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"Credible" Bomb Threat Closes, Evacuates All Los Angeles Public Schools

Posted by timothy on from the in-my-day-it-was-one-school-at-a-time dept.

The Washington Post reports that all Los Angeles public schools have been closed for the day after a "'credible threat' of violence to students at numerous schools in the sprawling district, and a schools official confirmed that it was a bomb threat to the school district." According to the Houston Chronicle, a law enforcement official speaking anonymously with the Associated Press said that the threat "was emailed to a school board member and appeared to come from overseas. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak publicly about the investigation. The official says the threat was sent late Monday. Superintendent Ramon Cortines says the threat was made against students at many of the district's schools." The Los Angeles Unified School District, the second-largest school system in the U.S., is no picnic to close; the New York Times notes that the closure throws into disarray "the lives of millions of Angelenos — students, parents, teachers and other school staff members."

14 of 241 comments (clear)

  1. So vague is has to be true? by s.petry · · Score: 5, Insightful

    I'm not sure how this is being spun where you are, but think for a minute. 650,000 students are being sent home because of a "credible" threat. I might be convinced that a school was threatened, but the complete district of LA is bullsh$*. Someone is attempting to change the definition of the word "credible" here.

    Before you "but the children", give me the percentage of terrorist activities or even bombings where someone gave warning.

    No matter what though, you can bet your ass this will be used as propaganda to argue for more government and more freedom loss to the same.

    --

    -The wise argue that there are few absolutes, the fool argues that there are no probabilities.

    1. Re:So vague is has to be true? by Cajun+Hell · · Score: 5, Insightful

      Before you "but the children", give me the percentage of terrorist activities or even bombings where someone gave warning.

      I can't give you a lot of digits of precision, but here's the number I came up with: more than 0%. The warning is the terrorism. You don't have to murder anyone to be a terrorist (though it sure helps).

      How to be a terrorist: Do something scary, preferably targeting a society of cowards. Did you scare people into overreacting? Yes: mission accomplished, you're a good terrorist. No: You're a bad terrorist, so don't quit your engineering day job.

      They probably didn't scare any students ("yay, day off!") but the parents were hit. As for how successful it was, I'll wait for the media to tell me. Everyone, please remember to FREAK OUT, so that we can guarantee a repeat of this cheap tactic. I know I can count on Republican candidates to join the terrorists on this, but let's all please try to remember to include the progressives too: kids need more days off like this! All that pot isn't going to smoke itself!

      --
      "Believe me!" -- Donald Trump
    2. Re:So vague is has to be true? by modecx · · Score: 5, Insightful

      Just imagine the alternative: You're the superintendent, and it was discovered that your received a somewhat credible threat, after something actually happened--no matter how trifling in the grand scheme. You know full well that you'd be publicly crucified by the entire nation's media, maybe you'd even be inquisitioned by Congress. You'd almost certianly lose your six figure job, and become unemployable to that standard ever again. You probably lose everything you worked your entire life for, and it would probably break up your family as well.

      If you throw up the red flag, none of this happens, except people raise an eyebrow, and some kids get to take the day off, some tax dollars get wasted and the SWAT guys get to go play Rambo in a bunch of empty schools.

      Which path do you chose?

      If I was in his/her shoes, I'd sure as fuck play the CYA card too.

      --
      Constitutional rights may be respected, repealed, or modified; but they must never be ignored.
    3. Re: So vague is has to be true? by Talderas · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Really, california (and texas.. and new york) should be broken up into smaller states.

      Their population's representation in the Senate and house are grossly smaller than those from many other states.

      The Senate is not there to represent the people. Perhaps you should sue your high school for giving you a piss poor civics education.

      --
      "Lack of speed can be overcome. In the worst case by patience." --Znork
    4. Re:So vague is has to be true? by neminem · · Score: 4, Insightful

      If I were an awful terrorist that really wanted to make the whole country go crazy, I'd *absolutely* call in "credible" bomb threats like this. I'd keep doing them randomly until someone told the superintendent that he *cannot* keep closing schools like this, it's making everyones' jobs impossible and losing millions of dollars of taxpayer money.

      *Then* I'd blow up a school.

      Luckily, I'm not a terrorist.

  2. We've seen this before by Nidi62 · · Score: 4, Funny

    A threat that led to the closing and search of every public school? They should send some police over to the LA branch of the Federal Reserve, just in case.

    --
    The only thing necessary for evil to triumph is for it to be pitted against a slightly greater evil
  3. Terrorists win by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

    An emailed bomb threat from overseas evacuates the entire school district of one of the biggest cities in the United States. When did Americans become such cowards?

  4. Catching Up With Fiction by sehlat · · Score: 5, Interesting

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/...

    Wasp is a 1957 science fiction novel by English author Eric Frank Russell. Terry Pratchett (author of the Discworld series of fantasy books) stated that he "can't imagine a funnier terrorists' handbook." Wasp is generally considered Russell's best novel.

    1. Re:Catching Up With Fiction by GameboyRMH · · Score: 4, Informative

      Book's available for free now...on the phone it goes!

      https://archive.org/details/Ru...

      --
      "When information is power, privacy is freedom" - Jah-Wren Ryel
  5. Someone had test today they didn't want to take by JoeyRox · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Sending in an email is much easier than pulling the fire alarm.

  6. so, great success. by nimbius · · Score: 5, Insightful

    After the San Bernadino shooting that killed 14 people, we have shut down more than 900 public schools in the second largest city in america. terrorism isnt about killing people, or maiming them, or destroying property. terrorism is about undermining the authority of a target nations government. Its about making its populus too frightened to send their children to school, too worried to board a plane without massive security theatre, and too scared to accept immigrants into a nation that was founded and championed by immigrants. Today is a dark day not because of lives lost, but because we have effectively agreed to the premise of terrorism.

    --
    Good people go to bed earlier.
  7. The Only Legitimate Reponse by 31415926535897 · · Score: 4, Funny

    I believe the only proper response to this threat is to introduce common sense bomb control legislation.

    1. Re:The Only Legitimate Reponse by The-Ixian · · Score: 5, Funny

      You know that the only way to counter a bad guy with a bomb is to have a good guy with a bomb.

      Obama, quit trying to take away my bombs!

      --
      My eyes reflect the stars and a smile lights up my face.
  8. Kids in cold climates get snow days off. by Snufu · · Score: 4, Funny

    Why shouldn't L.A. kids get jihad days off?