[ThinkInsane]

http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/inter...onesia.html?th

September 9, 2004


At Least 3 Killed in Blast Outside Australian Embassy in Jakarta
By REUTERS





Filed at 3:32 a.m. ET


JAKARTA (Reuters) - A powerful car bomb exploded outside the Australian embassy in central Jakarta on Thursday, killing at least four people in the vicinity and injuring more than 100.


Australian Prime Minister John Howard, speaking in Melbourne, said he understood that up to six people had been killed by the blast, which he said left a crater 10 feet deep near the embassy gate.


Indonesian police said the blast came from a car bomb and at least four deaths had been confirmed, all Indonesians.


The attack was ``certainly a terrorist act,'' Jakarta Governor Sutiyoso said, as did Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer, who is due to fly to Jakarta later on Thursday along with a team of bomb experts.


The blast comes days before the country's Sept. 20 presidential election and Indonesian police have warned of threats, including bomb attacks, related to the poll.


Just 24 hours ago, Jakarta police had said that security at hotels in Indonesia would be boosted after the State Department issued a travel warning.


The blast was audible up to 15 km (9 miles) away, Indonesian television reported. It tore off the glass fronts of office towers surrounding the embassy, itself badly damaged by the blast.


Charred debris, body parts, glass and the twisted wreckage of motorcycles, cars and a truck littered the road outside the embassy.


Indonesian President Megawati Sukarnoputri cut short a visit to Brunei to head home. ``The president is returning today from Brunei. She plans to go to the bomb site,'' a presidential source said.


Indonesian shares and the rupiah currency tumbled after the blast, then steadied. Jakarta's key share index, which dropped four percent initially, was down just 2.48 percent in the early afternoon. The central bank said it would monitor the rupiah.


``THEY'RE ANIMALS, DEVILS''


An emergency room staffer at a nearby hospital said: ``We have three bodies so far due to the blast,'' and added that dozens of people, many of them office workers, were being treated.


Australian television said all embassy staff had been accounted for although some had minor injuries. However, a witness said an Indonesian embassy guard was killed.


``My friend Anton just died, my friend Anton just died. He was a security guard,'' guard Siti Riani said, sobbing.


Television footage taken soon after the blast showed bloodied victims, including several security guards, sitting on the road weeping. One badly wounded man scrambled out of a road-side drain and collapsed on the grass by the road.


Suwardi, 39, said he was at a building just behind the embassy applying for a job. ``I tried to run away after the bang, but the impact of the bomb was just so big. I touched my head and it was all blood,'' he said.


``The perpetrators are not human. They're animals, they're devils. They must be fought,'' he said.


A Reuters witness on the scene saw pieces of a head, hair and flesh and other body parts on the street.


Hundreds of police stood outside the embassy, trying to hold back big crowds.


``Get out of the way. You are stepping on evidence. There are flesh, bones, and remnants all over this place. Back off,'' a police officer said over a megaphone.


Indonesia, the world's fourth most populous nation, has been hit by sporadic bomb attacks in recent years, including blasts in Bali in October 2002 that killed 202 people and at the luxury JW Marriott hotel in Jakarta in August 2003 that killed 12.


The Bali blasts killed 88 Australians.


Thursday's bomb was bigger than that which devastated the Marriott, a police officer on the scene said.


TRAVEL WARNING


The fortress-like Australian embassy building is surrounded by a tall fence made of thick metal tubes with a large reinforced gate and gatehouse. The building is on Rasuna Said, one of central Jakarta's busiest roads, which is lined with office towers, embassies and hotels.


Australia immediately issued a travel warning to its citizens to defer all non-essential travel to Indonesia. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said in a statement that Australians in Indonesia who were concerned for their safety should also consider leaving.


The blast occurred just two days ahead of the anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon, in which about 3,000 people died.


The al Qaeda network led by Saudi-born Osama bin Laden carried out the Sept. 11 attacks and the group seen as its southeast Asian wing, Jemaah Islamiah, was responsible for the Bali bombing and the August 2003 hotel attack.

So, anyone want to make a bet on when we will get our pre-election terrorist attack?

[badidea]

can't be, the world is safer now...

[Spheric Harlot]

Originally posted by badidea:
can't be, the world is safer now...

It is: Nobody died.
Well, nobody that matters (USA! USA!).

Right?

[Spoogepieces]

Ah, yes, the kneejerking Europeans are at it again.

Got to get a jab in at America at someone else's expense.

May the two of you rot in hell.

[badidea]

America? I didn't say that!
But someone claimed the world would be safer!

[Spheric Harlot]

Originally posted by Spoogepieces:
Ah, yes, the kneejerking Europeans are at it again.

Got to get a jab in at America at someone else's expense.

May the two of you rot in hell.

You'll have to excuse the bitterness.

