Back at College, Suspect Called Boston Bombs 'Crazy': Classmate

[Douglas Carpenter]

23. but the domestic US bombings that occurred during the Vietnamese War of Independence were directed

at targets such as labs, ROTC buildings and draft board offices and other symbols or institutions of the War effort. I could be wrong - but I don't recall any bombings directed at pure civilian institutions or events unless they had at least a symbolic connection with the American war efforts in Indochina. Even September 11, 2001 was an attack on the centers of American military and economic power with an apparent attempted attack on the centers of American political power. Even in the 9/11 case there was a strongly implied political message in the attack. In the Boston Marathon attack it appears that there was no apparent implied political message and the attack was on something that had no real or symbolic meaning in regards to America's political, economic or military power. I find this most confounding. Of course, I think these boys did it. But what they were thinking has me completely stumped.