Boston Observations
Like virtually every American I was glued to the news this last week as a result of the Marathon Bombing. I was however somewhat detached being that I was teaching at a small international bible college in Ireland. That said, I did have a few observations in light of the happenings.
Bravery
Quite honestly it is awesome to behold the bravery of “strangers” in the face of the atrocious acts of cowardice displayed by the bombers. The bombers dropped their packages and briskly waked away, leaving destruction in their wake. But immediately following the explosions loads of people ran to the aid of the injured. My heart broke and was warmed all in one moment.
Brave men and women, knowing not whether other bombs were awaiting them, risked their lives to hurry to those that were hurt. Individuals tired after running 26 miles continued to run to nearby hospitals to donate blood. The cowards hid and [apparently] planned future acts of terror. Fortunately, aside from one other terrible act, their reign of terror ended quickly.
Solidarity
In Europe, upon hearing my accent each individual I encountered instantly expressed their sincerest sympathies. Their hearts hurt for the pain of our nation. They didn’t have to be American, they’re human, and the heart of any individual with a modicum of compassion, breaks in the face of such suffering.
Efficiency
The Law Enforcement and Emergency Medical communities are to be lauded for their expertise and efficiency. EMS workers worked with brave professionalism. I imagine that they would have prior to 9/11/2001, but all the more since. The Law Enforcement agencies [apparently] worked harmoniously together to identify (with the aid of many witnesses) the alleged terrorists and effectively remove them from the streets within 4 days of their conscienceless act.
Idiocy
The press displayed (almost as expected) absurdity. If they would limit their scope of practice to reporting the facts, it would be bearable. But in a day in which “that which bleeds leads” and he who is first to the story wins the ratings game, stupidity abounds. In addition flows the constant drone of editorializing and and biased interpretation. I’d much rather know what they know and not what some uppity news correspondent thinks it means.
I realize that at this point I’m editorializing too, but quite frankly that’s what a blog is.
I agree. I was amazed by the bravery, the solidarity, and the efficiency… and just as unsurprised and nauseated by the editorialising and opining of those who we dearly wish would just tell us “what’s new”, a.k.a., “the news”.
You get to see common grace and human depravity both in force.
I found CNN’s article interesting entitled “Is man inherently good or evil?” (http://edition.cnn.com/2013/04/17/opinion/cain-boston-marathon/index.html?hpt=us_t5)
Their point was obviously man is good because of the heroic acts of certain individuals. We applaud heroism! But to argue for man’s goodness here, how does CNN account for the evil of the bombers. Were they victims corrupted from some outside force and thus not responsible for their actions? Or did their idolatrous hearts lead them to believe is something so diabolical that they are fully guilty of their evil?