Doubt Continues in NH Hostage Situation

WMUR is now backing off on its reporting of two hostages having been released. A press conference is about to be held; we'll let you know what's said when that happens.

Update: The press conference is being held but they're not saying anything other than that it's a "fluid, ongoing investigation." Based on the evasions he's making, it sounds like there are probably still hostages, but "there have been no reported injuries."

•  I only want good news!

  damn it!

  by NYFM on Fri Nov 30, 2007 at 12:56:26 PM PDT

  •  I'd settle for just news in general,

    if one station breaks for that Natalie Holloway thing again, I'm going to scream.

    by LucyMO on Fri Nov 30, 2007 at 12:58:47 PM PDT

    •  Here's the link for live local coverage again

      WMUR-TV Manchester NH

      by cmnh on Fri Nov 30, 2007 at 01:01:38 PM PDT

  •  MSNBC now reporting the hostage takers son

    says his father had been drinking.

    by Lying eyes on Fri Nov 30, 2007 at 01:04:25 PM PDT

    •  Well that explains it.

      I said the same thing about W. Right before he invaded Iraq.

      by aggressiveprogressive on Fri Nov 30, 2007 at 01:13:03 PM PDT

      •  Perfect!

        You get an A for the best laugh of the day!

        by Kestrel on Fri Nov 30, 2007 at 01:17:30 PM PDT

    •  alchy-holic?

      Stoners don't take hostages.

      by digno dave on Fri Nov 30, 2007 at 01:38:56 PM PDT

    •  from AP

      The suspect was an older man known around the town to be mentally unstable, the law enforcement official told the AP. He walked into the campaign office and opened his jacket, revealing what appeared to be a pipe bomb.

      by Buffalo Girl on Fri Nov 30, 2007 at 02:08:46 PM PDT

•  Boston channel 5

  saying they are hearing there may be another hostage in the bldg.

  by mem from somerville on Fri Nov 30, 2007 at 12:56:28 PM PDT

•  The Freepers are revolting.

  Ugh.

  by Shem on Fri Nov 30, 2007 at 12:57:15 PM PDT

  •  Finally something we agree on

    said Mrs Tweety.

    by NYFM on Fri Nov 30, 2007 at 12:59:56 PM PDT

  •  congenitally

    by tony the American Mutt on Fri Nov 30, 2007 at 01:00:02 PM PDT

  •  Well this conservative forum

    will certainly make you wonder if these people have brains much less hearts.

    Conservative's Forum

    by kimoconnor on Fri Nov 30, 2007 at 01:01:38 PM PDT

    •  They've given up on being compassionate...

      AND conservative.  Their true colors shining through...  and it's not a pretty sight.  How could anyone cheer on the potential loss of life?

      by SnowCountry on Fri Nov 30, 2007 at 01:04:39 PM PDT

      •  I am flabbergasted

        I know there are seriously nasty SOBs in the GOP. But this is beyond the pale

        by kimoconnor on Fri Nov 30, 2007 at 01:09:25 PM PDT

        •  Internet conservatives make me want to puke

          Truly scum sucking pieces of shit.

          What is with the Rhino butt-fucking the elephant?

          by klw1963 on Fri Nov 30, 2007 at 02:44:55 PM PDT

      •  Seriously?

        I wouldn't expose my brain to Rethug filth in freeperville, but are they actually rooting for deaths?

        by Kestrel on Fri Nov 30, 2007 at 01:19:12 PM PDT

        •  That AND

          There is one comment "hoping that it's a muslim."

          That site is just as scary as the End Timer's message board.

          by Lupeyg2 on Fri Nov 30, 2007 at 01:24:43 PM PDT

          •  OMG

            That's so horrible, even worse than I thought.

            by Kestrel on Fri Nov 30, 2007 at 01:31:33 PM PDT

        •  Sadly, yes.

          Here are the examples.  I'm going to go curl up in a corner with my cat a cup of hot tea, now.  Yuck.

          ------------

          Aw hell, take off the safety and push the button. Who cares?

          ------------

          Somebody got up on the wrong side of the bed today.  Can't you feel her pain.  Can't you have compassion and understanding.  Don't you know that this is a vast right wing consprisay to destroy Hillary.  Come on guys, put a little love in you hearts.  

