Or, the FBI Is Lying

 

In these quickening times, the abbreviated news cycles are so packed with fast moving events (and pseudo-events) that many things pass relatively unnoticed and disappear forever from our focus all too quickly. More and more these days I will come across a story…or even a short sentence within a story (see title above)…that illustrates quite well just why (I suspect) much of the background noise is purposefully injected into the news cycles. Certain inconvenient details and “knowns” must be snuffed out of our collective memories (and the text of the narrative used to push our buttons at critical moments long ago) and reminders of them must be muted as much as possible.  With a hat tip to OffThePress.com for pointing me to this link earlier this week, this may be just the latest good example:

The January 6 Pipe Bombs Look Like Another FBI Hoax

No one still trying to convince the public that two pipe bombs were planted near the Capitol in advance of January 6 can be believed.

Because I have my own agenda, I want to start with this:

In the 15-minute time span before the joint session of Congress convened at 1:00 p.m. on January 6, 2021, … a woman named Karlin Younger who just happened to be walking to a laundry facility near the Republican National Committee headquarters just happened to look down and see what she believed was a pipe bomb nestled between a dumpster and a fence right next to the building.

I really want to focus on a key – yet probably under-noticed – point of the story so far even though it appears twice in that short passage: “…just happened to be…”.  At this point I am reflexively reminded of a strange tale from the late 1990s when (if I recall correctly) a married couple just happened to be out on one of their frequent evening drives around rural Georgia where they enjoyed listening to the various wireless phone signals for which their car just happened to be equipped to detect. It seems they came across a strategy call among Speaker Gingrich and his cohorts. Thankfully, this couple also just happened to have equipment for recording these signals and did so. Additionally, this couple just happened to be Democrat Party informants, so they delivered their recording rather directly to the DNC where is made some measure of “breaking news” for quite a few cycles…and the miraculously complex “just happened to” details behind the origin of the recording were quickly pushed out of the story. (That is all from memory…feel free to correct or add to the story as you wish.) Anyway, in our current story, I am already suspicious of one of our characters:

Which leads us to the woman who “found” the pipe bombs outside the RNC right just before the joint session gaveled in on January 6. Karlin Younger is described in news reports as a “resident” of D.C. or an employee of the Department of Commerce.

But Younger’s résumé is a bit more detailed. On January 6, when she took a midday walk to the laundromat and found the first pipe bomb, Younger was a project manager for FirstNet Authority, a public-private partnership between AT&T and first responders to prioritize emergency communications during an attack or disaster. Standing board members for FirstNet include the attorney general and secretary of Homeland Security. Several federal agencies, including the Justice Department, use FirstNet services.

And a few weeks before January 6, FirstNet received its largest-ever commitment from a law enforcement agency, a $92 million contract for FirstNet’s services.

That agency was the FBI.

Seems there are several “just happened to be” details in there.  News reports just happen to leave out the interesting details of the biography of the person who reported finding the pipe bomb…a person who just happened to be on a mundane Monday mid-day walk to the laundromat that just happened to be very near the center the news universe…on a day that just happened to be 10x more brilliantly lit than any in recent history…and she just happened to find the explosive device. I would not be surprised in the least to find out that this woman just happened to be the favorite niece of the Georgia couple I discussed above.

But, my agenda aside, there is much more to the story:

Capitol police the next day issued a statement. “The USCP Hazardous Materials Response Team determined that both devices were, in fact, hazardous and could cause great harm to public safety,” Steven Sund, the Capitol police chief wrote on January 7, the day he resigned from the force. “The devices were disabled and turned over to the FBI for further investigation and analysis.”

…[The FBI] has yet to produce any investigative report about the pipe bombs or official confirmation of how the devices were detonated.

As the skeptic I am, the seemingly purposely precise language “both devices were, in fact, hazardous and could cause great harm to public safety” is too vague for me anymore. And again, the lack of a report (and/or any real reporting) by now seems to mean that they want us to forget about this little part of the narrative.

One more interesting detail:

Politico recently reported that Kamala Harris was inside the DNC headquarters at the same time the explosive sat outside the building. Harris, who inexplicably left the Capitol around 11:30 a.m. on January 6 after attending an intelligence briefing, choosing not to participate as a U.S. senator in the certification of her own historical election, was evacuated out of the DNC headquarters by the Secret Service at 1:14 p.m., several minutes after Capitol police inspected the building after the RNC bomb was found.

