A bomb exploded at the Alfred P. Hurrah federal building in OKC killing 168 innocent lives. will never forget.

Bad day for sure. I remember it vividly.

Tragic day.

I remember it as plainly as I do 9/11. Sad day, that picture says it all. I went to that memorial a few years ago. If you have never been, I believe everyone should try to go. Best way I can describe it is haunting.

Terry Nichols (Still Alive but in jail)

Timothy McVeigh (Dead)


Michael Fortier Free as a bird living in the witness protection plan On Our Dime

http://www.talkleft.com/story/2006/...l-Fortier-to-Get-New-Identity-on-Release

Yesterday I wrote about Michael Fortier's impending release Friday from prison. He's done with his 12 year sentence--he served 10 1/2 years, 85%. Fortier pleaded guilty to knowing about plans to bomb the Oklahoma City federal building in 1995 and not reporting it to authorities, as well as lesser offenses.

Tonight the Dallas Morning News reports that Fortier, his wife Lori (who received immunity from prosecution in exchange for her testimony against McVeigh and Nichols) and their children will immediately be whisked off into the Witness Protection program, given new identities and moved to a new location.

This reaction by one of the survivors of the bombing is particularly insightful:


"I wouldn't be surprised if he gets right back into what he was into and get into trouble," said Janet Beck, a Social Security Administration claims representative who survived the blast. "That's my complaint against the justice system. They're so busy trying to control people, they don't do much in terms of education and helping them to readjust."

Michael Maguire (Mack), Fortier's lawyer, has done a great job defending Fortier for the past ten years. Fortier is lucky to have him. Mack also shows his media savvy with comments like these, that do not defend what Fortier did, but try to humanize him and portray his remorse.

"Fortier has been held accountable for everything he did," Mr. McGuire said. "He's done his sentence. He owes nobody at this point."

Mr. McGuire said he wouldn't attempt to compare Mr. Fortier's shattered life with those who lost loved ones in the blast, but added: "He will always carry the burden and personal anguish of what he should have done and didn't do before the bombing. "That will never leave him."

His strategy has paid off. Here's what another victim, the father of two children injured in the blast had to say:

"McVeigh already got his punishment, and Nichols will be in prison for the rest of his life," Jim Denny, whose two children, Brandon and Rebecca, were injured in the blast, told The Associated Press. "Let this guy get out and get on with his life."

Update: Budd Welch, the father of Julie Welch who was killed in the bombing and later became an active, vocal opponent of the death penalty, had this to say:

Bud Welch, whose daughter, Julie, was killed in the bombing, said he phoned Fortier's mother, Irene Fortier, shortly after learning that Michael Fortier was to be released.

"I told her that I had received the letter (about her son's release) and that I was OK with that. I just wished her and her family well." Welch said. "I wish them peace for the rest of their lives as they try to put their lives back together."

We were in Oklahoma City a few hours after it happened and it was a somber feeling with the entire city pretty much being in shock, a sad day in American history for sure. If you ever get the chance you should go to the memorial, we’ve been many times over the years and it’s a humbling experience.

Terrible, wife and I visited the museum in OKC . You can’t leave there with dry eyes

One of my wife's high school friends died in that bombing.

Very good description, and I also recommend going.