          Now that I have shown that I can be a compassionate conservative,  can I push the button, can I, huh, huh, please. Grin Grin Grin Cheesy Cheesy Cheesy Wink Wink Wink

          ------------

          Patience, PV, patience...the man wanted to speak to Da Shrill, so send her on in to speak to him. THEN push it.   Wink

          ------------

          I can't tell you how much I'm hoping that it's a muslim!!

          by SnowCountry on Fri Nov 30, 2007 at 01:27:32 PM PDT

          •  heh, the other typical line

            is that this is Hillary's first "test" and, of course, she's failing it.

            Of course, you'd think that getting the hostages released and not having the guy blow him up would be a good thing...

            Of course, no matter what happened, they'd say she messed it up (of course, it's not her dealing with it anyway)

            by FleetAdmiralJ on Fri Nov 30, 2007 at 01:30:42 PM PDT

          •  Unbelievable

            by Kestrel on Fri Nov 30, 2007 at 01:33:06 PM PDT

          •  Hoping it's a Muslim

            What if it's a WASP.

            Does it still matter?

            by digno dave on Fri Nov 30, 2007 at 01:42:01 PM PDT

            •  Have they arrested Sean Hannity yet?

              by Jeff Y on Fri Nov 30, 2007 at 02:21:23 PM PDT

            •  I'm not hoping it's a freeper type Rethug

              But I bet it is one.

              by klw1963 on Fri Nov 30, 2007 at 02:46:02 PM PDT

    •  Freepers

      http://www.freerepublic.com/...

      by AHiddenSaint on Fri Nov 30, 2007 at 01:23:13 PM PDT

      •  I wonder if Bill-O

        will do a weeks worth of shows about all of these nasty comments from the Freeper blog about the hostage situation?, because Bill-O is SO "fair and balaned" you know....HAHAHAHA!

        by Jeff Y on Fri Nov 30, 2007 at 02:28:06 PM PDT

    •  In person is worse...

      I'm staying with family that has said some of these things in person, attention getters etc.  May we have a safe end to this situation for all civilians and law enforcement.

      by AKDan on Fri Nov 30, 2007 at 01:30:21 PM PDT

      •  I would have to leave

        I could not keep my mouth shut, family or not.

        Anyway, who needs family like that?

        by kimoconnor on Fri Nov 30, 2007 at 01:33:43 PM PDT

  •  They can go screw

    sorry - I usually don't say things like that. But seriously, if this is the response to human tragedy, ya gotta rethink more than just your political affiliation.

    by grannyhelen on Fri Nov 30, 2007 at 01:04:09 PM PDT

    •  They're so shallow.....

      ....they would never understand that if this had happened at a Rudy campaign office or the office of ANY Rethug candidate, over 99% of the posts on this site would be thoughts and prayers for the safety of the hostages and ANY comment even resembling any of the bile showing up on their sites today, would be troll rated into infinity.
          Therein lies one of the biggest differences between us and them, and part of why it has degenerated into 'us' and 'them'.

      by Hillbilly Dem on Fri Nov 30, 2007 at 01:29:25 PM PDT

  •  I went over there...

    against my better judgement.  A perusal of the comments shows that they are celebrating this.  A popular comment is "Pass the popcorn."

    These people lack common human decency and empathy.  I guarantee, if this was Rudy's campaign office, you would find nobody here cracking jokes, or if they did they would be Troll-rated into oblivion.

    Those people are sick.  No wonder this country is so fucked up.

    by filmgeek83 on Fri Nov 30, 2007 at 01:05:24 PM PDT

    •  "Pass the popcorn."

