given his history with the bomb recipients, it sounds as though the president is a prime suspect. His denouncing the attacks is a thin disguise for a liar like him. I say we take him in for some serious questioning.
4
"Whether" a bomber is going after political figures by the right wing? There's no question. A bomber IS going after political figures vilified by the right wing. Maybe you can construct a story where this is a coincidence unrelated to said vilification (seems unlikely but for the sake of argument …), but the fact itself - that a bomber is targeting people, and these people are vilified by the right wing, is certainly not in question.
2
It was only a matter of time before trump's encouraging blather of violence became more. Hi loves a politician who body slams a reporter and with all of his other blather of hatred and violence it was only a matter of time. pathetic
5
These pipe bombs sent to these people are horrendous. Thank goodness no one got injured or worse killed. As bad as this was, maybe now both political parties can start to act civil to one another and stop the verbal attacks we have seen on both sides. The next time someone receives a suspicious envelope, the recipient may not be so lucky.
Can't we please all try to get along. Let's stop this awful rhetoric and act like adults. At least give it a try for safety's sake. You may not like one another but be courteous and treat those the way you want to be treated. You might even like it.
5
Someone said here that the comments are "disingenuously partisan" and that he was a democrat, and that we should not jump to conclusions about this.
Ridiculous.
Bill Maher said that a slow moving coup is underway in this country. He said that several years ago.
Nothing could be more evident that this is what is actually happening.
Its been going on since Reagan. Before Reagan, really; long before - and its the same kind of people and the game never changes.
So, I would just beg to differ when people - esp. democrats - urge us to a sense of bi-partisanship with people who really don't feel any desire for bi-partisanship - urge us to return to civility (as if this incivility is somehow BOTH partys' faults equally).
Ridiculous.
Wake up America.
11
How convenient. With a midterm election just over the horizon and the Democrats don't appear to be sweeping the field like they imagined. Lo and behold a bunch of pipe bombs suddenly appear on the doors steps of hard core, highly partisan liberals, the source is automatically presumed to be right wingnuts. Certainly makes one wonder what is really going on.
7
Yes, I guess it might make fools wonder.
1
The speech of violence would have consequences. And he, alone...
You seem to be a very intelligent individual.
Well let's see now. Who would I think has been the most divisive person in the nation since his entering the political conversation? Who can I remember urging crowds to beat up protesters and throw them out in the cold? Who do I remember saying that he would pay the legal fees of any of his supporters who were sued for injuring a protester? Who actively led his supporters in chants of "Lock Her Up"?. Who supports a candidate for having body slammed a reporter? Who says that there are "good people", on the side of the Nazis and the KKK? Who blames the Democrats for the wave of immigrants steaming up from Mexico? Oh you can be sure I won't take this as a partisan matter. This certainly couldn't be the logical outcome off MY PRESIDENT'S ginning up hatred and dissent for his own personal glorification. Oh No!
33
Don’t forget this one:
“If she gets to pick her judges, nothing you can do, folks. Although the second amendment people, maybe there is, I don’t know. But I’ll tell you what, that will be a horrible day.”
8
Trump and his lackeys in the Republican Congress and GOP are destroying our country. It's already begun. This is not a doomsday statement. Let's be clear, we are living in a fascist country right now.
Vote all of these people out in November. We will need to wait until 2020 or another scenario for DJT but at least this will tie-up his agenda and create some accountability which the Republicans have abdicated -- they are not doing their job, and the President is putting Americans in real danger and not upholding the Constitution. He is not fulfilling his primary mission and has no right to occupy the WH.
24
This latest letter bomb attack has all the hallmarks of an autocrat trying to sow the seeds of chaos, descension and social unrest. Prior examples include:
1) Nero, the Emperor of Rome, set fire to the City of Rome in 64 A.D. and then fiddled as he watched it destroy the city. The destruction caused by the fire disrupted the Roman empire’s social and governmental infrastructure and thus allowed Nero to consolidate his power as Emperor.
2) On Feb. 27th, 1933, one month after Adolph Hitler had been sworn in as Chancellor of Germany, the Reichstag, Germany’s parliament building, was destroyed by a fire. Hitler’s Nazi Party pinned the blame for the fire on the communists in order to terrify the German people and establish Hitler’s authoritarian rule of the country. The term Reichstag fire has come to refer to false flag actions perpetrated or facilitated by an authoritarian government to promote its own interests through popular approval of retribution and removal of a society’s civil rights.
How long will it take Trump and his deplorables to blame left-wing extremists for sending these letter bombs to their fellow Democrats? Just looks like so much more of the same Republican campaign play book calling for more fear, terror and hate.
15
@Dennis
Looking down at some of the recent commenters, there are many vile false flag accusations.
New York Times monitors should not let these obvious propaganda campaign disinformation on here. It is an orchestrated campaign to blur the lines and deny responsibility for their language, insults, bigotry and actions.
It is only through the vigilance and professionalism of the Secret Service, Postal Service, FBI, and law enforcement that we have not had carnage today. The intent was mass murder in several places.
6
Watch Fox News, they already have had a guest who has insinuated it might be a “false flag” on The Story. Maybe socialists, dems or ...
6
@Dennis
They have already blamed Democrats for the bombs.
6
The other day there was a story about a jerk who groped a woman on a plane, and when confronted he said "Trump said it's OK". Should there be any surprise that another lowlife took Trump's comments about "evil Democrats" and "enemies of the people" the same way?
24
Not gonna begin to pin this on anyone because I can think of a dozen possible scenarios. There are more likely thousands, so I hope a massive chain of the brainiest computers is narrowing that down to hundreds so we get these iceflows before the sun sets.
Goodspeed, America.
4
Remember that time trump retweeted a meme of a person with a CNN logo head getting run over by a "trump train"?
Remember that time trump retweeted a video of himself in a fake WWE matchup pummeling a person with a CNN logo head?
both of these occurred when trump was President of the United States.
Now the actual CNN is getting bombs.
28
The dangerous people aren’t at the border. They’re already here.
232
And running the White House and Congress.
4
Does Trump even have the capacity to acknowledge to himself that his hate-filled rhetoric has contributed to these events? And if he does realize it, does he have the capacity to apologize for how he has clearly contributed to the violence in this nation among his rabid followers. It is highly unlikely as he has never ever apologized for anything in the past. He is a flawed human being unfit to lead a nation. His deep sense of hubris will ultimately be his downfall from grace.
8
Said Mr. Trump.... “In these times, we have to unify, we have to come together." What a joke. He is where he is due to divisiveness that he pushes. And the longer he stays in office, the more comfortable and emboldened he gets. Awful
8
Putin must be loving this. Look what he has done to the "United" States. When will we realize we have more common interests than not and be more tolerant on both sides. Both sides must stop sowing the seeds of anger...beginning with the name caller and inciter at the top.
16
It’s sad that we have started to see such reactions from Americans. Blaming on the other countries for your country’s own wrongdoings, or own crisis. I’m from a developing country with an autocratic government, and this is the same exact rhetoric they and their voters would use. The US is changing.
2
Show of hands - going back 2 years we've been warning TrumpOps this was going to be the outcome.....
who is surprised we ended up here?
9
To those trying to equate some Democrats' calls to confront Republicans verbally with Trump's calls for actual violence, just stop it. It's not the same thing, and you know it. As the leader of this country, Trump's words carry a lot more weight and he is constantly stirring the pot.
13
If Mr Trump continues to pump out incendiary and deliberately false propaganda via his rallies, Fox News, et al -he will provoke more violent reactions.
If he sincerely wants a more peaceful scene politically, he needs to dial back these comments. That would go a long way to calming down the whole scene.
The ball is in your court, Mr Trump.
We will know your true intentions by the actions you take right now and into the near future.
7
Trump says we must unify...oh please. He's the one behind all the hate and dissolution.
30
I’d say Trump’s base is not stirred up to a violent froth :-(
1
Trump is the Terrorist. This is on him 100%. It's time to hold him criminally liable for the statements he makes given the power he holds. Lock him up and throw away the key.
52
And whilst all this is going on, who is tampering with the voting machines?
11
Reading the headlines these days causes me to recall the first lines of Yeats' The"Second Coming"
Turning and turning in the widening gyre
The falcon cannot hear the falconer;
Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold;
Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world,
The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere
The ceremony of innocence is drowned;
The best lack all conviction, while the worst
Are full of passionate intensity.
17
"When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:) Then let them which be in Judea flee into the mountains.
@htr, as far as I’m concerned it’s a tossup as to which makes less sense. But apparently people keep hoping, especially whoever writes the headlines at The NY Times.
Like every bullying coward, toddler Trump hides behind Mother Melania's skirt and lets her apologize for the excesses of his inflammatory rhetoric. Did it register in his brain pan that such words have consequences? Perhaps . . .for an hour or so.
14
I don’t think he cares. I think he gloats and cheers. He knows EXACTLY what the consequences of his words and actions are. Do we really need to keep giving him the benefit of the doubt? I’m sure that as soon as he read that milquetoast speech, he bolted off into the Oval Office and jumped on the desk with glee, after asking his aides if he looked presidential enough.
4
Mission accomplished.
Moved that massive migration of 10000 immigrants heading to our border off the front page for the rest of this week.
Someone did the math. They're 1000 miles away and can reasonably walk 3 miles an hour for 14 hours a day. That's 42 miles a day...or roughly 20 days before they arrive.
That puts this at 3 days after the election.
It's not helpful to the media..or D's...so they have created another narrative out of whole cloth.
7
NYT commenters, pause for a moment to consider:
The possibility that these acts were carried out by somebody on the left. To tar the right. A false flag operation in other words.
It's happened before. The end result from hysteria by progressives, and I am one (a progressive that is) could be creation of an even worse situation.
Keep you powder dry until we have all the facts.
13
Three dog, you say you are a progressive; I find that quite difficult to believe.
You say a false flag operation has happened before; when was that? And what Democrats were involved? If you’re a progressive who believes in false flag conspiracies committed by other progressives, you are a really rare breed.
4
My main issue here is Trump's response. We have to unify?? Fine Mr President, we'll ignore for five seconds that literally last week you said someone that body slammed a reporter is "your kinda guy" - how will you unify us? How will you reach across the divide to the people that don't agree with you? Because to-date it's been "You're either with us or against us and a loser/mob/dog/Lying/little [insert person's name]" and that's just within the Republican party.
Calls for unity are fine, but how are YOU going to do something about the divide, Mr Trump?
3
This right wing extreme subversion falls under an abuse of power by the president to incite, to harm. The list grows to indite, impeach and imprison.
3
Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 534, the FBI acquires, collects, classifies, and preserves identification, criminal identification, crime, and other records and exchanges such records and information with, and for the official use of, authorized officials of the Government, including the United States Sentencing Commission, the States, cities, and penal and other institutions. Since 1924, the FBI has collected, preserved, classified, and exchanged fingerprint records in support of its identification activities and the activities of other Federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies. Categories of fingerprints currently maintained in the Fingerprint Identification Record System (FIRS) includes: criminal fingerprints, federal applicants and employees, United States military, aliens, and those submitted to the FBI by persons desiring to have their fingerprints placed on record for personal identification purposes. Additionally, fingerprints of military detainees and other persons of national security interest are now being collected for national security purposes.
