Surprise! Another Terror Attack

We knew it would happen somewhere, but we prayed it would not.  We were still basking in the glow of the love we feel when our families come together for a grand meal.  There was not even time to eat the leftovers from Thanksgiving dinner before it happened.  Another terror attack! 

A radical Islamic extremist, like those Senator Ted Cruz obsesses about, did not perpetrate this attack.  A Mexican, like the ones Donald Trump demonizes, did not perpetrate this attack.  It wasn’t an illegal alien, and not even an immigrant that struck terror in the hearts of the people of Colorado Springs.  It was a “good ole American.”  Once again, it was a good ole “White Extremist” (and crazy, too) killing and maiming, changing people’s lives forever. 

By the time this paper is printed, we should know if this attacker was an anti-abortion extremist.  It seems too coincidental that the attack took place at the Planned Parenthood building where anti-abortion protests take place six days a week.  Whatever his motives were, we know he didn’t kill in the name of peace and love.

According to the Washington Times in June 2015, in the fourteen years since 911, white supremacists and anti-government radicals have killed nearly twice as many people as jihadis.  These are the kind of terrorist we don’t talk about.  These are the kind of terrorists we don’t pay attention to.  We shrug them off as being odd, as being loners. We justify some behaviors as Second Amendment rights.  We cannot identify these people by the color of their skin or by the clothes they wear.  There’s not much we can do to prevent these kinds of attacks, but we can make sure that we don’t condone hate speech.  We can make sure that we don’t foster environments that promote violence against whom we don’t agree.

As an example, last week Ted Cruz was delighted to announce that he received the endorsement for president by Troy Newman, one of the most infamous anti-choice leaders.  As president of Operation Rescue, Newman is nothing more than an Anti-Abortion terrorist.  Newman has said that in a perfect biblical society, abortion providers would be executed.  Cruz said of Newman’s endorsement, “I am grateful to receive the endorsement of Troy Newman…We need leaders like Troy in this country who will stand up for those who do not have a voice.”  By killing those doing their legal job?

Another example. In early November, Republican candidates Ted Cruz, Mike Huckabee, and Bobby Jindal, pandered to Kevin Swanson, by speaking at his National Religious Liberties Conference.  As we know, “religious liberty” is code for “hate gays.”  Kevin Swanson (ironically from Colorado) is a religious talk radio host who advocates that the government execute gays, but only after they are given a chance to repent. 

Why are we surprised when a crazy goes off the deep end and kills innocent people?  How can we expect people to act in a sane manner, when those seeking to be the leader of the free world, not only agree with people who advocate murder, but are also grateful for their support?  What message does that send?

In the President’s address to the nation this week about the Paris terrorist attacks, he said, “If you see something, say something.”  Keep that in mind as you go about your daily activities.  You can’t recognize a terrorist by the way he looks, but if he does something seemingly suspicious, don’t worry about looking silly.  Run like hell and call the police.

The community of Blount, located at Highway 42 and Blount Road, will be a busy little place this weekend, full of the Christmas spirit.  Cross Link Meadows will have an old fashioned Christmas Extravaganza on Saturday, December 5.  While you’re in the area, stop by the Trading Post located just before Paran Baptist Church.  They are having a $1.00 sale and you will have hundreds of items from which to choose.  If you’re searching for items to re-purpose, this is the place for you.   Also, back in the woods is a place called The Store.   It’s harder to find but worth the search.