This is obviously news worth investigating to the clearest conclusion possible:
An explosive device caused minor damage to an empty military recruiting station in Times Square early Thursday, shaking guests in hotel rooms high above “the crossroads of the world.”
Police blocked off the area to investigate the explosion, which occurred at about 3:45 a.m., shattering the station’s glass entryway. No one was injured.
“If it is something that’s directed toward American troops than [sic] it’s something that’s taken very seriously and is pretty unfortunate,” said Army Capt. Charlie Jaquillard, who is the commander of Army recruiting in Manhattan.
If it’s not something that’s directed toward American troops, then it’s something that’s not taken very seriously and is not pretty unfortunate?
We can all read the obvious intent into this bombing. Most of us are smart enough to reserve judgment until we know more from the investigation. The truth might turn out to be random or not obvious. (What if the device was set by a spurned lover who mistimed the explosion? Unlikely, but can we rule it out immediately?) But it’s idiotic to jump straight to questions of patriotism. At least leave that idiocy to the post-conclusion press conference.