That shocking revelation means one of two things: The Secret Service, in a security sweep of the DNC building and exterior grounds prior to her arrival, missed what the FBI insists was a viable explosive device—a scenario that seems deeply unlikely considering the city was in a state of heightened alert and agents presumably would be extra cautious.

Or, the FBI is lying.

Go read the whole thing. (Maybe even print a hard copy for your file…I know I did.)

Published in General
This post was promoted to the Main Feed by a Ricochet Editor at the recommendation of Ricochet members. Like this post? Want to comment? Join Ricochet’s community of conservatives and be part of the conversation. Join Ricochet for Free.

There are 59 comments.

Become a member to join the conversation. Or sign in if you're already a member.
  1. Adios Muchacho Member
    Adios Muchacho
    @OldDanRhody

    I suspect an inside job by our national police, something like this:

    clouseau-008.jpg

    • #31
  2. Quietpi Member
    Quietpi
    @Quietpi

    There is so much here that doesn’t add up (all pointing toward the title of this thread), but there is one scenario where I could see these as being the actual “devices” that were “discovered.”  One.

    First, the creators of these things couldn’t pass Tinker toys 101.

    These “people” consider us to be rubes, country hicks, poorly educated and easily – led.  They saw no need to get more elaborate, knowing that with the FBI’s, or whomever’s help, these things would do the trick.  The dem’s would jump at any chance to make trouble for Trump.  and the NT’ers were too stupid to give it objective thought, jumping on the same bandwagon.  It didn’t matter what the rest of us, the unwashed masses, thought.  They had their narrative.

    Pointing to the Bureau’s half – baked charade of attempting to identify the “bomber,” and the secrecy surrounding the actual “devices” themselves (so where did these pictures come from, anyway?), I also noted the official description of them being “hazardous.”  Heck, a kid running into one of these on his skateboard, could fall and break his arm!  If that isn’t hazardous enough for you, what is?

    This does bring to mind a song I did several decades ago, in a barbershop quartet contest.  We really should have been disqualified.  Here’s the best rendition I can find:  https://vimeo.com/496288128

    • #32
  3. Kozak Member
    Kozak
    @Kozak

    philo (View Comment):

    philo: As the skeptic I am, the seemingly purposely precise language “both devices were, in fact, hazardous and could cause great harm to public safety” is too vague for me anymore. And again, the lack of a report (and/or any real reporting) by now seems to mean that they want us to forget about this little part of the narrative.

    I will freely admit that I have never made a pipe bomb of any sorts but if I was going to make a couple of props for a cheesy play or movie they would look a lot like this:

    Kamala Harris was inside DNC headquarters on Jan. 6 when pipe bomb was found outside

    FBI Still Hasn't Found DNC, RNC Pipe Bomb-Maker Months After Jan. 6 Capitol Riot : NPR

    And they would be placed just that way for easy visibility for the audience.

    It seems the only suspect that was being sought planted them the night before…an interesting strategy given the 60 minute timers…and didn’t leave any digital footprint even though he/she was seen using a phone. No wonder the “authorities” just want this to go away.

    Until we get some kind of real report (or reporting) on this, I suspect it is safest to assume this was a hoax.

    Wasn’t ‘Clock Boy” available?

    • #33
  4. Franco Member
    Franco
    @Franco

    Annefy (View Comment):

    Also, also, I find the kitchen timer an inspired touch. No way someone who “just happens” to be walking by ain’t going to recognize that!

    In my comic scenario, you just might be wrong. Hear me out:

    FBI report, leaked by someone close to Director Wray:

    The devices were placed openly as directed, however in our after-action investigation, our agent identified several factors that likely  contributed to the failure of the device to be seen and reported.  

    (1) most workers in DC who arrive before noon are younger millennials who are gazing at their phones and monitoring Twitter. This was clearly seen on surveillance videos.

    (2) of those we interviewed after  cross-referencing video footage and face recognition database who actually did see the device, none recognized the ‘kitchen timer’ element. After further questioning, these recent Ivy League graduates told investigators that they saw ‘timers’ as digital devices. When asked if they had never seen such a device as an analog kitchen timer before, each exhibited a puzzled, dismissive expression, followed by a flat “no”. 

