FIRST, our heartfelt sympathy goes to the families and friends of those killed and injured by the bomb explosions at the Boston Marathon.
As we go to press, it appears the bombs were packed with shrapnel in order to inflict the maximum amount of bloody carnage. Three are dead and more than 150 were wounded. One runner whose family awaited him at the finishing line lost his son while the blast brain-damaged his wife and tore a leg from his daughter.
It's impossible not to feel anger as one reads the stories or views the photographs.
But it's important to keep the anger in perspective and to try not to let it become hate.
Hate is ugly. Hate damages. Hate has no resolution.
Authorities have yet to identify a culprit or culprits, and no organization has claimed responsibility. Whoever conceived and executed this cowardly act is, by definition, a terrorist whether they acted in insane isolation or as part of some demented group.
But an objective response is required. A justice system is in place to determine and administer punishment for the crime. Beyond that, heightened vigilance - not just by authorities, but everyone - at any event where large numbers of spectators gather is common sense.
But stepping back to the security measures and loss of personal liberty embraced in the aftermath of 9-11 would allow the culprit or culprits an undeserved victory.
The athletic endeavour in events like the upcoming Sun Run deserves to be embraced, not restrained.
