Boston - failure of intelligence.

[MyGodWearsAHoodie]

My two cents.

One of the two perps, was known to the KBG to be a potential terrorist and that info was shared with the FBI and CIA yet the attack was not prevented. 

This brings up the question why?  While as best as I can tell nothing that these two did was nearly as obvious as signing up for flight lessons and then not care about how to land the plane only how to fly bigger planes, there were warning signs. 

I do suspect that the President is correct in his assessment that the FBI, DHS ect. followed the established protocols.   I do believe that the emphasis and protocols are the problem. 

As an aside I would like to point out that US/Euro philosophy to terrorism prevention is diametrically opposite to Israel's.  The US/Euro approach is to look for bombs and weapons.  Israel's is to look for terrorist.  That is why the US bans small knives and bottles of shampoo on airplanes but no-fly list is a joke.  That is why at the Boston Marathon there was bomb sniffing dogs and other technology to  attempt to detect bombs, but no one attempting to analysis the crowd for odd behavior or known terrorists. 

Yes, we do have terror watch list.  But only a very small amount of money/time is spent actually watching or analyzing those who make it onto the list.   While we spend millions on the latest gadgets designed to detect bombs.   We need to shift some of that money so the FBI has the resources to do a better job investigating the Tamerlan Tsarnaev's of the world.

The single most trouble aspect to me is why Tamerlan Tsarnaev was not identified once the FBI had his photo.  Did they FBI even check the terror watch list for people living in the Boston area to see if they matched the suspects?  My speculation is no.  Once they saw the photos, they assumed that b/c the suspect were white, they weren't radical muslims, so no point in checking the list of folks on the terror list b/c of radical islamic beliefs and looked elsewhere.

But what has been the reaction from our leaders?  Proposals to increasing funding to the FBI to do more exhaustive checks?  Nope.  That would upset the sequestor.   The only thing suggested is incorporating predator drones to search the route for IIEDs. ( which somehow we have money for despite the sequestor)

[masterfins]

My Two Cents

THERE WAS NO FAILURE OF INTELLIGENCE.  These terrorists were identified and apprehended in record time.  People want to try and place blame where it doesn't belong.  The World is an imperfect place, where some people do bad things.  The problem with society today is they always want someone to point the finger at and blame, so that they can feel superior.

[stinkyfish]

You know, we always catch people so fast these days. Makes me wonder if we are getting the actual criminals that commit the crime. If you were going to bomb someplace like they did in Boston, wouldn't you wear a fake beard, a wig, hat, and sunglasses instead of just walking around plain as day for the cameras and witnesses? They caught the guy that mailed the poison to Obama and Wicker that fast too, then released him and arrested someone else. How stupid does a person have to be not to be able to mail a letter anonymously? I don't think these criminals are that dumb. I think the government is going to get their guy to save face regardless if they have the right one or not.

[Phishfan]

I think the government is going to get their guy to save face regardless if they have the right one or not.

If that is the case why publicly release a wrong suspect? Seems counter to your theory.

[stinkyfish]

If that is the case why publicly release a wrong suspect? Seems counter to your theory.

How hard is it to mail a few letters and not get caught?

[Phishfan]

OK, but why would the government ever admit to arresting a wrong suspect if your stance is they will get someone, right or not? It completely counters your theory.

[el diablo]

My Two Cents

THERE WAS NO FAILURE OF INTELLIGENCE.  These terrorists were identified and apprehended in record time.  People want to try and place blame where it doesn't belong.  The World is an imperfect place, where some people do bad things.  The problem with society today is they always want someone to point the finger at and blame, so that they can feel superior.

My two cents: you mean like Peter King?

[MyGodWearsAHoodie]

You know, we always catch people so fast these days. Makes me wonder if we are getting the actual criminals that commit the crime. If you were going to bomb someplace like they did in Boston, wouldn't you wear a fake beard, a wig, hat, and sunglasses instead of just walking around plain as day for the cameras and witnesses? They caught the guy that mailed the poison to Obama and Wicker that fast too, then released him and arrested someone else. How stupid does a person have to be not to be able to mail a letter anonymously? I don't think these criminals are that dumb. I think the government is going to get their guy to save face regardless if they have the right one or not.

While the police do often make mistakes (e.g. Olympic bombing, ricen, etc.) I am pretty sure that they got the right two guys this time.  When one is wrongfully accused they don't respond by killing  a cop, carjacking a car and bragging about the crime to the car owner, shooting another cop and then hide in a boat. 

[stinkyfish]

OK, but why would the government ever admit to arresting a wrong suspect if your stance is they will get someone, right or not? It completely counters your theory.

Not really. If they obviously have the wrong person they have to release them. They had a replacement suspect quicker than they had the first guy, so they still covered their ass. I just find it awful convenient they they usually get their guy so quickly on seemingly easy to get away with crimes.

[bsmooth]

You know, we always catch people so fast these days. Makes me wonder if we are getting the actual criminals that commit the crime. If you were going to bomb someplace like they did in Boston, wouldn't you wear a fake beard, a wig, hat, and sunglasses instead of just walking around plain as day for the cameras and witnesses? They caught the guy that mailed the poison to Obama and Wicker that fast too, then released him and arrested someone else. How stupid does a person have to be not to be able to mail a letter anonymously? I don't think these criminals are that dumb. I think the government is going to get their guy to save face regardless if they have the right one or not.

It was an attempted frame job. The second guy arrested wanted the first guy to go to prison due to their long running feud. So mailing anonymously would not have accomplished his goal.

[MyGodWearsAHoodie]

Not really. If they obviously have the wrong person they have to release them. They had a replacement suspect quicker than they had the first guy, so they still covered their ass. I just find it awful convenient they they usually get their guy so quickly on seemingly easy to get away with crimes.

1) most criminals are idiots.  while there are some very intelligent criminals, in general criminals come from the shallow end of the gene pool.

2) most cops are not idiots.  Nowadays most have 4 year degrees in criminal justice some have masters.  Plus police departments hire the best of the lot, the bottom of the class works security at the mall.

3) cops get better training.  mentoring from criminals is much more adhoc.

4) cops get more practice.  when cops don't succeed they get to learn from their mistakes, when criminals make mistakes they go to jail

5) in the crimes you cited -- each got lots of attention and resources and best investigators. 

6) despite all of this  many crimes go unsolved

It is not shocking that it took only 5 days to find the two most wanted men on the planet.  I dare say if we put 10,000 LEOs on pretty much any crime it would have a good chance of being solved quickly. 

[CF DolFan]

Does anyone understand the whole three accomplices thing going on right now. It doesn't really make sense to me unless they are purposely being stupid. How can you unknowingly help someone cover up a crime when you first asked them if it was them? Am I missing something here?

[Dave Gray]

Does anyone understand the whole three accomplices thing going on right now. It doesn't really make sense to me unless they are purposely being stupid. How can you unknowingly help someone cover up a crime when you first asked them if it was them? Am I missing something here?

I don't know, however, I have a theory.  Maybe the friends thought (or they are using the story) that they were covering up much less harmful activities (like fireworks) than bomb making.

[MyGodWearsAHoodie]

I don't know, however, I have a theory.  Maybe the friends thought (or they are using the story) that they were covering up much less harmful activities (like fireworks) than bomb making.

Pretty unlikely once they saw the video. 

[masterfins]

Tsarnaev found guilty today.  Now awaits to find out whether he'll be executed.