Boston bombing a tragic disaster

The explosion of two bombs in Boston shortly following a marathon is a tragic incident, and one that suggests the 'war on terror', so diplomatically uttered by Bush in another era, is far from over. Of course, no one knows whether this is yet an act of terror, but it certainly bears the hallmarks of one, targeting as it does a major US city and endangering the lives of individual civilians who were not in the least responsible for any bad treatment as perceived by nationals of certain other groups.

The real question is why has this occurred? The usual sentiment that it is a expression of dissatisfaction and even resentment of Western policies towards countries such as (for example) Iran and Afghanistan simply does not ring true. How can any collective group of individuals following a particular ideology or way of life hope to bargain with those they see as their oppressors by detonating a bomb that results in the needless death of innocent people?

The answer is that those responsible do not wish to bargain. They simply wish to demonstrate their power to destroy and intimidate. In this they have been successful, but what they have not been successful in is opening a platform for dialogue. Any sane person (and yes, this includes terrorists, as they know exactly what they are doing) knows that the structure of the international system is not going to be changed by perpetrating such a hideous and distasteful act. What they must realise is that the US (among other Western countries) does not forcibly wish to impose a Western way of life on them, but is seeking to instil the values of democracy and freedom that create a platform for peace.

Of course, this is not a wholly selfless form of action, with its links to wider economic growth and the potential for business expansion it offers, but it is far more preferable than the methods used yesterday in Boston. It should be noted that I don't think war with certain countries is or has been any kind of legitimate act in the past, nor is it now, but it is the persons responsible for committing wrong deeds that should be held to account for their crimes in a court of law, not innocent civilians or current leaders. May those killed in Boston rest in peace.