@DOUGLAS LLOYD MD MPH, does that mean than anyone who uses a touchscreen has their fingerprints already on file? Don’t give Apple any ideas please!
It's wrong, it's wrong, it's wrong, it's wrong! Don't find excuses, or point out how the other political party have done the same thing. Really???? Trump operates on fear and lies, period. He has painted the democrats as the enemy of the State, period. He insults our allies and gushes over ruthless autocratic leaders. If that doesn't raise concerns then what does? America great again? Hardly, on the contrary it's the dark ages in America.
8
Initially right wing trolls were trying to distract, saying the White House was also targeted so it "couldn't possibly " be party motivated. When that was disproven the theory that the Dems sent bombs to themselves to frame the right quickly spread. The right's desperation to throw shade at anyone but themselves very telling. They refuse to acknowledge that 2 years of spewing hatred and fear actually has consequences.
16
This falls squarely in the irresponsible lap of the non-president.
10
As described, the 'bombs' are obvious fakes that could not possibly go off.
So one would have to ask, who would send out fake bombs two weeks before the election?
I foresee further developments in this story.....
5
@Jonathan
That's not what the law enforcement officers say. These might have been crude but they were dangerous. This sounds like a desperate attempt by right wing people to deny their responsibility for their toxic language about Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, Maxine Waters, George Soros, Wasserman Schulz, CNN, and Eric Holder.
7
@smb - From the latest revision of the article:
"None of the devices harmed anyone, and it was not immediately clear whether any of them could have. One law enforcement official said investigators were examining the possibility that they were hoax devices that were constructed to look like bombs but would not have exploded."
The big question is whether they contain any actual explosive. I presume the FBI will manage to figure that out.
Kudos to NYPD and the FBI. Again. Sadly, they have years of experience dealing with terrorists, domestic and foreign.
5
The timing -- nor targets -- certainly do not help Republicans just before the midterms.
The clear potential -- very high potential -- for a false flag operation is obvious.
7
And simultaneously the Democrats have forced down the stock market to embarrass President Trump.
6
The targets of these bombs are all journalists, critics, or political adversaries whom Trump has demonized. Trump has repeatedly used dishonest, prejudicial, and violent language that encourages his supporters to think of the targets as less than human. Rich, Trump condemning this.
7
It's obvious that whoever sent these devices is getting riled up by Fox News -- it would be telling to see exactly how many times the following were mentioned negatively on that network over the past few months: Hillary Clinton, George Soros, Eric Holder, Maxine Waters, CNN, John Brennan, and President Obama.
For Trump to say today, "Acts or threats of political violence have no place in the United States," is a joke when he stokes the flames of hatred at all of his "rallies." His inability to fully stand up to the Saudis over the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, his calling the press "the enemy of the people" shows his true colors.
Last week he complimented a politician who body slammed a reporter. He may not remember he did that -- but we do.
Between Fox and Trump, they do everything but personally place weapons in the hands of their most ardent supporters.
When will they be held accountable? Who is surprised this is happening? When will their behavior warrant consequences?
11
“We have to unify”, and “despicable acts” claims Trump? What a farce coming from the man who has constantly and deliberately worked to divide us, whose own despicable acts have been chronicled, rechronicled, and corrobated.
4
The president of the United States stirs the caldron of anger and ignorance, brewing hatred in his every wicked word. This excuse of man in the White House has caused a deeper divide in this country, giving the maleficent an excuse for their evil. It doesn't take a prophet to see Trump will not stop till this country is at war with itself. Putin must be pleased - the plan to sink America's government is working better than he dreamed.
5
Melania was given the task of speaking first, and named some of those targeted. Trump spoke afterwards and said something to the effect of - 'high government officials.' Did not name the Obamas, or the Clintons by name, nor Mr. Brennan. Also no mention of CNN. He spoke his paragraph, told us the intelligence agencies were intensely persuing the culprits and then moved on to the planned event.
Tonight he is rallying somewhere. Let us see if tonight he will be more verbose in decrying these attempted murders of those who have given their lives in service to this country. And I hope doubles down against verbal and physical violence. Start a process to heal the divisions in Our nation - In effect repent. I hope he will focus on dialogue that bring all Americans together - unifying language. Speak on policy, strategic plans to improve America. Speak about those things he considers his victories these last two years, and engender civil discourse.
Anybody remember seeing a documentary years ago, a scientific study of plants, bombarded with jarring acid rock(?) in one room vs those given harmonious classical music?
The results were amazing...
Paul said, “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure,whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable — if anything is excellent or praiseworthy — think about such things and the God of peace will be with you”
We want peace from sea to shining sea.
Voting in 13 days
5
Bomb threats all over the place, all targeting liberal-leaning persons.
Right-winger did it? That has a strong probability.
Left-winger did it? That can't be ruled out.
I just find it disingenuous to call for "unity" or bringing "our country together" after decades of hate-filled rhetoric, from talk-radio, to cable TV pundits, to online alternative media, to politicians.
Where were the political leaders over these past decades? Too many were enjoying their electoral victories to disavow the violent rhetoric fueling a sizable chunk of their base.
The evil genies of hate and division are now loose... and hungry.
Any actual good ideas on how to force them back into their bottles? Because, calls for "unity" and "bringing our country together" are pretty lame at this point.
8
Has anyone thought of the possibility that this is yet another ploy by desperate Dems to embolden their base? It's possible these were sent to garner sympathy and show that Republicans, too, can be vicious and violent.
6
Karen, If you really think that Democrats are ready to blow up their ex-President and others they admire to make a point, then your hate has gotten the best of your reason. That’s a pity; it’s not even in your own best interest to harbor conspiracy theories like this.
4
@KarenG Democrats don't need pipe bombs to gin up support. We already know that many Republicans are prone to violence, as their leader promotes violence at every opportunity. This will likely turn out to be one of Trump's minions answering the call.
4
@KarenG
While I doubt that is true, it's no less plausible than the assertion by some Democratic supporters that the "caravan" was all Trump's idea.
3
We’re glad Citizen app safety alerts were effective this morning in informing the New York City public of this suspected act of domestic terrorism. Our users are what make this safety network possible. Together, we can Protect the World. www.citizen.com
Trump just got done cheering a Republican politician who body slammed a reporter who asked him a question about health care. Be careful what you wish for Donald.
11
At the very least, the suspected bomber(s) now know what it will take to deliver something more sophisticated to its targets...or try something else, like a drone device.
9/11 was a horrific day but...our lives are in much more danger from our own citizens.
Everyone want to put the blame on the right only. Sadly that is not the whole story. The left, pols, and MSM are constantly taking the bait put out by Trump and his all his followers.
The media and Trump are basically in high school. Stop being shocked when says something despicable. He is a child, and he wants you to attack him so he can whip up his gang into a frenzy
And the followers of MSM need to realize that in nearly 2 years and eight thousand "breaking news alerts, and the issues are only getting worse.
Hey LEFT...TRUMP LOVES THE ATTENTION. SO KEEP UP THE WORK.
3
Who else is sick of Donald Trump talking out of two sides of his mouth? When things get really bad, he pretends he cares about violence against his opponents, but every other day of the week, he encourages it. How soon is it until he praises another person who beats up a reporter or provides cover for a foreign country that kills journalists and political dissenters? The longer he is in office, the more likely these events are. What I'll never understand is how people think anything he says can be believed--much less everything.
17
Recalling the Austin bombings from earlier this year--I thought there was more that law enforcement could have done to track down and investigate how that kid learned to make bombs and from whom he learned--a wasted opportunity to track down some of the burgeoning hate-filled organizations in our current social structure and perhaps even prevent future attempted attacks like this one.
4
The Press may want to review, revisit and bring to the attention of our Nation, 'The Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act'.
This was brought on after the brutal killing of a Wyoming student, who was gay and left for dead in October 1998. Twenty years later, his remains are to be interred at the Washington National Cathedral this October.
Shepard's name, now placed on U.S. Hate-crime legislation, shares this list with another man, James Byrd Jr., who was killed for being black. James Byrd Jr. was also murdered in 1998, by white supremacists in Jasper, Texas, after being dragged by a pick-up truck.
The above editorial 'Diversity and Respect' in our town's local news asks to celebrate our differences and embrace our diversity in the name of America, and all that we stand for in the face of these adverse times.
1
So, imagine this scenario. Trumps advisers tell him that he needs to act more presidential and appear to be a unifier of the country rather than being so divisive. They say he needs an image change for the midterms.
He reluctantly agrees but doesn’t know how he can easily do it. A plan is hatched. Bombs and threats are sent to Democrat and liberal politicians. Of course this is quickly picked up by the media and get everybody’s attention. Everyone is horrified. Then Trump stands up and declares how horrible the whole thing is and calls for a thorough investigation thus proving that he is going to unify the country by protesting these horrible incidents and that hey, he’s not instigating any violence or anything. Bonus points because he does manage to create fear amongst those he hates.
Fiction? Do I have a wild imagination?
2
so, here is my question. before trump have there been similar life-threatening acts against either party? really, i want to know.
chants of lock them up; fake news; enemy of the people, democratic mobs; i like guys who chest bump (and happen to break the law); beat him up and i'll pay your legal expenses, they used to carry guys like that out on a stretcher, etc, have no influence on what has happened? really?
is it just a coincidence that this happened while trump is in office?
31
This is what Trump has incited among his base.
Good name, isn't it?
9
What do all these targets have in common? They were all vilified by Trump and his minions. Words have consequences.
16
I'm assuming there are security cameras directed at the entrances and mailboxes of all 4 targets? So, let's go to the video tape! Bet the perpetrator is wearing a red hat.
4
Saying the envelopes that got sent to Trump had ricin is a little disingenuous. It had ground up Castor beans, which aren't federally illegal although they do contain some ricin. I think that was an attempt to write a neutral article but it ended in a false equivalency. It's like really, really, really bad to send ground up Castor beans to people, it is terrorism, but it's not the same as mailing a live pipe bomb. You can't get a ready made pipe bomb primed to your house like you can Castor seeds.
7
It's beginning to look a lot like 1930s Germany. First the incessant stoking of fake fear, then the unleashing of the dimmest among us to bomb those that wont back down.
What's next? War? Trumped up charges against non- believers? It's getting pretty dark around here - time to turn on the lights.
13
Beginning? It has looked that way for 2 years.
4
How hypocritical of trump to say, "Acts or threats of political violence of any kind have no place in the United States of America," when at rallies he has told his base to punch other people in the face and promising to pay their legal defense, when he recently praised Gianforte for body-slamming a reporter, and when he told police not to be gentle with people they arrest. Is the only violence to be tolerated the violence he encourages and promotes?
22
Exactly my feelings! His hypocrisy has no bounds. Who has fomented suspicion and hatred for the past 2 years? What can any of us expect?
5
Unfortunately, I have no doubt that some of the talking heads in the media will claim this is a false flag to generate sympathy for Democrats before the election. This is how polarized the media have become, aided by social media conspiracy theorists.
11
@pwongster, but who's to say it's not? We have to wait to find out the who the perp was.
My heart is breaking.
