I was on the computer last night, surfing, when the S.O. ran into tell me the news was on with pictures of Boston. That it was all horrific-goes without saying.
All I could think about was two things-one, how truly awful it must have been with flying metal all around and very little places to go. And two, how soon would it be before someone linked it to some Arab or Islamic group somewhere. As I told the S.O. at the time-this will get really ugly.
And of course, true to form, we have the first folks already doing exactly that. Even though-as far as I know-there is no definitive proof. All speculation about who did this is premature and pointless. We would do well to remember, that the last US bombing of a sports event came from a right wing extremist.
However people who stand on their pedestals and point out that "We are at war, there will be more bombings, and not just by Islamic terrorists." are both correct-and naive in the extreme. We are not at war-except in the places we chose to execute military action. However, we are always fighting criminal elements. Regardless of who set yesterday's bombs-they are nothing but criminals and will be hunted down and treated as such. If there is one lesson we should have learned from the past 11 years-is not overreact. We did that in the early years of the decade, and where did it get us? Nowhere, except older, poorer, and more behind the rest of the world.
Criminals are always with us-and I can't help but wonder if the criminal who did this was "home grown" vice being imported from abroad. We don't-really-know.
But as the Atlantic points out these types of incidents are not the rule:
Remember after 9/11 when people predicted we'd see these sorts of attacks every few months? That never happened, and it wasn't because the TSAconfiscated knives and snow globes at airports. Give the FBI credit for rolling up terrorist networks and interdicting terrorist funding, but we also exaggerated the threat. We get our ideas about how easy it is to blow things up from television and the movies. It turns out that terrorism is much harder than most people think. It's hard to find willing terrorists, it's hard to put a plot together, it's hard to get materials, and it's hard to execute a workable plan. As a collective group, terrorists are dumb, and they make dumb mistakes; criminal masterminds are another myth from movies and comic books.
Even the 9/11 terrorists got lucky.
If it's hard for us to keep this in perspective, it will be even harder for our leaders. They'll be afraid that by speaking honestly about the impossibility of attaining absolute security or the inevitability of terrorism — or that some American ideals are worth maintaining even in the face of adversity — they will be branded as "soft on terror." And they'll be afraid that Americans might vote them out of office. Perhaps they're right, but where are the leaders who aren't afraid? What has happened to "the only thing we have to fear is fear itself"?
Terrorism, even the terrorism of radical Islamists and right-wing extremists and lone actors all put together, is not an "existential threat" against our nation. Even the events of 9/11, as horrific as they were, didn't do existential damage to our nation. Our society is more robust than it might seem from watching the news. We need to start acting that way.
Skippy,
You state you don't want people to jump on the "Islamist" bandwagon, yet when viewing the incident on MSNBC and other networks, they were brining up that it was the work of right wing extremists possibly protesting tax day. Same thing can be applied to the DA shooting in Texas. The DA and his wife and an assistant DA were shot and killed, and the media specualation was MS13 (Honduran Drung gang), and when that got i the way of the political rush to ram amnesty through, it fell on the old tried and true "right wing extremist" and the Arayn Brotherhood. It turns out, all 3 shootings were done by a fired employee bitter that the DA and Assistant DA dismissed him from his job.
It could be that the culprit wasn't a practioner of the "Religion of Peace" but I will go out on a limb and say that the odds are that they were. The Boston Marathon has nothing to do with the US government, it is just an American event and a race. No politics involved. I will also go out on a limb and say that the probably winner is from a East African country that is a practicing Muslim, makes it a lot easier to blend into the crowd for any perps (just my opinion). If I were to go to a soccer game here in Japan, and something bad happened, people would be able to remember me the gaijin a lot easier than a native. So there should not be any reason why one would think that some right wing group would have anything to do with this.
The types of devices used fits the middle east profile, so I am just saying that if it walks and quacks like a duck, it's probably not a chicken.
One more point I want to make is that this was an attack on our freedoms, not the soap box type that you get from the Hannity's and Limbaugh's but the freedom we normally enjoy in the USA. Freedom from not having to worry too much about going out in public and doing things and having events that people can come together and enjoy. Most right wingers don't object to that, unless it has something to do with activities that they deplore. If anything, this was done by outsiders from America just intent on causing panic for the American way. Look at how we reacted to 9/11 with the increased security just to get on a plane or the other measures we have to take these days.