      It's just like an episode of 24, right?

      by Shem on Fri Nov 30, 2007 at 01:09:54 PM PDT

      •  Jack Bauer'll kill him with his bare hands

        and Derbyshire will be right there with him, offering heroic amounts of moral support....

        by nota bene on Fri Nov 30, 2007 at 01:28:47 PM PDT

        •  Derbyshire

          will just say how the Clinton staffers should have been armed and blew him away the moment he walked in the office.

          by FleetAdmiralJ on Fri Nov 30, 2007 at 01:31:37 PM PDT

    •  Damn right

      I have already used two TRs for today here, and not for anything as obscene as what is happening on the right wing forums.

      wow

      by kimoconnor on Fri Nov 30, 2007 at 01:10:24 PM PDT

      •  The TRs have been well-deserved

        What some people want to turn this into is disgusting.  

        by BoiseBlue on Fri Nov 30, 2007 at 01:18:25 PM PDT

    •  Yep

      This is yet another reason why I live on this side of the divide.  Over here, I'm surrounded by people (except for you-know-who) that I'm proud to associate with.

      by loudGizmo on Fri Nov 30, 2007 at 01:11:11 PM PDT

    •  Thanks for taking one for the team

      I didn't have the stomach to check it out myself.

      by phenry on Fri Nov 30, 2007 at 01:21:59 PM PDT

      •  I did it...

        because I thought, "there's no way those assholes could be so sick as to make light of a situation like this, regardless of political affiliation."  There's not so much as one, one comment where somebody says "I hope everybody comes out OK."  

        I will never be surprised by anything they say ever again, because they are practically sub-human.

        by filmgeek83 on Fri Nov 30, 2007 at 01:27:26 PM PDT

    •  You've got to be kidding...

      by kredwyn on Fri Nov 30, 2007 at 01:33:16 PM PDT

    •  Even Joe Klein got a real whiff of their type

      when he sat in observing a Frank Luntz Republican focus group and needed smelling salts he was so taken aback by their ferocity...

      I imagine that little dose of reality won't last long  and once again Klein will insist thatwe on the left are the angry citizens

      by merbex on Fri Nov 30, 2007 at 01:51:54 PM PDT

  •  Do not forget it wsa the freepers that did this

    http://www.rawstory.com/...
    Alleged anthrax hoaxer may be Free Republic poster

    The man arrested on Saturday for sending more than a dozen envelopes containing "fake anthrax" to anti-war celebrities, journalists, and politicians may have ties to the conservative supersite Free Republic, RAW STORY has found.

    Chad Castagana, a 39 year old Californian named as the FBI's prime suspect in the case, is due in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles today, where procecutors are expected to file criminal complaint against him for sending threatening letters through the U.S. mail. Castagana has an extensive online history, often writing about science fiction and conservative politics, and many bloggers are convinced that he is also a contributor at the conservative activist Free Republic website under the name Marc Costanzo, whose online profile, once available here was suspended after this story first ran this morning.

    Earlier today, users at the liberal websites Democratic Underground and Daily Kos brought to light the similarities between Castagana's Internet footprint and Costanzo's writings at Free Republic, and RAW STORY has found a series of eyebrow-raising connections between the two men.

    by AHiddenSaint on Fri Nov 30, 2007 at 01:27:05 PM PDT

    •  So has Mr. Castenega been given a job

      In the Justice Department yet?  

      by klw1963 on Fri Nov 30, 2007 at 02:47:46 PM PDT

  •  Yes, we know. n/t

    by goldberry on Fri Nov 30, 2007 at 01:29:50 PM PDT

•  I've been typing up some WMUR coverage

  Feel free to look at my comment history if you want recap. All transcript errors are mine.

  by abw on Fri Nov 30, 2007 at 12:57:41 PM PDT

  •  Or you can listen/watch

    For yourself. It's here.

    by abw on Fri Nov 30, 2007 at 01:00:34 PM PDT

    •  site getting slammed and I keep losing the stream

      So keep up your great work transcribing ; )  What I have heard from them is well-done though

      by lizah on Fri Nov 30, 2007 at 01:02:10 PM PDT

•  Unconfirmed report his name is Troy Stanley

  He has a previous arrest record:

  http://www.fosters.com/...

  by Junkyard Dem on Fri Nov 30, 2007 at 12:57:42 PM PDT

  •  for some needed levity, follow

    that link.  It's a police log.  Examples:

    4:18 p.m. — Eggs are fired at a Moores Court residence. This is later downgraded to one egg.

    4:57 p.m. — Dog teasing occurs on Forest Park Avenue.

    6:30 p.m. — A rather nice bike is dumped on Unity Street.

    by Sui Juris on Fri Nov 30, 2007 at 01:00:41 PM PDT

    •  hey now

      Dog teasing is a serious crime.

      by Stroszek on Fri Nov 30, 2007 at 01:01:31 PM PDT

      •  thankfully

        it's usually self-correcting.