My sons, both married to U.S. citizens, and their families (6 grandkids) all live in the U.S. This is what they have to look forward to.
One son, a Democrat supporter, finally disabled his FB account as he was harassed by Trump supporting neighbours. That son, a U.S. citizen since 2003, was told to "go back to Canada".
My 10 year old grandson lost a good 10 year old school buddy as his Trump supporting parents forbade him from playing with my grandson as his parents were, heaven forbid - Democratic supporters. On one occasion that son had to call police because Trump supporting neighbours, high on whatever came banging on their door shouting obscenities about my son being a Canadian and my daughter-in-law being Jewish. Yes my daughter-in-law born, raised and educated in the U.S. is of the Jewish persuasion. Since when has that been a crime. My son, on a green card, has been in the U.S. since 2001. Of course he was told he should go back to Canada.
My heart breaks for them and all reasonable and responsible U.S. citizens, of whom there are many.
40
@GRUMPY
It breaks my heart to read this. I am so sorry.
6
"On Wednesday afternoon, Mr.Trump addressed the attempted bombings, telling reporters: “Acts or threats of political violence of any kind have no place in the United States of America.”
Well they didn't BEFORE the Russians elected the so-called president.
Guess we're just lucky the doorknobs haven't been sprayed with nerve agent...yet.
6
I notice neither Fox "news", nor George Bush, nor Donald trump was targeted for elimination. I think I see a pattern here!
15
Trump really needs to stop with his vicious attacks and aggression suggestions about democrats.
5
Are not these acts of terrorism by terrorists? Most likely home grown American ones and we know who their leader is.
6
Trump says: “Acts or threats of political violence of any kind have no place in the United States of America.”
This statement rings hollow, given that the hate-filled rhetoric he's constantly spewing is the modern-day equivalent to "Will no one rid me of this troublesome priest?"
11
Kristalnacht, anyone?
The Brown Shirts, told it’s OK and encouraged to loudly claim themselves Nationalists by their Fearless Leader, are coming out for some pre-election violence.
Though the match with the Soros bomb says this is the act of one person or a small group ...
They have been whipped into a frenzy by Trump’s last few days of utter lies, yes LIES about Democrats organizing, and the tiny, though violent MS-13 gang, and Middle Eastern terrorists somehow embedded in the annual pilgrimage of Central Americans looking for political refugee status in the US.
And his lies Californians are “rioting” over their alleged over-taxed/anti-pollution and pro-sanctuary state government (yeh, his base believes these lies, because he’s told them the established media, are “the enemy” and they should believe Facebook, Fox and White Supremacist/anti-Semitic/anti-Islamic Internet sites.
Take the Central American march for political refuge in the US: for years, a perfectly legal move by some in legitimate danger of death by their governments, and a protest against the US, still claiming the Monroe Doctrine of US hemispheric hegemony, but refusing to take in refugees of dictatorships, governments we created.
And now the WaPost says Trump’s appealing for “unity”. Unity under the Party of Trump.
Remember to vote like it’s your last chance - it could well be.
(Note Trump comments on Saudi Arabia slaying a WaPost columnist in its Turkish embassy. He criticized only the botched coverup.)
11
Trump's dog whistling paying dividends.
10
To me, this looks like the act of domestic terrorism – of Charlottesville, VA type/kind.
Hopefully no one was hurt. The police and the FBI should do their job.
Meanwhile: Those (prominent) political figures, men & women alike, who incite and indirectly instigate or promote primal behavior and primal human emotions in people – do bear some responsibility, whatsoever.
4
The problem is in the White House. When it gets a new occupant, the hate will diminish and the United States will slowly revert to its normal state.
8
Once again Trump speaks with a forked tongue as it relates to these heineous crimes. While Mr. Trump calls these bomb threats despicable, he is out on the campaign trail almost daily slandering the opposition, endorsing violence against journalists, and ponying up to other leaders like Putin and Duterte.
If Trump really thought these acts to be despicable he wouldn't be tacitly endorsing them. He'd be telling these deranged people they have no place in our society.
6
Not a single a single Democratic politician nor a single commentator of journalist on CNN has had the courage yet to speak the one name that needs to be spoken now: Trump. It is a shame and a pity that they lack the guts to state the obvious, that it's TRUMP's rage at the media and Democratic politicians that has created this violent animosity toward them. Instead Cuomo and other Dems offer vague mealy-mouthed statements about the "divisive politics" and "overheated rhetoric." They act like they see no evil and hear no evil, and don't know all of this points to Trump. If the shoe were on the other foot, and GOP politicians and FOX News were mailed pipe bombs, Trump would be raging against the Democrats and practically lynching them. The Dems don't have to resort to his demagoguery, but to not even hold Trump responsible for creating this ugly national political climate is disgusting. I almost feel like not voting because such cowards don't deserve my vote.
10
@Lural
I disagree: I've listened to numerous CNN hosts and their paid pundits specifically name Trump as the number one culprit.
1
When you lie down with dogs, you might wind up with fleas - or other kinds of vermin.
The Republicans took a deep breath after the 2016 elections, and decided to embrace Donald J. Trump, for better or worse. They got their tax cuts, they got their Supreme Court judges, they got their way with no government oversight. They got the most corrupt administration in modern American history.
The bill is coming due. The monster is out of the cage; the well has been poisoned. Trump thinks he can get away with anything - he said it himself - so its foolish to expect him to moderate. His believers are starting to act on the words of their leader. Elected Republicans like their campaign money too much to reign in the madness, so the only hope is the ballot box.
The 2018 midterms may decide whether America takes a right turn into Fascism, or sets about the task of repairing the damage done.
Vote and encourage others to vote - for Democrats.
10
This is an alarm sounding about the state of our country.
This is a direct result of Trump promoting violence, demonizing people as "enemies," falsely accusing people of crimes & denigrating law enforcement & intelligence.
It's time for V. P. Pence, any sane members of Trump's cabinet & leaders in Congress (yeah, don't laugh) to get together & tell President Trump he must resign. That none of them will support him further.
Trump is a danger to this country. If he continues down this path we are heading to mass violence & possible civil war.
Trump will initially try to ameliorate this by claiming we must 'come together.'
But Trump will quickly resume calling his critics enemies & criminals. He will continue dangerously taking the word of dictators, butchers & oligarchs over our law enforcement & intelligence agencies.
Trump will continue to incite violence.
Trump's demonstrated he won't change, that he has absolute faith in his warped instincts.
We need Mike Pence, James Mattis, Jeff Sessions, Mike Pompeo, John Kelly, Mitch McConnell, Bob Corker, Paul Ryan & any patriot with a spine who serves democracy to gather, go to the White House & tell Trump he must resign.
Not doing so places democracy in jeopardy.
If the former presidents & diplomats & statesmen would join in, it would help. Bush, Clinton, Obama, Bush Sr., Carter, Colin Powell, Condi Rice, John Kerry.
Donald Trump is intentionally putting our stability & democracy at risk.
He's not worth it.
18
@fast/furious I completely agree. We have turned a corner and it is not good.
2
Every one of the so-called "bombs" have been determined to be inoperable and not explosive. Could it be a false flag attack? I don't know, but it is a possibility.
6
I hold Donald Trump accountable, for his rhetoric of extremism and hatred. This is the whirlwind our country is reaping for allowing his hateful, vengeful attitudes to continue.
56
@Jasmine Armstrong
I hope we let this go to trial rather than let it just die in rhetoric. This hyperbole thing is only hyperbolic if it's not true. I've looked into aspects of several forms of fascistic history, and Trump rings every bell. Ever herd of the American Liberty League? They loved the Sacre Bleu, France's Blue Shirts' style. But it went sour when Father Coughlin got run out of radio.
We do that, eventually. We do have our limits when it comes to stinking fascism. Are you feeling nauseous? Fascism does that to a moral person.
1
Today our President calls for unity. Two years too late, don't you think?
36
@Susan
He did so in the same cantor with lack of affect he uses when forced to read something his advisers insist upon. He sounds like a child being forced to recite an apology when he doesn't mean it. He will shortly blow this insincere attempt at civility to pieces for a few laughs at his rally. He's predictably autocratic.
2
@ Susan. I agree, especially given his double quips about “2nd Amendment solutions” and publicly asking the Russians to commit crimes that would help his campaign (and lo and behold, they took him at his word)! Add to that trump’s recent public admiration of candidates violently physically assaulting and intimidating members of the press who ask serious questions.
T
Will be interesting (platitude) to find out if this attempted mass murder of center/left leaders and press was entirely home-grown, or aided and/or created and undertaken by foreign actors or at their direction. Russians? Saudi Arabians? Chinese? Third or forth party actors doing their bidding? Or just “ordinary” cult of the right wing / nazi/ white suprems trying to stir up acrimony and hate and division, just as they do by sending their white ski n head and other ilk into more diverse communities and events supporting those communities just to stir trouble and incite race-based violence. In other words, acting in the Least patriotic way.
Whoever you/they are: you failed. And even if you were able to kill and mame our fellow Americans , we Americans are stronger than that. The first meaningful word in our name is UNITED and, save the relatively small gangling of mentally-disturbed separatists, we stand with our neighbors, whether they vote D, R, L, G or snufulupagis.
That said, it may be late and it might be somewhat disingenuous, but I for one welcome mr trump’s remark condemning the attempt.
1
We are spiraling towards full-blown fascism. The funnel cloud is forming. How Trump responds to today's news will tell us how close it is to touching down.
28
We all know what Trump would say if the bombs were directed at the White House and the Republicans, but I digress.
30
Just think about all those men and women during World War II who fought and who died for our country. What would they do if they could see what electing Donald Trump president has done to our country. I think they would have dropped down their guns and come home. What was the point?
30
@Wally Wolf
We'll always have the last half century? I've never been to Paris. Or Vienna. But I been to Arizona. They tell me I was born there, what does it matter?
1
If Edward R. Murrow was a sovereign state, I suspect it would consider itself engaged in another world war. News organizations must stop their own egregious attacks on respectable journalists and the institution of journalism, and disengage from the low bar of profits first before journalistic integrity. Unfortunately, it seems they have no clue where to begin or how to go about doing it.
4
I am currently reading In The Shadow of Statues by Mitch Landrieu, former mayor of New Orleans. He was a state congressman in Louisiana when David Duke, former grand wizard, ran and won a house seat. Landrieu describes Duke's campaign and his racist dog whistles and his belief in white supremacy. Then he goes on to say how Duke's campaign and dog whistles are eerily similar to Trump's campaign and dog whistles.
We have a president who takes his playbook from one of the most violent organizations that ever stained the United States. Trump oozes violent rhetoric. Things won't get better until Trump learns some decency (won't happen) or he's voted out of office.
18
Maybe those who typically abstain from elections will now shed their collective indifference and vote before the "Culture War" that was invoked at the 1992 Republican National Convention turns brutal and bloody.
21
It seems the hate and barbaric tendencies that Trump continues to rev-up in his WWF/MAGA arena have left the ring and have come to the local mailboxes of former opponents as real, life threatening bombs. This is no longer rhetoric, it's real, it's sick and it's a significant decline in American civility. I fear for our future.
VOTE BLUE November 6!
