Suspect #2 is Captured; Now Let Us Not Forget the Victims

Yesterday, concluded the manhunt for Suspect #2.  He is believed to have been involved in the Boston Marathon bombings earlier this week.  Investigators have released photographic evidence as well as video of his presence alongside his now-deceased brother at the marathon.  Within 24 hours of releasing the photos of the two suspects, Suspect #1 was killed and Suspect #2 was captured while hiding in a boat in Watertown, Massachusetts.

Television networks have been clamoring to “break” the story.  Sometimes even to their own journalistic, integrity detriment as blatantly exemplified by CNN’s rushed false report of the apprehension of the suspects.  What television networks don’t understand is that it no longer really matters who “breaks” a story.  In the age of Twitter and other social media, as soon as a network reports a story it spreads like wildfire through these platforms.  So instead of being the first to report something, they should be more concerned with reporting accurate information.

You may be wondering why I do not state either of the suspects’ names.  As I have stated in other posts, I refuse to use this platform to popularize a terrorist of any nature.  I refuse to publicize his or her name.  I believe the publicity is something they seek.  Yes, I know you could easily find their names.  I however, will not partake in immortalizing these individuals.  I say immortalizing because the constant media attention of their lives is only imprinting their names and faces into our minds.

Now that the manhunt is over, I say we focus our attention on the victims of this horrible event.  4 people died.  Hundreds are injured.  Many are still in the hospital in serious condition.  A few months from now, I wonder if the media will still be reporting about the struggles many surviving victims are enduring.  Many will have permanent mental and physical trauma from the bombings.  I hope we never forget those who were murdered by these individuals.

Martin Richard was a polite and mature 8-year-old boy.  He loved the Boston Bruins and his family even more.  He enjoyed the simple things in life, like walking around the neighborhood with his mother.  Martin and his family went to the Boston Marathon to support the many runners.  The family attended the race every year.  Martin was killed at the scene by the bomb which was planted a few feet away from him.  His younger sister has reportedly lost one of her legs.  She has dreams of becoming a dancer.  Martin’s mother, a much respected and loved member of her community, sustained severe brain trauma and is currently fighting for her survival.
Because of selfish and demented acts of terror this family is forever changed.
29-year-old Krystal Campbell joined her friend Karen Rand in cheering for Rand’s boyfriend who was running in the race.  Krystal was a sweet and always smiling young woman.  She had just moved to Arlington to manage a steakhouse.  She was one of the people who loved life and was ever full of energy.  Krystal’s family was mistakenly told she had survived and was in surgery only to learn in fact she had died.  It was in fact Karen who was at the hospital.

Because of selfish and demented acts of terror her family is forever changed.

Lu Lingzi was a Chinese graduate student who traveled to the U.S. to study at Boston University.  Lu was an avid “foodie.”  She oftentimes posted photos of her meals on her blog.  She loved flowers and was only one course short of graduating.  The statistics major was standing with friends when a bomb killed her and injured her companions.

Because of selfish and demented acts of terror her family is forever changed.

MIT police officer Sean Collier was shot to death as he sat in his car.  The dedicated police officer thought he was doing his calling.  He loved his job.  How many of you can say the same thing?  This man who bravely protected the MIT campus during the manhunt should be remembered.  The 26-year-old man is simply a hero.

Sadly, because of selfish and demented acts of terror his family is forever changed.

I hope you remember these people.

I hope you remember their families.

I hope you remember the people who are forever scarred from these acts of terror.

I hope they are the only ones you remember, because frankly Suspect #1 and Suspect #2 don’t deserve your memory.  They don’t deserve your energy, your focus or thoughts.  These cowards and lunatics should be the ones forgotten.

I hope you remember that.

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Twitter: @adrakontaidis & @talkrealdebate