        Chomp.

        by Sui Juris on Fri Nov 30, 2007 at 01:03:12 PM PDT

      •  Probably that cute little French Poodle again. nt

        by cmnh on Fri Nov 30, 2007 at 01:03:34 PM PDT

    •  that is actually a good read...

      thanks for that.

      by mem from somerville on Fri Nov 30, 2007 at 01:04:03 PM PDT

      •  Small town anywhere USA n/t

        by merbex on Fri Nov 30, 2007 at 01:17:06 PM PDT

    •  Perhaps it was a MIRV egg?

      That police log does bring the phrase "quiet little town" to mind. I hope they can go back to being quiet soon.

      by mjfgates on Fri Nov 30, 2007 at 01:10:47 PM PDT

      •  I hate to admit this

        But I actually called the animal control officer because a squirrel was acting strangely in a tree in my yard. Thought it might be rabid. Of course, by the time the cop showed up, the squirrel was gone and I was left to be the ultimate prize winner in "oddest citizen complaint of the year" for 2007. :P

        by Nelsons on Fri Nov 30, 2007 at 01:24:15 PM PDT

        •  Squirrels will scold you...

          Don't know what for, but I've been roundly reprimanded by arboreal rodents more than once, lol

          by Independant Man on Fri Nov 30, 2007 at 02:00:14 PM PDT

          •  LOL

            Well, in this case it was much more than that, as I tried to explain to the cop - I'm sure he thought I was some nut. Oh well.

            by Nelsons on Fri Nov 30, 2007 at 02:20:30 PM PDT

        •  Were you wearing nut-brown clothes that day?

          You never know when you might find yourself stuffed into a hole in a tree trunk somewhere, waiting for winter.

          by mjfgates on Fri Nov 30, 2007 at 04:30:02 PM PDT

      •  Four burglaries in three days quiet?

        Maybe by Chicago or New York standards.

        Where I used to live, that kind of burglary rate spurred neighborhood patrols.  

        by Yamaneko2 on Fri Nov 30, 2007 at 02:10:25 PM PDT

    •  And the rather obvious...

      8:27 a.m. — Someone who is smacked with a baseball bat near Columbus Avenue needs medical treatment.

      by goldberry on Fri Nov 30, 2007 at 01:32:58 PM PDT

    •  ...

      9:00 am -- There is a fish in the percolator.

      by debedb on Fri Nov 30, 2007 at 01:49:16 PM PDT

  •  You sure that's not The Onion?

    1:31 p.m. — A brand new bike peeks out from bushes on Sewell Street.

    1:44 p.m. — Music blasts on Periwinkle Drive.

    2:23 p.m. — In Hannaford's parking lot on North Main Street, a car window is smashed and a cell phone stolen.

    3:41 p.m. — Near the junction of Waldron and Chestnut streets, a resident has moved and left a colossal amount of trash, which Waste Management will not pick up. Public Works is sent round, and a bill may be sent to the former resident.

    ...

    8:50 p.m. — Yelling disturbs neighbors on Fairway Avenue.

    8:56 p.m. — At the Riviera Motel, a lady thinks she knows who burned her car.

    ...

    10:09 p.m. — A burglary takes place on Congress Street, with meat stolen from a fridge and valuables from a time capsule.

    10:28 p.m. — Three men have a beef with each other at McDonald's. They resolve things by yelling.

    by socialist butterfly on Fri Nov 30, 2007 at 01:04:05 PM PDT

    •  I'm not a detective but the events at

      10:09 pm and 10:28 pm could be related.

      by cmnh on Fri Nov 30, 2007 at 01:08:34 PM PDT

      •  Listen inspector gadget.

        Stick to blogging and leave the police work to the real professionals.

        by dotdot on Fri Nov 30, 2007 at 01:39:55 PM PDT

    •  that's cute

      the writer, whoever they are, has a very understated, sly little sense of style. A touch of whimsy, too. I like it.

      by aitchdee on Fri Nov 30, 2007 at 01:12:38 PM PDT

    •  Typical small town police report stuff

      Usually you read it to find out which neighbor got busted for DUI, although this is written better.