29
If Republicans retain the House and Senate, the consequences for some Americans ... bad. But consequences for the rest of the world ... really really bad!
Do you really think that the hard-right rhetoric will be limited to within the US? Look at what is happening in the UK and Australia ... supposed beacons of liberty in the West.
If Republicans hold-on to both the House and Senate, Trump (and America) will start acting with greater impunity on the world stage ... arm-twisting smaller countries ... they clearly do want to break-up the EU.
And look at Khashoggi's brutal murder in a consulate (yes, in a consulate!) to see how it has emboldened Trump's allies ...
Americans are not able to rid themselves of Trump. The world needs to wake-up!
14
This is beginning to feel like the worst parts of the 1960s. I remember the frustration, anger, helplessness and hate that divided the country. From the weathermen to Nixon to Johnson the ideas of intolerance and division were preached. The same thing is happening now with Trump as the chief cook and bottle washer. His desire and penchant to preach hatred of others, division, intolerance, bigotry and violence are coming home to roost. We need to be careful though that we don't attribute these actions and attitudes to all Republicans. Many Republicans are just as appalled by these bomb attempts as any Democrat. The only way out of this is for public pressure to force Trump and the right wing media to moderate their speech. If you look at history you see that what's happening in this country is the way that fascism started in Italy and Germany before WW II. We don't need Trump as a dictator. Time to vote and to express your fear and disgust by contacting anyone in government you can think of and letting them know exactly how you feel about this.
9
" In these times we must come together; we must unify." Says the one who has been hurtling insults at all those who ultimately received pipe bombers.
Just unbelievable that DJT doesn't believe he has had any part in the whole thing.
22
@LJB
That was the same insincere, forced to read this by my advisers tone he used for Charlottesville and other events he doesn't relly mean to address. He seems incapable of being unifying. It is foreign to him.
4
Until Trump stops his endless lies about his political adversaries, Until he stops advocating, condoning and even celebrating attacks on them, until he puts an end to his inflammatory attacks on the media, any expression of condemnation from him, any call for "unity", is blatant hypocrisy.
His rhetoric, the consequences of which can be seen in these terroristic attacks, is undermining the very foundations of democracy in the USA.
12
Honestly, is there any doubt that these people and places are being targeted because of "right-wing ire"? Do you have to ask? Of course it is--I myself have been waiting for this. Please.
And they are, in fact, an attack on our democracy itself, because if this is how we are going to treat disagreement, then we are dead already. Thank you, Republican politicians who have aided and abetted this minority president, who spends all his time inciting violence at rallies.
13
Did you conspiracy news media puppets not see the CNN pictures of the pipe bomb? The bomb was laying on a table next to the large envelope it was sent in through the post office. #1) When the police find a bomb, they do not let journalists or any one else get close to it. The police take the bomb to a safe place and either detonate it or take it to a safe lab to take it apart to se who built it. #2) The envelope had 8 first class stamps on it and the stamps were not canceled by the post office. This bomb was hand delivered to CNN, not sent through the mail as we are being told. There is something else going on that we are not privy to.
5
Maybe you should have read the article as it explains this?
4
Settle down there, cowboy. How about you head on back over to /r/The_Donald and have your mom bring down a fresh Mountain Dew.
3
This is the work of the stochastic terrorist, the President of the United States, and his right-wing minions.
His constant fear-mongering, repeatedly casting the press as the enemy of the people, his criminalization and 'othering' of his opponents with the incessant lies, his unmooring of our discourse from truth and reality and simple decency, his calls for violence.
All of this from the most prominent bully pulpit of all- the Office of the American President. He's worse than the most egregious of the mad mullahs that this country has targeted as terrorists.
Thanks to his voters for bringing us to this point. Thanks to the media enablers who covered him sympathetically, chasing mammon. Thanks to his fellow plutocrats, now owners of the once-great, now thoroughly corrupted Republican Party, chasing, in their never-ending greed, more tax cuts and ever more power.
So, this is how the Republic dies. A failed real-estate developer. A reality-TV star. A wannabe fascist. A fool and a demagogue.
22
This is "stochastic terrorism" prompted from the top by Trump's white supremacist rhetoric and actions. He potentiates those two standard deviations from the norm, the Breiviks and Roots.
4
Don't like the direction the country is going in? Vote!
12
Is anyone really surprised at this turn of events?
The Republicans are a “hate cult” : Hate the poor, hate the weak, hate the “others” who are a different color, hate the truth hate decency and respect,
Their leader preaches this at every rally, in every tweet.
Hitter used the same tactic to rise from a lowly house painter to the highest office and then to be the architect of death for millions. He ultimately destroyed his own country and people.
Hate is very strong emotion and can mobilize people to do horrendous deeds. But it turns its ugly head back to destroy it’s followers.
SO- What goes around comes around. I have to believe this to sleep well at night.
Peace. Out.
10
Donald Trump has known since the election, of his dog-whistle power to incite violence by conservatives. A large number of them find it to be acceptable if used against political opponents. Yet, he continues to not-so-subtly give them the message that such violence is okay.
When does it stop?
Trump: I could 'shoot somebody and I wouldn't lose voters'
By Jeremy Diamond, CNN
Updated 12:03 PM ET, Sun January 24, 2016
https://www.cnn.com/2016/01/23/politics/donald-trump-shoot-somebody-supp...
6
While many of us blame Trump - with very good reason - and the weaselly GOP who enable him, lets remember that their deep, deep pocket benefactors are even now running ads that fan the flames of hatred and fear. Yes, Kochs, Adelson, Mercers, Coors, Waltons and the rest of gang, you have responsibility for this as well. Your dark money PACs are behind a great deal of the advertising that paints Democrats as enemies coming to get Trump. Today, the rabid mob may be coming for Democrats, but don't rest easy. When they discover the bill of goods you have been pedaling for decades is rancid, you may be next.
Lie down with dogs, get up with fleas.
15
@nora m
Dogs never turn on their owners, even when starved and abused. It is in the nature of dogs and authoritarians to kick down and kiss up. Authoritarian personality traits were the single strongest predictor of who would vote Trump. Sure, the Kochs and Mercers treat their dogs poorly, but those dogs will still sic anyone they tell them to. And they will never growl at the one holding their leash.
Went to our good friends Fox News to see if they were covering this. To my surprise, they were.
Then I read the comments. Many believe this is a false flag operation to swing the election to Democrats. You can't make this stuff up.
12
@Dan - there have been hundreds of comments this week, on this site, claiming that the caravan of immigrants was organized by the right to gin up the base. Conspiracy theorists on both sides, with unfortunate access to social media.
2
@Dan
I bet half of what flies for twit at FOX is purely foreign manipulation. We stilll don't know who controls the 6% Prince Talal was forced to sell while under house arrest for a veery long time. Most likley, MBS holds those shares.
Those shares protect the Murdoch family from getting axed from the boards of their own business, but if they don't play well with MBS, he could sell their buffer shares to someone else.
Disney is about to re-iimagine both those kingdoms, so expect Hope Hicks to tell us all who owns what from the Magic Kindom's castle. I'm not making this up; it's our next American Horror outlet.
1
The responsibility for the mailed bomb packages lies directly at Trump's feet. He is the one who stokes hatred and division among us which is why enemies like Russia love him. Such is his confidence in his base and his success at the polls that my money is on him congratulating whomever is behind the mailings within the next week or so at one of his rallies for the faithful who have chosen to turn their backs on the truth and who embrace his message of white supremacy. Any words of condemnation from the White House and the president himself must ring hollow while the president himself is the one stoking the embers on the hatred and will likely crow about his success shortly.
8
What do you want to bet that Trump will never utter the words "domestic terrorism" in regard to this?
12
@Marilynn
I'll take that bet. I'm leaning toward him calling for an emergency state just like a classic fascist take over. We could take each others risk down a notch. If ONLY!
1
And we are supposed to be afraid of a caravan?
15
Trump: “There’s good people on both sides.” Maybe, but isn’t it strange how only one side is mowing down protestors in cars and planting bombs.
8
This is not an indirect result of Donald Trump’s rhetoric. It is a *direct* result of his repeated exhortations to violence, and it doesn’t matter who actually did it. If this were still America Donald Trump would be charged with incitement, tried and jailed.
12
Check out the comments on the Fox News website, as I just did. Most comments suggest the Democrats sent these bombs. (Really?) It still shocks me how the different sides of our political debate have entirely different views of reality. Reality is that we do not yet know who did this.
6
“Acts or threats of political violence of any kind have no place in the United States of America.” ... and if anyone is moved to assault that reporter at the back of the room, I'll pay his legal expenses. (but Trump never fulfills his promises to pay anyone)
5
Seriously nothing happened. And please evacuate the Time Warner building? They are not even calling what was delivered bombs. They are calling them potential bombs. So they can’t explode as sent. If it can’t explode it’s not a bomb. It is a political stunt.
5
@Jim for reasons of safety they did detonate the device that was received at the Soros home. So there is that. It did blow up after all.
2
Thank you to Bill de Blasio for calling this what it obviously is, of course—a series of terrorist attacks. So many on the right these days claim proudly that they are not “politically correct,” but when it comes to right-wing terrorism (which, last time I saw the numbers, was the most common type of terrorism on American soil) they are suddenly so hesitant to use that “T” word.
4
Just heard Pelosi and Schumer blaming Trump for this terrorist attack. Really? I'm not a Republican or a big fan of Trump--but it is comments like these that are so politically motivated that are driving the hate that is present in our country. Comments like these do nothing to bring us together as one nation but only divide us further.
5
Nonna, who has incited hate and violence for 2 years!!???
1
I think it's disgraceful that the media is trying to pin this on a Trump supporter when there are so many other just as likely possibilities. The first to come to my mind is the Russians and their efforts to sow discord. The second is a false flag attack, such as many racist attack incidents which turned out to be the works of the victims.
3
Overheard in a convenience store around noon today, one deli worker to another:
"Did you hear they mailed bombs?"
"To who, Trump?"
"No, Hillary Clinton."
"Oh, that's OK then."
Words have consequences, and this incident couldn't make it clearer that Trump's words, the right-wing media's words, are actually poisoning the minds and hearts of people, thereby creating a toxic environment for all. I was only glad that there no children around to hear this chilling exchange.
8
The terrorists threatening our country are internal and home-grown. They are not the poor people trying to migrate here from Central America. Is Trump going to blame these acts on the Caravan?
4
This should be fairly easy from here. The FBI can lift latent fingerprints and DNA from the unexploded material at CNN. From the FBI you can run, but you can not hide. Obviously, there is a record of his fingerprints in one of the enormous databases they keep. Given the M.O it is likely this is not the first time. Plus
2
This is not a reflection of a lack of civility or a difference of opinion. Over the past 30-40 years the Republicans have deliberately refused to work in the interests of the country. They deliberately have undermined and blocked efforts of Clinton and Obama and when controlling Congress deliberately undercut any bipartisan efforts. Read "It's Even Worse Than It Looks" by Ornstein and Mann (a conservative and a liberal). They note the media has been part of the problem by not calling out this hostility by the Republicans.
