My Thoughts on the Boston Bombings – by Alex Gowen

Police officers guard the entrance to Franklin Street in the Watertown, Mass. neighborhood where Boston Marathon bombing suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev was captured. The 19-year-old college student wanted in the bombings was taken into custody Friday evening after a manhunt that left the city virtually paralyzed and his older brother and accomplice dead. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Details are slow to come from authorities about exactly what explosive material was used by the Tsarnaev brothers.  My analysis of the photos of the explosions leads me to believe that something as simple as gunpowder may be the culprit.  That being said, the IEDs were powerful and extremely damaging, and caused a great deal of bodily harm to our citizens.  This act of terror must be analyzed thoroughly so that we will be better prepared for future acts of aggression against the United States.

Here is what we know:

1)  The bombers detonated two IEDs.

2)  Pressure cookers were used as bomb casings.

3)  Both IEDs contained BBs/ball bearings and carpenter nails to increase bodily injury.

4)  A simple timing device was employed to detonate the IEDs.

5)  Execution of the attack was well-coordinated but poorly-planned.

6)  The IEDs were crudely-made and did not have the hallmarks of a well-trained expert.

7)  The recipe for the IEDs is easily found on the internet.

8)  Despite the presence of many cameras, security, and civilians, no one noticed either brother placing their IED prior to the event.

I’ve seen footage of pressure-cooker bombs being detonated and they are quite deadly.  They are also simple in construct, safe to transport, and made out of ordinary materials which no one would suspect may be turned into an IED.  When I was a child I used to make my own fireworks because I was young, dumb, and curious.  If I, as 13 year-old with no access to the internet, could create explosives out of common household items, just image what can be done by well-funded experts.  That being said, remember that you don’t need a hydrogen bomb to terrorize the people – all you need is one person with one pipe bomb at a crowded public location.  Unsophisticated devices are easy to make, hard to identify as a potential threat, and are capable of tremendous loss of life.

We Americans need to realize that we’re an easy target.  Rather than limit our freedoms, however, we need to focus on awareness.  Law enforcement authorities know what to look for, but they cannot be everywhere all the time.  We – the American citizenry – must be vigilant.  We must keep a sharp eye and assist our brothers in blue by reporting suspicious activity and/or items.  In order to do so, we need to be informed.  Read any credible guide on CBRNE weapons so that you are aware of potential dangers.  The more eyes we have on the street, the safer we will be.  Let us no longer be an easy target.  Protect our nation and join the fight rather than be a bystander.  Do not be a victim – become America’s modern Minutemen and take part in eliminating terrorism as a domestic threat.