“The guy who threw the bomb at cops in New York on Saturday looked like he came straight from progressive central casting—hungry, with sunken cheeks under a pile of dark curly hair, clothes hanging loosely off a lithe frame. He seemed so young and athletic during the fence-leap and ensuing footchase, like a beautiful wild animal being pursued by angry zookeepers. 

Taylor Romine (UC Berkeley ’16, Columbia J-School ’18) works for CNN out of its Los Angeles bureau—the ideal perch from which to track the latest on the ISIS-inspired terrorist attack on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. Ms. Romine’s Tuesday morning story on “what we know so far” has been widely mocked for its breathless opening, summarized in a quickly deleted tweet:

‘Two Pennsylvania teenagers crossed into New York City Saturday morning for what could’ve been a normal day enjoying the city during abnormally warm weather. But in less than an hour, their lives would drastically change as the pair would be arrested for throwing homemade bombs.’

My word. Close your eyes and let me tell you a story: Nineteen Arab gentlemen boarded commercial airliners one clear September morning for what could’ve been a normal day in the friendly skies over New York and Washington . . .

The left has a type. Rolling Stone gave Dzhokhar Tsarnaev the teen-dream treatment mere months after he and his brother killed three people, including 8-year-old Martin Richard, at the 2013 Boston Marathon. The Tsarnaev brothers maimed many, many more. A new generation of lefty ladies fell hard for Luigi Mangione, that fit bit of business who killed a man in cold blood because he hated health insurance so much.

To state what ought to be obvious: Throwing a homemade bomb into a crowd of people is an evil thing to do. It deserves neither praise nor admiration. Those guys are going to spend a long, long time in jail, and they deserve it. If you’re tempted to romanticize what they did, take a breath—or a cold shower—and come back to reality.”

https://www.wsj.com/opinion/free-expression/handsome-bad-boys-of-the-revolution-4e78ec9e?st=ZReYJL

The terrorists intended for this to be even bigger and more deadly than the Boston Marathon bombing. Think about that for a minute.

And then there’s this:

Balat requested a piece of paper and wrote on it that he pledges allegiance to IS and called for death of nonbelievers or infidels, according to the criminal complaint obtained by the BBC.
Kayumi stated that he was affiliated with IS, watched IS propaganda on his phone and was partly inspired to carry out his actions that day by IS, court records say.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cy4we8ev5lpo

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They're dumb kids who were incited by neo nazis. I can't find it in me to care. Total nothingburger.

They threw bombs hoping to kill people. The weapons were similar to those used at the Boston marathon in 2013 that killed three people and maimed hundreds. That’s a “nothing burger” to you?

The "bombs" didn't go off. Absolutely no one was harmed. Relax.

Do you have some information we don't have that these bombs were fake and were never designed to go off and that our media is lying about the intention to kill and cause harm? Because you have to either believe this or your brain is beyond fried by whatever psychopathic propaganda you consume.

We all know it’s the latter. These people are showing who they are with every deranged post. Always siding with criminals and terrorists. Never fails.

You mean like the violent white supremacist Lang? Who was at j6 and attacked cops and threatened to kill our electorate? And who btw is no caught in yet another scandal. Underage girls. Nice guy.

These teens were dumb and should be prosecuted. This wasn’t some huge terrorist attack.

This was most definitely intended to be “some huge terrorist attack.” If those bombs had gone off - as intended - innocent people would have been injured and killed. You and your idiotic whataboutism need to take a seat.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The anti-Muslim haters are just salivating at the chance to trot out their hate on this thread. What these men did was wrong, full stop.
Nevertheless, sit down if you are one of the anti-Muslim haters who will use this to do your hateful fear mongering just like 9/11. There are always threats to our country. We need to be vigilant right now, because our incompetent, war-mongering administration is off bombing the sheet out of people with no real plan again. Idiots bring out other idiots. But to start up this anti-Muslim hate again, F off.

And anyone dismissing the white nationalist threat to this country is either stupid or a white nationalist. They have been a problem for a long time and Trump has emboldened them.

I think you might be missing the point, pp.

Most Americans are neither white nationalists nor Islamic extremists. Would you agree?

We are talking about select subpopulations, not the masses.

In terms of what people fear, optics are everything.

When a scary incident hits national/international news, it fuels concern.

I’m betting that the vast majority of posters aren’t white nationalists and aren’t sympathetic to their cause. They’ve likely never met a white nationalist in real life and they aren’t reading much about them in the national news. Fair?

But we are currently at war with a country ruled by religious extremists with an armed military plus radicalized gangs and sleeper cells in our country AND we are reading about a privileged Afghan-American young man who was raised in an objectively lovely affluent American community whose self-proclaimed allegiance is to death-to-America ISIS.