This chasm and hostility toward the American people peaked in 2016 with the election of trump; his supporters and he are openly incendiary in their words and their actions. They are and they encourage white supremacists. These pipe bombs are just the latest manifestation of the trump behavior and of his 1930s era rhetoric. "Blood and Soil." Ted Cruz shouted to the crowd lock him up when referring to Beto O'Rourke. Putin is proud.
We need to behave as though we are all citizens of the United States, in a common enterprise. The right, especially trump and his minions, attack verbally and physically (trump encourages physical assault at every gathering) (e.g. the Proud Boys, the Charlottesville mob). Rush Limbaugh is blaming the Dems for the bombs. I am sure FOX and Alex Jones won't be far behind. That will be the message promoted.
It's not a question of civility is it? It's a question of fascism unleashed. Democracy is in peril.
10
This violence, directed at Trump’s biggest nemineses, is a direct result of his vile baseless attacks on them during his rallies. A direct line can be drawn from these attacks to him. He incites violence increasingly. His rhetoric has made it okay for troubled people to commit these acts of violence. He is a deeply vile man who should not be president. Where are the condemnations from the GOP? They are truly the party of trump and they must be voted out!
5
The intelligence community needs to find the culprits behind these attempts asap. I am concerned that whoever did this maybe looking for weak links and next time maybe able to by pass the security checks and accomplish their objective of creating terror. Welcome to Trumpian America folks!!! If democrats don't take the house in November, expect more of these news next year with horrible headings.
2
Wow who benefits from this?
Shouldn't that be one of the first questions asked?
Democrats have had diving participation in the last 2 weeks. Now would the bombs benefit republicans or harm them? Would the bombs benefit democrats or get more of them to vote?
Why can't democrats bother to ask themselves this?
Oh that's right, they can't! Their masters don't want them to think for themselves!!
Who thinks this was done by as democrat and/or someone at cnn for attention and media coverage?! Just question, not an accusation, or are democrats allowed to think or ask for themselves ?!
7
@Brian Fraiser
I don't believe a Democrat would do this - there would be too great a risk of actually hurting a party VIP. Unless the person is simply crazy, which is possible.
I don't think your question is unfair, however. In the same vein, a lot of us are wondering if the timing of this caravan heading north from Central America is a coincidence. No one seems to be able to point to a convincing explanation for what set these people on the road right NOW, and it does look like a big gift to Trump and Co. in the mid-terms.
The other reason I don't think a Democrat did this is that it's all people Trump himself has targeted for verbal abuse at his "rallies." (So childish, for a sitting president to keep having rallies for himself.)
That really tells you something. Like Trump, these people look backwards. Why target Obama and Clinton and various officials of former administrations? They're out of power and won't be in power again. The far right nurses its grievances the same way Trump does, and behaves just as irrationally, motivated by sheer hatred as far as I can see.
Whoever did this seems to be quite simply a Trump puppet.
3
@DW I disagree. It was specifically noted that the bombs were non-operable. Why would a Trump puppet do this? This doesn't help the Republicans AT ALL. Everything about this smells fishy.
Trump's goal has been to diminish or obliterate Democracy and create a dictatorship. His base wants that, too. They want to see those who disagree with them killed. Let's not soft-pedal this: It is no wild coincidence that these acts have risen up as Trump yells and screams his hate across the country. This is not some fringe element, it is Trump's base. A base whom 20 percent of said they disagreed with freeing the slaves. This is a large, hateful group, that killed a person in Charlottesville, that sent bombs, and are proud of it. In addition, they're trying to stop blacks from voting; and McConnell is trying to take away your Social Security and Medicare. They hate you and me and many would like to kill those who disagree with Trump's plan.
4
How do Mitch McConnell, Orrin Hatch, Lindsay Graham and all the other apologists for this dangerous president live with themselves when day after day something he says or does causes such outrageous and damaging harm to our country?
Was the tax cut really worth it? Shame on them all.
VOTE
13
What a despicable sub headline to describe despicable acts. “…favorite targets of conservatives, with some of the attacks led by President Trump.” I don’t recall similar headlines implicating Schumer or Pelosi, let alone Bernie Sanders, when Steve Scalise and other GOP congressmen were shot by a Bernie Sanders supporter. These are acts of a sick individual. There is enough invective on both sides of the aisle and all of these politicians need to stop and realize that nothing good comes of such talk.
4
The sub headline is completely accurate.
2
This is who they are. Respond by driving reasonable people to the polls.
6
I certainly hope the FBI does a more thorough investigation with this than with the Kavanaugh appointment!
15
@Jeffrey
OMG, did McGahn leave before they monkeyed with another Business Plot? I wouldn't put it passed them. Actually, I'd prefer Jamie Dimon to Trump right now, that's how low this has gotten us.
1
trump promised that he 'alone can fix it.'
From what I see, trump's impulses to say things that provoke disunity, his inciting his base to punch people out and attack 'fake news,' and his appreciation of body slamming reporters and opponents has caused much of the division in the country.
I'll be interested in seeing whether he does anything to 'fix it' at his upcoming rallies, but I am not holding my breath.
8
As a foreign observer i have only been waiting for this to happen. The agressive tone in your country, did not start with Trump, but he has certainly made things worse., and i suspect worse to come in the coming months, years..
Vote Nov 6 and prove to yourselves and your children that there is some decency left in the US.
21
There is a direct, straight line between Trump's rhetoric and this sad state of affairs, notwithstanding what the masters of false equivalency are already trying and will try to make us believe.
8
Fear is the foundation of power. Stoking fear before an election is brilliant. How many stories in today's news cycle are based on fear? Where does the fear mongering start? Think about it.
1
Posting details on how dangerous packages are spotted and flagged during mailroom inspections or by the Secret Service only explains to those who would commit such acts of terrorism in the future how to get their packages to victims without raising suspicion.
Remove any details on how the packages were identified as threats.
1
So this is what it's come to. One political party targeting the opposition with murder. I doubt all these former Democratic leaders and CNN and all the other favorite Trump punching bags at his rallies were targeted in a coincidence. Every single one has been critical of Trump.
Either Putin is really paying attention to our political situation which is not unlikely or some right wing extremist decided to act alone, or with some help from his friends.
Calling for civility doesn't save lives especially with GOP silence, but voting does. If there was ever a signal to act on November 6, this would be it.
6
PsyOp: "operation to convey selected information and indicators to audiences to influence their emotions, motives, and objective reasoning"
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psychological_operations_(United_States)
In other words: An operation undertaken by a political party (democrat) in order to influence election (midterm in two weeks). The operation seeks to undermine the opposing party (republican) by conflating them with crazy pipe-bomb makers and murderers.
In this case, it is a sign of desperation as recent polls indicate the "blue wave" has turned into a "purple ripple".
2
It is difficult to believe that these are actually bombs as none of them exploded. Perhaps they were delivered by the radical left knowing that blame would instantly be placed on the far right. Anything is possible in the current political climate.
9
This leads me to believe the DNC was involved.
3
@Aaron Adams, agreed. Didn't take me a full minute to think that, as well.
@Aaron Adams Agreed. Everything about this sounds beyond fishy.
Finally, Trump recognizes that inciting violence is a bad idea, after making encouraging comments on the election trail.
There have been and will always be violent people in any society. But a president worthy of the name doesn't encourage them.
Since this article was written, Eric Holder and Maxine Waters also received suspicious packages.
In this country, violence from any part of the political spectrum is unwanted, unwarranted and hopefully punished severely.
2
President Trump, this is a face saving opportunity to walk back the demonization of your fellow Americans who just happen to disagree with your political positions (many of which you used to agree with, just a decade ago). We would really appreciate it and it would move American toward being great again.
2
Sad this occurred but was expected considering the rhetoric coming from the top. Let just hope fbi catches the perps quickly. Even when/if the perp is apprehended due to solid police work a sizable portion of the electorate will utilize every conspiracy theory in the book to dismiss and ultimately justify these terrorists.
During the election I told friends and family our government is going to have to put down a small though not insignificant rebellion in the not too distant future (anyone remember the Oregon sanctuary seizure? Name Bundy come to mind?).
Rest assured the rebellion will involve some white supremacist anti government or militia with highly trained current or former military personnel. Oklahoma City is inspiration for these folks.
The night of the Republican convention I filled out my pistol permit paperwork-the night of the election I submitted it.
The way this president is stoking white resentment I deem it best to be prepared vs lucky.
Trump is to blame for inciting violence and encouraging his followers to view the media and those that have opposing views as the enemy.
4
I never want to hear another word, not ONE more word, from a Republican or conservative about the anger, hate, and violence of the left.
13
You will. They have no shame.
It all started with Gingrich and Delay back in the 90s.
11
@DC
In the 1980s - all the way back to Reagan.
1
@DC
Winning over country? Yup.
Nixons southern strategy.
Listening to Trumps never ending hateful rhetoric, I am not at all surprised of this unfortunate development. Therefore, I believe that the investigation should start with Trump.
28
More and more, it feels like 1968, one of the most turbulent and traumatic years of my lifetime. I hope for the sake of America, that I am wrong.
7
In the midst of all the political rhetoric we should not forget one simple fact: These actions are crimes, committed by a criminal or criminals.
Until the perpetrators of these crimes are caught and punished, all of us are in jeopardy.
5
I am pleased with the number of folks who are refusing to make this a political football. Sadly however there are those who do so at every opportunity. To lay off the extreme acts of a fanatic onto an entire group of folks just leads to a like response. I was embarrassed when the shooting at this congressional ball game was attributed by some of my political view to an entire political opponent, and I am pleased to see that there are several folks who have indicated they are upset there are those who are doing the same running the other direction with this situation.
1
Maybe if the most senior Democrat at the time was advocating violence against political opponents, and having that view accepted and cheered by their supporters, it would have been justified to blame an entire group of people in the case of the baseball shooting.
1
Honesty, integrity and goodwill--there are reasons we hold these values.
2
This is such a sad incident in our country, but it is hardly a big surprise. When you have a president that attacks his opponents, and the news media and suggests that his opponents are thrown in jail and the media is the ‘enemy of the people’, it is only a matter of time before some disturbed person will attack political opponents, and the news media.
The president should be ashamed that his rhetoric has led to something like this.
May this be a time when we dial back the hatred and come together to catch and punish whoever did this.
17
I fear that one of these bomb packages is going to escape detection or careful examination and kill or maim someone.
4
@JA - I suspect they have no detonator, and no explosive inside. The FBI will soon let us know if this is the case.
3
@JA
That's likely the idea. Place pipe bombs that don't detonate, make an obvious right wing anti-Clinton/Obama statement, then tick-tock wait and place bombs that do detonate when everyone's guard is down.
Vote democratic please. The President and his GOP cronies have encouraged violence in an already disillusioned demographic. Their strategy is not to actually bolster their base with constructive moves, but to baffle them with loud, obnoxious, vicious hate against their democratic opponents. This has given way to physical actions against so many individuals and groups. Trump heads a group that seeks to break this great country apart.
To the GOP I ask, are you not Americans first any longer? To all republican voters I ask, are you not Americans first? Forget politics and partisanship, would you not support American citizens first? If you answer yes to all of these questions, I say show it by voting democratic this mid term and in 2020. Yes the Democratic Party is quite weak and leaderless at this point, but voting republican is selling your soul to the devil. After that don't pretend to belong to a democracy.