      Our local radio station broadcasts the bowling scores in season, and once ran live coverage of a bear wandering down a canyon just outside of town.

      by badger on Fri Nov 30, 2007 at 01:17:39 PM PDT

      •  adorable :) n/t

        by aitchdee on Fri Nov 30, 2007 at 01:22:34 PM PDT

        •  He forgot to mention that

          the bear ate a family of ten.

          by dotdot on Fri Nov 30, 2007 at 01:33:57 PM PDT

          •  Lol :) n/t

            by aitchdee on Fri Nov 30, 2007 at 01:34:50 PM PDT

      •  One of the highlights

        of my tenure at a small newspaper was running a front page photo of a monkey that escaped from a circus.

        Fun story.

        by Over the Edge on Fri Nov 30, 2007 at 01:54:35 PM PDT

    •  naw. small town police beats are often an

      entertaining read like this.

      by heartofblue on Fri Nov 30, 2007 at 02:01:40 PM PDT

  •  Car Crash

    He was in a car crash in July.  That useless piece of information is all I found on my google search.

    by blank on Fri Nov 30, 2007 at 01:49:55 PM PDT

  •  Anyone else hear the following

    I don't have a TV, but a post on Digby says the following:  

    hostage situation in N.H., Clinton HQ

    The man has strapped FLARES to his chest, not bombs. The flares were purchased earlier in the day.

    waitress says, son of hostage taker says father was on 3 day drinking binch and is harmless.

    he had roadside flares with him.

    Anyone else hear anything like this? It sort of makes sense.

    by AnneElizabeth on Fri Nov 30, 2007 at 01:52:10 PM PDT

    •  Tweety's talking about that right now n/t

      by Independant Man on Fri Nov 30, 2007 at 02:02:51 PM PDT

    •  they don't know that they are flares

      but the suspects step son told a waitress who told the journalists that he had been on a drinking binge due to impending divorce and was asking his stepson about where to buy flares and also told his stepson to "watch the news for me."

      so, no one knows what is going on, but there is a good chance that the bomb is actually flares.

      by heartofblue on Fri Nov 30, 2007 at 02:04:49 PM PDT

•  MSNBC via AP reports:

  Originally 4 hostages were held, but three have been released.

  The suspect is a white male in his 40's known to local police due to a past incidenct and is suspected to have emotional problems.

  He visited a hardware store earlier today to buy items that he is currently wearing. A device was seen duck taped to his chest. He claims it is a bomb, but unknown if it's real.

  Wants to speak to Senator Clinton directly.

  by Spathiphyllum on Fri Nov 30, 2007 at 12:58:24 PM PDT

  •  Freepers are saying he bought

    road flares today.

    And, of course, Hillary staged it...

    We are men of action; lies do not become us.

    by ER Doc on Fri Nov 30, 2007 at 01:16:49 PM PDT

•  Please program a scrolling website banner

  So I can keep up to date with this crap.

  That would be great. Thanks.

  by nanobubble on Fri Nov 30, 2007 at 12:58:48 PM PDT

  •  Ugh, I hate those things! n/t

    by Spathiphyllum on Fri Nov 30, 2007 at 12:59:43 PM PDT

•  well if the guy is just a mentally unstable

  lunatic then I guess it's actually sort of good news. If it was a right wing zealot, we might have much bigger problems in the future regarding the safety of Democratic politicians and activists with right wingers turning violent.

  by michael1104 on Fri Nov 30, 2007 at 01:00:22 PM PDT

  •  Not mutually exclusive

    But he probably is just looking for attention.

    I hope and expect everyone will come out safe, and that he then will get the attention he needs in jail.

    by jbeach on Fri Nov 30, 2007 at 01:09:45 PM PDT

    •  From some very large inmates.

      by filmgeek83 on Fri Nov 30, 2007 at 01:30:56 PM PDT

•  The secret service

  is probably keeping both Clintons out of public as a security precaution, and I doubt they'd want her to talk to the suspect. We most likely won't hear from her until the situation is over.

  by trs92 on Fri Nov 30, 2007 at 01:00:59 PM PDT

  •  Hillary's DC house is now swarming w/ cops n/t

    by trs92 on Fri Nov 30, 2007 at 01:09:33 PM PDT

    •  Impounding campaign docs for her safety?

