Terror in Mumbai (Update)
John on November 27, 2008 at 12:11 am
Death toll is over 100 now:
Coordinated terrorist attacks struck the heart of Mumbai, India’s commercial capital, on Wednesday night, killing dozens in machine-gun and grenade assaults on at least two five-star hotels, the city’s largest train station, a movie theater and a hospital.
Even by the standards of terrorism in India, which has suffered a rising number of attacks this year, the assaults were particularly brazen in scale and execution. The attackers used boats to reach the urban peninsula where they hit, and their targets were sites popular with tourists.
The Mumbai police said Thursday that the attacks killed at least 101 people and wounded at least 250. Guests who had escaped the hotels told television stations that the attackers were taking hostages, singling out Americans and Britons.
Speculation about the group responsible is running rampant. So far, no connection to Al Quaeda. Interviewed in Newsweek, Fareed Zakaria suggests they may not be connected to this.
This is not the first such attack in India. Here’s a list of attacks going back to 2003.
I find it interesting that this attack has made such a splash around the world while, by comparison, the Hindu mob attacks in Orissa, which have killed as many as 60 over the last couple months have received fairly sparse treatment. Perhaps it’s just that Mumbai is a city where cameras and journalists can easily get the story. Orissa, where the Hindu mob attacks occurred is rural and difficult to access.
Still, I doubt most people reading about the Mumbai attacks have even heard of Orissa.
Update: I can’t improve upon Allah’s rundown of morning events, so click over for details. Bottom line is Al Quaeda is looking less likely and Pakistan more so. This could be destabilizing for both India’s government (which failed to stop it) and Pakistan’s (which may take the brunt of anger). Both India and Pakistan are nuclear states.
Update 2: Shocker! Someone gets on TV to blame Bush for these attacks. Will Bush Derangement Syndrome continue to infect liberals after he leaves office? Yeah, probably.
Category: Islamic Jihad |
Well, I’d think it’s fairly obvious that the reason the attacks in Orissa aren’t well known is because the attackees were Christians. Somehow, bigotry and violence against Christians doesn’t generate outrage.
November 27, 2008 @ 5:41 amVery sad for all the victims and the stability of that nuclear area. Probably just another round of sectarian violence rather than Al Queda.
I must say that I believe President Bush has shown uncomman grace and accommodation to the incoming administration, and President-elect Obama seems much more measured and reasuring in his leadership during these challenging days.
November 27, 2008 @ 6:53 amIslamic extremists are to blame for this attack. What a surprise. The religion of peace strikes again.
November 27, 2008 @ 9:42 amJohn, the Messiah will get a free pass on the economy for his entire first term – everything will be blamed on Bush. When gas was in the $4.50 range, it was the fault of Gerge Bush. Now that gas is under $2, the MSM is suddenly silent as to Mr. Bush.
Your above update comes as no surprise to me. I just wish Bush was as vigorous in defending himself as Clinton was. Bush keeps taking punches and never throws anything in return.
By the way John, I’d close that thread on that polygamy deal. It’s run it’s course.
November 29, 2008 @ 9:59 amJim, you could always just not comment, others wish to discuss it.
November 29, 2008 @ 11:20 amIt’s not profitable to continue a discussion where the main proponent is promoting heresy. You’re a member of the OPC and that denomination makes it cyrstal clear that it believes the essential truths of Scripture to be embodied in the Westminster Confession of Faith. Chapter 24 is clear on marriage as a monogomous union. You either lied to your pastor when you consented to join the OPC or you have a weak pastor who has compromised his calling by allowing a heretic to have fellowship in the local body.
November 29, 2008 @ 11:32 am