Today, I am resisting the temptation to run with speculation as to who carried out this attack yesterday in Boston. For one thing, certain media outlets and commentators are implying this was the work of some right-wing anti-government forces, Tea Partiers or anti-tax folks (but not Occupiers). That is pure speculation. On the other hand, many are betting that this is a case of Islamic jihad.
The authorities are being extremely cautious here, and that is well and good. There are legal reasons why the police cannot prematurely refer to anyone as a "suspect".
By now, we all know from the major networks that there is a "person of interest" who is identified as a 20-year-old Saudi student and that his apartment has been searched. Some blogs have released what they believe is his name and photo.
At this time, let us remember Oklahoma City. There were initial reports that it was the work of Islamic extremists and that a manhunt was underway. It turned out to be Tim McVeigh and Terry Nichols.
Remember the Atlanta bombing? Initially, the media was all over a security guard named Richard Jewell. The actual culprit turned out to be Eric Rudolph.
I am under no illusions that I will be the blog to get the scoop here. It is up to the investigators now. Once the culprits are identified, there will be plenty to say all around, and I will have plenty to say. Right now, the last thing we need is for innocent people to be the target of public outrage.
We still don't know all the facts.
Excellent exposition Gary.
ReplyDeleteAnd yet MSNBC and CNN have already blamed this on the "Right-wing Extremists". Their words.
ReplyDeleteI keeping an open mind. I've heard rumors from al Qaeda, Occupy, Islamic converts from prison, TEA Party tax revolt, and the Illuminati.
I don't know, and will know when we all do.
Praying for the victims and their families instead.
My wild guess is that it was done by someone with a grudge about never getting the recognition or career in track and field that they think they should have... kind of Nancy Kerrigan case writ large.
ReplyDeleteBut that's only a wild guess. Those who claim to have some idea are simply indulging the hope that it will be someone they don't like, so they can crow about it.
If Gary operated on that basis, he would have laid out a detailed theory that one of his favorite journalists did it. Whose that guy Gary keeps portraying blowing out his brains with his own fingers?