Boston 2013

The desire to see justice served for what happened in Boston is strong, nearly overwhelming.  But step back for a moment.  Realize that we don’t know yet who did this.  Don’t jump to conclusions, don’t become a part of that old-timey lynch mob.  Innocent until proven guilty.  Remember that.

Remember, also, that we have incredibly talented and hard-working investigators from many agencies and departments working on finding out the “who,” “why,” and “how” of this.  Step back and allow them to apply their intelligence and diligence.  That is why they are there.  That is not your job.

Your job, currently, is to support those injured and affected.  Sign up to give blood, donate to the Red Cross if you can, find agencies that are sending support and go help, or organize a blood drive.  We, the general population, need to care and nurture for our injured and fallen and their families.  We are that safety net, that outstretched hand that says, “it’s ok, I’ve got you” even if we don’t get to say it in person. 

It is simply horrific, yes.  And yes, because the specific damage the explosions caused, mainly injuries to legs, this feels like an attack on the running community, not just Americans in general.  A cop from Rhode Island, Roupen Bastajian, was quoted as saying, “"We started grabbing tourniquets and started tying legs. A lot of people amputated. ... At least 25 to 30 people have at least one leg missing, or an ankle missing, or two legs missing." Think what that kind of injury means to a runner.  But the running community is strong and amazing.  Runners who just finished 26.2 miles turned around and helped the injured to safety.  Think about those good people when the world seems full of bad people.

Three people died, one of whom was an eight year old boy waiting to see his dad finish the race.  What should have been a time of jubilation, personal triumph for the finishers, joyful embraces from the friends and family, was turned into carnage.  Yes, it is easy to want vengeance and want it right the hell now.  But step back for now.  Be too busy helping to point fingers.  The time and place will arrive when we can say with conviction that we know who did this awful thing and then, and only then, will it be okay to lay the blame.  Then we can see that the responsible person or persons is punished to the full extent of the law.  Right now?  Go give blood. Be the voice that says, “I’ve got you.”