"Q,R and S' belong to Quite Right Sir!

In more than just an effort to get back on track, I have lumped these three into one resounding statement of praise to the Boston and other Metro Area police departments along with all those involved in the investigation and resolution of the Marathon Bombing.

In less than one week the case was solved, the suspects confessed to the carjacking suspect, and one is in custody awaiting resolution of his case. Some people are upset he hasn't (as of this posting) been read his Miranda Rights. In a case like this I do no think it is an abuse of his rights. Let's exam the facts.

1 - They committed an act of terror on this country. This is tantamount to treason in my opinion, and those who commit treason abdicate their rights as citizens.

2 - He was shot in the throat, making communication minimal at best.

3 - We, the USA, need to know if there are any others of his political ideas ready to unleash other homemade explosive around the country.

If, as some have speculated, this younger brother was only following an admired older brother, then he will give all he knows as soon as he can to negotiate a life sentence instead of the death penalty. But if he is equally guilty, then he should be treated as an enemy of the State and his rights are forfeit.

A huge shout out to the people of Boston for their collective response to the entire week. From bombing to lock down to joyous resolution they have exhibited the very best of what it means to be an American - faith in God, faith in country, faith in their elected officials.

Let us pray we don't have to experience another day like April 15, 2013 anytime soon.

'N' is for Needless Violence

I was all set to write about something witty and shallow when I heard about the bombings in Boston. So I redirected my thoughts and today is devoted to those who were there, those who were injured, those who lost their lives needlessly.

Fear, in my opinion, is the worst of all emotions. It drives us far from reason. But those who inflict fear through acts of terrorism do more than just incite fear. They take from us the one thing we all value - the illusion of civility.

It's all well and good to hear about bombings in the Middle East and Europe. We've made ourselves immune to the unstable environment in those locations. Americans are the original NIMBYs. (Not In My Back Yard.) Wars are fought elsewhere, riots happen elsewhere. Until 9/11 we considered ourselves an impenetrable fortress, a continent unto ourselves. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Was this an act of terrorism? Absolutely. The more important question is: was this foreign or domestic terrorism?

Americans have gradually gotten used to the idea that people around the world hate us for no other reason than we are Americans. That we can handle. But to think someone within our own borders would cause such senseless violence is terrifying. We are all one, aren't we?

The role call of violence in America since the 1990s is shocking: Waco, Oklahoma City, Atlanta Olympic Park,  Columbine, Virginia Tech, Newtown. But wait, you say, some of these were shootings, not bombings. That doesn't matter. An act of terror is designed to create fear and damage. All of these accomplished that mission.

As a nation we must be ever vigilant to keep those who seek to destroy us, whether from without or within, from seeing the true legacy of their actions. Are we content to let ourselves become the doormat of the planet, or will we rise up stronger and more resolved? Only "We, the People" can make that determination.

Rise Up America and take back our Happiness. Remember those who have given their lives to these senseless acts and never let their sacrifice go uncelebrated. They are the ones in whose name we carry on. Let's make them proud.