NEWS & POLITICS
Salon / By Alex Seitz-Wald 69 COMMENTS
The “Facts” Keep Changing About the Boston Bombings — And It’s Fueling a Conspiracy Theory Industry
Important details like the suspects’ weapons, NYC plans and the shootout keep changing.
An undated image released by the FBI of Boston Marathon bombing suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev.
April 25, 2013 |
*** begin quote ***
In the aftermath of massive, complicated crimes it’s not uncommon for a bit of crucial information to be immediately put forward by police, only to be contradicted later on. While it’s understandable that initial leads and assertions might end up being wrong in a dynamic situation like the aftermath of the Boston Marathon bombing, wholesale contradictions can encourage skepticism of the motives of those releasing inaccuracies — as with initial, false reports that Osama bin Laden hid behind his wife when U.S. forces shot him. Another effect of changing details can be to encourage conspiracy theorists who latch onto inconsistencies, and to undermine trust in authorities.
*** end quote ***
- Suspects’ arms
- Boat gunfight?
- 7 -Eleven and the MIT officer
- Carjacking
- Trip to NYC
And, growing!
Argh!
# – # – # – # – #
How did the suspect hiding in the boat shoot himself when he didn’t have a gun?
# – # – # – # – #
Reinke Faces Life 
Where is the common sense patience? It could take a very long time before all the details are understood. The only ‘fact’ that seems worthy of repeating is from the article itself… “Another effect of changing details can be to encourage conspiracy theorists who latch onto inconsistencies, and to undermine trust in authorities.” Less “latching onto” … please.
LikeLike