Mass Suicide Bombings In Sri Lanka Kill 200+, Hundreds More Injured

Churches and hotels in Sri Lanka have become the targets of horrific coordinated mass suicide bombings killing more than 200 and injuring 450+ more.

From the Washington Post:

No group claimed responsibility for the attacks. Three people have been arrested and four are being questioned, police said. Three police officers were killed in a raid on a house in Colombo as they attempted to interrogate an individual in the attacks.

Blasts ripped through three churches in the cities of Colombo, Negombo and Batticaloa at approximately 8:45 a.m. as worshipers were gathering for services, police said. Bombers also struck three hotels and a banquet hall in Colombo, the nation’s capital. An eighth blast occurred at a home under a flyover in the city.

Ruwan Wijewardene, Sri Lanka’s minister for defense, said the attacks were carried out by suicide bombers. All of the explosions occurred between 8:45 and 9:30 a.m.

The bombings were the deadliest violence in the country since the end of its civil war in 2009. Sri Lanka is a predominantly Buddhist nation, but is also home to significant Hindu, Muslim and Christian communities. Easter is the holiest day of the Christian calendar.

-Multiple explosions tore through Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday
-Over 200 people were killed
-Hundreds more were injured
-Seven suspects have been arrested
-Officials describe it as a terrorist attack carried out by religious extremists: https://t.co/0jpst9rZ6V

— NPR (@NPR) April 21, 2019

Was Internalized Homophobia A Factor In The Austin Bomber's Deadly Attacks?

Austin bombing suspect Mark Conditt

Six weeks after the deadly bombing spree by 23-year-old Mark Conditt in Austin and San Antonio police are still searching for clues as to the motivation for his actions.

New evidence suggests it’s possible internalized homophobia may have played a part.

Conditt’s early life revolved around being home-schooled by his conservative Christian family. He attended church each week and took part in Christian youth groups.

But in 2012, Conditt penned an online essay while attending Austin Community College that virulently denounced homosexuality.

The blog post read, in part:

Homosexuality is not natural. Just look at the male and female bodies. They are obviously designed to couple. The natural design is apparent. It is not natural to couple male with male and female with female. It would be like trying to fit two screws together and to nuts together and then say, “See, it’s natural for them to go together.” In addition, political protection of a sexual practice is ludicrous. I do not believe it is proper to pass laws stating that homosexuals have ‘rights.’ What about pedophilia or bestiality? These are sexual practices. Should they also be protected by law? If homosexuality is protected by law, why not those as well?

It was around this time that Conditt also cut off a childhood friend, Sierra Jane Davis, whom he knew from the Pflugerville home-school community.

When she shared the news that she was transitioning, “He told me that he couldn’t support my decision to live this life,” said Davis.

But then there was a turning point for Conditt.

He ceased attending church, quit Christianity and announced he was an atheist.

According to the Austin American-Statesman, Conditt’s two roommates thought he might have been gay.

It was that revelation that led police to discover he had used Grindr to exchange messages with men.

It’s not apparent if his family knew he was out.

When asked about the possibility, Davis says, “It’s not something we talked about, but I do know that it would have been difficult for him and his family.”

Currently there’s no proof that he was working with a terrorist or paramilitary organizations. Nor are there any white supremacist or racially-motivated clues to point to at this time.

Trump Backtracks On Syrian Missile Strike Threat

Donald Trump

Donald Trump backtracked today on his previous Twitter rant threatening Russia and Syria with a missile strike saying that an airstrike wasn't necessarily imminent.

“Never said when an attack on Syria would take place,” Trump tweeted this morning. “Could be very soon or not so soon at all! In any event, the United States, under my Administration, has done a great job of ridding the region of ISIS."

Trump curiously asked for praise from Americans for doing his job: "Where is our ’Thank you America?’”

Trump yesterday:

Russia vows to shoot down any and all missiles fired at Syria. Get ready Russia, because they will be coming, nice and new and “smart!” You shouldn’t be partners with a Gas Killing Animal who kills his people and enjoys it!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 11, 2018

Trump today:

Never said when an attack on Syria would take place. Could be very soon or not so soon at all! In any event, the United States, under my Administration, has done a great job of ridding the region of ISIS. Where is our “Thank you America?”

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 12, 2018

News Round-Up: February 13, 2018

Some news items you might have missed:

• It's a "light and shadow" kind of day here in Las Vegas. And so, I give you the handsome Ignacio Pérez Rey photographed by the incomparable Joan Crisol.

• A recently unearthed quote from Academy Award winner Marlon Brando confirms he had homosexual experiences.

• Underwear designer Andrew Christian has found a way to deal with all those pics of beleagured porn boy Topher DiMaggio on his website after "suspending" Topher as a "trophy boy." The answer? They simply cut off his head.

• The 30-year-old man who set off a bomb in the Chelsea neighborhood of Manhattan ( a popular gay neighborhood)  in September of 2016 has been sentenced to two life sentences plus 30 years for his actions.

• This popular Miami first grade teacher was fired for marrying her wife. The Catholic school she taught for had a "moral turpitude" clause in her contract they say she broke. Florida, as you may know, has no protections for LGBTs in the workplace.

• Pop diva Toni Braxton has a brand new single “Long As I Live” out now, and is one of several tracks Toni co-wrote and produced for her upcoming new album, Sex and Cigarettes, due out March 23. Check out the new single below.

U.S. Drops Largest Non-Nuclear Bomb In Afghanistan

From CNN:

The US military has dropped an enormous bomb in Afghanistan, according to four US military officials with direct knowledge of the mission.

