BET Wire: Bombings, Suspicious Letters and Packages – and More

Plus, gun control measure fails in the Senate.

In Case You Missed It - Republicans leave President Obama scratching his head; Ben Carson kind of blames the spread of measles on immigrants; one lawmaker thinks it's OK if your food service worker doesn't wash his hands after a bathroom break — and more. — Joyce Jones (@BETpolitichick)

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In Case You Missed It - Before the Boston Marathon bombings, gun control and immigration reform were set to take center stage. Instead, for the first time since 9/11, terrorism is at the forefront of most Americans' minds and suspicious substances are making a comeback. — Joyce Jones (Photo: BET)

Please Come to Boston - Obama traveled to Boston Thursday to participate in an interfaith prayer service honoring the marathon bombing victims. It will be his fifth trip to a city to offer comfort after a tragedy involving violence, but the first that isn't the result of a shooting incident. (Photo: AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

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Please Come to Boston - Obama traveled to Boston Thursday to participate in an interfaith prayer service honoring the marathon bombing victims. It will be his fifth trip to a city to offer comfort after a tragedy involving violence, but the first that isn't the result of a shooting incident. (Photo: AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

Patrick in the Spotlight - Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick, considered a potential U.S. attorney general or 2016 presidential candidate, is the first head of a state to deal with a major terrorist attack on U.S. soil since 9/11. (Photo: REUTERS/Jessica Rinaldi)

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Patrick in the Spotlight - Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick, considered a potential U.S. attorney general or 2016 presidential candidate, is the first head of a state to deal with a major terrorist attack on U.S. soil since 9/11. (Photo: REUTERS/Jessica Rinaldi)

Seems Like Old Times - A day after the Boston Marathon bombing, a letter containing a suspicious substance addressed to Obama was intercepted. The FBI said the letter was much like one sent to Mississippi Sen. Roger Wicker that tested positive for the poison ricin. In addition, the office of Alabama Sen. Richard Shelby received a suspicious package on April 17, and Sen. Carl Levin (D-Michigan) reported receiving a suspicious letter in his regional office. (Photo: AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

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Seems Like Old Times - A day after the Boston Marathon bombing, a letter containing a suspicious substance addressed to Obama was intercepted. The FBI said the letter was much like one sent to Mississippi Sen. Roger Wicker that tested positive for the poison ricin. In addition, the office of Alabama Sen. Richard Shelby received a suspicious package on April 17, and Sen. Carl Levin (D-Michigan) reported receiving a suspicious letter in his regional office. (Photo: AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Gun Control Takes a Back Seat - Whatever momentum had been gained to ensure the passage of a background check bill in the Senate lost steam after the Boston Marathon bombing. On April 17, it and several other measures were defeated, which Obama called "shameful." (Photo: Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

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Gun Control Takes a Back Seat - Whatever momentum had been gained to ensure the passage of a background check bill in the Senate lost steam after the Boston Marathon bombing. On April 17, it and several other measures were defeated, which Obama called "shameful." (Photo: Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

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Better Safe - The majority of Americans (55 percent) do not believe that stronger gun laws weaken gun owners' rights. But in the same ABC News/Washington Post poll published April 16, 52 percent said that new laws to reduce gun violence are a higher priority than protecting the right to own guns. (Photo: Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

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Better Safe - The majority of Americans (55 percent) do not believe that stronger gun laws weaken gun owners' rights. But in the same ABC News/Washington Post poll published April 16, 52 percent said that new laws to reduce gun violence are a higher priority than protecting the right to own guns. (Photo: Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

It's a Wrap - The Senate Gang of Eight has formally introduced an immigration reform bill. The bipartisan measure increases border security and provides a path to legal residency for undocumented immigrants who arrived in the U.S. before Dec. 31, 2011, and immigrants who were children when they arrived and have completed high school. (Photo: AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

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It's a Wrap - The Senate Gang of Eight has formally introduced an immigration reform bill. The bipartisan measure increases border security and provides a path to legal residency for undocumented immigrants who arrived in the U.S. before Dec. 31, 2011, and immigrants who were children when they arrived and have completed high school. (Photo: AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

Second Chances - Former congressman Anthony Weiner may get redemption after all. In an NBC New York/Marist poll released April 16, 46 percent of Democrats said they'd consider voting for him in an NYC mayoral bid, up from 28 percent in October. In addition, in a hypothetical contest, Weiner comes in second after front-runner Christine Quinn. (Photo: REUTERS/Mike Segar)

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Second Chances - Former congressman Anthony Weiner may get redemption after all. In an NBC New York/Marist poll released April 16, 46 percent of Democrats said they'd consider voting for him in an NYC mayoral bid, up from 28 percent in October. In addition, in a hypothetical contest, Weiner comes in second after front-runner Christine Quinn. (Photo: REUTERS/Mike Segar)

Racism or Reason? - New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu thinks Orleans Parish Sheriff Marlin Gusman is incapable of exercising leadership skills after a video emerged showing city jail inmates drinking, getting high and handling a gun. Gusman says the mayor is using "Archie Bunker rhetoric," invoking Americans' favorite television bigot. (Photo: AP Photo/Gerald Herbert, Jonathan Bachman)

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Racism or Reason? - New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu thinks Orleans Parish Sheriff Marlin Gusman is incapable of exercising leadership skills after a video emerged showing city jail inmates drinking, getting high and handling a gun. Gusman says the mayor is using "Archie Bunker rhetoric," invoking Americans' favorite television bigot. (Photo: AP Photo/Gerald Herbert, Jonathan Bachman)