No jokes here, even. We're just freaked. Someone set off two "improvised explosive devices"—military-ese for the pipe bombs and whatnot Iraqis would rather throw at U.S. soldiers than the roses Dick Cheney promised—in front of the British consulate in midtown this morning. The IEDs were planted in the flowerpot security barrier things in front of the consulate, which it turns out are great places to hide bombs. Sort of defeats the purpose, no? On top of last weekend's second murder of some kid in the LES, we're not sure we're leaving the house anymore. —JO

Blasts at UK Consulate in NYC [CNN.com]
Small Explosives Go Off Outside British Consulate in Midtown Manhattan [AP via NYT]

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