Boston Marathon Bombing Survivor Writes Letter To ‘Coward’ Dzhokhar Tsarnaev

[sheshe2]

Dear Dzhokhar Tsarnaev,

My name is Rebekah Gregory. We don't really know each other and never will. But over the last two years, I have seen your face not only in pictures, but in almost every one of my nightmares. Moments before the first blast, your stupid backpack even brushed up against my arm, but I doubt you remember because I am no one to you. A complete stranger. And although I was merely just a blip on your radar, (someone that happened to be standing 3 feet from your designated "good spot" for a bomb), you have been so much more to me. Because you have undoubtedly been my source of fear since April 15th, 2013. (After all, you are one of the men responsible for nearly taking my child, and for the permanent image embedded in my brain of watching someone die.) Up until now, I have been truly scared of you and because of this, fearful of everything else people might be capable of.

But today, all that changed. Because this afternoon, I got to walk into a courtroom and take my place at the witness stand, just a few feet away from where you were sitting. (I was WALKING. Did you get that?) And today I explained all the horrific details, of how you changed my life, to the people that literally hold YOURS in their hands. That's a little scary right? And this afternoon before going in, I'm not going to lie..my palms were sweaty. And sitting up there talking to the prosecution did make me cry. But today, do you know what else happened? TODAY...I looked at you right in the face....and realized I wasn't afraid anymore. And today I realized that sitting across from you was somehow the crazy kind of step forward that I needed all along.

And I think that's the ironic thing that happens when someone intends something for evil. Because somehow, some way, it always ends up good. But you are a coward. A little boy who wouldn't even look me in the eyes to see that. Because you can't handle the fact that what you tried to destroy, you only made stronger. And if your eyes would've met mine for just one second, you would've also seen that what you "blew up" really did BLOW UP. Because now you have given me (and the other survivors) a tremendous platform to help others, and essentially do our parts in changing the world for the better.

So yes...you did take a part of me. Congratulations you now have a leg up...literally. But in so many ways, you saved my life. Because now, I am so much more appreciative of every new day I am given. And now, I get to hug my son even tighter than before, blessed that he is THRIVING, despite everything that has happened.

So now...while you are sitting in solitary confinement, (awaiting the verdict on your life), I will be actually ENJOYING everything this beautiful world has to offer. And guess what else? I will do so without fear....of YOU. Because now to me you're a nobody, and it is official that you have lost. So man that really sucks for you bro. I truly hope it was worth it.

Sincerely,

Someone you shouldn't have messed with

‪#?bostonstrong‬

Read More http://www.wbur.org/2015/03/05/boston-marathon-bombing-survivor-letter-to-dzhokhar-tsarnaev

[JohnnyLib2]

1. Remarkable!

Thanks for posting.

[freshwest]

2. Not what I expected. Good post.

[sheshe2]

4. Thank you freshwest.

I admire her, so very strong. I remember reading her break up letter to her leg on facebook before it was amputated.

[uhnope]

44. Awesome. Can she send a letter to the FAU professor who says the bombing never happened?

He's another one who I think deserve a whole lot of grief. Of course not in comparison to the bomber, but still

http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2013-04-23/news/fl-fau-tracy-boston-20130423_1_james-tracy-boston-marathon-fau-president-mary-jane

[sheshe2]

45. Ya can't help the crazy, unhope.

That guy is nuts!

[uhnope]

47. thanks. I really need to learn that lesson! nt

[cwydro]

3. They actually read this on CNN

I loved it.

[sheshe2]

5. Thanks cwydro.

I am glad CNN read it live. Brave Woman.

[cwydro]

6. K and R gf.

I know you don't like me so much here.

But I promise you that we are the same side.

[sheshe2]

8. I didn't know I didn't like you, cwydro.

and thanks again~

[cwydro]

10. Aww, you

just made my night.

[sheshe2]

13. Backatcha~

[Cha]

7. Rebekah Gregory is such a strong, inspiring person, she! She is absolutely the

wrong kind of person for a murderous coward to mess with.

So moving with her words written down for all the world to see.. so heartbreaking and Inspirational.. mahalo, she~

[sheshe2]

9. I am glad you got to read her words Cha.

She is an Inspirational Woman to us all.

[Cha]

11. So am I! Yes, she is!

[cwydro]

12. Her letter literally kicked his cowardly ass to the curb.

I know I should not want the death penalty because I am against it in so many ways....but this guy and his cowardly brother really make me doubt my feelings.

But, I reckon it's better that he can rot in prison.

[Cha]

21. I know what you mean, cwydro, about

"the death penalty"... but, it really is better for him and his ilk to rot away the rest of their miserable lives in a cell.. no ******* chance at parole.

[cwydro]

23. Agree.

Completely.

[awoke_in_2003]

62. I struggle with my stance on the death penalty a lot...

especially when it comes to child molesters. But one thing I keep telling myself- I can not become a beast just because there are beasts in the world.

