It's been quite some time since I've written anything; partly because I'm lazy and partly because I don't have much of an audience. But I am compelled to write this evening after my home town has been bombed. I don't mean the fun kind of bombed...I've been bombed in Boston plenty of times. I mean the kind of bomb used by an ideological miscreant; a coward; a senseless drone who lacks so greatly in intellect that he sees his only recourse as being violence. Maybe it's a group of people; that means they are an inane group of extremists which does not possess even the slightest semblance of gray matter. We must be careful to remember the word extremist. When angry and hurt one can let his emotions take over and condemn an entire group based on the actions of the relatively small number of violent operatives. I urge everyone (all 4 of you that read this) that violence answered with violence produces a never ending circle of senseless pain. We are better than that. This of course was an act of terrorism. The first known terrorist group in the U.S. was identified in 1866---the KKK---a group of white, Christian males. Let's all remember that terrorists come in all colors...including white. There has been a hatred in this country of anyone betraying indications of a Middle-Eastern background. I believe that Bostonians---Americans--- and all human beings are wise enough to understand that those who engineered a horrific event such as the one we witnessed today are extreme members of whichever group to which they belong. We know this. We must remember this. Today's tragedy was perpetrated as a symbol...though I'm not sure of what.
The Boston Marathon is run every year on Patriot's Day. This holiday has been celebrated in Massachusetts in recognition of the beginning of the Revolutionary War. For me, it was always a day off of school. It was usually opening day at Fenway. The runners used to get a wreath and a bowl of stew. There was no money involved. People ran to be a part of history. Perhaps today's bomber(s) doesn't understand what Patriot's Day really means. Against seemingly insurmountable odds, men from numerous towns in Massachusetts met the British army on Lexington Green and the first shots of the War were fired; April 19, 1775. Though many Minutemen were killed, the British eventually had to retreat. A group of rag-tag farmers sent the most powerful army in the world a clear message; Don't mess with New Englanders. Bostonians don't quit. Nor do they cower. They do get afraid, but instead of succumbing to fear, Bostonians forge ahead. That is what they will do now. Unfortunately, there will be some who will profile and hate as a result of today's tragedy. Like I said, all members of a certain group are not of the same mind.
My family is safe. My nieces were just a few blocks away from the bomb area and are now home safely and physically unharmed. Unfortunately, not everyone can say that tonight. To those people, I offer my sincerest sympathy. And to those of you who will insist on hating all the members of the group to which the extremists belong, you have my sympathy, too for you will retain a bitterness in your heart that will permeate every aspect of your life. You hurt yourself the most. There's been enough hurt today.
