[Grimnir]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('SoothSayer', 'D')oes car insurance cost $170 a MONTH in the US ???

[pea-jay]

As late as 99 I was car free in chicago. My transportation expenses were ridiculously cheap. Since I worked downtown, my employer subsidized my CTA month pass. $35 out of pocket, unlimited in CTA and PACE service area. Then I'd rent a car on average 2-3 times a year @ 40/day incl. insurance. Once a month I'd ride Metra on the weekend for 5 bucks and 2-3 times a year I'd take the bus out to my visit my grandmother's and aunt&uncle in Southern Wisconsin, (30 round trip). Late night clubbing where night service was not available resulted in occasional cab fares as well. All other trips were made on foot or on bike, including grocery shopping.

Total average month expenditures: Less than $90 per month, averaging the out-of town excursions.

Not bad.

By the way, my car insurance here in OR is $78 a month.

[formandfile]

Peapod eh? There isnt a grocery store you can walk to in your hood?

I would kill for those purple commuter rail trains in my neck of the woods. I was a regular on the fitchburgh line and took the red line to school every day. Very convenient and dependable, esp compared to what i have to deal with here.

Car-free in boston is easy...take the plunge. Take a hard line with the wife if necessary

[Tyler_JC]

Is anyone interested in a Boston-Area Peak Oil meet up next week?

I was thinking about Tuesday or Wednesday after work, 6-10pm (or whatever time works for you).

There's a great place in Somerville called the "Diesel Cafe". I think it would be a rather appropriate place for a meet-up.

So...any takers?

(We can always re-arrange the timing)

[Tanada]

Please let us know how the meeting goes, I have considered trying the same thing here but I don't think there would be enough interest.

[Ferretlover]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', '[')b]Boston Globe 'to close in 30 days without cutbacks' Owner the New York Times Company says by Oliver Luft , guardian.co.uk, Monday 6 April 2009 14.43 BST:
Leading US newspaper the Boston Globe faces closure in 30 days unless unions associated with it agree to cuts and savings worth $20m (£13m) demanded by owner the New York Times Company, according to a report in the Globe.
Union leaders said NYTCo is seeking a series of concessions to keep the paper afloat, including pay cuts, the end of pension contributions by the company, and the elimination of lifetime job guarantees enjoyed by some veteran employees. …
The threat to the paper first emerged on Friday night when the Globe published the report on its website quoting two union officials who outlined the ultimatum delivered to them during a meeting on Thursday morning between executives and representatives of the newspaper's 13 unions. …

[Pretorian]

Good riddance. Who wants to pay whatever to get some censored news
on paper anyway.

[Tanada]

Authorities have confirmed two explosions with many casualties near the finish line of the Boston Marathon.
$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', ' ')The Associated Press reported that the authorities were helping injured runners leave the scene and bloody spectators were being carried to a medical tent that was being used for runners.

The A.P. said that a loud explosion was heard on the north side of Boylston Street, near a photo bridge that marks the finish line. Another explosion was heard several seconds later.

Local television showed ambulances at the scene. Pictures posted online showed several injured runners being attended to and smoke around the finish line.

The headquarters for the organizers of the marathon, one of the world’s oldest, was reportedly locked down while authorities investigate. Reporters inside the Copley Plaza Hotel, where the media center is and where many elite athletes are staying, were unable to leave.

[shortonoil]

BBC, two dead, 22 injured

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world/

[steam_cannon]

My heart goes out to those in Boston.

Five devices, whoever did this was crazy and busy. I'd bet it was a bomb crazy Kaczynski type, since the bombs were small and in easy targets like garbage cans. Though it could have been organized terrorists. Since it sounds like they found some of the devices intact and there were a lot of cameras, so they may find who it was quickly. I think there were something like 20 people in the hospital so far.


4 second video from angle showing flags waving from the explosion and person dropping:
http://vine.co/v/bFdt5uwg6JZ

Third explosion at Boston's JFK library...two unexploded devices:
http://www.businessinsider.com/possible ... hon-2013-4

"Isn't it sad that the first thought I have after, 'those poor people, I hope they're OK!", is, " Oh, great, *now* what civil rights is the US government going to shit all over?'"
http://news.slashdot.org/story/13/04/15 ... n-marathon

[KingM]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('steam_cannon', 'M')y heart goes out to those in Boston.

Five devices, whoever did this was crazy and busy. I'd bet it was a bomb crazy Kaczynski type, since the bombs were small and in easy targets like garbage cans. Though it could have been organized terrorists. Since it sounds like they found some of the devices intact and there were a lot of cameras, so they may find who it was quickly. I think there were something like 20 people in the hospital so far.