23
The enemy within. The greatest danger for our country comes from the fear and ignorance of it's own people, created and encouraged fby our so-called President and Republican party.
The Russians continue to celebrate.
24
Maybe Trump could start acting like a President at his rallies.
24
@Cowboy Marine
He honestly hasn't a clue. He's never tried to tell anyone they are equals in his eyes much less worth the real estate they were taking up. Everyone's a rube to him, look how the mighty have timbered by association.
This should be called terrorism, why we called it by different names? These terrorists should be persecuted to the full extent of the law.
22
With whatever flaws he had, when a woman said that “Obama is an Arab” Senator McCain responded: “No ma’am, he’s a decent family man and a citizen who I happen to have disagreements with...”
Trump at his recent rallies: “Lock her up” (Hillary), “CNN is the enemy”, etc. No surprises on bomb packages following a few days later.
I wish McCain was alive. I wish civility would be restored to this country.
Restore sanity. VOTE.
51
Contrast this headline with what Fox News has on their website: theirs reads "Obama, Clinton, Holder, Waters targeted with suspicious packages in frightening blitz."
NYPD confirmed that they were pipe bombs. Fox News still hasn't updated their webpage headline. And the comments are all about how this was Antifa and a conspiracy by Democrats due to the midterm elections.
Nothing about the right-wing Nutterratti of the Alex Jones variety that keep talking about Soros, Clintons, etc., to the point of a mantra, of how awful they are, New World Order, etc., when we know that wing nuts of any political stripe are easily triggered to do things.
22
The bombs were the talk of the Senior Citizens Center at lunch today. One of the guys spoke up and pointed out that "Democrats are against everything America stands for", at which point I lost my temper and gave him a earful.
What I didn't say was that this is the attitude that allowed Sherman to burn his way to Atlanta. This is the attitude that allowed Chivington to commit atrocities at Sand Creek. This is the attitude that killed four girls at a Birmingham church. This is the attitude that is tearing my country apart. First you demonize, then you can destroy.
59
Thank you very much for your comments at your meeting this morning. They were sorely needed!
1
@Mary,
Thank you Mary for standing up to these Trump bullies. Trump has created and propagated this violent environment in our country. His supporters are 100% complicit and reprehensible.
I hold Trump and his cultists supporters totally responsible.
Vote out the republicans and let’s restore democracy and civility in our country.
3
@Mary I'm mostly with you, but what's your beef with Sherman? He won the war for the Union.
We are so sick of this administration and the atmosphere it fosters! What are we going to do about it? VOTE!VOTE!VOTE!
28
A very large number of Republican congresspeople need to go on national television as a group and directly repudiate Trump’s hate-mongering and incitement to violence. They need to pledge not to entertain any legislation that Trump wishes to introduce until the rhetoric stops. They know very well that he is the prime culprit in this whole vile matter. If they don’t do this, they have no business being in government. Vote them all out!
24
War in the continuation of politics by other means.
Carl von Clauswitz
Are we there?
Lone wolf or donne & company?
12
If Mr. Mueller can pinpoint exact locations of computers in Russia and who used them to interfere with 2016 election, there's no doubt in my mind these TERRORISTS will be identified too!
8
Could this be the work of the ‘proud deplorables’ Hillary was referring to? This is a sad day indeed. Probably also a good time to remind fear-mongerers from the right that 99% of domestic terrorism in this country is perpetrated by our own citizens, not some rogue foreign actors as the GOP wants us to think.
12
@Physio
It is Ronald Reagan's true legacy, as well as Newt Gingrich's and Dennis Hastert's legacy, as well as George Bush's, John Boehner's and Mitch McConnell's legacy and Donald Trump's.
3
The premise here is pretty simple. Why complicate it. Trump incites violence and promotes fear induced hatred of anyone not right or white. In the meantime Putin disses America and is thoroughly enjoying the chaos he has rained down on democracy via his student of fascism. Once a country united we are now a country divided by false equivalencies as perpetrated and enabled by masters of division.
18
@Rick Beck. Now that Trump has a taste of power, he is well on his way to becoming just like his mentor Putin.
5
Talk about political incivility
The possibilities of the origins of these bombs are infinite and fascinating. But, as with most terroristic incidents (911, Seth Rich, Las Vegas) a patsy will be identified and the case will disappear. Bombings have occurred in America in the past, this is not new territory but, as they say: ‘who benefits?’ and what is the desired effect? Of course, Trump has never met an act of violence against the Dems that he does not applaud. Maybe he’ll need to declare Marshal Law prior to the midterms to keep us all “safe.”
4
Here's your excuse to shut down Trump's twitter account. It's a matter of homeland security. Words matter. Be careful when you go to the polls. Look out for one another.
17
Maybe tone down the rhetoric, Mr. President? Maybe actually listen to and respect people who disagree with you? I know, it's hard to be you. Without all the hateful, blaming, demeaning, and fear-mongering, there's not much "you" left, is there?
12
Republicans are convinced democrats are responsible for this. Truth is dead in America. We are headed for civil war. God help us.
15
@Eric,
Let’s be clear, there’s only one individual and one party who has been propagating violence, body-slamming reporters, and inciting violence at political rallies. Remember “punch them in the face. I’ll pay your legal fees.”
Trump, Gianforte, General Flynn, Donald Jr., Lewandowski have instigated violence and/or disseminated violent rhetoric.
Trump is destroying our country.
5
The Republicans are "shocked, shocked to find that gambling is going on here."
15
To all those spouting "the hatred comes from both sides of the aisle", give it a rest. The logical false equivalence is laughable when on daily basis the President condones beating reporters, and promulgates conspiracy theories that encourage the hatred and violence.
It starts from the top. Denials won't change the fact that the President is the apex of many of these problems.
Hoping our President will say something intelligent about the bombings.... oh never mind.
49
"we have to Unify". Be assured, those sentiments did not issue forth from the hate-mongering step-president currently degrading the office.
"We have to Unify". Unify in support of the rule of law for all.
"we have to Unify". View the hyperbole from an unhinged rabble-rousing, violence advocating, embarrassment of a president. Think instead "We are better than this".
"We have to Unify". Vote the republicans out of office who support the criminal acts of a debased politician.
14
So, does Senator Grassley get to tell the FBI who they can and can not interview in this matter?
I still can't get over that a US Senator was able to LIMIT FBI as to who they were allowed to interview.
43
@Tim Miltz He did no such thing. The FBI decided who to interview. Sadly, they never got around to Dr. Ford and her associates, lawyers, family and AirBNB guests staying in her house..who enter through a separate front entrance with a separate front hallway to the separate bedroom and ofifice.
For a woman who wanted a quick escape path...seems awfully odd to be putting up walls and hallways wiht separate entrances that don't provide an escape path when you run out of Xanax.
1
Poor America. It needs a change.
31
@P. Rasch Oh how I wish I could
"recommend" your letter a hundred times!
4
I hope the FBI is checking the TV and radio shows as well as the websites of Fox News, Limbaugh, Breitbart, and others to find out who is calling for bombing of Democrats because this sure sounds like a small group of neocon nuts have taken their cue from some conservative public figure. It was only a few yrs. ago that O'Reilly on Fox called for the killing of "an abortion doctor" I think in Kansas who was shot to death in his church a month or 2 later.
35
That's 6 rolls of the dice, by my count.
How long do you suppose it will be until America comes up snake-eyes?
7
On you Trump; on you. Start acting responsibly and stop stoking hatred. Your sin is "The sin of taking offence" and nothing, not even the holy Joe's at Liberty can get you off the hook.
29
Trump is to blame for these attempted murders. Trump keeps condoning violence against anyone who opposes him. Vote out Republicans to return us to Democracy. Ray Sipe
40
Oh well. In the next rally he attends, Trump will be back to insulting the Democrats and encouraging even more hate. He'll be first to refuse responsibility when a nutcase is successful in hurting someone. He says Democrats promote violence. He insults the weakest in society. He has zero empathy.
How sad, America.
31
What is the difference between a Saudi Prince urging that "something must be done" about an enemy of the people -- who happens to be a journalist -- and a US President urging that "something must be done" about the enemies of the people, the Clintons and CNN?
45
After over 20 years of far-right indoctrination by the likes of Fox News, it's a wonder that this type of terrorism doesn't happen more often.
As a method of right-wing distraction from the division they're constantly sewing, soon we will hear from the Foxbots about MS13 and Antifa. They are experts at spouting narratives of false equivalence.
29
I guess if 1) you repeat over and over again that the press is “the enemy of the people”, 2) encourage chants of “lock her up!” against a political opponent, 3) work tirelessly to point out and undo the many “flaws” of the former president, and 4)describe Dems and people who identify such as “mobs” - well then eventually someone who is part of this line of thought, and at least partly mentally deranged, will attempt attacks such as these.
Thank goodness no one was killed or maimed, from the time these instruments of death were dropped in the mail to the time they were discovered.
This is what happens folks when the president seeks to capitalize on and exaggerate our differences for the sake of political gain and consolidation of power. Sadly, the only thing surprising about this event is that it didn’t happen sooner.
38
Trump's behavior and rhetoric are one of the causes of this as is Fox news continual perpetration of falsehoods and outright lies. This is what happens when you publicly demonize and incite violence against those Americans who oppose Trump. and his Republican party.Congress needs to hold hearings and Trump needs be held accountable for his language and actions. I believe there are strong grounds for impeachment of the President.
29
In this month's Atlantic, Newt Gingrich crows about how he changed American politics from bipartisan cooperation to an all out war for power.
31
@Gene Ritchings:
"Politics is war by other means" [M. Foucault].
I do not understand all these comments. Nowhere in the article has anything been said that indicates that this is not the act of one or a few deranged individuals. The bombs and their distribution methods seem to be amateur productions. True terrorists would have created better bombs and a better delivery system.
Nowhere do I see any indication of any grand scheme by anyone other than the bomb-maker(s).
Why are you all screaming how awful it is? In crazy times, some crazy people will do things that might have awful consequences, but that doesn't make it an earth-shaking crisis.
Calm down. Wait for more information before coming to conclusions and getting upset.
13
@m.pipik,
I think that, leaving everything else aside, it's still awful even if it is just a lone individual.
I think it's also possible to see that in the context of the constant onslaught of rhetoric and news these days, people are understandably frayed.
3
So, you don't think it's terrible because the bombing attempts weren't successful?
What is a "true terrorist"?
Could it be that this terrorist wasn't successful because of "true" law enforcement, including the FBI, ATF, postal inspectors, local police etc.?
Steve Lindall
2
@m.pipik
Trump encourages violence then the violence is delivered (yes, even an unexploded bomb is violence). How is this not a crisis?
3
This surprises, or shouldn't surprise anyone. Trump, Fox News talking heads and GOP crazies in the House have been fomenting political violence in their cynical attempts to appeal to their "base." At this point the only cure for this dangerous rhetoric is a vote for Democrats on November 6.
25
Trump's calls for violence at his rallies are the cause of these attempted bombings. He has zealous followers who never doubt or criticize his words and actions -- they're simply following his numerous calls to violence, and his hatred of the Clintons, Obama and journalism in general. (Fox News is classified as "entertainment" by the FCC)
Trump's fans love guns. They cheer him on like unthinking rock-star groupies. They don't seem to think critically (except the wealthy individuals who benefited from the tax break).
