For the third time in three years, a person riding a bicycle and armed with a small explosive has struck in the heart of Times Square. The incident occurred at 3:40 am on Thursday. The “shadowy figure” carried the bomb in a small metal ammunition box, which created a quick flash and towering cloud of white smoke. The explosion is very unnerving to New Yorkers and the nation alike, for Times Square is immensely populated. Capitol Hill has also been touched by the threat as several offices were sent letters including pictures of the recruiting station and the words “We did it”. There was a huge police response to the blast in Manhattan, and it left a gaping hole in the front window and shattered a glass door. The blast was even felt to the nearby Marriott Marquis. Police are still analyzing evidence.
This story is very pertinent to the entire nation. Not only does this story have proximity to New Yorkers and all those in the tri-state area, but also as this has been a continuing bomb threat for years now, much of the nation should be concerned. This recent bombing is alarming because not only is it a continuation of a suspect(s) who has never been caught, but it has also moved to a more crowded and important location—the center of Manhattan, in Times Square. This also establishes prominence, including the fact that the “mystery” bomber has contacted members of Capitol Hill. Timeliness is involved as there is an ongoing investigation into this mystery and as it just occurred this past weekend. It is still a breaking story. There is drama in this story because there could have been fatalities and/or injuries, and because the bomber obviously had something to tell his audience (America) with his actions. (Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, 3/7/08, http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/breaking/s_555995.html).
My favorite story this week detailed a recent medical finding. According to a five month inquiry by the AP and multiple testing done by our nation’s major metropolitan areas (over 24), there are small concentrations of pharmaceuticals and their byproducts in drinking water that supplies nearly 41 million Americans. The fact that there is a presence of so many prescription drugs—and over the counter medicines like ibuprofen and acetaminophen-- in our drinking water is unsettling to scientists, as they fear for long-term consequences to human health. The span of this discovery stretches from coast to coast and top to bottom of our nation. It is unnerving to hear that water, which is essential for life, could potentially be harmful. It also points out the broader picture, which is how limited resources will become to future generations—resources that we just seem to take for granted. (Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, 3/10/08, http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/breaking/s_556442.html).
Pilots were able to avert a catastrophe as their two airplanes nearly collided Tuesday morning over Pittsburgh, carrying over 123 passengers. The FAA and Air Traffic Controllers association disagree as to how close and how fast the planes were actually going, but both acknowledge that it occurred under the watch air traffic control trainee in Ohio. (Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, 3/6/08, http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/breaking/s_555814.html). Senator Barack Obama prevailed in the Wyoming Democratic caucuses Saturday, charging a bit further ahead in a race to the finish with Senator Hillary Clinton. (Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, 3/9/08, http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/s_556355.html). A Mexican man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for unlawfully re-entering the United States. Santiago Fortozo-Melendez had been deported from the U.S. before. (Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, 3/9/08, http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/cityregion/s_556346.html). Space shuttle Endeavour, carrying a crew of seven, blasted into orbit Tuesday morning on the longest space station mission to-date. The shuttle left Cape Canaveral, FL for a multinational flight involving Canada and Japan. (Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, 3/11/08, http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/breaking/s_556544.html). NY Governor Eliot Spitzer resigned yesterday after his involvement in a prostitution scandal was brought to light. (Pittsburgh-Tribune-Review, 3/12/08, http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/breaking/s_556849.html).
