Oklahoma City bombing

Abstract

The paper discusses about the case and reality of Oklahoma City bombing. It highlights the factors that were involved in the case and also the reaction and action taken by the US government. The terrorist attack in Oklahoma City was an act of terrorism that occurs in Oklahoma City (State of Oklahoma, USA), 19 April 1995 and to the events of 11 September 2001 which was the largest terrorist attack on U.S. soil. It was also noted that, in response to the imposition of the court outside of Oklahoma Bill Clinton signed the Act to clarify the treatment of victims of 1997. Though it has been observed that today more than ever the media personalities and commentators influential positions where they can initiate propaganda activities very similar to those presented in the 1035-960 against anyone would question the state-sanctioned discourse about to controversial and misunderstood events.

Oklahoma City bombing

Introduction

Terrorism is the word that has been frequently used by journalists and researchers, the concept has been criticized by researchers in general or in specific cases, the term is subjective and judged as serving to withdraw their legitimacy and political aspect to groups or acts which it is applied (Hamm, 1997). In this paper our aim is to study the reality behind the “Oklahoma City bombing” case.

Background

The April 19, 1995 a truck bomb exploded in front of a federal building in Oklahoma City leaving a tragic toll of 168 dead, including 19 children, and 680 injured. It was the worst terrorist attack on American soil, later surpassed only by the attacks of September 11, 2001. To the surprise of many it was not a terrorist attack but indigenous Islamist antigovernment.

The truck was loaded with 2,200 kg of fertilizer and fuel and brutal explosion that could be heard 89 miles away, left a crater 9 meters wide by 2.5 meters deep, collapsing half the building.

Victims and damage

At the time of the attack there were 646 people inside the Murrah building. Thus, around 167 people were killed in the explosion (of which 163 were in the building, 99 were employees), while another was crushed in a landslide of rubble while serving rescue. Of the nineteen children less than 6 years were killed, fifteen were in the nursery America's Kids Day Care Center, which operated inside the building. Thus, three of those killed were pregnant women (Stickney, 1996).

Among the remains recovered included a human leg that was never identified, so the death toll could reach 169. McVeigh's defense at trial suggested in 1997 that the end would correspond to the case "true" bomber, but this argument was rejected immediately (Morgan, 2006).The number of injuries ranges from about 680 to over 800, mostly for burns, lacerations and fractures.

Changes in Legislation

In light of the terrorist attacks, the U.S. government has adopted several laws, in particular, "the Anti-Terrorism Act and the death penalty, 1996,” In response to the imposition of the court outside of Oklahoma Bill Clinton signed the "Act to clarify the treatment of ...