They are zealots -- pick your group -- far right Christians, gun lovers, white supremacists, racists, xenophobes, sexists, sexual molesters, people who like violence for violence's sake -- these Trump fans have now become a danger to Americans.
And they have done so through Trump's encouragement. Perhaps they've always harbored these dangerous inclinations, but Trump's rhetoric has, in their minds, set them free to do as they wish.
They are American domestic terrorists and they must be stopped. The problem is who to turn to for help.
Trump's got a lock on the three branches of government, melding them into one, and they all agree with Trump. So much for checks and balances, law and the Constitution.
Perhaps the FBI. Trump doesn't like them much these days, but they may find these dangerous people. And all those not on the extreme right, take care with your incoming mail.
24
Trump REALLY needs to stop the hateful speeches. Even if these bombings were not influenced in any way by his hateful speeches, they could be, so he should stop, or we'll use the 25th Amendment to make him stop.
25
What happens next?
Predictably, Trump will mechanically denounce the bombing schemes in less than sincere tones. We will have to fact-check every word he utters, to find that predictably, most of them are lies.
Predictably, Congressional Republicans will promote the narrative that the bombs were not technically terrorism, and that Trump had nothing to do with it, and that he should not be held accountable.
Predictably, successful Republican candidates for Congress will lose their individuality and their minds when they get to Washington, and join together in collective defense of Trump regardless of what he says or does.
Predictably some voters will choose Republicans next month, and lend their support to the entire chain of lies, vitriol, corruption and immorality.
Unpredictable is just how many voters will actually choose Republicans.
The signs now are more urgent than ever. To reverse the trajectory toward America's dark, ugly side, you must get out and VOTE, for any candidate that is NOT REPUBLICAN.
Predictably, that will stop the Republican poison from spreading any further, and give us hope for a brighter future.
17
It would appear that our political division has hit a new level of anger. The danger of all of the harsh political rhetoric is that it will give license to acts of hatred.
Not a good time to be a mailman or a politician who speaks out against dear leader.
Think the FBI will be charged with another limited investigation?
14
Frightening, despondent and yet all too logical and predictable in light of our storm-ridden moral climate. Somehow, it appears as though there is an emblematic relationship between this and the heartbreaking tale of the man found in the car after a week. Or maybe I am just projecting.
2
We live in scary times. I am very afraid of what will happen in response to the midterms. Heartbreaking to see this happening in my country.
31
Blame the GOP-controlled Congress for this out of control *president who uses his platform to foment hate and division. They could have held a much tighter leash on him and still have gotten everything they wanted. They chose not to so that we could be distracted by his antics while they stacked the courts with rightwing hacks and cut regulations that kept us safer.
22
I am second to none in my disdain for Mrs. Clinton. Nevertheless, this is horrific. First a Republican senator is shot at a ball game. Now this. Folks, I do not care where you sit on the political spectrum. If we do not tone down the rhetoric and start to treat each other with respect, this will get worse, a lot worse before it ever gets better. I just pray no one is killed. This is our democracy, and I am now really afraid for its future.
19
If only POTUS learned to focus on ideological differences between conservatism and liberalism instead of magnifying problems that do not exist ("caravan is Democratic initiative and it contains MS-13 and mid eastern terrorists) and pinning them on democrats and media ("enemy of the people").
What is worse now is that Pence, Sanders and rest of Trump cabinets have also jumped on Trump's bandwagon of blatant and bizzare lies and deception.
To be fair, ultra progressives (altifa) need to scale back their identity politics and focus on issues.
7
@Assay - Republicans are the ones playing identity politics. Democrats just demand that everyone be treated equally.
3
@Assay
There are fewer than 2,500 Americans involved in the ANTIFA movement.
There are more than 2,500,000 Americans involved in White Supremacy movement.
Estimates range from 5 to 15 million Americans are tried and true MAGA ‘deplorables’.
To be fair, who is zooming whom ?
2
It seems a majority of commenters are falling for the psychological trap of this incident and becoming exactly what you claim to abhor. Instead of assuming the perpetrator is a Trump sympathizer before an investigation has even started lets all realize that this attack was stopped by men and women of various political leanings no doubt. Such swift judgement by the Left is the exact sentiment that foreign states manipulate on both political sides to cause today's chaos.
8
I agree with a large part of what you said, but let’s be fair-the rush to judgment happens on the left and the right.
Both sides assume guilt when the other guy is in trouble. We are all guilty of doing this (myself included).
1
@Trent
On the other hand, could you please explain to us just how "impressed" you are when it comes to Trump's "prompt and measured" response?
That was a trick question -- because there isn't a prompt and measured response from Trump that you can even refer to.
3
I consider it rather odd, 12 days, before the primaries, very odd idd.
8
@IJonah
I do not find the time odd at all. Trump has been visiting his base, fervently riling them up with divisiveness and rage.
6
@KLC I too find it odd. None of the bombs were operable. 1 of them was delivered to George Soros's mailbox? Um ok. Everything about this is fishy.
Is anyone really surprised at this? Trump is holding several rallies every single week whipping up his base into a frenzy. Hardly surprising that his people are taking him seriously.
46
So Trump has made America great again to his nationalist standards. Yes, America is sadly so "great" now that our former Presidents and other officials who have given lifelong service to this nation have to live in fear of pipe-bombs.
The caravan of 7000, south of our border, was supposedly, as per Trump, infiltrated by middle easterners (dog whistle- to be read as terrorists by Trump's base) and had to be feared. Unfortunately it looks like the real terrorists we are actually encountering are domestic ones that are of his making, right here.
Trump read his insipid statement and called the events as despicable acts, which they were, but didn't convey the serious nature of these incidents. On the other hand, both Mayor Blasio and Governor Cuomo called it as acts of terror, which is accurate and definitely much more appropriate given the people and organizations that were targeted, and it's timing barely two weeks before the elections. It was clearly meant to scare people who are speaking out and democrats from exercising their vote.
22
Pundits, especially on the right , will try and make the case for how culpable both parties are. No. We will not accept false equivalencies. There is one political party, the Republican Party, headed by one man, Donald Trump, that must be forced to acknowledge that their constant demonizing of any opposition or criticism is a straight line to the bombs being sent. Spend no more than fifteen minutes listening to Trump at his rallies and you will hear a man openly advocating for violence and jail for his political opponents.
We are now only one step removed from the 15 Saudis being sent to dispose of a journalist with whom the prince disagreed.
42
I believe Trump is expressing sharply negative & at times pro-violence in order to create the chaos that "only he" can solve. He is clearly not a President of ideals, caring & values. The solution ... a high percentage of Americans need to become activists working for a new politics of responsibility.
27
Everyone was wondering when Donald Trump (or more specifically extremist fringes affiliated with his Administration) would release an "October Surprise". Despite the denouncing of these cowardly acts, the fact these explosive devices have been planted in political organization, media, and opposition party individuals' addresses - and not one in the likes of FOX News, Republican Senators and House members, and major donors - smacks of a campaign of intimidation and thuggery. Let there be no mistake about the encouragement for such actions - Donald Trump's words of encouragement in the past two years (and before that time as well) coupled with actions of complicity and refusal to aggressively prosecute hate groups and internal (USA) domestic terrorism groups - is clear enough evidence to see these assaults upon liberty and peaceful political opposition as nothing but extremists. And I'll be more direct: extremists with the full silent blessing of the Trump Administration.
33
The bombs mailed, appeared to be placed by someone, hopefully they would be able to collect fingerprints from the envelopes and other stuff. Unfortunately, right wing extremists are on the rise. Although, November elections are coming up. The country could go either way; more reasonable, or right wing extremism.
9
The fact these bombs did not actually detonate until set off by authorities could indicate they were plants by someone hoping to cast suspicion upon "right wingers". In the current U.S. political climate anything is possible. As long as we divide, divide, divide, we will be conquered.
1
Shocked by Trump’s proper response. I was sure he’d say something akin to “those people are wrong, but so are the democrats” - his normal boilerplate response. He certainly holds some responsibility for inflaming the anger in his supporters. Rhetoric counts.
11
We'll see whether Trump is capable of behaving like a responsible adult at his next rally. I'm betting based on past behaviour that he will continue to be a liar, vicious and divisive. I'm guessing that he will blame the Democrats for the bombs as a false flag operation.
Based on the news accounts, it is clear that all the bombs were transported to their destination by the post office and then were intercepted because they looked suspicious. This is useful information for any would-be bomber -- one obstacle down (the post office) and one to go (the target's security.)
It was unwise to disclose the fact that the post office poses no obstacle in the delivery of the bombs. Releasing this sort of information seems inappropriate..
13
The article actually said that the BOMB SENDER added extra postage to avoid going to the post office, which might well have made it easier to identify him.
Capitals added to underscore the attempt to make the Times into the bad guy.
Our president routinely whips his followers up into a foam of vitriol.
Now he’s out as a proud nationalist. I suspect it’s one of his hate-filled fanboys - some white power kid who wants to impress his leader.
Very dark times indeed.
47
You cannot construct a straighter line than the one that goes from the mailer of these packages to the encouraging-to-violence language of the President of the United States.
Justice begins on November 6!
68
It’s pretty straight, yes, but that is a LOGICAL line, not a factual one. Seems to me we’ve had quite enough of leaping to judgment to score points in these parts.
2
Even when Trump appeals for unity, it is not a genuine appeal. He lied so much day in and day out, it is hard to believe in what he says. He does it as if he needs to do for political reasons.
17
This is happening when the economy is doing reasonably well and we're not at war. What's going to happen when the economy tanks and/or we're facing a foreign policy crisis?
16
I've duly noted that Trump hasn't used "terror" as a descriptor of this event in any of his comments.
I'm sure it has nothing to do with the political party of the intended targets, no doubt just an oversight.
28
No matter who is behind these bombs — the context and atmosphere that this abhorrent incident occurs within is a direct result of Trump’s sick and ongoing incitement to violence. This is on his head and the shameful Republicans who enable him.
45
With the constant and historic vituperative and hateful remarks and comments of Trump's speeches and tweets, why should this, or anything similar, be a surprise.
Bombing and burning by the forebears of Trump's most rabid supporters are still remembered...
16
......and now all the political “analysts” will talk about whether or not these “bombs” will help or hurt democrats or republicans in the mid term.
8
"Acts or threats of political violence of any kind have no place in the United States of America."
This from the person who suggested that "2nd Amendment people" might find a way of dealing with a Clinton presidency.
52
So did anyone make the connection that the USPS would’ve of delivered all at same time if mailed by 1 person from 1 spot ... has to be multiple people working together to have things arrive when they did. Also ... all are duds ? The minuscule chance of that being the case is crazy small ... something smells .... something isn’t adding up ....
my 2 cents
8
It's very fishy. I hope this will be solved very quickly. Many will be surprised who the culprits are.
2
Russians further dividing us?
2
They weren’t duds and most of them were intercepted before delivery. Read the article!
2
This is truly a sad time, for a sad country.
