IT BEGINS: THE LEFTIST MEDIA STARTS TO BLAME THE RIGHT FOR BOSTON MARATHON BOMBINGS
Posted 04.15.13 by Greg Campbell, TPNN Contributor
Details are still emerging on the explosions at the Boston Marathon. News agencies are hesitant to report confirmed numbers of dead or wounded, but Fox News has reported that at least 3 are dead and reports have surfaced indicating as many as 12 may have died.
The carnage has been described as horrendous and it looks incredibly unlikely that the explosions could be linked to an accident as police have reportedly detonated a two other bombs found at the scene. As victims are treated, there are reports from the victims that ball-bearings were in the bombs, adding to their lethality.
As Americans glue themselves to their televisions or computers, many may want to speculate. Was this the act of Al Qaeda? Was it a domestic terrorist? The truth is that we simply don’t know about the details surrounding the bombings at this point to wager any educated guesses.
Although that still didn’t stop the left from jumping to the conclusions that it is, somehow, the right’s fault.
In a despicable fashion reminiscent of previous tragedies, some on the left have jumped to the conclusion that the bombings may be the work of the right.
Esquire’s Charles Pierce reminded people to not rush to the conclusion that this was an act of foreign terrorism, but to consider that this was the work of conservatives:
“Obviously, nobody knows anything yet, but I would caution folks jumping to conclusions about foreign terrorism to remember that this is the official Patriots Day holiday in Massachusetts, celebrating the Battles at Lexington and Concord, and that the actual date (April 19) was of some significance to, among other people, Tim McVeigh, because he fancied himself a waterer of the tree of liberty and the like.”
Sure, why speculate that the terrorist group that has been continually calling for violence on American soil is behind this when you can throw baseless accusations at your political enemies?
This is truly abhorrent and a sad commentary on what passes as “journalism” anymore. Of course we don’t know the details and mild speculate based on known facts are okay; but looking to capitalize on this tragedy before anything is really known is horrendously irresponsible.
But the blame game doesn’t stop there; New York Times columnist Nick Kristof tweeted, “explosion is a reminder that ATF needs a director. Shame on Senate Republicans for blocking apptment.”
No, the explosions are a reminder that this world is dangerous. Shame on Mr. Kristof for exploiting this tragedy.
MSNBC’s “journalist” Chris Matthews got in on the disgraceful speculation and claimed, “”Normally domestic terrorists, people, tend to be on the far right.” He then seemed to recognize the irresponsible nature of his claim and qualified, “…That’s not a good category, just extremists, let’s call them that.” He also attempted to draw the dots for viewers by saying, “…But going after the Kennedy Library, not something at Bunker Hill, not something from the Freedom Trail or anything that kind of historic, but a modern political figure of the Democratic Party. Does that tell you something?”
He had to stretch for that one.
As of right now, police are considering the library fire to be unrelated to the bombing.
CNN National Security Analyst Peter Bergen told host Jake Tapper shortly after the bombings that they could be the work of “right-wing extremists” just as easily as they could be the work of Al Qaeda. He pointed to Oklahoma City as an example.
Bergen’s right that it could be just about anybody- that’s precisely why it’s irresponsible to speculate so rampantly. Why speculate that this is the work of “right-wingers” when it could just as easily be the radical left?
The left has a nasty habit of exploiting tragedy for political gains. After the Aurora shooting, Brian Ross eagerly jumped to report that the shooter, Jim Holmes, may have been a Tea Party member. The national journalist did nothing more than cross-reference the name of the shooter with that of a local Tea Party website. Apparently, that’s what passes for journalistic excellence.
As America grieved in the immediate aftermath at Sandy Hook, the leftist media was ablaze with wild accusations and rampant speculation as to who was to blame. Before we knew any details of the crime, the media’s answer to the tragedy was being pushed; they called for more laws.
Not enough is known about the motives behind the Boston Marathon bombing. We don’t know who is responsible and to wildly speculate is irresponsible and journalistically unethical. Perhaps this is the work of a right-wing domestic terrorist. Perhaps it is Al Qaeda. The truth is that until we know more, it is important to report facts. Later, we can offer educated speculation based on the known facts.
Come on, this is journalism 101… |