      Of course not!  The GOP would never take advantage of a situation like this to do some extracurricular spying.  Don't be silly.  

      by goldberry on Fri Nov 30, 2007 at 01:47:20 PM PDT

  •  Best they're hidden away for hostage safety, too

    Who knows what stray comment can do to someone who's already unbalanced. Precautions are best for all concerned...

    by jbeach on Fri Nov 30, 2007 at 01:11:20 PM PDT

•  MSNBC is reporting that a total of 4 hostages

  were originally held, three adults and one child. The child and its mother were released to make the original 911 call. One of the two remaining hostages was released. The man is known to local authorities as a problem.

  by davidincleveland on Fri Nov 30, 2007 at 01:01:34 PM PDT

  •  ah, a local nut.

    That means he's hopefully a hoaxer.

    by Salo on Fri Nov 30, 2007 at 01:03:52 PM PDT

    •  They said

      known locally to have mental problems. That was said on c-span.

      by LaEscapee on Fri Nov 30, 2007 at 01:05:17 PM PDT

      •  Again I say:

        He can be crazy AND A wingnut. Why so many people are sounding the all-clear on the wingnut thing is beyond me.

        by Jim J on Fri Nov 30, 2007 at 01:20:29 PM PDT

        •  well, if he's mentally unstable, I don't really

          want to delve into his politics.  He needs private help, not public examination.

          by Sui Juris on Fri Nov 30, 2007 at 01:22:53 PM PDT

        •  and why you're sounding the alarm is beyond me

          you don't fucking know. It's called "suspension of judgment."

          by nota bene on Fri Nov 30, 2007 at 01:31:37 PM PDT

          •  I prefer "leaving options open"

            as the best course of action, not "ABC says he's crazy so I guess that means he's not a right-winger."

            by Jim J on Fri Nov 30, 2007 at 01:33:16 PM PDT

            •  well

              then leave open the option that he really is "just" crazy. You sound like you've got your mind already made up that he's another McVeigh or Rudolph. Just give it a rest already until we know enough to make an informed judgment.

              by nota bene on Fri Nov 30, 2007 at 01:38:03 PM PDT

              •  that's my whole point

                thanks for making it for me.

                I want "informed judgment," not "ABC says he's crazy so obviously he's not a dittohead," which is what a lot of people are saying here.

                I'm glad we finally agree.

                by Jim J on Fri Nov 30, 2007 at 01:46:37 PM PDT

              •  Unstable people can be very easily

                swept up in the emotionally-charged anger and paranoia that infuses the Right these days.

                That guy that blew up his house in New York, for example.  His email was full of stuff he heard on right-wing radio and Fox all mixed in with personal issues he was angry about.  When his divorce judgement went bad, he just blended that in with the prevalent right-wing anger at activist judges.

                I don't think there a sharp line you can draw between "just crazy" and another McVeigh.  

                by sagra on Fri Nov 30, 2007 at 02:11:30 PM PDT

                •  of course not

                  my point is that at this time anyone speculating on the guy's motives is Full. Of. Shit.

                  by nota bene on Fri Nov 30, 2007 at 02:15:42 PM PDT

                  •  Because he picked a Clinton campaign office

                    totally at random.  Right.

                    by sagra on Fri Nov 30, 2007 at 02:30:38 PM PDT

        •  I hear ya'

          You can be unbalanced and still provoked by the Limbaugh's.  That's one of the reasons why Limbaugh, O'Reilly, Malkin et al are so dangerous.  The healthy mind just vents on a blog.  The unhealthy mind goes to the hardware store for bomb-making materials.  

          by goldberry on Fri Nov 30, 2007 at 01:50:05 PM PDT

          •  And if your mind is somewhat unhealthy but

            but not quite round-the-bend, they can provide a continual stream of validation that paranoia and rage are the most appropriate responses to every situation.

            by sagra on Fri Nov 30, 2007 at 02:26:45 PM PDT

•  Where's Bush?

  I've been watching this on TV since it started. Where's the guy who's incapable about talking of anything but terror threats? Where's Guiliani, who's staked his whole campaign on his response to the terror of September 11?