I'm liberal but yet, I am relatively tempered in my talk of the other side, for I know that many liberals are just as bad in their behaviors...just as bad in their stubborn viewpoints...just as unyielding...just as judgemental.. and that both are simply two sides of the same coin.
But now with this...it's truly scary that Trump is stirring up such unquestioning loyalty from a good number of his followers. However, one more thing that we liberals need to remember, and understand is that...so long as we behave as childishly and judgementally as them, and simply label Trump supporters are this or that, it only gives them more resolve. They will only hate us all the more.
We can't expect or ask the other side to be less stubborn....we can't expect or ask the other side to try and consider other viewpoints (i.e., our viewpoints) if so many of us refuse to do the same for them.
I think we've gotten to the point where I and more Dems are read to leave our own party.
5
It’s one of the main reasons I left.
Democrats often do the exact same things they complain about Republicans doing. There is little self-awareness at times and it is frustrating and doesn’t help our side.
Now I’m a center-left Independent. Starting conversations with those with differing views from this perspective (that I’m an ex-Democrat who still supports many of their views), and making sure I’m clear that I am genuinely interested in trying to understand their views, makes conversation with the other side slightly less tense, and gets things started on a better footing.
1
Trump has certainly inflamed anti-liberal hate rhetoric recently, just look at his praise for a GOP candidate who body-slammed a reporter.
Today he comes out to vehemently denounce these bombs.
Why he didn't sit on the news is obvious to me. He knows the divide he has created may lead to a bomb for bomb escalation, and he knows he is hated by many capable, ingenious bomb builders.
Apparently, the stakes of the national divide are reaching new levels of activism. Is Trump actually smart enough to start mounting tamping down rhetoric? Don't count on it.
9
I see that Trump who normally fires off tweets on the most banal subjects is virtually silent on these despicable acts. But then the targets weren't 'his people', were they?
14
@Suzanne Wilson That was Eric Holder talking about "his people," not Trump.
... do we have enough LOVE left [and right]
to STOP the hate-mongering and the haters,
AND make them change their hearts & minds?
it will take passion, patience and perseverance.
but if we fail ...
6
I think it will also require a change in the current leadership. Trump frequently condones violence against the media and others during his rallies.
20
I am profoundly grateful that Mr. Soros, Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, and CNN reporters have not been injured as well as all the other innocent people who would have been caught in any explosion.
Trump's rhetoric has been extreme and has ramped up recently. Republican candidates around the country have used similar language and insults as have other right wing people.
Demonizing your political opponents, targeting those who are black, female, or Jewish, has consequences.
Please vote. The only recourse we have to stop this kind of domestic terrorism as well as the emboldening of authoritarian attacks on journalists and minority groups is to restore American values to where they were just a few short years ago.
Sen. McCain did speak eloquently. That was a past Republican Party that has probably disappeared forever. Its legacy is being stained and corrupted.
Nov. 6th. Please vote.
57
Being an ex investigator, It seams strange to me that 4 devices, according to CNN, were mailed to four different people and all arrived to the intended recipients within the same 24 hour time period, even though they were in different parts of the country. It is also strange, the it happened right before the election. We should all be thankful that none of the devices went off, but you would think one of them would have maybe destroyed a mailbox to get peoples attention. But that did not happen either.
If this was done by a right wing extremist, it would surely affect the republican vote and probably increase the Democratic vote. So I am not sure this would be what a right wing extremist would want at this time....
If it was done by a Left wing extremist, it would help increase awareness and bring more democratic voters to the polls. Investigators must also look into this logic as strange as it may be.
Maybe we should wait for the forensics first to see where they lead the investigators. It would be a shame to affect the election, especially if we do not know who is really to blame.
Then again there is always plan B. We could blame the Russians...
13
@Another Perspective Your 'perspective' is to turn this event around so that the Democrats could experience a benefit at the polls. Nowhere do you mention this POTUS's unforgiveable, ridiculous rhetoric at his rallies. Just days ago, Trump extolled the representative who 'body-slammed' a journalist as 'my type of guy.'
So while you spin your cynicism towards the left, do not for one second think that the POTUS and the enabling GOP are faultless angels. They are cowards, talking big, robbing the middle class by lining their pockets, and blaming the left 'mob' while stoking the flames of their base.
2
You are assuming these are rationally thinking people. It’s possible, but all avenues need exploring.
Maybe this is the wake up call we need to finally look at “the other” as more than that. Stop labeling and find common ground (and courtesy) with those with different backgrounds and ideas.
@Another Perspective As an ex-investigator you might give thought that if this terrorist was planning to have all the pipe bombs arrive on the same day he/she could just take the mailing or shipping schedules into consideration and send them off at different start times so that they would all arrive with the same 24 hour period-- which in and of itself is a large window. In addition, we have no idea how many are still in transit and may arrive tomorrow.
Nor is it strange that it would happen before an elections when passions are inflamed and someone who believes that ballots aren't enough might take matters into their own hands. Seems to me that the objective was to hurt or kill some very specific people, not sway voters.
Finally as to why they may not have gone off? Lunatics are seldom competent people, thank God.
Sorry folks, but thanks to Trump, we have reached the point where we are now a banana republic, on our way toward one party rule. There is no turning back.
23
@Plato-District 22 This is sadly exactly what it looks like from here. I've had fantasies about returning since I left 9 years ago. Now, not a chance. I see a Senate which I envision will pass law to make elections optional; a House which can do nothing but make demands of other branches and be laughed at - because, after all, whom does the House represent but the hoi-polloi? I dread even if the Democrats take power in 2 weeks, what will happen when they try to subpoena documents. We all know now who has the real power, and who will never ever give it up.
6
@Plato-District 22
That is only true if you elect not to vote.
It would not be a surprise if the Fake President at his next "rally" suggested that a Democratic supporter, or supporters, were responsible for these explosive devices, in a desperate partisan attempt to create a false narrative assigning blame upon himself and his supporters. This is, after all, a person with no moral boundaries, no conscience, and certainly no impulse control.
41
@John Grillo
"a Democratic supporter, or supporters, were responsible for these explosive devices, in a desperate partisan attempt to create a false narrative assigning blame upon himself (Trump) and his supporters"
The above suggestion is exactly what a non-partisan independent observer would theorize. It is in fact the rational conclusion to make. Your belief that such a suggestion has "no moral boundaries, no conscience, and certainly no impulse control" is laughable.
Another Perspective (two comments above yours) does the analysis for you.
The relentless tweets, the angry and fear-inducing rants at rallies, and the Us Vs Them rhetoric sprayed out from the White House does nothing but encourage and incite the "fringe" element. That element is growing by the day, and empowered by the President* and the Majority Party, who do little to rebuke the divisiveness, and in most instances, feed it with silence.
So, forgive me if the statements that " we cannot tolerate these cowardly acts" ring hollow and less than sincere. For 2+ years all we've heard is calls to "lock her up" and to distrust any news medium that doesn't parrot and praise what the Administration* is touting that during that week's episode. To suddenly be surprised and appalled that there are some that would act on those calls is naive and irresponsible.
56
This starts at the top and trickles downward.
38
@Dolly Patterson,
This is the real "trickle down".
Only two weeks after Khashoggi was cut to pieces while still alive, Trump says that a senator who physically attacked a reporter was "my kind of guy." Trump said he "fell in love" with Kim Jong-un, the guy who had his own uncle killed with an anti-aircraft missile and also had his own brother killed. Putin has been poisoning ex-spies and reporters for a few years now. Trump admires these men.
Now Trump says there is no place for political violence. He could start by not "falling in love" with dictators or doing real estate business with them.
76
I'm not prone to quoting scripture, but it seems appropriate here: "They have sown the seed ind, and they shall reap the whirlwind. "
It's only a matter of time before someone gets killed. Then what?
20
Do we really expect anything different when the rhetoric from President Trump debases the media, heaps insults on Obama and attacks his formal rival, Hillary Clinton? The top sets the tone and everything from there trickles down.
If you chant, 'lock her up' enough times there will be somebody who will actually physically attempt to do just that.
55
There is a great disconnect- the nation is rattled with these bombings, and right now, trump is talking about the opioid crisis. I’m especially disturbed by the hail to the chief they played and the prolonged clapping for trump by the staged audience - how tone deaf and very Kim. I did like it when Melania said president Clinton. That felt nice to my ears.
12
When Trump stood at one of his rallies and advocated someone hit a protester , the result was inevitable . The constant demonizing rhetoric of democrats , CNN , liberals , has led to these acts . I fear this is only the beginning . What was once unacceptable has become the norm ; as long as Trump continues to incite the mob we will see more and more escalating mindless violence .
51
This event may be similar to the one of Kavanaugh. That may be democratic party's plot.
4
I hate to be a doom-sayer, but I do think we should all be very careful over the next few weeks. Bombs are tricky but guns are easy and widely available. Trump's paranoia is at an all-time high and this is when he is most frenzied about inciting his fan base toward acts of violence. Be aware of your surroundings.
45
Well, this is certainly an elephant-in-the-room story. I doubt that many Republicans will tackle it head-on. I have found that Republicans will invariably sink into obfuscation or outright lies when confronted with defending the pary’s most indefensible positions. They will usually fall into red-herring or straw-man arguments over the minutia of obscure issues. Here the obvious issue is whether Trump’s inflammatory rhetoric is the root cause of these rerroist attacks. But, like I said, I doubt many Republicans will tackle the issue head-on. At best, they’ll brush this off as “fake news,” a position that is quite easy to refute.
15
Just because Trump is not behind these bombing attempts, he is not relieved of the responsibility for them. He appeals to the right wing loonies on purpose, eggs them on on purpose, and owns their responses, on principle.
18
Sorry to say it, but it's just the beginning. The extreme right is on the ascendancy and it's armed to the teeth. Their opponents, according to the president, are "evil." Please don't say "let's not politicize" this. It's overtly political and it's politically motivated. The endless flow of toxic rhetoric ("lock her up!") is enough to push a troubled soul over the edge.
29
The unfortunate working folk -- post office employees, etc -- delivering these bombs are also very much at risk, as they have no sophisticated detecting devices such as the ones in the Congressional mail facility.
14
As Gomer Pyle used to say, "Surprise, surprise, surprise!" After vilifying his enemies in insulting and ominous tones, Mr. Trump bears moral responsibility for the violent actions taken by his sympathizers. He has encouraged violence at his rallies, he has demonized his opponents of all stripes, he has scapegoated minorities, he has mocked the disabled, and he has painted Democrats as enemies of the "real" America that supports him without question. This was a sadly predictable result.
68
Agreed. I used to think Trump's actions were just those of a hapless dope who instinctively tapped into the fear, ignorance and hatred of his supporters. Now I believe I underestimated the depravity of the man. Today's news is the near culmination of all his calculated efforts - Make America hate again.
It is more likely that Trump funded this attack than it is that George Soros is funding the caravan.
Actually, I would say it is pretty likely the GOP is funding the caravan as well.
43
This is what happens when you have a President who preaches hate, divisiveness and praises violence. We are moving ever closer to a modern day Fort Sumter, as the country is being torn apart by tribalism. America has not faced such peril since the run up to the Civil War, and Trump ain't no Lincoln.
58