[cwydro]

63. Well said.

Rotting in prison may even be better.

[cwydro]

14. ditto

perfect

[AngryAmish]

15. Of all the things you can say about Chechens, they ain't cowards.

As perhaps the most balls out reaver culture on earth, they are crazy brave.

Read Pushkin. Chechens are nuts.

[cwydro]

16. How are Chechens figuring in to this story?

Might have missed something

[AngryAmish]

18. Bombers are/were Chechens.

From Chechnya. A backward ass place of whom we should allow no one to immigrate. Since they set off bombs in public places.

[cwydro]

19. Sorry, I misunderstood you.

I thought you were speaking up for them there.

I apologize.

[cwydro]

17. Are you saying these two cowardly asshats that blew up

a bunch of innocent runners are some kind of brave people?

Putting a bomb into a mass of people is in no way crazy brave. That is crazy cowardly and useless.

Um, no.

[AngryAmish]

22. Yes I am.

This is the same shit Bill Maher was pilloried for after 9.11.

Yes, these two were brave. one lost his life already and his brother will die also.

Disagree with their aims sure.

But those nutters have physical courage.

[cwydro]

24. Physical courage? Am I reading you right?

They blew up innocent people. One was 8 and one was 5. The other were in their 20's. Four dead. The eight year old and the five year old will never live their lives.

They are cowards. They blew the legs off people...two of whom live in my city.

Wow. Seriously?

[sheshe2]

28. Here cwydro.

This is what the cowards did. There stomachs were ripped out, their arms, their legs.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10026319331

I had friends there, right there at the finish line. Should have known better than to post about it. It hurts to much. The crap that some at DU posted about Boston then, it hurt us a lot. It is about to start again. Thanks for the support.

[cwydro]

30. I just cannot understand

the other posts here.

And you know what/who I'm talking about.

[cwydro]

40. ...

no words

[sheshe2]

26. WTF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Tsarnaev had four minutes to change history * Trigger Warning *
The violence, the description of those deaths. *Trigger Warning*

By Kevin CullenGlobe Columnist March 04, 2015

Four minutes. That’s how long Dzhokhar Tsarnaev stood there, next to the kids watching the Marathon on the sidewalk on Boylston Street, outside the Forum.

Four minutes. That’s how long he had to consider what the pressure cooker bomb he had in his backpack would do to those children, the Richard kids.

He had 240 seconds to play in his head the way the BBs and tiny pieces of metal would be propelled, like hot razors, into those kids.

After four minutes, Dzhokhar Tsarnaev turned right, while everybody else’s head jerked left, looking down Boylston, to where the bomb planted by his brother Tamerlan exploded in front of Marathon Sports, killing Krystle Campbell.

Read More http://www.bostonglobe.com/2015/03/04/four-minutes/JoDzDJiC8BO0qDRtyPgMQI/story.html?p1=Article_Trending_Most_Viewed


http://www.democraticunderground.com/10026319331

THIS IS COURAGE!!!!! ????????????????????

Please just get away from me.

[Cha]

35. So "brave".. killing kids. WTF is right.. there always has to be someone coming along

to support a monster/he's "brave"..

I actually expected something like this when I first read Rebekah's letter, she. A part of mind was going there.. guess it was all the bullshite another time the Boston Bombing was being discussed.

Sorry, there ALWAYS has to be someone who drops a stink bomb on a thread about the bravery of someone like Rebekah and tries to turn it into how brave the bombers are.

Mahalo for the account from Kevin Cullen, she

[sheshe2]

39. I have known for two years...

That the trial would be bad and bring back memories of how we were treated with disdain back then. Some at DU were rather cruel. Now this? The bombers showed courage?

I read Cullen's article at the library today, when I took my mom on her errands. It made me cry Cha.

Cha and thank you.

[cwydro]

27. "disagree with their aims sure"

Wow.

What if your mom or daughter, son, husband, brother, or sister had been killed or had their legs blown off?

Good lord.

"these two were brave." "One lost his life already and his brother will die also."

I don't know who you are AngryAmish, but this is just wrong. Why did he lose his life and have you thought about those he killed?

Physical courage? Leaving a backpack bomb as you walk away. That is not courage.

No. That is pure cowardice.

[Cha]

37. Well done, cwydro. Unreal how mixed up that thinking is. Damn.

[BeyondGeography]

34. The bombing was an act of physical bravery?

You're confused.

[cwydro]

42. Thanks .

No way and no how.

I've become upset with this thread.

Not with the OP. but the um, other.

[Cha]

25. Exactly, cwydro.. I don't care what kind of a rep Chechens have.. these two sneaky Assholes

were the worst kind of cowards.. and nobody's going to spin that.

[cwydro]

29. Damn right.

Grrr. This thread is about to piss me off.

Wow. Cannot believe anyone can make excuses for the bombers.

Just wow.

[Cha]

32. I know.. leave it to someone to come on & tell how brave they think the cowards really are

[cwydro]

33. Gah!

Thank you and sheshe for being here tonight lol...or I might have had to hit my head into a wall lol. Erg.