And my jab wasn't against America; it was against some of the unfathomable, downright confounding, ignorance and idiocy I've seen on this forum lately.

I do have most of the candidates on ignore, but every once in a while, something slips through. :shudders:

[Spoogepieces]

It's always nice to know that the ability to close one's ears and mind (i.e. ignore opinions contrary to one's own) is the best way to handle problems.

If you have a reason to bash America at least have the human decency not to do it at someone else's expense. This attack didn't take place here so the kneejerking is totally out of place.

[Randman]

Originally posted by Spheric Harlot:
And my jab wasn't against America; it was against some of the unfathomable, downright confounding, ignorance and idiocy I've seen on this forum lately.

Been reading your posts again, eh?

[Spheric Harlot]

Originally posted by Randman:
Been reading your posts again, eh?

I guess I deserve that plump snideness for my remark above, but by way of explanation:

This one left a mark.

There' been a couple of others lately where I quite simply couldn't believe that somebody had actually written that, let alone meant it.

One reason I won't be reading the "WWIII" thread.

The one about the biker with the chalking device had some stuff, though in a different vein, that left me absolutely incredulous, as well. Not something I could ever have imagined being posted from within a supposedly democratic nation.

-s*

[badidea]

Originally posted by Spoogepieces:
If you have a reason to bash America at least have the human decency not to do it at someone else's expense. This attack didn't take place here so the kneejerking is totally out of place.

...and you still don't understand the difference between the world and America!
There is also a big difference between America and Bush - he's just your president, not your emperor and therefor is not the country but just a normal person (that's democracy)!
See, NO America bashing!

[Randman]

It's a sad sign that this thread is evolving into another political debate and very few (myself included) have expressed any regrets that innocent people have been killed by madmen.

[Logic]

Latest reports state that 8 have died.

Another day, another senseless killing. And we were told the world would be safer..............



RIP

[dcolton]

Originally posted by Logic:
Latest reports state that 8 have died.

Another day, another senseless killing. And we were told the world would be safer..............



RIP

I love it. Another terrorist attack and instead of showing sympathy or blaming the terrorists, you guys attack America. What is the root cause for this attack? Did the sun rise too early?

[Spoogepieces]

Originally posted by badidea:
...and you still don't understand the difference between the world and America!

can't be, the world is safer now...

It is: Nobody died.
Well, nobody that matters (USA! USA!).

What's the most sad and pitiful about you Europeans is that you couldn't give an ounce of sympathy but had to attack America not once but twice in your kneejerking. And you wonder why Americans hate Europeans with a deep passion?

[badidea]

Originally posted by dcolton:
...Another terrorist attack and instead of showing sympathy or blaming the terrorists, ...

Why would we want to show sympathy for the terrorists??
I will never show sympathy for any terrorist!
There also no need to blame them because it seems pretty obvious that it was them terrorists who commited this crime!

I am sorry for the victims though, very sorry!
(but if I would post this for every victim in this world, I would soon beat Zimphires postcount)

[dcolton]

Originally posted by badidea:

(but if I would post this for every victim in this world, I would soon beat Zimphires postcount)

LOL

[Spheric Harlot]

Originally posted by Spoogepieces:
What's the most sad and pitiful about you Europeans is that you couldn't give an ounce of sympathy but had to attack America not once but twice in your kneejerking. And you wonder why Americans hate Europeans with a deep passion?

What's the most sad and pitiful about you Americans (while we're generalizing) is that you couldn't read if your life depended upon it.

READ MY RESPONSE TO RANDMAN'S POST ABOVE.

And for the umpteenth time: attacking your administration for the bullsh*t they're feeding the public is NOT "attacking America".

'nuff said.

[Logic]

Originally posted by dcolton:
I love it. Another terrorist attack and instead of showing sympathy or blaming the terrorists, you guys attack America. What is the root cause for this attack? Did the sun rise too early?

I attacked America and showed no sympathy for the victims?

Did you miss the RIP part of my post? And where did I mention America.

[badidea]

Originally posted by dcolton:
LOL

You think that's funny?? Sad, very sad...

[Spoogepieces]

Originally posted by Spheric Harlot:
What's the most sad and pitiful about you Americans (while we're generalizing) is that you couldn't read if your life depended upon it.

READ MY RESPONSE TO RANDMAN'S POST ABOVE.

And for the umpteenth time: attacking your administration for the bullsh*t they're feeding the public is NOT "attacking America".

'nuff said.

But neither of you stated anything about the administration or Bush in your first posts. Only when you got caught did you have to play a Kerry and backpeddle, waffle, and misdirect.

[badidea]

Originally posted by Spoogepieces:
But neither of you stated anything about the administration or Bush in your first posts. ...

Did America or did Bush say that the world is safer now??

