As more information has come out regarding the Manchester bombing, small bits of daylight here and there have concretely pointed in the direction of Islamic fundamentalist terrorism. Most individuals probably already came to this conclusion, or at least assumed, before word came out.
In the world of journalism, it is very important to never speculate. Ultimately, it is better to be second and correct than first and wrong reporting a topic (although this is a tactic fewer and fewer journalists seem to practice these days).
ISIS has claimed responsibility for the attack and the individual who carried it out did go back and forth to Libya in the days preceding the attack. This individual went after a crowd, made up mostly of teenage girls, killing and wounding dozens. The fact that more lives were not lost in of itself is a small miracle. However, with that said. With another terrorist attack conducted by an irrational individual filled with hatred is in the books. With ISIS claiming another “victory.” With all of this, it is time to move past unity and onto honesty.
Attacks of these kinds bring the civilized world together. People who cherish life and understand how great of a gift it is all become one, as we all stand for those affected by the attack. Today we all stand for Manchester. But it is time we get real with the sobering truth. As the saying goes “fool me once, shame on you. But fool me twice, shame on me.” We have been fooled time and time again when it comes to this form of terrorism.
