TD3 said:

paintedlady said:

Really? Why?

Because it smacks of immaturity, provincialism, and xenophobia. The Boston Marathon isn't just a regional track competition, its a prestigious Marathon race that brings people to Boston from around world as participants and onlookers. A Chinese college student was killed and I'll assume some of those who were maimed were foreign visitor's.

I admire those who ran towards the smoke to help those who had been hurt. I read stories of Bostonians along the marathon route coming out of their homes offering clothing, food, and shelter. I'm certain for those who may not have insurance or who are underinsured, their medically needs will be taken care of. This doesn't surprise me one bit because the best of who we are as a nation, when needed we step up and help.

But at times we can be less than humble and gracious. What happened last week in Boston didn't call for a "prep rally"; it should have called use to "stay calm and carry on."

By the way....

I thought Mr. Ortiz's comments were crass and embarrassing; the F-bomb should not have came from his lips. (IMHO) That's the way I perceived things....

===================================

[Edited 4/21/13 13:10pm]

[Edited 4/21/13 14:20pm]

Wow.. Like Timmy said, when 9-11 happened people were waving flags as a sign of solidarity and support for their fellow men where the tragedy happened. They didn't do it because they were immature, or racist.

Now in Boston, people are humble because Boston is more of a sleepy town... and just because some people wave their flag of where they live it doesn't mean they do it to snub other people. They do it to celebrate themselves. It is not about knocking others, just supporting ourselves to keep going and stay strong.

Being proud of where you come from shouldn't be criticized. It is tacky to do so. To read that the support given or shared is from a negative place is just wrong, abosolutely wrong.

As a matter of fact, people at the London Marathon wore Boston Strong shirts and signs and bore American flags in support... guess they are wrong too? People did stay calm, and went to memorials and to suggest anything other than that is down right disrespectful to those of us who live here and did what was good and healing for us as a city.

I didn't shit on any New Yorker after 9-11. I supported any way those good people reacted to a tragedy that hurt them deeply. I still would never shit on anyone who is proud of their home during a time of tragedy.

Talk about bad form... what about shitting on a group of people who suffered loss and are still traumatized?

[Edited 4/21/13 16:49pm]

BTW.

I need no schooling on the Marathon, been a spectator since I was a young child. I know exactly how special it is, to the whole fucking world. Maybe you should take note that the people who were hurt and waving those American flags came from EVERYWHERE and were waving the American flag in solidarity. Americans do not hate other people from other countries. I don't and neither do many of the people of Boston... because they all are from other countries themselves (for the most part).

Xenophobia my ass!!

paintedlady said:

paintedlady said:

Thing is Americans, we're very prideful. If we get an attack like this, we can't show to be pussies but that sometimes becomes a double-edged sword because then you have to deal with the hardheads that may do it in a way where it's not cool. That being said, I actually didn't see nothing wrong with what Bostonians are doing right now. People nearly lost lives with that bullshit those two jerkoffs pulled... separate the maniacal from the proud is what I do. Two sides to every story.

paintedlady said:

TD3 said:

Because it smacks of immaturity, provincialism, and xenophobia. The Boston Marathon isn't just a regional track competition, its a prestigious Marathon race that brings people to Boston from around world as participants and onlookers. A Chinese college student was killed and I'll assume some of those who were maimed were foreign visitor's.

I admire those who ran towards the smoke to help those who had been hurt. I read stories of Bostonians along the marathon route coming out of their homes offering clothing, food, and shelter. I'm certain for those who may not have insurance or who are underinsured, their medically needs will be taken care of. This doesn't surprise me one bit because the best of who we are as a nation, when needed we step up and help.

But at times we can be less than humble and gracious. What happened last week in Boston didn't call for a "prep rally"; it should have called use to "stay calm and carry on."

By the way....

I thought Mr. Ortiz's comments were crass and embarrassing; the F-bomb should not have came from his lips. (IMHO) That's the way I perceived things....

===================================

[Edited 4/21/13 13:10pm]

[Edited 4/21/13 14:20pm]

Wow.. Like Timmy said, when 9-11 happened people were waving flags as a sign of solidarity and support for their fellow men where the tragedy happened. They didn't do it because they were immature, or racist.

Now in Boston, people are humble because Boston is more of a sleepy town... and just because some people wave their flag of where they live it doesn't mean they do it to snub other people. They do it to celebrate themselves. It is not about knocking others, just supporting ourselves to keep going and stay strong.

Being proud of where you come from shouldn't be criticized. It is tacky to do so. To read that the support given or shared is from a negative place is just wrong, abosolutely wrong.

As a matter of fact, people at the London Marathon wore Boston Strong shirts and signs and bore American flags in support... guess they are wrong too? People did stay calm, and went to memorials and to suggest anything other than that is down right disrespectful to those of us who live here and did what was good and healing for us as a city.

I didn't shit on any New Yorker after 9-11. I supported any way those good people reacted to a tragedy that hurt them deeply. I still would never shit on anyone who is proud of their home during a time of tragedy.

Talk about bad form... what about shitting on a group of people who suffered loss and are still traumatized?

