Ten Thoughts on the Boston Bombing
Chip Berlet printable version print page     Bookmark and Share
Tue Apr 16, 2013 at 08:49:13 AM EST
More mourning and prayers.

Lots of praise for all the first responders.

Less speculation and gossip.

Keep in mind that not all acts of violence are terrorism.

Realize that terrorism can be carried out by individuals, groups, and governments.

Talk to friends and family for support.

Don't spread rumors or more anxiety in any way.

Confront the attention-seeking conspiracists for spreading lies. Their swill is toxic to democracy.

The FBI has not stopped numerous acts of terrorism, they have entrapped numerous hapless people and then busted them for headlines.

Whoever is responsible, do not blame entire groups of people based on their political leanings, religion, or race.




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for these wise words.

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"I believe in a President whose views on religion are his own private affair" - JFK, Address to the Greater Houston Ministerial Association
by hardindr on Tue Apr 16, 2013 at 09:07:37 AM EST

This is the right thing to keep in mind.

by khughes1963 on Tue Apr 16, 2013 at 12:28:23 PM EST

can be critical in relationships. How great to see people in immediate danger themselves rushing to the aid of others. Mercy and aid to the victim must happen quickly and last as long as required. Justice however, is not accomplished in rash "knee jerk" reactions. We have a principle of self defense - which takes into account the violence and destruction or loss of life one can experience or inflict when under sever threat - that action can and often expands into full brawl or riot when individuals are involved, war when nations react. Justice is rarely accomplished by "self defense", justice is a measured response after understanding what has taken place - administering punishment with stated goals. This by itself does not eliminate the "death penalty" but often confers rights for additional appeal. I just wonder if 9-11's response had been less "self defense" coupled with an angry response (shock and awe) administered against both the guilty and their neighbors - if evidence of guilt (prosecution) and statements of mitigating circumstances (defense) had played out in the worlds courtrooms and media leaving interested adults to reasoned conclusions rather than patriotic slogans for people uninformed about the real situations - would we have been building bridges rather than blowing them up?

by chaplain on Wed Apr 17, 2013 at 10:20:09 AM EST


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