    Thus the device went wholly unrecognized. For future actions of this sort, we recommend a using more modern components that young people from this generation and frankly, those of a more wealthy background, can mentally process. Using a digital device as a countdown clock might be a significant improvement.

    Addendum. After interrogating one middle-aged man who apparently noticed the device reported that he had recently seen the Clint Eastwood film about Richard Jewell and was “afraid” to call authorities. He defended his actions by claiming it was so obvious he assumed someone else  would report it anyway, that he was having other personal problems in his life and did not want the attention. This man has been placed on administrative leave from his position.

    • #34
  5. Rodin Member
    Rodin
    @Rodin

    I seem to recall there was a CoC rule against publishing conspiracy theories. If so, it is time to retire that rule. Too many things that sound like theories turn out to be fact. At least with regard to the Administrative State. There is evidence that the American people are under siege from its government — all three branches. I think we are in trouble.

    • #35
  6. DaveSchmidt Coolidge
    DaveSchmidt
    @DaveSchmidt

    Rodin (View Comment):

    I seem to recall there was a CoC rule against publishing conspiracy theories. If so, it is time to retire that rule. Too many things that sound like theories turn out to be fact. At least with regard to the Administrative State. There is evidence that the American people are under siege from its government — all three branches. I think we are in trouble.

    Perhaps revise the rule.  

    • #36
  7. Franco Member
    Franco
    @Franco

    DaveSchmidt (View Comment):

    Rodin (View Comment):

    I seem to recall there was a CoC rule against publishing conspiracy theories. If so, it is time to retire that rule. Too many things that sound like theories turn out to be fact. At least with regard to the Administrative State. There is evidence that the American people are under siege from its government — all three branches. I think we are in trouble.

    Perhaps revise the rule.

    In another development Epstien’s pimp, Jean-Luc  Brunel did not kill himself… 

    • #37
  8. Steve C. Member
    Steve C.
    @user_531302

    Gazpacho Grande' (View Comment):

    In these quickening times,

    No, I can’t let that go. Why do you ask?

    See the source image

    I’ll admit, it was definitely a poorly thought out sequel.

    And yet, it’s one of my guilty pleasures. I even own the laser disc.

    • #38
  9. Muleskinner, Weasel Wrangler Member
    Muleskinner, Weasel Wrangler
    @Muleskinner

    Franco (View Comment):

    DaveSchmidt (View Comment):

    Rodin (View Comment):

    I seem to recall there was a CoC rule against publishing conspiracy theories. If so, it is time to retire that rule. Too many things that sound like theories turn out to be fact. At least with regard to the Administrative State. There is evidence that the American people are under siege from its government — all three branches. I think we are in trouble.

    Perhaps revise the rule.

    In another development Epstien’s pimp, Jean-Luc Brunel did not kill himself…

    And the cameras were off. What are the odds?

    • #39
  10. philo Member
    philo
    @philo

    Gazpacho Grande' (View Comment):

    In these quickening times,

    No, I can’t let that go. Why do you ask?

    See the source image

    It likely will not surprise many, but the real intent of the reference was this:

    The Quickening: Today's Trends, Tomorrow's World: Bell, Art, Osborne,  Jennifer L.: 9781879706705: Books - Amazon.ca

    I will also admit that I read it in 1998 but remember nothing about it except the title. 

    • #40
  11. DrewInWisconsin, Oik Member
    DrewInWisconsin, Oik
    @DrewInWisconsin

    Kozak (View Comment):

    Wasn’t ‘Clock Boy” available?

    Thank you. I wondered if anyone else remembered that kid and the “Islamophobia” he and his dad deliberately tried to whip up.

    Yes, deliberately. That story was as sketchy as one of Leonardo’s journals.

    • #41
  12. philo Member
    philo
    @philo

    philo (View Comment): Given my consumption of streaming services over the last couple of weeks, I am also now keenly interested in what Reacher could tell us from watching the video here:

    FBI Washington Field Office Releases Video and Additional Information Regarding the Pipe Bomb Investigation

    At the very least, it seems at times that this dude knows where at least some of the cameras are and is intentionally documenting his presence. Are his “random” wanderings really “random”?  Why no tracing on his phone?