Surely you can understand why the masses are very worried about such behavior, right?

And it’s not an anti-Muslim fear. It’s an anti-extremist terrorist fear. We are worried about radicalized terrorists.

Well said. I’m amazed that you are so polite to the ahole PP who seems to want to turn this thread into something other than what it is - an indictment of Islamic extremism and terrorism.

Anonymous wrote:The anti-Muslim haters are just salivating at the chance to trot out their hate on this thread. What these men did was wrong, full stop.
Nevertheless, sit down if you are one of the anti-Muslim haters who will use this to do your hateful fear mongering just like 9/11. There are always threats to our country. We need to be vigilant right now, because our incompetent, war-mongering administration is off bombing the sheet out of people with no real plan again. Idiots bring out other idiots. But to start up this anti-Muslim hate again, F off.

And anyone dismissing the white nationalist threat to this country is either stupid or a white nationalist. They have been a problem for a long time and Trump has emboldened them.

You need to see yourself out if you can’t bear to read much-deserved criticism of TERRORISTS. YOU are the one dismissing the threat being discussed on this thread - that of ISIS-aligned terrorism. You have no problem calling out white nationalists - likewise, we have very right to call out Muslim extremists. Too bad if you don’t like it.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The anti-Muslim haters are just salivating at the chance to trot out their hate on this thread. What these men did was wrong, full stop.
Nevertheless, sit down if you are one of the anti-Muslim haters who will use this to do your hateful fear mongering just like 9/11. There are always threats to our country. We need to be vigilant right now, because our incompetent, war-mongering administration is off bombing the sheet out of people with no real plan again. Idiots bring out other idiots. But to start up this anti-Muslim hate again, F off.

And anyone dismissing the white nationalist threat to this country is either stupid or a white nationalist. They have been a problem for a long time and Trump has emboldened them.

I think you might be missing the point, pp.

Most Americans are neither white nationalists nor Islamic extremists. Would you agree?

We are talking about select subpopulations, not the masses.

In terms of what people fear, optics are everything.

When a scary incident hits national/international news, it fuels concern.

I’m betting that the vast majority of posters aren’t white nationalists and aren’t sympathetic to their cause. They’ve likely never met a white nationalist in real life and they aren’t reading much about them in the national news. Fair?

But we are currently at war with a country ruled by religious extremists with an armed military plus radicalized gangs and sleeper cells in our country AND we are reading about a privileged Afghan-American young man who was raised in an objectively lovely affluent American community whose self-proclaimed allegiance is to death-to-America ISIS.

Surely you can understand why the masses are very worried about such behavior, right?

And it’s not an anti-Muslim fear. It’s an anti-extremist terrorist fear. We are worried about radicalized terrorists.

You just proved the point. The news will focus on this ONE incident to get people all fired up, so that they overestimate this threat.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They're dumb kids who were incited by neo nazis. I can't find it in me to care. Total nothingburger.

They threw bombs hoping to kill people. The weapons were similar to those used at the Boston marathon in 2013 that killed three people and maimed hundreds. That’s a “nothing burger” to you?

The "bombs" didn't go off. Absolutely no one was harmed. Relax.

Do you have some information we don't have that these bombs were fake and were never designed to go off and that our media is lying about the intention to kill and cause harm? Because you have to either believe this or your brain is beyond fried by whatever psychopathic propaganda you consume.

We all know it’s the latter. These people are showing who they are with every deranged post. Always siding with criminals and terrorists. Never fails.

You mean like the violent white supremacist Lang? Who was at j6 and attacked cops and threatened to kill our electorate? And who btw is no caught in yet another scandal. Underage girls. Nice guy.

These teens were dumb and should be prosecuted. This wasn’t some huge terrorist attack.

Anonymous wrote:The anti-Muslim haters are just salivating at the chance to trot out their hate on this thread. What these men did was wrong, full stop.
Nevertheless, sit down if you are one of the anti-Muslim haters who will use this to do your hateful fear mongering just like 9/11. There are always threats to our country. We need to be vigilant right now, because our incompetent, war-mongering administration is off bombing the sheet out of people with no real plan again. Idiots bring out other idiots. But to start up this anti-Muslim hate again, F off.

And anyone dismissing the white nationalist threat to this country is either stupid or a white nationalist. They have been a problem for a long time and Trump has emboldened them.

I think you might be missing the point, pp.

Most Americans are neither white nationalists nor Islamic extremists. Would you agree?

We are talking about select subpopulations, not the masses.

In terms of what people fear, optics are everything.

When a scary incident hits national/international news, it fuels concern.