A GBU-43/B Massive Ordnance Air Blast Bomb (MOAB), nicknamed the "mother of all bombs," was dropped at 7:32 pm local time Thursday, the sources said. A MOAB is a 21,600-pound, GPS-guided munition that is America's most powerful non-nuclear bomb.

The bomb was dropped by an MC-130 aircraft, stationed in Afghanistan and operated by Air Force Special Operations Command, Pentagon spokesman Adam Stump told CNN.

Officials said the target was an ISIS cave and tunnel complex and personnel in the Achin district of the Nangarhar province.

"The United States takes the fight against ISIS very seriously and in order to defeat the group we must deny them operational space, which we did," White House press secretary Sean Spicer said later Thursday. The strike "targeted a system of tunnels and cave that ISIS fighters use to move around freely."

The military is currently assessing the damage. Gen. John Nicholson, commander of US forces in Afghanistan, signed off on the use of the bomb, according to the sources. The authority to deploy the weapon was granted to Nicholson by the commander of US Central Command, Gen. Joseph Votel, Stump said.

This is the first time a MOAB has been used in the battlefield, according to the US officials. This munition was developed during the Iraq War.

Big. Literally! For 1st time US used most powerful non-nuclear bomb, 21,000 lb MOAB, targeting #ISIS in #Afghanistan https://t.co/RfDtxiXvIS

— Jon Williams (@WilliamsJon) April 13, 2017

Cartoon Of The Day

Suspected Chelsea Bomber Apprehended Following Shootout With Police

And there you go.

From CNN:

Ahmad Khan Rahami, the man suspected in bombings in New York and New Jersey, is now in custody after a shootout with police, sources said.

The shootout happened Monday in Linden, New Jersey, a local and federal law enforcement official said. Rahami was taken to an ambulance in a stretcher with his right shoulder bloodied and bandaged.

Ahmad Khan Rahami, the man wanted for questioning in connection with bombings in New York and Seaside Park, New Jersey, is also believed to be connected to the pipe bombs found in a backpack Sunday night in Elizabeth, New Jersey, sources said.

Rahami has been added to key terror watch lists to prevent him from trying to leave the country.

Ahmad Khan Rahami is now also wanted for questioning in connection with the explosion Saturday in Seaside Park, New Jersey, the FBI said Monday.

New York police announced earlier they are looking for Rahami for questioning in connection with the Saturday bombing in Manhattan's Chelsea neighborhood, which injured 29 people.

Bombing suspect Ahmad Rahami being taken into custody after shootout with police https://t.co/EIc2lUMyOS https://t.co/tEGMCxVhHQ

— CNN Newsroom (@CNNnewsroom) September 19, 2016

#Breaking: Official: Bombing suspect Ahmad Rahami is in custody after a shootout with police in Linden, NJ https://t.co/sweqyiwUBt

— CNN Newsroom (@CNNnewsroom) September 19, 2016

Tumblr User Claims Responsibility For Chelsea Bombing: "I'm The NY Bomber"

(images via Towleroad)

The NYPD is currently investigating whether or not the owner of a Tumblr page is responsible for the Chelsea bombing last night.

The Tumblr page was deleted early Sunday afternoon.

LGBT blogging site Towleroad grabbed screenshots before the page was removed.

According to the New York Daily News, “A police source told the Daily News the department is investigating the blog. Another source said the NYPD is speaking to local LGBT activists for any clues about the webpage.”

Not sure if this will pan out as the New York Post is reporting that an "Arab-looking" man has been implicated by witnesses, and a letter written in Arabic in part was found with the second bomb that was not exploded.

I've also heard reports that the poster may actually be based in North Carolina...?

The Tumblr page, bearing the title, “I’m the NY Bomber,” had only two posts.

The first post, titled “Manufacturing Test Explosives”, seemed to take credit for the bombing on behalf of “homosexuals like myself” as social justice for anti-LGBTQ oppression.

Manufacturing Test Explosives

Hi.

You probably have all seen the news by now,

the explosives detonated in New York City, that was me. Those were just some tests, I know where I have made errors and I will not make the same mistake next time.

I did it because I cannot stand society.

I cannot live in a world where homosexuals like myself as well as the rest of the LGBTQ+ community are looked down upon by society.

It is 2016 and we are still being viewed as mentally ill, sinners, attention seekers, and just plain weirdos in general. I am not going to stand by while under classed and underprivileged people are oppressed. I am not going to stand by while there is inequality in my country such as the racism being seen in white police officers all over the country. I am not going to live in a country where it is OK to have a misogynist, xenophobic, racist Islamophobic, republican candidate running for President of The United States! That’s implying that republicans in general should even be taken seriously as they are all cisgendered privileged white people.

This is not the end, this is just the beginning. I will be remembered. I will make a difference. I will eliminate my targets before it is too late.

The second post, titled “Taking a human life”, expressed more of the same:

Taking a human life

I don’t know exactly how I feel about taking human lives

However, what I do know is that If I don’t do what needs to be done nobody will pay attention. LGBTQ+ people are much more likely to commit suicide than straight cisgendered people. It seems that nobody cares, however what if people from the LGBTQ+ community started lashing out in response to the violence and oppression we face with violence and possibly oppression? I’m sure that would give people a reason to not stand by while so many people are being oppressed. I suppose I’m just going to have to move forward knowing that what I am doing had a purpose and will in fact make a difference. I’ll keep you all posted.

Click image to enlarge

Death Toll Rises In Bangkok

Death toll in Bangkok bombing rises to 19 http://t.co/TPareXjc5v

— TIME.com (@TIME) August 17, 2015