KLP, some [or all] of the bombs might have been fakes. None of them would have done more than blow up the building [and contents] and make a bit of a mess in the street.
The 625 miles is false.
The fact that none of them went off, despite the Chechens knowing they were being gassed shows that either they weren't that enthusiastic about blowing them up or they weren't actually bombs. The idea that the bombers were waiting for instructions but the guys had gone doesn't make sense to me and in any event is interpretation [dead people don't explain their motives].
I'm inclined to think the Russian government completely messed up and did a Kursk. I wonder whether some negotiating, sending in food, water, fresh air, toilets and stuff might not have helped matters more. There's more to life than being tough, showing who's boss etc. I wonder whether there was any sensible discussion, negotiating and calming down.
The trainee who told the Washington Sniper who was boss blew it too! I can imagine a jumped up little authoritarian on the receiving end of an abusive phone call failing to find out what the heck was going on in the caller's head.
It used to impress me that the British could time after time get IRA terrorists to surrender [after a few days of food, water, calming down etc]. Americans seem disposed to the wild shoot 'em up solution [Wacko, Ruby Ridge, The Texas Clock Tower, Symbionese Liberation Army] rather than clear the area and let's all have a nice cup of tea and see if we can't do something sensible.
Mqurice |