I’m betting that the vast majority of posters aren’t white nationalists and aren’t sympathetic to their cause. They’ve likely never met a white nationalist in real life and they aren’t reading much about them in the national news. Fair?

But we are currently at war with a country ruled by religious extremists with an armed military plus radicalized gangs and sleeper cells in our country AND we are reading about a privileged Afghan-American young man who was raised in an objectively lovely affluent American community whose self-proclaimed allegiance is to death-to-America ISIS.

Surely you can understand why the masses are very worried about such behavior, right?

And it’s not an anti-Muslim fear. It’s an anti-extremist terrorist fear. We are worried about radicalized terrorists.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Well, actions like theirs never benefit Muslims but they do fuel Muslim-phobia. We'll never know who brainwashed them, someone who is for Islam or against it. Some times there is some truth to conspiracy theories.

I agree, but where are the parents? its not going to cut it that these were 'troubled kids'- they could've killed or maimed so many people and honestly- this is what they are doing in Ramadan? not feeding the hungry, tilawat, tarawih, tahajjud? Muslim parents have a responsibility to keep tabs on their kids- they can feel their feelings but the parents and community members need to channel that in building up good will towards muslims through community action, through extra prayers and other means- they KNOW that this an incredibly enraging and unsettling time and that this ISIS propaganda and bad actors are out there. why weren't these boys in the mosque finishing up their recitation of the Quran??

Muslim parents have a responsibility to keep tabs on their kids? Don't you just mean "Parents"? Your hate is showing.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They're dumb kids who were incited by neo nazis. I can't find it in me to care. Total nothingburger.

They threw bombs hoping to kill people. The weapons were similar to those used at the Boston marathon in 2013 that killed three people and maimed hundreds. That’s a “nothing burger” to you?

The "bombs" didn't go off. Absolutely no one was harmed. Relax.

JFC. Found the terrorist sympathizer.

why do you fall for troll bait.

The anti-Muslim haters are just salivating at the chance to trot out their hate on this thread. What these men did was wrong, full stop.
Nevertheless, sit down if you are one of the anti-Muslim haters who will use this to do your hateful fear mongering just like 9/11. There are always threats to our country. We need to be vigilant right now, because our incompetent, war-mongering administration is off bombing the sheet out of people with no real plan again. Idiots bring out other idiots. But to start up this anti-Muslim hate again, F off.

And anyone dismissing the white nationalist threat to this country is either stupid or a white nationalist. They have been a problem for a long time and Trump has emboldened them.

I’m astonished that an afghan refugee granted asylum and citizenship so quickly amassed a real estate portfolio of 5 houses in PA, generating significant rental income.

ICYMI: people owning 5 houses is precisely why we have a housing shortage and affordability problem.

His kid grew up in an affluent community and attended fantastic schools. He had no reason to be “anti-American” when he was literally living the American dream.

If he can become radicalized under the best circumstances, then just imagine how easily others will.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Two idiots not involved in any terrorist organization. Now they go to jail as failures.

They pledged allegiance to ISIS. That’s all I need to know. And we don’t know yet if they were or weren’t involved in any organization.

It was determined that they weren’t part of an organization. ISIS is too weak to be anywhere but Syria. Iraq and one or two African countries.

There is more danger in our country by mass shooters and nazi type militias.

Thank you.

The number one danger to our country is white Christian nationalism.

So not the people building and throwing bombs, then? Okay, good to know.

Yes. You guys are really bad at logic and risk assessment. This is like antivaxxer logic.

Anonymous wrote:Well, actions like theirs never benefit Muslims but they do fuel Muslim-phobia. We'll never know who brainwashed them, someone who is for Islam or against it. Some times there is some truth to conspiracy theories.

I agree, but where are the parents? its not going to cut it that these were 'troubled kids'- they could've killed or maimed so many people and honestly- this is what they are doing in Ramadan? not feeding the hungry, tilawat, tarawih, tahajjud? Muslim parents have a responsibility to keep tabs on their kids- they can feel their feelings but the parents and community members need to channel that in building up good will towards muslims through community action, through extra prayers and other means- they KNOW that this an incredibly enraging and unsettling time and that this ISIS propaganda and bad actors are out there. why weren't these boys in the mosque finishing up their recitation of the Quran??

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Two idiots not involved in any terrorist organization. Now they go to jail as failures.

They pledged allegiance to ISIS. That’s all I need to know. And we don’t know yet if they were or weren’t involved in any organization.

It was determined that they weren’t part of an organization. ISIS is too weak to be anywhere but Syria. Iraq and one or two African countries.

There is more danger in our country by mass shooters and nazi type militias.

Thank you.

The number one danger to our country is white Christian nationalism.

So not the people building and throwing bombs, then? Okay, good to know.