[jupiters_release]

Has Al Qaeda written all over it.

[Graeme]

Boston Marathon blasts: at least two dead and many injured – live updates

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', '
')Here's a transcript of President Barack Obama's statement just after 6pm ET this evening.

Good afternoon, everybody. Earlier today, I was briefed by my homeland security team on the events in Boston. We’re continuing to monitor and respond to the situation as it unfolds. And I’ve directed the full resources of the federal government to help state and local authorities protect our people, increase security around the United States as necessary, and investigate what happened.

The American people will say a prayer for Boston tonight. And Michelle and I send our deepest thoughts and prayers to the families of the victims in the wake of this senseless loss.

We don’t yet have all the answers. But we do know that multiple people have been wounded, some gravely, in explosions at the Boston Marathon.

I’ve spoken to FBI Director Mueller and Secretary of Homeland Security Napolitano, and they’re mobilizing the appropriate resources to investigate and to respond.

I’ve updated leaders of Congress in both parties, and we reaffirmed that on days like this there are no Republicans or Democrats -- we are Americans, united in concern for our fellow citizens.

I’ve also spoken with Governor Patrick and Mayor Menino, and made it clear that they have every single federal resource necessary to care for the victims and counsel the families. And above all, I made clear to them that all Americans stand with the people of Boston.

Boston police, firefighters, and first responders as well as the National Guard responded heroically, and continue to do so as we speak. It’s a reminder that so many Americans serve and sacrifice on our behalf every single day, without regard to their own safety, in dangerous and difficult circumstances. And we salute all those who assisted in responding so quickly and professionally to this tragedy.

We still do not know who did this or why. And people shouldn’t jump to conclusions before we have all the facts. But make no mistake -- we will get to the bottom of this. And we will find out who did this; we'll find out why they did this. Any responsible individuals, any responsible groups will feel the full weight of justice.

Today is a holiday in Massachusetts -- Patriots’ Day. It’s a day that celebrates the free and fiercely independent spirit that this great American city of Boston has reflected from the earliest days of our nation. And it’s a day that draws the world to Boston’s streets in a spirit of friendly competition. Boston is a tough and resilient town. So are its people. I'm supremely confident that Bostonians will pull together, take care of each other, and move forward as one proud city. And as they do, the American people will be with them every single step of the way.

You should anticipate that as we get more information, our teams will provide you briefings. We're still in the investigation stage at this point. But I just want to reiterate we will find out who did this and we will hold them accountable.

Thank you very much.

[jodell8964]

Could this possibly be another False Flag Event...

[SeaGypsy]

There has been an arrest, a 20 year old Saudi national on a student visa. Appears the security people on site were a long way from proficient. Apparently reviews of the areas security video shows someone leaving backpacks unattended in the area of the explosion/s.

[ennui2]

"Could this possibly be another False Flag Event..."

Gee, that didn't take long. Some things never change on this site. We'll see how many pages of idle speculation based on people's own ideological biases this generates.

The bombs were loaded with BBs just like the sort of thing that happens in Israel (like the Sbarros one). Despite the low bodycount, hundreds have now been maimed and their lives ruined. I very easily could have taken my daughter to the Marathon today. This is the true initiation of the US into the club of countries who have suffered these pinpoint-style attacks in public places. I knew it was bound to happen eventually. I just didn't know if it would be in my own backyard. Whoever did it, I have no sympathy for their cause and they are NOT freedom fighters. They are douchebags.

[PrestonSturges]

Most of the comments here will be proven to be wrong.

[Rod_Cloutier]

Life is hard enough without things like this happening. What could the motive have been; that's where to look for the answer to this event?

Alex Jones is already claiming conspiracy:

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'U')niversity of Mobile’s Cross Country Coach Ali Stevenson told Local 15 News, “They kept making announcements on the loud speaker that it was just a drill and there was nothing to worry about. “It seemed like there was some sort of threat, but they kept telling us it was just a drill.”

The news station also reports that Stevenson “thought it was odd there were bomb sniffing dogs at the start and finish lines.”

[Oneaboveall]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('PrestonSturges', 'M')ost of the comments here will be proven to be wrong.

[SeaGypsy]

Preston's comment is a waste of space.

What happened to vigilance? If it's true that there were multiple devices left in plain sight, in such an obvious location, and these were ignored, this suggests complacency. Whether this even leads to more civil rights erosion, it will lead to a more vigilant security force; which shouldn't be a bad thing.

BTW Mos Ennui, not every '9/11 Truther' is a Muslim apologist.