During the OWS protests, poice did find bomb making materials and there was a case in Cleveland I believe where they had a plot to blow up a bridge. But I guess the far left has given up blowing up the Pentagon and other locations and have dropped the sandals and put on Nunn Bush shoes and now just blow everything up from within the system.
But here's the thing. There is a double standard: White terrorists are dealt with as lone wolves, Islamists are existential threats. if this bomber turns out to be white, the United States government will not bomb whatever corn field or mountain town or stale suburb from which said bomber came, just to ensure that others like him or her don’t get any ideas. And if he turns out to be a member of the Irish Republican Army we won’t bomb Dublin. And if he’s an Italian-American Catholic we won’t bomb the Vatican.”
Because of these undeniable and pervasive double standards, the specific identity of the Boston Marathon bomber (or bombers) is not some minor detail — it will almost certainly dictate what kind of governmental, political and societal response we see in the coming weeks.
I personally don't think its from a Muslim extremist-for one thing the bomb was too crude, and second to achieve their aims-they need to also take credit for it. Being anonymous does them no good-they have to show their Arab audience they were able to take on the great Satan.
Skippy,
Maj. Hassan acted alone but he felt his acts were for the greater "jihad." THe recruiting station killings in Little Rock by another American (Black male) who converted to Islam were also along similar lines, though mental issues may have also played into that.
To borrow a line from the great movie "Stalag 17:" "Just because the Krauts are dumb, doesn't mean that they're stupid." In other words, I think the jihad movement has gotten smart enough to know to not be so dumb to tell what they have been doing, as long as they know it was one of theirs who did it. I was listening to a talk radio station who had people calling in, and one person brought up something interesting, it was the North Koreans. He pointed out the rhetoric they have been making about causing panic in our cities, and though I doubt they could do it, what if? After all the new movie "Olympus Has Fallen" has the main bad guys as a North Korean (though he's not working for their government) and the remake of "Red Dawn" has NK being the bad guys this time. Maybe Hollywood is coming to life. I doubt it, but I do hope they find whomever did this.
Heya Skippy. Love the link to the other page. A few hardy souls pointed out that it would be foolish to rule out anyone, including the far right types. It was instructional to see the overt nastiness about how the Right would never attack their fellow citizens. The pretzel twisting was a riot to watch.
Like some pointed out, Oklahoma City was a Far Right militia, anti-gov't type. And you mentioned Atlanta 1996. Of course the usual Far Right apologists were yammering incessantly that only the Left attacks Americans and never the Right. SMFH.
Seems like it is all 9/11 again, even down to the conspiracy theories. Why did the Saudi FM make a sudden unplanned visit to the White House today, and then why the hoopla of haviing a suspect in custody and press conference coming, to "stay tuned for futher developments." Reminds me how the the 9/11 truthers kept saying that there "W" made it easy for a few Saudi nationals to fly out of the country when all flights were grounded.
No matter the party, as long as your government has cash and oil, you can get what you want for your people.
MANY pols, including the much hated Bush DID in fact say that its IMPOSSIBLE to be 100% secure.
ANYONE, even our feckless and craven politicians and pundits KNOW that to be a fact.
Hassan, the Shoe bomber, the times square bomber etc all were to some extent lone wolves and despite being MUSLIM, the US bomber NO ONE in response to that.
SOME terrorists are inept but Hezzbollah isn't Or Lashkar or some others I could name. We don't catch the smart ones eh?
As of YET i have not read of ANY attack, physical, on any American Muslim, despite the ill advised punditry of "experts", that they have ONLY seen the pressure cooker Bombs used in Iraq and Afghanistan.
I am very surprised that after all these years that we have not fallen victim to low tech attacks from guns to IEDS etc. we see at Newtown, VA Tech etc, how easy it is to kill many people with a few firearms in a short amount of time.
BY the way, The Weather Underground was considered in ITS time and place, a"left wing" terrorist group.
Or the SLA and Patty Hearst. and despite ALL the hoopla about right wing miltias and ONE arrest a few years ago, what have they really done?
Richard,
A muslim woman was attacked in Boston today. And right wing pundits have been going off the deep end since it happened.
As for right wing militias and what they have done, here is a short list:
Timothy McVeigh
Eric Rudolf
Michael Frederick Griffin murdered Dr. David Gunn in Pensacola, Florida in the United States. This was the first documented assassination of an OB-GYN to prevent abortions.
