7/28/2019 11 Todays Zaman

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ftermath of Boston Marathon explosionAny time bombs are used to target innocent civilians, it is an act of terror.--President Barack ObamaAs the whole world knows, there was an explosion at the Boston Marathon last Monday. Three people were killed and more

than 170 injured in the explosions. The American nation mourned for the victims of the awful bombing. This violence is

unacceptable. The hatred is not only for the US but also for humanity, for life, for the future and innocence. To stay sane we

must acknowledge what happened, regardless of how painful it is.

Strangely, the last week in April is when bad things have been known to happen. The Oklahoma City bombing was on April 19,

1995. Columbine was on April 20, 1999, and now the Boston bomb ing was on April 15. Its probably just a coincidence. Yet, it is

very interesting.

I grew up with Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) terrorism in Turkey. It was unbearable to know that an attack could take place

anywhere, unexpectedly. There were explosions on the streets, in movie theatres, shopping malls, sporting events -- wherever

there was a good target of a big crowd. Even though it was scary, we got used to living with the possibility of a terrorist attack.

Later, in America, I had a very similar experience. After 9/11, the US became a different place from what it was. Following that

tragic terrorist attack, every crowded event became an occasion for anxiety. At concerts, parades, festivals, games, sporting

events and ceremonies fear pervaded everyones thoughts. Over the years, the fear eventually faded.

However, all of a sudden, it reared its ugly head again last Monday. At the Boston Marathon, the worlds elite runners and

onlookers faced two explosions near the finish line. Since then we have seen a terrible increase in fear in the US.

Actually, in the moments after the blasts, the nations maturity in dealing with such shocks was remarkable. Everything seemed

under control. Generally speaking, runners and onlookers seemed to respond without panic. Emergency crews reacted

efficiently. Local police, state police, the FBI and other federal authorities cooperated well. President Obama made a very well-

advised speech in which he refused to make any assumptions and was very careful not to blame anybody in particular. Officials

and the US media were careful with the information that was released to the public.

On the other hand, the news also shows that people cannot stay calm and that panic is spreading. There have been countless

news reports about suspicious packages and the police have had to close roads and evacuate buildings.

On Wednesday night there was a massive explosion at a fertilizer plant in a small Texas town. So far possibly up to 15 people

have died and many have sought medical attention.

It was confirmed on Wednesday evening that US authorities had arrested a suspect from Mississippi in connection with a letter

that tested positive for the poison ricin that was sent to President Obama.

These days we are facing many strange events in the US. I do not know how many such events will take place before this article

is published. Thats probably the terrorists psychological goal -- to make us feel like no place is safe in the US.

Furthermore, the American Muslim community is on alert with claims of Islamophobia and discrimination surfacing after the

news that a young Saudi man watching the Boston Marathon was wounded and while he was being treated in the hospital was

announced as a suspect and his apartment was searched. It turned out that he was a victim just like everybody else. He was

considered a suspect just because he was Saudi Arabian.

These are very unusual days. We should use our common sense and remember that we cannot control everything in life,

especially how or when we die. Life takes its own pay and either with or without terrorism, it will go on. If we look at each piece

of garbage as if it is concealing a potential improvised explosive device, if we presume every Middle Eastern-looking person is a

possible attacker, our lives will be so miserable and there is no way we can stay sane and protect our peace of mind.

The US has good friends and strong allies, yet it has plenty of external and internal enemies. It has been the target of terrorist

attacks before and probably will be again in the future. Endless security and intelligence gathering will never be enough to make

the country absolutely safe. We know that fact. Its time to learn to live with it.