    Just to re-emphasis the point:

     

    • #42
  13. philo Member
    philo
    @philo

    philo: …a married couple just happened to be out on one of their frequent evening drives around rural Georgia where they enjoyed listening to the various wireless phone signals… …(That is all from memory…feel free to correct or add to the story as you wish.)…

    Since no one took me up on it, here are some corrective details from my 30 second internet search:

    Florida Couple Say They Recorded Gingrich’s Call

    A Florida janitor and his wife identified themselves Monday as the source of a clandestine tape recording of House Speaker Newt Gingrich and his aides and said that they had turned it over to the ranking Democrat on the House Ethics Committee not knowing that it might be illegal. …

    …the Martins said that they were listening to a police scanner in their car during a Christmas shopping trip on Dec. 21 when the scanner picked up a telephone conference call between the speaker and other top Republicans.

    The couple said they began taping the call, using a hand-held tape recorder that they had with them in the car, after hearing the Georgia Republican’s ethics case mentioned in the conversation and deducing that the participants were prominent congressional Republicans. Public disclosure of the conference call has sparked a political firestorm.

    [Emphasis added]

    Seems to be several layers of BS piled up in that tale….and those “skills” have only been honed to perfection over the subsequent decades. It also helps that so many are all too willing to overlook intelligence insulting BS like this and direct their attention to whatever shiny object idiots like Liz Cheney are pushing today.

    Dug | Ordinary Life Extraordinary Destiny

    • #43
  14. Gazpacho Grande' Coolidge
    Gazpacho Grande'
    @ChrisCampion

    philo (View Comment):

    philo (View Comment): Given my consumption of streaming services over the last couple of weeks, I am also now keenly interested in what Reacher could tell us from watching the video here:

    FBI Washington Field Office Releases Video and Additional Information Regarding the Pipe Bomb Investigation

    At the very least, it seems at times that this dude knows where at least some of the cameras are and is intentionally documenting his presence. Are his “random” wanderings really “random”? Why no tracing on his phone?

    Just to re-emphasis the point:

     

    That’s insane.  Is that the same person, both “bombs”?  It’s like they purposefully sat and posed in public locations where literally everyone knows there’s a security camera.  Mask, hoodie, glasses, at night?  Walking around with a backpack, in hand, not slung like a student?  Sitting, then walking, circling specific areas?  Might as well carry a sign that says “I AM THE BOMB GUY”, y’know, just to make sure everyone  gets it.

    It’s not like this is hard to do, to gin up some fear and over-reaction.  Although as others have pointed out, the Capitol building itself has been actually bombed, multiple times, and the very foundations of our democracy have not been overturned, nor does the country stop because Congress doesn’t show up to work on a Monday.

     

    • #44
  15. Gazpacho Grande' Coolidge
    Gazpacho Grande'
    @ChrisCampion

    philo (View Comment):

    philo: …a married couple just happened to be out on one of their frequent evening drives around rural Georgia where they enjoyed listening to the various wireless phone signals… …(That is all from memory…feel free to correct or add to the story as you wish.)…

    Since no one took me up on it, here are some corrective details from my 30 second internet search:

    Florida Couple Say They Recorded Gingrich’s Call

    A Florida janitor and his wife identified themselves Monday as the source of a clandestine tape recording of House Speaker Newt Gingrich and his aides and said that they had turned it over to the ranking Democrat on the House Ethics Committee not knowing that it might be illegal. …

    …the Martins said that they were listening to a police scanner in their car during a Christmas shopping trip on Dec. 21 when the scanner picked up a telephone conference call between the speaker and other top Republicans.

    The couple said they began taping the call, using a hand-held tape recorder that they had with them in the car, after hearing the Georgia Republican’s ethics case mentioned in the conversation and deducing that the participants were prominent congressional Republicans. Public disclosure of the conference call has sparked a political firestorm.

    [Emphasis added]

    Seems to be several layers of BS piled up in that tale….and those “skills” have only been honed to perfection over the subsequent decades. It also helps that so many are all too willing to overlook intelligence insulting BS like this and direct their attention to whatever shiny object idiots like Liz Cheney are pushing today.

