h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

This article is making a similar point to the Salon one, but is perhaps slightly more passionate about it (possibly because he's writing for an audience he assumes is already reasonably clued in): http://www.timwise.org/2013/04/terrorism-and-privilege-understanding-the-power-of-whiteness/.

> It is a lesson about race, about whiteness, and specifically, about white privilege.

This is true. I think what people are missing is why it's true.

What panicked people are looking for is a visible sign of what makes other people dangerous. They 'profile'. Not only is that morally reprehensible, but it's illogical.

You just can't tell what's inside a person by looking on the outside.

And it seems that the perpetrators of the marathon bombing are/were first-generation Americans from Chechnya. Probably not political - just a tragic mess.

In the meantime, what you've all been fearing has been happening in Boston - people matching the 'profile' group being afraid to go to school, work, or out of the house:

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-201_162-57580370/teen-stunned-at-portrayal-as-boston-bombing-suspect/

Thanks for the history Dmitri. We are being kept pretty up to date here I am pleased to say.

I was relieved that President Obama did not go off half cocked blaming all and sundry as has happened previously. I thought his response was measured and sensible while telling the perpetrators, in effect, that there wiuld be no hiding place.

I do hope the more recent action has the right suspects in their sights, it would be so easy to make a mistake.

Thinking of everyone involved, there were several runners who live very close to me in England which it brings it home even more.

Websailor

Just for more interest, there were 22 South Africans running as well. One got injured.

I found this interesting. It shows how badly wrong Joe Public can be when unleashed on social media.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-22214511

Wannabe sleuths getting it so wrong that innocent people now fear for their safety/security and even their lives.

I know, that's one of the dangers of people jumping the gun.