Device at women's health clinic was an explosive, sources say

By Tony Plohetski

http://www.statesman.com/...

A package found Wednesday in the parking lot of a South Austin women's clinic contained an explosive device, four sources familiar with the investigation said today. Local and federal authorities are planning a news conference at 2 p.m. to discuss the investigation, which will be headed by federal officials. The package was found about 2 p.m. Wednesday in the parking lot of the Austin Women's Health Center at 1902 S. Interstate 35, north of Oltorf Street. The clinic provides services including abortion. Officials from the city's Homeland Defense Team, which includes police officers and firefighters, were called to the scene. Other Austin officers, the department's emergency ordinance disposal unit and officials from the FBI and the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives were also on the scene.

Note to all the people who use terror as their messenger, we, the people of Texas, will not be intimidated. And whoever is responsible, citing their Holy War, might I remind you of the 10 Commandments, especially, "Thou Shall Not Kill."

While I am sure the Bush Administration hopes this gets buried, like the guy from Iowa , we must not let this happen. As a Christian, I am most appalled by Christian Terrorist, who are usually the first to rattle sabers at other religious terrorists. This hypocrisy knows no bounds and reeks of fundamentalism of the most base kind.

If we are truly to fight a war on terrorism, that fight must begin at home. These people must be found and made an example of. We are not a nation of Christian Fundamentalists, we are a nation of Rule of Law.

I will update this after the 2pm news conference.

This is Texas, we yield to no one, especially the misguided people who use violence in the name of Jesus, God and the Holy Spirit for their own jihads.

< Update I >

The news conference is still out there, but to assure everyone they did not recommend a hoax or overblown situation (call it my Breaking ! Developing ! syndrome), here is a press release by the Austin Police Department:

http://www.statesman.com/...

On Wednesday, April 25th, at approximately 2:15 p.m. APD patrol officers responded to a suspicious package call at the Austin Women’s Health Center parking lot located at 1902 South I-35. The 9-1-1 call was placed by a clinic employee who also notified ATF and FBI per the clinic protocol. The clinic and an insurance agency were evacuated, as well as one apartment building behind the incident location. The Bomb Squad was notified and examined the package. After reviewing the information collected, the decision was made to render the package safe. All four southbound lanes of I-35 were briefly closed while the package was rendered safe. Closer examination of the package revealed an unknown powdery substance in the device. The Homeland Defense Team and the Austin Fire Department responded with specialized equipment to conduct field analysis to determine the chemical makeup of the substance. After the initial field analysis, it was determined that the powder was an explosive powder, not a biological health hazard.



It was determined that the package was an explosive device and would have caused serious bodily injury and/or death had it functioned. A criminal investigation is being conducted by local and federal authorities. The City of Austin has made great strides and continues to seek initiatives to ensure that the appropriate training and resources are available to guarantee a prepared and quick response to any critical incident. City of Austin public safety entities work jointly with federal, state and local agencies during critical incidents, as well as long-term projects, to assure the safety of the Austin community.

I would like to take a moment to commend the Austin Police Department and Austin Fire Department for not causing public hysteria over the bomb. The first responders reacted, and took care of the situation, as the complete professionals they are.

This also needs to be highlighted:

Austin police said the device could have caused serious injury or death had it detonated prior to a clinic employee discovering it and notifying authorities.

Thanks to vigilant workers at the clinic, the package was noticed. Otherwise, this story might have been much, much worse.

I would also like to note that since 9-11, this has not been an isolated case of domestic terrorism. Thanks to Bustacap, we need to add these to the guy from Iowa:

William Krar, found in 2003 to have quite a tidy little stockpile of weapons, including cyanide gas.

In 2003, Norman Somerville, loaded with weapons and seething with militant urgency, was prepared to make something happen in rural Northern Michigan.

I am still waiting for video or transcripts from the presser today, but until then, a good suggestion from Skulnick is to contact CNN and let them know this is an important story.

<Update 2>



http://www.statesman.com/...

"The device was a dangerous device," David Carter, an Austin assistant police chief, said at a press conference this afternoon. "We believe it was capable of detonation." He declined to be more specific. Officials have not commented on any possible suspects or motives and have not said what else was in the device. Austin police said they are reviewing video from the clinic's surveillance cameras.

So hopefully, they will get a face or license plate off the tape, and the person, or people, involved in this will be held accountable. I am sure there will be more local news about this, but I don't expect it to go national. But I hope they catch this criminal, because there is nothing more dangerous than someone who thinks terrorism on the homeland soil is acceptable for their political causes.

We, as Americans, must stop throwing stones at the world from our glass house when it comes to extremist and terrorism. And we must also all remember the words of one of the greatest Americans, "We have nothing to fear, but fear itself." If we bow down to their fear tactics, the terrorist have truly won, not matter where they plant their flags of despair.

"What we fear comes to pass more speedily than what we hope."

- Publilius Syrus

Peace, to all who choice it.