    Dug | Ordinary Life Extraordinary Destiny

    A scanner that picks up RF signals picks up a conference call, on a phone line?  *And* they happened to just have a tape recorder in the car, with a mic, ready to record the accidentally overheard call?

    Why would that be the only recording if anyone with a scanner could pick it up?  Like the 500 cops in the area, or anyone with a scanner in their basement?  Not one other person but these two?

    Sure.

    • #45
  16. philo Member
    philo
    @philo

    Gazpacho Grande' (View Comment):

    philo (View Comment):

    philo (View Comment): Given my consumption of streaming services over the last couple of weeks, I am also now keenly interested in what Reacher could tell us from watching the video here:

    FBI Washington Field Office Releases Video and Additional Information Regarding the Pipe Bomb Investigation

    At the very least, it seems at times that this dude knows where at least some of the cameras are and is intentionally documenting his presence. Are his “random” wanderings really “random”? Why no tracing on his phone?

    Just to re-emphasis the point:

     

    That’s insane.  Is that the same person, both “bombs”?  It’s like they purposefully sat and posed in public locations where literally everyone knows there’s a security camera.  Mask, hoodie, glasses, at night?  Walking around with a backpack, in hand, not slung like a student?  Sitting, then walking, circling specific areas?  Might as well carry a sign that says “I AM THE BOMB GUY”, y’know, just to make sure everyone  gets it. …

    And again, note the 60 minute timers.

    • #46
  17. Western Chauvinist Member
    Western Chauvinist
    @WesternChauvinist

    Gazpacho Grande' (View Comment):

    philo (View Comment):

    philo (View Comment): Given my consumption of streaming services over the last couple of weeks, I am also now keenly interested in what Reacher could tell us from watching the video here:

    FBI Washington Field Office Releases Video and Additional Information Regarding the Pipe Bomb Investigation

    At the very least, it seems at times that this dude knows where at least some of the cameras are and is intentionally documenting his presence. Are his “random” wanderings really “random”? Why no tracing on his phone?

    Just to re-emphasis the point:

     

    That’s insane. Is that the same person, both “bombs”? It’s like they purposefully sat and posed in public locations where literally everyone knows there’s a security camera. Mask, hoodie, glasses, at night? Walking around with a backpack, in hand, not slung like a student? Sitting, then walking, circling specific areas? Might as well carry a sign that says “I AM THE BOMB GUY”, y’know, just to make sure everyone gets it.

    It’s not like this is hard to do, to gin up some fear and over-reaction. Although as others have pointed out, the Capitol building itself has been actually bombed, multiple times, and the very foundations of our democracy have not been overturned, nor does the country stop because Congress doesn’t show up to work on a Monday.

     

    Yeah, he wasn’t exactly in a hurry to get the job done, was he? Almost as if he wanted to be seen. . .

    • #47
  18. BDB Inactive
    BDB
    @BDB

    Rodin (View Comment):

    I seem to recall there was a CoC rule against publishing conspiracy theories. If so, it is time to retire that rule. Too many things that sound like theories turn out to be fact. At least with regard to the Administrative State. There is evidence that the American people are under siege from its government — all three branches. I think we are in trouble.

    When was the last time TPTB fired that weapon in anger?  It’s a good rule so long as it isn’t abused or sea-lawyered (or Sea-Lioned) to death.  So far so good as far as I can tell.

    • #48
  19. Miffed White Male Member
    Miffed White Male
    @MiffedWhiteMale

    Steve C. (View Comment):

    These photos are borderline comical. They would only be more farcical of they were round, had a fuse and were labeled “bomb”.

     

    • #49
  20. kedavis Coolidge
    kedavis
    @kedavis

    Miffed White Male (View Comment):

    Steve C. (View Comment):

    These photos are borderline comical. They would only be more farcical of they were round, had a fuse and were labeled “bomb”.

     

     

    Waiting for MWM to get to comment #25…

    • #50
  21. Ontheleftcoast Inactive
    Ontheleftcoast
    @Ontheleftcoast

    Rodin (View Comment):

    I seem to recall there was a CoC rule against publishing conspiracy theories. If so, it is time to retire that rule. Too many things that sound like theories turn out to be fact. At least with regard to the Administrative State. There is evidence that the American people are under siege from its government — all three branches. I think we are in trouble.