Paul Hill killed a doctor in Pensacola as well,
Two people shot to death in 2209 by an anti immigrant group.
Waco
The list goes on……
Richard,
We've been lucky in that LEO's have managed to stop a number of planned attacks by anti-gov't, patriot, and/or militia groups.
In April 1996, several members of the Georgia Republic Militia were arrested, followed in July by a dozen members of the Arizona Viper Militia.
Later that same month, members of the Washington State Militia found themselves in custody.
In October members of the West Virginia Mountaineer Militia were arrested on weapons charges and in connection with plans to blow up an F.B.I. fingerprinting facility.
In Michigan, a group of militia members, allegedly kicked out of the Michigan Militia for being too radical, formed a group first called the "Goof Troop," then, with more dignity, the North American Militia. Members planned to bomb a large number of targets in Michigan, including a federal building and an I.R.S. building; they constructed a variety of pipe bombs and even discussed assassinating various government officials. By 1998, five members of the group had been arrested and convicted on multiple charges; leaders Brad Metcalf and Randy Graham received 40- and 55-year sentences, respectively. In Missouri, a group of extremists from several different states, led by Bradley Glover of Kansas, met at a gathering of the "Third Continental Congress," but decided that this umbrella group was not radical enough for them. They struck out on their own, planning to attack United States military bases that they suspected were training New World Order troops. Members were so committed that they sold their businesses and homes in order to have plenty of money and be completely mobile. The first planned attack would occur against Fort Hood, Texas, on July 4, 1997 — the day that the military base hosts an annual "Freedom Festival" attended by 50,000 men, women and children. Luckily, good police work on the part of the Missouri State Highway Patrol and the F.B.I. detected the plans and prevented a tragedy; Glover and a companion were arrested on July 4 at a campground near Fort Hood. Eventually seven people were arrested in connection with the group.
As the millennium wound to a close, federal agents arrested Florida militia leader Donald Beauregard, charging that he and others had plotted to destroy a nuclear power plant and other utilities as well as law enforcement offices (Beauregard eventually struck a plea deal).
Now this is just a SAMPLING of the right wing types that are more than ready to do violence on other Americans. This is despite what many of the apologists stridently claim at the other site Skippy noted.
Cases of Left Wing Terrorism in the USA since 9/11:
Pro-gay marriage terrorist Floyd Lee Corkins, who plotted to murder the employees of both the Family Research Council and shot a security Guard in Seattle.
Andrew Joseph Stack who flew his pane into an IRS Building in 2010 leaving behind his anti-Bush manifesto.
The Earth Liberation Front who back in the 90's were fond of burning SUV car lots and other forms of ecoterrorism.
And let's not forget Floyd Lee Corkins – Chick Fil A Shooter.
This is just a sample of Left Wing leaning terrorists and some of their work.
Hey not disagreeing with you there are far too many wackos out there.
That Stack fellow had some strange writings.
Speaking of wakos, who did the lion's share of killing there?
In the manhunt for Dorner who didn't the cops shoot at first, second of third?
I'm waiting for some msnbc to describe Gosnell as a 'baby doctor'.
Say what you will about the wingnut militia they at least plan to attack the targets of their frustrations and not just indiscriminately kill.
2 people shot to death in 2209 still have a slim chance of leading a full rich life and who knows, their attacker might die first?
While I don't have any sympathy for any of them it is easy for me to see what drives the right wing. They believe that people who do what Gosnell did are murdering demons from hell and the State won't act to stop it or prevent it and they are powerless to stop that sort of thing using the law. People been getting riled up about doing the Lord's work for eons. It probably won't stop anytime soon. The loons that don't like the government are at least fighting the government. The government fights back and kills them without mercy. As the browncoats might say, both sides are armed, both are looking for a fight and nobody much cares what happens to either of them.
What motivates the left wing is easier to see. They want a perfect world, with them in charge of course and they reserve the right to attack and kill anybody that gets in their way of reshaping the world. By and large I prefer the right wingers because they just want to be left alone. I suppose the ultimate fringe hate that about anybody and always claim the noblest of motives and how they're doing it for the little children. They'd have a smidge more cred if they didn't support Gosnell and burn the little kids alive in Waco or snipe them to death as in Ruby Ridge.
