US studies bomb evidence from New York's Times Square
Found on BBC News on Saturday, 01 May 2010
The bomb, described as "amateurish", consisted of propane tanks, fireworks, petrol and a clock device. It was planted in a sports utility vehicle.
"That's when the smoke started coming out and then we heard the little pop, pop, pop - like firecrackers going out and that's when everybody scattered and ran back," he told the Associated Press. "We dodged a bullet here," he added.
If this wasn't just some sort of prank, it was a really bad amateur. Any decent amateur would have at least tested the device before pulling a stunt like this. Or, the "snap, crackle and pop" was all that was supposed to happen. Something to keep people afraid and easier to control. So either it was a prankster, an amateur terrorist or the government. Take your pick.