How Should a Patriot React To The Boston Marathon Bombings

How Should a Patriot React To The Boston Marathon Bombings

The horror that was the aftermath of the explosions at the end of the Boston Marathon on Monday drew forth some of the best of people. With three dead and more than 100 wounded, dozens of citizens comforted and aided the injured, thousands more offered up their homes to stranded marathon runners. Such national tragedies can also bring out the worst in people, pulling forth responses that fly in the face of the feelings many are still grappling with. Here’s ThinkProgress’ list of the worst responses to what the Federal government is referring to as an attack:

Islamophobia. Fox News contributor Erik Rush, RedState, Pamela Geller, and the New York Post all blamed Muslims for the attack. Law enforcement officials say that it “remains too early to establish the cause and motivation” describing it as a “potential terrorist investigation.”

    Jihad in Boston: 12 dead, 50 injured …… horrific Boston Marathon bombing

    — Pamela Geller (@pamelageller) April 15, 2013

    Breaking: Authorities ID a Saudi national as a suspect in Boston Marathon bombings nyp.st/XNBHHr

    — New York Post (@nypost) April 15, 2013

Settling partisan gripes. The Washington Post’s Jennifer Rubin launched an attack on her colleague, snidely referencing the Kermit Gosnell trial’s coverage in calling the Boston explosions a “local crime story.” Rubin later attempted to explain that she only meant that she would avoid writing until more facts were known. The New York Times’ Nick Kristof took the time to call out Republicans’ blocking confirmation of a new head of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms, but later deleted the tweet and apologized:

    Not writing on Boston. It is a local crime story for now.

    — Jennifer Rubin (@JRubinBlogger) April 15, 2013

Unnecessary partisanship. Minutes after the explosions were first reported, Michael Goldfarb of the Emergency Committee for Israel, chose to use the moment to mock Vice-President Joe Biden’s response to the incident. Others blamed Obama:

    Biden reassures America: “apparently there has been a bombing. I don’t know any of the details of what caused it, who did it.”

    — Michael Goldfarb (@thegoldfarb) April 15, 2013

    GEORGE BUSH KEPT US SAFE FOR 8 YEARSAND ONCE AGAIN @barackobama FAILS AS TERRORISTS BOMB BOSTON MARATHON is.gd/yhzvxB #p2 #dnc

    — Patrick Dollard (@PatDollard) April 15, 2013  ( Bush kept us safe for eight years? Talk about delusional. More Americans were killed by terrorists during the Bush presidency than Reagan, Bush Sr and Clinton combined).


False-flag. Conspiracy theory-monger — and Drudge favorite — Alex Jones of the website InfoWars wondered aloud whether the attack was a “false-flag” operation — an event made to look as though another perpetrated it, often used in reference to supposed government plots.

    Our hearts go out to those that are hurt or killed #Boston marathon – but this thing stinks to high heaven #falseflag

    — Alex Jones (@RealAlexJones) April 15, 2013

Conservative do American parents a great favor. All parents have to do is tell their children to watch and listen to conservatives to learn how NOT to behave.