What makes a militia "right wing"?
What is "right wing'?
These folks are either religious zealots as in the case of WACO or anarchists/ You think they are right wing because in the world that lefties inhabit the government is a force for good, like drone attacks that kill hundreds of innocent civilians etc but these militia folks HATE government no matter WHO is in charge.
They are ANTI HUMAN and to ascribe to them any Republican or conservative political ideology is just plan wrong. I KNOW why you folks on the left do it…its part of the left's narrative that Conservatives are evil and we are on the side of the angels etc ect. JUST like SOME folks on the "RIGHT" consider people like Skippy the enemy. I DO NOT SHARE that opinion.
I get it. As a child of the sixties I have seen this all before..except then the Hippies, yippies, SLA, weather underground were the "enemy" and they were "left wing"!!!
By the way i DO NOT consider Skippy anything but a man of HONOR and integrity. a man who has served his country and we thank him profusely for his service/ I just do not agree with his opinions.
and as i watch the news one can only hope that they find the second suspect soon.
Such chaos because of ONE person. Amazing
Richard,
Man, you are funny. You think I am left wing? Hilarious!
Would a left wing person believe in a flat tax, school vouchers, and replacing SS with private 401k's?
Now, I freely admit to being on the left when it comes to civil liberties. But I go with maximum individual liberties, not this group/race PC crap.
Mostly, I just want to be left alone and go my way. Much like Captain "Tight Pants" Mal and the good crew.
Skippy is quite the guy. I can appreciate his appreciation of the lovely Asian female form. I really like the one photo of the goose stepping Nork Lady Warriors. 🙂
I am very puzzled as to why this pair of Chechens is involved. Are we seeing the start of one of the Seven Deadly Scenarios? Great book, BTW.
Skippy,
I guess we will have to call this situation a "tie" on who we thought were the perps. You said white guys and I said Muslims, and we are both right. Though I understand that not all Muslims are dark complexioned. It seems the two brothers from Chechnya were devout Muslims and had an ax to grind against America. For what I am not sure since we have not bombed Chechnya, and if they were to actually look closely, we ahve done more to defend the rights of Muslims (Kosovo) than we have been doing to protect Israel. We put boots on the ground in Bosnia, we just give Israel money and weapons and stand off. So I don't know why any in the Muslim world still feel that they have an axe to grind against America.
I get that they hate America because in their view we are nothing but pawns of Satan with our vices like porno, but recently I read that for some porn sites, they get a lot of visitors from ISP's originating in places like Pakistan and even OBL had porn materials around him when he met his end. Go figure.
The real winner in all of this, Putin and Russia. You mentioned that we normally go out and bomb the people who did this, nothing like that will happen to Chechnya. Their will not be a huge build up of the Terrorism Industrial Complex to go into Chechnya, but they had better realize that all this does is give Putin the opportunity to do what he wants there now without having to worry about the US sticking our noses in under the guise of "human rights" when they start rounding up and mowing down more Chechian rebels.
SV,
left wing was NOT meant as a pejorative…some of my best friends…..hahah
By the way,I am a moderate, centrist..according to the standards of this time and place.
i am a strong ADVOCATE of civil liberties and am concerned that such liberties being eroded in the constant quest for that elusive " security". ,
as we all have become used to we are in the phase or rampant speculation regarding the young men accused of the Boston bombing. Their Aunt who is in Canada, wants PROOF that her sweet nephews have anything to do with the bombing and that the video was staged by the government and no doubt she has and will be joined by the other conspiracy nut jobs. Sigh…..
IN regards to the aunt, I know a few relatives of people I personally know who are in jail for doing some very bad things, but according to their relatives, they are simply the most innoncent and sweet persons and no way they could have done such a thing (funny considering in one case on just doesn’t let someone place a kilo of a a controlle substance in their car and carry a weapon illegally when they have previously been in jail) but as the aunt says, she needs to see proof.
Reading a few reports that the FBI had looked at one of these guys before and let them pass, and that the Russians helped, even the President said do. And they want to tell us that the border is secure and we should let the 11 million here illegally stay and get amnesty.
I imagine that some of those professors that lived in the area who were probably calling for a ban on personal hand guns were probably rethinking that belief while bunkered in their homes with baseball bats or pots and pans to protect themselves.