There really is only one news story to discuss on this morning and, of course, it was not a pleasant or encouraging one.
I wanted to publish and write more about Halloween, because my son and I both had been looking forward to it for a long time. But that would seem overly indulgent today, given what happened in New York yesterday.
So, here is a brief recap of what happened, and some of my thoughts on the matter:
It happened again. Another lunatic driving a rented van where he is not supposed to, and went out of his way to harm and kill as many people as possible.
I wanted to publish and write more about Halloween, because my son and I both had been looking forward to it for a long time. But that would seem overly indulgent today, given what happened in New York yesterday.
So, here is a brief recap of what happened, and some of my thoughts on the matter:
It happened again. Another lunatic driving a rented van where he is not supposed to, and went out of his way to harm and kill as many people as possible.
These were what are known as "soft targets," and it sometimes seems like there really is no way to prevent them. Once some idiot like this is absolutely determined to go through with it, and then does, there just does not appear to be any way to stop him.
And that is what happened in France. It happened more recently in Barcelona. And now, it happened in New York City.
This also would mark the first successful terrorist attack in New York City, if you will, since the September 11th attacks.
While my son and I were out trick or treating, a woman told us that someone had driven a truck on the sidewalk in New York City. But at the time, details were still sketchy. I assumed that terrorism was indeed a possibility, but it also could have just been a horrific accident. Those things do not happen often, but they do happen.
Unfortunately, though, this was done by design. And the guy responsible, once again, had no apparent history of violence or extremism. At least so far, there were no obvious or glaring links to terrorist organizations. No seeming sympathies or anything.
And then, we learn about him...too late.
He did what he set out to do. He rented a truck and drove down a bike lane. Ultimately, he killed 8 people, with 11 others injured. He then smashed his rental truck into a school bus, then ran around waving two non-lethal guns - a paintball gun and a pellet gun.
It all seemed so strange, so mysterious. And it was compounded by the fact that, indeed, there appeared to be nothing to suggest that he was linked to any terrorist organization, and there seemed to be a lack of any motive. Also, why did he pick his target the way he did, when there was scheduled to be a Halloween party where, presumably, he could have aimed to kill and wound more people.
All very strange indeed.
But, we are learning about him.
His name is Sayfullo Saipov, he is 29 years old, and he is originally from Uzbekistan. And even though initially, they did not find any seeming connections online or anywhere else with terrorist organization, he left a letter in his rental truck suggesting that he was doing this for ISIS. And while he was running around after smashing his vehicle in the bike lane, he was yelling “Allahu akbar,” (Arabic for “God is great”), which is also often a phrase repeated by terrorists immediately before or after they launch their attacks.
Much has been made of the fact that this was the deadliest terror attack in New York City since September 11th.
He drove down the road for roughly a mile before he was shot by officers, and then taken to the emergency room. Now, the police will try to make him talk, and at some point, he will stand trial for his crimes.
Most of those who died were from Argentina, visiting New York City for their 30th high school reunion. Other victims were from Belgium and Germany.
In the meantime, many have commented in the toughness of residents of New York City, and it received considerable praise by many, including former President Barack Obama, and last year's Democratic nominee for the White House, Hillary Clinton.
Of course, President Trump reacted on Twitter:
“In NYC, looks like another attack by a very sick and deranged person. Law enforcement is following this closely. NOT IN THE U.S.A.!”
My brother made a good point about that last sentence, asking what it means. Does this mean that it is okay for it to happen in other country, but not the United States? Also, these kinds of incidents and deadly attacks have happened, and surely will happen, here in the United States. President Trump certainly did not seem so intent on stopping mass shootings just one month ago, when the largest mass shooting in modern American history took place in Las Vegas. Frankly, it sounds like he is doing exactly what he and other of his supporters suggested that advocates for tighter gun restrictions were doing, and politicizing this attack. The whole notion that this will not be tolerated in the U.S.A. seems like red meat to feed his ravenous supporters, but lacks any serious substance or perspective.
