It hasn’t exactly been a morning conducive to blogging, however, I did notice the story about the guy who ran over a number of people in San Francisco, which is quite a terrible thing. I have also noted some of the blogospheric reaction to the fact that 1) the man of Afghan origin, and 2) that part of the mad SUV event ended near a Jewish Community Center. As such, it seems that many have jumped to the conclusion that this was either terrorism of some type, or, at a minimum, that the individual was targeting Jews (for example: here and here).
Let’s be clear, I really don’t know (and neither do those who are engaged in their speculation-fest). I must confess that it seems premature to assume much of anything at the moment, given the lack of any additional information that would suggest motive. It isn’t as if people never do nutty, homicidal things without having some sort of jihadist motivations.
As such, I am casting my vote with James Joyner:
Much speculation, reasonably enough, about whether this is just some nut unable to handle the pressures of life, some act of Muslim terrorism, anti-Semitic homicide (the neighborhood apparently has or had a large Jewish population) or perhaps a combination. My leaning in cases not involving bombs or multiple killers tends to be “nut” until proven otherwise.
I just felt a need to contribute that to the conversation.
Sphere: Related Content
August 31st, 2006 at 2:39 pm
When linking to Michelle Malkin, would you please make sure you say so explicitly - that way I can be sure not to press the link. Thanks!
(My wife also uses this computer, and I wouldn’t want her to discover I’ve been wading into the unsavory underbelly of the internet.)