In the Name of God: The Eternally and Extremely Loving and Caring

The situation was ripe for disaster, and indeed, disaster struck.

A 20-year-old man intentionally rammed his car into a throng of anti-racist protesters, killing one and injuring dozens of others. This happened amidst a rally by White Supremacists in Charlottesville, Virginia where hundreds of counter protesters also showed up to voice their opposition.

While scenes like these have occurred in multiple places around the world, it is shocking to see the same happen here in the United States. I am deeply pained by what happened, and my thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their families, and all of the Commonwealth of Virginia tonight.

This latest attack comes in the wake of a bomb attack at a suburban Minneapolis mosque, which occurred on August 6, 2017. Suspects are still at large in that attack.

The President issued a statement in response to today's attack:

We condemn in the strongest possible terms this egregious display of hatred, bigotry and violence, on many sides. On many sides. It's been going on for a long time in our country. Not Donald Trump, not Barack Obama. This has been going on for a long, long time.

Yet, what should have the President called this terrible event?

Terrorism, plain and simple.

There are some who have done just that, including former homeland security adviser for George W. Bush, Frances Townsend:

https://twitter.com/frantownsend/status/896497039558799360

But more need to do the same.

What happened in Charlottesville and Minneapolis was terrorism. People may be splitting hairs about the dictionary definition of the word "terrorism," but it is as clear as day: the people behind these heinous acts of violence were seeking to terrorize their victims. It is wanton violence against the innocent. That's terrorism.

Let's think about this for a moment: had this murderer in Virginia been a Muslim; if there had been Muslims who firebombed a church, do you think there would have been this extended debate being played out now on cable news about whether or not this is terrorism? Absolutely not.

Well, we need to call a spade a spade. For far too long, the word "terrorism" has been associated only with violence against the innocent by Muslims. And make no mistake about it, what happened at Westminster Bridge, as an example, was a clear act of terrorism.

But so was what happened in Minneapolis last week and Charlottesville today. The double standard has to stop.