Treat, and label, all terrorist acts the same
One criminal attack that hasn’t received as much coverage as others — likely because it happened two days after the Boston Marathon bombing — was the deadly fertilizer plant explosion on April 17, 2013, in the rural town of West, Texas.
Fifteen people were killed, including 10 first responders and two volunteers, more than 200 people were injured and more than 500 homes in a 37-block area were leveled, creating a crater 93 feet wide and 12 feet deep. The blast caused a 2.1-magnitude earthquake, according to news reports. Coverage may also have been subdued because the explosion was assumed to be an industrial accident, and the exhaustive investigation took three years.
But last May, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives announced that the blast was caused by a “criminal act.” All natural and accidental causes were ruled out. However, federal regulators earlier issued a report that found inadequate emergency response coordination and training and careless storage of potentially explosive materials contributed to the blast. Making it that much easier for the arsonist(s). The fire at West Fertilizer burned for 20 minutes before the explosion that led to the deaths of the first responders.
“It was like a nuclear bomb went off,” West Mayor Tommy Muska said.
The ATF is offering a $50,000 reward to help find the perpetrator(s).
“I think we’re on the right path; that’s why we’re coming today to announce our ruling and ask for the public’s help,” Robert Elder, a special agent with the ATF, said during the announcement last May.
Definitely a criminal act, but it seems fair to go ahead and call it terrorism, whether it turns out to be caused by domestic or foreign criminals. Or both. Terrorism is terrorism. Intentionally creating an inferno that killed 15 people, injured 200 and flattened homes has to be terrorism.
http://www.heraldnet.com/opinion/editorial-treat-and-label-all-terrorist-acts-the-same/