[Spoogepieces]

You would help your cause if you didn't take words out of context:

"America is a safer place. Four more years and America will be safer and the world will be more peaceful," he said on Tuesday in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

"The world is a safer and better place as a result of (Iraqi leader) Saddam Hussein not being in power," he told NBC Television in February.

[Spheric Harlot]

Originally posted by Spoogepieces:
But neither of you stated anything about the administration or Bush in your first posts. Only when you got caught did you have to play a Kerry and backpeddle, waffle, and misdirect.

My post wasn't referring to the Bush administration.

Originally posted by Spheric Harlot:
You'll have to excuse the bitterness.

And my jab wasn't against America; it was against some of the unfathomable, downright confounding, ignorance and idiocy I've seen on this forum lately.

I do have most of the candidates on ignore, but every once in a while, something slips through. :shudders:

Look at my user name. Now look at badidea's. Do you notice something? That's right, they're different. Fancy that, TWO users, capable of saying TWO DIFFERENT things, NEITHER of which was what you would have liked it to be.

Fancy that.

[Spheric Harlot]

Originally posted by Spoogepieces:
You would help your cause if you didn't take words out of context:

That's true. The context DID in fact help make his point, as it even involved Saddam Hussein, whose removal has demonstrably NOT resulted in fewer American deaths.

Not that badidea was talking about American safety.

But I'm sure those eight killed today, and their families, are much safer, too, than they were before Saddam was removed.

May they rest in peace.

[Spoogepieces]

Originally posted by Spheric Harlot:
That's true. The context DID in fact help make his point, as it even involved Saddam Hussein, whose removal has demonstrably NOT resulted in fewer American deaths.

Where did he say anything about American deaths?

Not that badidea was talking about American safety.

Bush's quote said that in four more years the world would be a safer place. He only stated that the world was safer with Saddam out of power. I think it's you who has the reading comprehension issues here.

But I'm sure those eight killed today, and their families, are much safer, too, than they were before Saddam was removed.

Because we all know a random act of violence in Jakarta is totally within the power of any government to have stopped (because the terrorists always state the place, time, and manner of execution 10 years, 243 days, 16 hours, 4 minutes, and 49 seconds before they will do their deeds)

[Spoogepieces]

Originally posted by Spheric Harlot:
My post wasn't referring to the Bush administration.Look at my user name.

Ok, so what the hell do the initials USA (twice) mean in your original post? You're worse than Kerry.

[dcolton]

Originally posted by Spheric Harlot:
One reason I won't be reading the "WWIII" thread.

Good

[ThinkInsane]

What the hell is wrong with you guys? Are you so wrapped up in your own ******** that you can't even discuss a news story without acting like a bunch of children? It's really sad to see a bunch of adults acting like this, most of whom I have always thought pretty intelligent people. I think just about everyone in the politics forum would do well to untwist their panties, take a step back, have a couple of deep breaths, and look at the things you say to each other. If you all did that, I think many of you wouldn't be too proud of how you are behaving. Just food for thought.

My point in posting this wasn't to make snide comments about whether or not we (by we, I mean the world) is any safer than it was. It had nothing to do with Saddam or Iraq. It would seem that after the Madrid bombing, terrorist seem to have figured out they may well be able to effect he outcome of elections with an attack. This attack happened three days before Indonesia's presidential election. I don't think that is a coincidence.

[Spheric Harlot]

Originally posted by Spoogepieces:
Ok, so what the hell do the initials USA (twice) mean in your original post? You're worse than Kerry.

I *knew* I should have put them in quotes to emphasize that they were a take on the rah-rah club...

I don't see the Kerry connection.

Regardless, ThinkInsane has a point.

I'm not sure we'll see pre-election bombings in the US, because, frankly, I don't think their influence on the outcome of the elections is really predictable...?

Apart from that, I'm sure the terrorists would much prefer to see Bush win: he'll guarantee them new recruits aplenty.

-s*

[Spoogepieces]

Originally posted by ThinkInsane:
This attack happened three days before Indonesia's presidential election. I don't think that is a coincidence.

And thanks to the Spanish terrorists know that they can cause death, mayhem, and destruction and influence a government they way they want in the future. This is what can and will happen if we approach terrorism with appeasement, olive branches, and kid gloves as the Western European approach seems to be.

Ironically, the biggest supporters of the WoT are from Eastern Europe because unlike their Western counterparts they know what it's like to be puppets and slaves without choice and without freedom.

Sadly I doubt even with several massacres in Berlin or Paris that the cowards in those countries would do anything to preserve their freedom. Their past actions, behavior, and current appeasement strategy will cause more deaths in the long run.

[ThinkInsane]

Originally posted by Spheric Harlot:
I *knew* I should have put them in quotes to emphasize that they were a take on the rah-rah club...

I don't see the Kerry connection.