[Edited 4/21/13 16:49pm]

Wow I didn't know London did that. That's what's up. Boston is getting a lot of love from the Middle East in the aftermath of this by the way.

Wow I didn't know London did that. That's what's up. Boston is getting a lot of love from the Middle East in the aftermath of this by the way.

As you know...

Most people in Boston are from "other places" different cultures, different ways of life. For the most part, people keep to their own kind and sorta stay a bit segregated unless you are on a college campus or at an event.

Black community - white community - Asian community.... etc. folks sorta stick to their own and themselves. Not because they hate each other, but because people in general find comfort and gravitate to what is familiar to them.

This is how America as a whole in in the major cities... together, but separate.

Then a tragedy happens... and people suffer in that tragedy are different yet the same... they find comfort in pulling together, those people are Americans, from different "worlds" , rich/poor/black/white all unite under one flag to say, "YOU ARE MY BROTHER & I LOVE YOU." This is why they wave ONE flag or sing/shout in one accord.

Doing this doesn't mean you are trying to exclude others. It is the opposite, you are trying to unite to help heal in a tough situtation. It is a coping mechanism.

To think otherwise, and call any flag waver racist or speak of them in a negative way shits on them.

Finding their sense of hope and security again is why people wave their flags. People cheered in relief when the police caught the suspect after multiple shoot-outs. "Thank God it is over, we can breathe again!"

Others who wave the flag with Boston and support Boston understand. I am grateful for the people in other , cities and countries who support others during a time of pain and do not criticize them. Thank God for those people who show compassion. God bless them.

A photo of a runner in the Hamburg Marathon in Germany on Sunday April 21st.

an elderly German veteran of the Marathon dons a yellow "Run For Boston 2013" in honor of those affected by last weeks's Boston Marathon tragedy:

paintedlady said:

Wow I didn't know London did that. That's what's up. Boston is getting a lot of love from the Middle East in the aftermath of this by the way.

As you know...

Most people in Boston are from "other places" different cultures, different ways of life. For the most part, people keep to their own kind and sorta stay a bit segregated unless you are on a college campus or at an event.

Black community - white community - Asian community.... etc. folks sorta stick to their own and themselves. Not because they hate each other, but because people in general find comfort and gravitate to what is familiar to them.

This is how America as a whole in in the major cities... together, but separate.

Then a tragedy happens... and people suffer in that tragedy are different yet the same... they find comfort in pulling together, those people are Americans, from different "worlds" , rich/poor/black/white all unite under one flag to say, "YOU ARE MY BROTHER & I LOVE YOU." This is why they wave ONE flag or sing/shout in one accord.

Doing this doesn't mean you are trying to exclude others. It is the opposite, you are trying to unite to help heal in a tough situtation. It is a coping mechanism.

To think otherwise, and call any flag waver racist or speak of them in a negative way shits on them.

Finding their sense of hope and security again is why people wave their flags. People cheered in relief when the police caught the suspect after multiple shoot-outs. "Thank God it is over, we can breathe again!"

Others who wave the flag with Boston and support Boston understand. I am grateful for the people in other , cities and countries who support others during a time of pain and do not criticize them. Thank God for those people who show compassion. God bless them.

True. Can't deny that.

Love, compassion and doing good is more effective than aggression and violence.

TD3 said:

paintedlady said:

Really? Why?

Because it smacks of immaturity, provincialism, and xenophobia. The Boston Marathon isn't just a regional track competition, its a prestigious Marathon race that brings people to Boston from around world as participants and onlookers. A Chinese college student was killed and I'll assume some of those who were maimed were foreign visitor's.

I admire those who ran towards the smoke to help those who had been hurt. I read stories of Bostonians along the marathon route coming out of their homes offering clothing, food, and shelter. I'm certain for those who may not have insurance or who are underinsured, their medically needs will be taken care of. This doesn't surprise me one bit because the best of who we are as a nation, when needed we step up and help.

But at times we can be less than humble and gracious. What happened last week in Boston didn't call for a "prep rally"; it should have called use to "stay calm and carry on."

By the way....

I thought Mr. Ortiz's comments were crass and embarrassing; the F-bomb should not have came from his lips. (IMHO) That's the way I perceived things....

===================================

[Edited 4/21/13 13:10pm]

[Edited 4/21/13 14:20pm]

This wasn't an attack on just Boston, it was an attack against America. Prior to last week the older bomber made it very clear how much he hates the country, which is especially disgusting considering he came here for the opportunities that this country afforded him and when he did come here he was welcomed with open arms and treated very well by Americans during the many years he lived here. There is nothing "immature, provincial or xenophobic" about displaying one's patriotism. And when you look at how much farther other countries go with their own patriotism, Americans would probably rank far behind. If it takes tragic events like terroristic bombings and 9/11 to bring people together and amp up the patriotism, then so be it. And I have no idea what a "prep rally" is.

As for Mr. Ortiz, I think his comments were great and very appropriate however I do agree with you that he should not have used the F-bomb. It was offensive and inappropriate, especially with so many children listening.

[Edited 4/22/13 11:24am]

dJJ said:

Love, compassion and doing good is more effective than aggression and violence.

Exactly, and that is why the bombers failed at what they were ultimately trying to accomplish.