    Or, if you like Sundance’s analysis all four branches of the government. Three Constitutionally specified and one not.

    • #51
  22. Flicker Coolidge
    Flicker
    @Flicker

    Ontheleftcoast (View Comment):

    Rodin (View Comment):

    I seem to recall there was a CoC rule against publishing conspiracy theories. If so, it is time to retire that rule. Too many things that sound like theories turn out to be fact. At least with regard to the Administrative State. There is evidence that the American people are under siege from its government — all three branches. I think we are in trouble.

    Or, if you like Sundance’s analysis all four branches of the government. Three Constitutionally specified and one not.

    And there’s no control over the one that’s not.

    • #52
  23. Nanocelt TheContrarian Member
    Nanocelt TheContrarian
    @NanoceltTheContrarian

    So maybe the FBI really was kind of, sort of, trying to make Jan6 look like the Reichstag bombing or fire???

    • #53
  24. DrewInWisconsin, Oaf Member
    DrewInWisconsin, Oaf
    @DrewInWisconsin

    Nanocelt TheContrarian (View Comment):

    So maybe the FBI really was kind of, sort of, trying to make Jan6 look like the Reichstag bombing or fire???

    No question in my mind — or in the minds of anyone paying attention.

    Those who watch too much CNN or read the Washington Post are lost to brainwashing.

    • #54
  25. Ontheleftcoast Inactive
    Ontheleftcoast
    @Ontheleftcoast

    Flicker (View Comment):

    Ontheleftcoast (View Comment):

    Rodin (View Comment):

    I seem to recall there was a CoC rule against publishing conspiracy theories. If so, it is time to retire that rule. Too many things that sound like theories turn out to be fact. At least with regard to the Administrative State. There is evidence that the American people are under siege from its government — all three branches. I think we are in trouble.

    Or, if you like Sundance’s analysis all four branches of the government. Three Constitutionally specified and one not.

    And there’s no control over the one that’s not.

    Over, no. By, yes.

    • #55
  26. philo Member
    philo
    @philo

    January 20,2024 Update (a full 23 months later):

    Evidence Mounts That the Government Planted Pipe Bombs at Capitol on January 6

    Yet, with all the technology they have to identify any random person who was anywhere near the Capitol that day, one big mystery remains: who planted pipe bombs at RNC and DNC headquarters the day before?

    They have surveillance footage of a suspect. And yet, three years later, the FBI has managed to track down every nonviolent observer and elderly grandmother who was in town that day, but not this suspect. The FBI’s handling of this particular aspect of their J6 investigation has been suspicious, to say the least, and the agency has failed to comply with requests from Congress for more information about it.

    So, what gives? Well, according to Tucker Carlson, “it seems likely that government officials were involved in planting pipe bombs in Washington, DC three years ago…

    “You would think that of all institutions, the DNC would be interested in covering the identity of the person — allegedly, this MAGA terrorist who planted an explosive device right outside of their national headquarters — and yet they seem to be the least interested, all the way up to the fact that Kamala Harris, the vice president, has for some reason forgone the opportunity of milking politically the fact that she was at the DNC while the pipe bomb was there,” Beattie pointed out.

    I still say the intellectually curious would start this investigation with the electronic communications to and from the devices of the then Speaker (and her staff) in the days and weeks prior to the events. (Please filter out the volumes of perfectly legitimate insider stock tips to her husband.) 

    • #56
  27. kedavis Coolidge
    kedavis
    @kedavis

    I wonder, is it just coincidence that FBI is an anagram for fib?

    • #57
  28. DonG (CAGW is a Scam) Coolidge
    DonG (CAGW is a Scam)
    @DonG

    kedavis (View Comment):

    I wonder, is it just coincidence that FBI is an anagram for fib?

    Yes, but they prefer to be called “fibbies” not “fibbers”.

    • #58
  29. Nanocelt TheContrarian Member
    Nanocelt TheContrarian
    @NanoceltTheContrarian

    DonG (CAGW is a Scam) (View Comment):

    kedavis (View Comment):

    I wonder, is it just coincidence that FBI is an anagram for fib?

    Yes, but they prefer to be called “fibbies” not “fibbers”.

    I object:  WE are the fibbees. They are the fibbers. 

    • #59
Become a member to join the conversation. Or sign in if you're already a member.