Later in the day, President Trump issued another Tweet, suggesting that the federal response would be stepped up, as he offered his "thoughts and prayers" (anyone else getting tired of politicians offering their "thoughts and prayers" after a national, or international, tragedy?). He also lashed out at the politically correct, suggesting that there was a time and a place for that, but that this is not that time.
We shall see what continues to develop in the aftermath of this latest terror attack.
Below is the article that I used in writing this particular blog entry about the horrific terror attack yesterday, and I also used CBS New here in the greater New York area, which I was watching while writing this. Here is the link to the New York Times article:
Manhattan Terror Attack Kills 8 and Injures 11 Written for The New York Times By Benjamin Mueller, William K. Rashbaum and Al Baker Oct. 31, 2017:
He did what he set out to do. He rented a truck and drove down a bike lane. Ultimately, he killed 8 people, with 11 others injured. He then smashed his rental truck into a school bus, then ran around waving two non-lethal guns - a paintball gun and a pellet gun.
It all seemed so strange, so mysterious. And it was compounded by the fact that, indeed, there appeared to be nothing to suggest that he was linked to any terrorist organization, and there seemed to be a lack of any motive. Also, why did he pick his target the way he did, when there was scheduled to be a Halloween party where, presumably, he could have aimed to kill and wound more people.
All very strange indeed.
But, we are learning about him.
His name is Sayfullo Saipov, he is 29 years old, and he is originally from Uzbekistan. And even though initially, they did not find any seeming connections online or anywhere else with terrorist organization, he left a letter in his rental truck suggesting that he was doing this for ISIS. And while he was running around after smashing his vehicle in the bike lane, he was yelling “Allahu akbar,” (Arabic for “God is great”), which is also often a phrase repeated by terrorists immediately before or after they launch their attacks.
Much has been made of the fact that this was the deadliest terror attack in New York City since September 11th.
He drove down the road for roughly a mile before he was shot by officers, and then taken to the emergency room. Now, the police will try to make him talk, and at some point, he will stand trial for his crimes.
Most of those who died were from Argentina, visiting New York City for their 30th high school reunion. Other victims were from Belgium and Germany.
In the meantime, many have commented in the toughness of residents of New York City, and it received considerable praise by many, including former President Barack Obama, and last year's Democratic nominee for the White House, Hillary Clinton.
Of course, President Trump reacted on Twitter:
“In NYC, looks like another attack by a very sick and deranged person. Law enforcement is following this closely. NOT IN THE U.S.A.!”
My brother made a good point about that last sentence, asking what it means. Does this mean that it is okay for it to happen in other country, but not the United States? Also, these kinds of incidents and deadly attacks have happened, and surely will happen, here in the United States. President Trump certainly did not seem so intent on stopping mass shootings just one month ago, when the largest mass shooting in modern American history took place in Las Vegas. Frankly, it sounds like he is doing exactly what he and other of his supporters suggested that advocates for tighter gun restrictions were doing, and politicizing this attack. The whole notion that this will not be tolerated in the U.S.A. seems like red meat to feed his ravenous supporters, but lacks any serious substance or perspective.
Later in the day, President Trump issued another Tweet, suggesting that the federal response would be stepped up, as he offered his "thoughts and prayers" (anyone else getting tired of politicians offering their "thoughts and prayers" after a national, or international, tragedy?). He also lashed out at the politically correct, suggesting that there was a time and a place for that, but that this is not that time.
We shall see what continues to develop in the aftermath of this latest terror attack.
Below is the article that I used in writing this particular blog entry about the horrific terror attack yesterday, and I also used CBS New here in the greater New York area, which I was watching while writing this. Here is the link to the New York Times article:
Manhattan Terror Attack Kills 8 and Injures 11 Written for The New York Times By Benjamin Mueller, William K. Rashbaum and Al Baker Oct. 31, 2017:
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