[Cha]

50. Mahalo to you for being here, cwydro.. sorry, it took a bit to get back

to this.. I had to take a relaxing, hot Epsom salt bath.

[cwydro]

31. Sneaky assholes is a perfect description.

Cowards who made a bomb in their apartment...no doubt paid for by other or by us ...they had no jobs....

Yeah. Then they went and blew up a bunch of folks who live by exercise and running.

Please just tell me that I do not support the death penalty. Tell me I don't.

[Cha]

36. There really are no words to describe what kind of cowardly monsters these Chechen Bros are.

[cwydro]

38. The one is dead.

Now the other one is trying to escape the DP by saying he was influenced by the elder.

I'm not a death penalty proponent.

But the 8 and 5 year old they killed really irks me.

[Throd]

41. Leaving a bag full of explosives at a public sporting event is brave?

Your moral compass is rusted.

[cwydro]

43. ...

[zappaman]

20. Big kick and rec!

[cwydro]

46. kick

Just because.

[sheshe2]

48. This~ This is courage.

Boston Marathon Bombing Survivor Writes Good-bye Letter to Leg

"Go get yourself one last pedicure on me and enjoy it because tomorrow... I will be cutting you out of my life for good"

A Boston Marathon bombing survivor penned an emotional farewell on Facebook to her leg, badly injured in the blast, before it was amputated Monday.

Hey it’s me.

I’m sure it won’t come as a shock to you when I say that we’ve grown apart. The love that we once had has dwindled, and this relationship has become a real burden on my life. We have been through a lot together. We have seen a lot of places, done a lot of things, and you have helped me through some of the toughest steps thus far. I promise to always treasure that. And I’m not saying this isn’t hard for me. It is. But as tough as it may be, I feel like our time together has come to an end. I need to feel everyday that by having a relationship with you, I am becoming a better person. And for a long while now, I haven’t felt like that. Instead, I feel like you are holding me back from really reaching my full potential. Now I get this is probably pretty tough to hear me say, but I have never lied to you and I don’t plan to start now. What I need is something you can’t give me anymore. And the empathy that you require, I can no longer handle. I love you. I really do. But I think I need to start on the next leg of my journey. So with that said, I have enclosed a gift certificate that I hope you will use. Go get yourself one last pedicure on me and enjoy it because tomorrow… I will be cutting you out of my life for good.

Wishing you the best wherever you end up,

Rebekah

http://time.com/3579574/boston-marathon-survivor-rebekah-gregory/

[Beausoir]

49. Well stated. He's a sniveling little coward. She is having fun with life!

[Doctor_J]

51. wasn't this dude a hero to many on du a week or so ago? or at least a martyr?

Bad to jump to conclusions

[sheshe2]

52. It wouldn't surprise me in the least.

We have some stranger "hero's" at DU.

[Chico Man]

53. I was in the jury pool

I also looked him in the eye. It was weird. He seemed to not give a shit about anything other than enjoying the attention.

[bluestateguy]

54. Tsarnev could do the honorable thing and plead guilty

He admits that he did it, and yet insists upon dragging everybody through this trial, further aggravating the families and survivors pain.

He could take responsibility and plead guilty.

But he made another choice.

[cwydro]

61. No, I believe he did plead guilty.

The attorney admitted he did it on day one.

They intend to blame it on the older brother and his "influence" over the younger.

Bullshit, he was an adult.

[BrotherIvan]

55. Beautiful beyond words

[Dawson Leery]

56. What the Tsarnaev's unleashed on Boston

is a small sample of what their people due to Russia.

Remember when their people bombed 300 school children in 2004.


A yellow bastard such as Dzhokhar would never look his victims in the eye.

[calimary]

57. SO impressive, sheshe2 - yet ANOTHER great find.

"...what you tried to destroy, you only made stronger." AMAZING. This young woman is spectacularly eloquent. WONDERFUL read. GOOD for her! And her son. And "so man that really sucks for you bro. I truly hope it was worth it." GREAT statement.

And yes, truly, he IS a coward. Couldn't even look her in the eye, 'eh? They're ALL such cowards. They commit all these atrocities and can't even show their miserable fucking faces. Cowards. I don't care how many people's legs they blow up or heads they slice off. They're truly nothing but pitiful, sniveling, pathetic COWARDS. Hey, assholes, if what you're doing is so fearless and powerful and intimidating and somehow God-sanctioned, then take off your stupid fucking chickenshit coward masks and show your fucking faces to the world.

[sheshe2]

59. She is truly amazing, her spirit stronger than ever.

Did you read my post 48? She wrote a good bye letter to her leg back in 11/2014 after 15 failed surgeries. Rebekah is the epitome of courage.

calimary.

[brer cat]

58. "what you tried to destroy, you only made stronger"

K&R #bostonstrong

[sheshe2]

60. thank you brer cat...

that was a brave quote from Rebekah.