Regardless, ThinkInsane has a point.

I'm not sure we'll see pre-election bombings in the US, because, frankly, I don't think their influence on the outcome of the elections is really predictable...?

Apart from that, I'm sure the terrorists would much prefer to see Bush win: he'll guarantee them new recruits aplenty.

-s*

I doubt that the results are that predictable either. I was frankly quite surprised that it worked in Spain, and I think it probably had more to do with the administration blaming the basque separatists more than the attack itself, but that is just unfounded speculation on my part. But the fact is, no matter what the reason for the outcome in Spain, it did work, and I wouldn't be surprised if the terrorists give it a few more tries to confirm whether or not it will work reliably. I think if the US is going to have another terrorist attack in the near future, it will be in the short run-up to the election. Again, that's just unfounded speculation also.

If I was running a terrorist operation, I would rather have the guy isn't going to kill my experienced, trained, veterans, than the guy that helps me recruit new people that then have to be trained, but that's just me.

[Spoogepieces]

Exactly. Given Kerry's background we can only assume he would negotiate rather than kill terrorists. That's a major reason why he's unfit to be CIC.

With Bush in office terrorists who attack us know that we'll come after them sooner or later and if there's a chance a state could have sponsored terrorism then we'll force regime change.

I feel much safer with Bush in office than I would with Kerry.

If terrorists strike here it will be a major mistake on their part. We aren't weak like others are.

[PacHead]

Originally posted by badidea:
Did America or did Bush say that the world is safer now??

Either you are with us or against us. We don't give a crap about those who fall into category number 2. That's a fact for you to digest.

[PacHead]

Originally posted by Logic:
Latest reports state that 8 have died.

Another day, another senseless killing. And we were told the world would be safer..............



RIP

No, things will get worse before they get better. The USA is doing pretty good so far. As for the world, oh well.

[deedar]

Originally posted by PacHead:
Either you are with us or against us. We don't give a crap about those who fall into category number 2. That's a fact for you to digest.

Just who exactly is "us"?

[PacHead]

Originally posted by deedar:
Just who exactly is "us"?

US = the USA and those allies who are with us, in fighting this war. Who else did you think ?

[Logic]

Originally posted by PacHead:
US = the USA and those allies who are with us, in fighting this war. Who else did you think ?

What war exactly are you speaking about?

[PacHead]

Originally posted by Logic:
What war exactly are you speaking about?

The Crimean war.

[Logic]

Originally posted by PacHead:
The Crimean war.

Well the US didn't take part in that war and it ended quite a while ago so why should we join you in that?

[badidea]

Originally posted by ThinkInsane:
What the hell is wrong with you guys? Are you so wrapped up in your own ******** that you can't even discuss a news story without acting like a bunch of children? It's really sad to see a bunch of adults acting like this, most of whom I have always thought pretty intelligent people. I think just about everyone in the politics forum would do well to untwist their panties, take a step back, have a couple of deep breaths, and look at the things you say to each other. If you all did that, I think many of you wouldn't be too proud of how you are behaving. Just food for thought.

...

Yeah, sorry! I tried to keep out of the political lounge as much as I could for the last few weeks but was far too bored today to stay in standard lounge!

There are now many new posts that I really would like to comment but I will step back and not post for at least 2 weeks - if you see me do so, flame me (I mean everybody, not just ThinkInsane)!

And guys, please stop quoting PacHead, my head really hurts because my brain tries to fill his vacuum!!!!!!

Bye-bye!

[Spheric Harlot]

Originally posted by Spoogepieces:
Exactly. Given Kerry's background we can only assume he would negotiate rather than kill terrorists. That's a major reason why he's unfit to be CIC.

With Bush in office terrorists who attack us know that we'll come after them sooner or later and if there's a chance a state could have sponsored terrorism then we'll force regime change.

I feel much safer with Bush in office than I would with Kerry.

If terrorists strike here it will be a major mistake on their part. We aren't weak like others are.

What do you mean, "exactly"?

Did you read what ThinkInsane wrote?

He surmised that the election outcome in Spain had nothing to do with the "War on Terror", and everything to do with government behavior - lying to the public about evidence suggesting who the perpetrators were.

-s*

[Zimphire]

Originally posted by Randman:
Been reading your posts again, eh?

ziiiiiiiiiiiiing!

[Zimphire]

Originally posted by dcolton:
I love it. Another terrorist attack and instead of showing sympathy or blaming the terrorists, you guys attack America. What is the root cause for this attack? Did the sun rise too early?

Of course blame America. It's never those bad terrorists!

They can't help it! WE ARE MAKING THEM DO IT! 24/7

4-ever

And other extreme non-sensical words.

[PacHead]

The first post in this thread is obviously describing a tragic happening, but I have to say many of the replies are downright laughable.