Hi. Terrorism professor here. If you're wondering why I haven't commented on today's attempted bombings, it's because we don't know enough yet. The only thing I can say with confidence is some of you speculating and accusing are crawling out onto limbs that'll get sawed off soon.
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Terrorism is hard. Many instances of attempted attacks failing because the attacker messed up. Seen speculation that the bombs not going off is some sort of indicator. Most likely, it's just that law enforcement is good at what they do, and this terrorist is an amateur. 7/x
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Likely some who delivered the packages recorded on camera. CNN package had no postmark, but not sure about others. A courier would be a better lead than a mail carrier. No idea if bomber delivered one in person. Investigators surely looking into this. 9/x https://twitter.com/capitalistpeeg/status/1055199997308952577 …
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Zoom in on bomb sent to CNN. Appears to be ISIS flag on device. Given amateurishness of attack, almost certainly not ISIS itself. Could be ISIS sympathizer. Could also be someone(s) who thought this would send investigators in wrong direction. Noteworthy, but need more info. 10/xpic.twitter.com/DNzs0ZND18
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UPDATE: What looked like ISIS flag on pipe bomb sent to CNN appears to be a parody. Thanks to readers who pointed it out. Amateurishness of bombs already indicated unlikely ISIS, but parody flag means not ISIS sympathizer or law enforcement misdirect. 11/x https://twitter.com/SkagBaron/status/1055220250696810496 …
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Rhetoric can motivate violence. And not just direct incitement. That being said, I think it's irresponsible to assume terrorist(s) who haven't been identified or released any statement were motivated by any specific rhetoric based on chosen targets. 12/x https://twitter.com/Duncans_Eggs/status/1055213492771450880 …
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Good example of incorrect speculation connecting rhetoric and violence: Giffords shooting in AZ. Sarah Palin released map of districts to "target," which some blamed for motivating shooter. Turns out shooter wasn't motivated by political rhetoric at all (see tweet 3 above). 13/x
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We don't know who sent the bombs yet. There's nothing lost--absolutely nothing--in waiting a few days for law enforcement to investigate. (END)
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Could also indicate English as second language, or just someone who doesn't spell check their typos.
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Perhaps. Though that doesn't explain addressing a package to Brennan and sending the package to a place Brennan doesn't work. Most likely just a mistake.
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Brennan appears on CNN all the time, and he collaborated with CNN to release the "Piss Dossier", so it's not surprising that someone who doesn't study who pays the talking heads was confused about who currently employs him.
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My point is most professionals would've double checked that sort of thing.
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One other interesting point. Someone at CNN OPENED the package addressed to Brennan and then photographed the 'weapon'. I wonder why they didn't just mark it "return to sender" like happened with the Holder package.
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Criminal masterminds exist only in the movies.
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If the Saudis have taught us anything, it's that.
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