Same questions I had last week: if Joel Hinrichs was simply an individual who decided to commit suicide in an unusually flamboyant manner, why all the new security measures? Or is there a stadium jihad plan that authorities don't wish to tell us about? I am not saying this is necessarily the case. I am saying that the stonewalling authorities and extra security measures just don't tally as responses to an individual suicide.
From ChannelOklahoma.com, with thanks to FMJ:
NORMAN, Okla. -- OU officials will be handing out more than programs at Saturday's home football game.University president David Boren said fans will also get an evacuation plan when they walk in the gates to see the Sooners play Baylor. The move is in reaction to the explosion outside the stadium just over two weeks ago.
Mr. Hinrichs was seen running away from security guards after trying to enter the stadium with his explosive backpack. The explosives used were an advanced explosive that is popular with Middle-Eastern suicide (homicide) bombers. His bomb was packed with shrapnel. Obviously, it was a simple case of suicide, and the protaganist is now dead. There is no need to have evacuation plans unless Mr. Hinrichs' ghost is expected to make a return visit.
Move along, people. Move along.
[Question: is it possible that in the case of the Armanious Coptic family that was murdered in New Jersey in February 2005, that some minor petty criminals were arrested in the case in order to end speculation about jihadist involvement? After the case died down, were the charges quietly dropped, investigation ended, and the case closed? I'm just curious]
OT
From an email I got yesterday
New Film on Islam's War Against the West
"Obsession," a new documentary directed by Wayne Kopping and produced by Peter Mier and Raphael Shore, delves into the threat of radical Islam to Western civilization. Using unique footage from Arab television, it reveals an 'insider's view' of the hatred taught by Islamic radicals, their incitement of global jihad, and their goal of world domination. This explosive new film will have its world debut on Saturday, October 22, at LA's conservative Liberty Film Festival.
Perhaps the most fascinating aspect of the the film is how it traces the parallels between the Nazi movement of World War II, anti-Semitic Islamic radicalism of today, and the Western world's belated response to both threats. The film documents the extraordinary cooperative relationship between Adolph Hitler and the Grand Mufti of Jerusalem, who was one of the founding fathers of modern Arab nationalism - and a major influence on Yasser Arafat. "Obsession" conclusively ties modern Islamic radicalism with the Nazi cause - and suggests that Islamic radicalism is actually part of Nazism's destructive legacy.
"Obsession" also features interviews with Daniel Pipes, Steve Emerson, Alan Dershowitz, a former PLO terrorist, and even a former Hitler Youth Commander. The film is a must-see for anyone who wishes to understand the deeper roots of our present War on Terror.
A movie to be shown to soldiers going to or, even more important, back from Iraq, to members of the C.I.A., the F.B.I., Congress, governors, and of course all members of the Administration. And then to all the rest of us, but starting perhaps with colleges and high schools and churches and synagogues and Hindu temples and Buddhist temples. And once every non-Muslim audience has had a chance to see the movie at least once, let it be re-run on television.
And, of course, if after it has been widely seen, and is available on DVD, a Muslim group wishes to show it to its own members, by all means. But only after it has been widely viewed and distributed. Don't want anyone trying to stop it from being seen.
Hugh writes "...And then to all the rest of us, but starting perhaps with colleges and high schools..."
This is tongue-in-cheek, right Hugh? The first time you schedule a showing of "obsession" at a public facility the evil twins of Cair and ACLU would make you run the gauntlet of political correctness 'till you cried uncle.
Sure wouldn't want to be at Game 6.
There is already an evacuation plan for Memorial Stadium. They announce before every game and have since 9/11. After the last game, I think any administration would consider it prudent to issue a reminder to avoid a panic if something is heard from the stands again. If they didn't, people would be talking about how laissez-faire they were taking a potential security threat. "The last one may have been suicide, but the next one might not be!" OU is in a no-win situation: respond, and face accusations of a cover-up, do nothing and face accusations of reckless disregard of safety.
As far as "stonewalling authorities" go, I agree that they should give more information. The latest information is that the FBI is still leaning towards the suicide since there is no evidence of anything else. My understanding is tha the shrapnel theory has been debunked by the FBI, and the "running from the gates" story that was reported widely in the media may have been 2nd to 3rd hand. A lot of the commonly accepted facts about this case are from uncorroborated sources and have questionable reliability.
After following this story since it happened (and being a season ticket holder), I've seen every theory from the "engineer who was playing with the wrong toys and had an accident" to dramatic suicide to jihadist. So far, none of the evidence points conclusively to any of those theories, but the suicide still seems most likely.
Itai, You better be praying that nothing does happen at this game. Making these kinds of statements even in jest will land you in a whole lot of trouble if something does happen. Maybe you should go work security for this event to ensure nothing happens. But seriously, I find your postings illogical and of the "you need help variety".