SICK AND TIRED

 The Boston bombing last Monday was yet another reminder that all is not well.  Still reeling from the Newtown, Mass. school shooting, and bombarded daily by nuclear threats of a North Korean despot wishing to taunt and rattle the big, bad United States of America, we sadly shook our heads and wept  as news spread that once again, we had been struck by an unknown enemy, hell bent on creating fear,  chaos and destruction---and breaking our hearts as we learned that one of the dead victims was again one of our most precious, an 8 year old boy, caught in the web of an evil he will never understand, much less deserve.  How can we expect children to understand what is happening to our once relatively peaceful and safe country, when we can hardly wrap our own minds around a growing sense of danger and sudden violence within our midst, no longer on some distant shore.  No, things are not at all well---there is a collective feeling of losing our grip, our very ability to remain free in an increasingly policed society. Are we slowly coming apart at the seams?? Surrendering our freedoms to those who would harm us, terrorize us into submission, or simply  get attention for their own sick minds? Or is this just a time of transition, a rough patch from which we will recover, wiser and stronger?  There is always hope, as they saying goes, but the current feeling is that we have a ways to go---and even more disconcerting, that no one knows the way back or forward. This is unchartered territory---

Are we hopelessly lost? Sick of it all, somewhat bewildered, and too tired to fight back? We are asked to become more vigilant for anything suspicious looking in order to fight terrorism---really?  Is that all it will take?  Wars and vicious crimes are rarely won by vigilance---that may stop or derail an act of terror--but it won't stop the next plan or the incentive to keep trying.  As these words are written, it has become known that the Boston bombing suspects were two young Russian men with vague and rumored connections to Jihadist organizations. Regardless of the connection, the act was one of terrorism. The two men had gone to school here, one became a U.S. citizen, but we and our way of life were presumably, and if they are found guilty, no match for those who drew them into their circle of religious fervor. It was almost a relief to hear that at least it probably wasn't "one of our own", another mentally ill person, acting out his crazed misery upon us all.  Domestic terrorism is harder to bear, as it is home grown, and carries with it our own home grown problems. But at least we can deal with it on our terms.

International terrorism, on the other hand, is a tough enemy to fight---they are all over the world, and now they are here, among us.  They despise us and feel there is no greater honor than to die in martyrdom while fighting for their cause.  Even our president, Barack Obama, seems overwhelmed at the oncoming waves of unfortunate events---his careful words, in describing the Boston bombing, as anything but terrorism, show a man understandably using great restraint, and perhaps wisdom, but his handling of otherwise obvious cases of terrorism in this country and abroad,( i.e. Fort Hood, Ben Ghazi) together with his "leading from behind' philosophy in other international crises, suggest a certain timidity and weakness, even a reluctance to confront an enemy, naming it for what it is. He has characterized our past mode of operandi as too bullying and aggressive, rather than perhaps a necessarily strong leadership, in a world all too eager to fill a vacuum with their own agendas. Has Obama weakened us with his domestic divisive attitudes, his less than bold presence on the world scene, and his refusal to address the Jihad infiltration problem right here in this country---or made us better, less agitating? Does a kinder, gentler nation stand a chance against religious zealots who do not value life over their beliefs, or power hungry nations who crave dominion over freedom?

We are feeling less secure, as the inevitable spread of religious extremism marches not only into other countries, but into our own, our towns, and murder even our children. It has become very personal, and very deadly. We knew they would come, it was inevitable, only a matter of time---but what to do about it? Should we begin to see that we cannot ignore or allow other countries to become united against us--not even distant Libya, Iraq, Syria or Egypt, some of whose causes seemed just, but whose outcome is dubious? North Korea, on the other hand, is using its own brand of terrorism, as its young leader, Kim Jung Un taunts us with his supposed nuclear capability---he is the biggest bomb of all now, and one wonders where he gets off taking on the United States of America---and getting away with it. We are now negotiating with him via China---blackmail might be a better term.  He has been put on the back pages of the media for now, but we shall hear from him again---terror, via nuclear bomb threats in the hands of a young, foolish anti-American autocrat, may become the worst terror of all.


But as we picked up the pieces of another life shattering event last Monday in Boston,  the strength and compassion of our people as they rushed into the flames to administer comfort and aid was proof that we don't run from problems---and that when the chips are down, we, the citizens, help our neighbors and ourselves.  The people of Boston came through big time with almost instantaneous response. Sick and tired? Not when the chips are down---and it didn't take an act of congress to get help. Our system of law and order worked admirably, bravely, and swiftly--though not without further loss of life, as one officer was killed and another injured. The suspects have been caught and if proven guilty will be brought to justice---life will move along.  We will be a little more wary, a little less joyful, and a lot more aware that our lives have changed, along with our country.  The land of the free and the home of the brave---seems to be under siege at the moment and perhaps for some time to come.  Are we courageous and good enough to remain free, and not intimidated slaves of terroristic blackmail, or some other form of rule or government?  The answer remains unknown---but the little boy who died on Monday deserves a better place.  He wrote before he died, "Please no more hurting people"---if only it were that easy. And if only the enemy cared---

On Friday, Boston went into complete lock-down mode.  One of the suspects was found and shot dead Friday morning.  The other brother remained at large, but not for long. Before it was over, stores were closed, ball games cancelled, schools locked and empty, and people told to stay inside their homes. Incredible--- a whole American city brought to its knees by two young men, apparently with a  mission to do just that.

Someone said this week that America is being tested---to see what we're made of.  Evil has come calling, right here at home---whether it is a religious fanatic, a power lusting foreign leader,  or a deranged person out to kill in order to vent his rage---the result is the same, but the former is more dangerous, for its army is invisible, and it's goal is elimination of all who do not believe in their cause and their way of life.  It is a creeping, relentless, determined enemy, and though we are not its only target, we are the biggest, and the most reviled.  Monday was a grim reminder that they who would harm us are not going away.  We are made of many things, and what we were, is not necessarily who we are today.  But as we watch our freedoms being slowly chipped away by those who wish to take us down,  it remains to be seen who we will become.

 President Obama said this week that Americans refuse to be terrorized---talk is cheap, but I liked that, and him for standing strong.  If only it were that easy----didn't work for the little boy with the sign. But maybe we are getting sick of being sick and tired---