Two bombings occurred at the Boston Marathon finish line in April 2013, killing 3 people and injuring many others. In the aftermath, authorities launched a massive manhunt for the bombers. While complete security at large public events like marathons is impossible, officials emphasized the importance of public vigilance and preparedness in preventing future attacks. Going forward, crowdsourcing information from the public and improving response coordination were seen as keys to enhancing security at similar events.
3. Context
Article 1: breaking news Article 2: the aftermath
“We’re recommending to people that
they stay home, that if they’re in hotels in
the area that they return to their rooms,
and that they don’t go any place and
congregate in large crowds,”
“The targeting of a marathon, with a 26.2-
mile urban route, only emphasized that
sports venues can never be 100 percent
secure.”
4. Implications
Article 1: Breaking news Article 2: The aftermath
”The F.B.I. took the lead role in (…) “a
criminal investigation that is a potential
terrorist investigation.” ”
”But of all the factors that can turn a
gruesome local assault into an even larger
catastrophe -- panic, inadequate medical
care, ongoing multiple attacks -- none
happened in Boston.”
”And now we've been galvanized by the
Boston Marathon, where the bombing was
seemingly beyond the limits of prevention
but the response was clearly a testament to
planning. ”
5. Actions undertaken by the White
House
Article 1: Breaking news Article 2: The aftermath
“We will get to the bottom of this,” "If You See Something, Say Something”
“We will find who did this, and we will
find out why they did this. Any
responsible individuals, any responsible
groups will feel the full weight of justice.”
”Calls for a system to "provide an all-of-
nation approach for building and
sustaining a cycle of preparedness
activities over time."
Moving forward, better crowdsourcing
will be key to improving security.
6. Has the crisis come to an end?
”If the sports world is ever going to protect its
soft targets more comprehensively, it needs to
include fans in preventing attacks it can stop.”
Article 1: shows more pathos (feelings as they do not yet know the hard facts, but only appeal to the feeling associated with the crisis and victims)
- point 5) “we will get to the bottom of this” indicates a temporary solution to the crisis and the actions that the White House will take. The articles also states: Moving forward, better crowdsourcing will be key to improving security”
Article 2: more based on logos (logical thinking of how to prepare and avoid future terrorist actions in large crowds)
- point 5) “If you see something, say something” indicates that people have started to help each other to avoid crises like this.
We argue that this particular crisis has come to an end. The Boston Marathon has been held successively this year and preparations have been taken to avoid the crisis from 2013 to evolve further in 2014.