  Are these people just working on the spin? Are they afraid that to speak out is to admit that law enforcement has a critical role in terror threats? Are they so partisan they can't express concern for human beings who happen to support a Democrat?

  by VetGrl on Fri Nov 30, 2007 at 01:01:35 PM PDT

  •  Excellent question!

    They wouldn't need to presume anything about the situation - just state their concern.

    by Naranjadia on Fri Nov 30, 2007 at 01:03:16 PM PDT

  •  In Condi's arms?

    oops, just a rumor, sorry!

    by tony the American Mutt on Fri Nov 30, 2007 at 01:04:11 PM PDT

    •  Rumor?

      Somebody call the WaPo!

      by DarthParadox on Fri Nov 30, 2007 at 02:25:32 PM PDT

  •  is that really necessary?

    Seriously, do you think that we need on-demand expressions of concern every time some nutcase takes a hostage?  I'm sure that could be a full time job in itself.

    by Sui Juris on Fri Nov 30, 2007 at 01:04:41 PM PDT

    •  Every time? No, but...

      Whatever this guy's motives, he did choose an office of a U.S. Senator and candidate for President as the place to carry his plan out. And we know the Bush administration's motives, i.e., seize every opportunity to make people afraid. I'd bet my last dollar we'd hear something if it was, say, a Romney office or if, say, Cindy Sheehan showed up in Crawford using this guy's plan to get Bush to talk to her.

      by VetGrl on Fri Nov 30, 2007 at 01:32:00 PM PDT

      •  good point, VetGrl

          if the terror threat/unstablesness was on the "other foot".  What would a Repub. front runner/wanna be, Do?

        by oceanview on Fri Nov 30, 2007 at 01:37:40 PM PDT

    •  This is a U.S. Senator

      who's involved, so I damn well do think some expression of concern is called for.  The problem for Bush is, and I'm not being flip here, is that terrorism is not confined to Muslim extremists as this administration would have us believe.  Of what use is Bush's "War on Terror" and all its accoutrements like the suspension of civil rights, if he can't solely blame some far-off bogeyman living in a cave.  If we can't be threatened by terrorists coming here when they already are here...and are home grown.

      by miriam on Fri Nov 30, 2007 at 01:43:02 PM PDT

      •  I agree totally n/t

        by Jim J on Fri Nov 30, 2007 at 01:52:55 PM PDT

  •  Reading "My Pet Goat" n/t

    by phenry on Fri Nov 30, 2007 at 01:25:34 PM PDT

•  I just deleteed what turned out to be

  an ill-timed diary. I read that two hostages had been released, thought that it had been confirmed that two had been taken, and thought the situation was thankfully over. I didn't realize that questions like these remain unanswered.

  I just wanted to take the piss out of Malkin and the Right in general.

  I apologize.

  by Little on Fri Nov 30, 2007 at 01:01:38 PM PDT

  •  You admitted jumping the gun...

    and sent forth a gracious apology.

    Nope, you're not a republican.  :)

    by SnowCountry on Fri Nov 30, 2007 at 01:06:40 PM PDT

  •  Thanks for taking it down...

    They will trash whoever it is/was and blame it on the "liberal elite" in hollywood.

    That's their thing, it's all they know how to do.

    by DrWolfy on Fri Nov 30, 2007 at 01:10:23 PM PDT

    •  I'm not sure what could have been used

      But the situation ain't over yet. Glad I deleted.

      by Little on Fri Nov 30, 2007 at 01:16:29 PM PDT

  •  Thank you, Little

    it takes a Big person to admit an error.  Kudos.

    by gchaucer2 on Fri Nov 30, 2007 at 01:14:12 PM PDT

    •  Check out Jahn Amato

      They're actually doing what I snarked.

      by Little on Fri Nov 30, 2007 at 01:17:21 PM PDT

      •  BTW

        Thank you for deleting the diary, I apologize if I was short. I knew what your point was, and knew it was a snark, but there were still hostages, and nothing is funny when there's peoples lives in the balance. I think you might have been served a decent amount of donuts too and i didn't want that to happen either. So I'm sorry, no offense, I've uprated a few of your comments to give you some mojo for doing the right thing.

        by Drewid on Fri Nov 30, 2007 at 08:50:46 PM PDT

•  WMUR reports

  live feed here, that the number of hostages can't be presently confirmed, but two have been definitely released.