Don't let tragedies keep you from running forward
We cannot run away from our responsibility as citizens of our democracy and we shall continue to run for various worthy causes that represent our American spirit.
In the early hours after the attack on the Boston Marathon, I thought about the fear factor on the participants and supporting public.
Participants smile at each other during the first lap of a run in honor of the Boston Marathon on Saturday, April 20.
AnnArbor.com I Daniel Brenner
Then, when I received an email from a former college roommate still living in Romania expressing a sincere concern about our runners’ well-being, I reached to my friends who were part of the marathon and I felt some relief knowing that they were not directly harmed. My prayers stayed and will remain with all the families who heavily suffered and had their lives shattered forever by this despicable attack.
We are subjected to various natural disasters and unfortunate accidents, such as the recent explosion at the fertilizer factory in Texas and yes, we are affected by the loss of life and we pray for everybody suffering because of it. But intentional harm on innocent human beings gathered to cherish life should be strongly denounced by anyone and specifically by the U.S. religious leaders who shall have the additional burden to crash in infancy the radicalization of their belief — wherever it may sprout from.
As an immigrant who greatly benefitted from what America has to offer, I cannot and will not stand still and accept such pain inflicted on my fellow Americans without reflecting on these events. Why and how can we —those who are offered the opportunities of America — turn against the hand that provided protection to us against totalitarian regimes and allowed us to enjoy a better economic outlook in life? America did not force us to embrace her ideals and does not stop us going back from where we came from.
What is troubling me the most is that, in spite of unmistaken facts, someone, even being a family member of those responsible for this attack, can disregard them and issue appalling accusations that this is an FBI frame-up….
As a cancer patient and the race director of our Ann Arbor’s Gallup Gallop, I invite all my community fellows to stand tall, work together and show support for causes that we care for. Let’s run together for life and the common good, wherever our trails may take us to.
As a naturalized citizen, I will never waver on my credo:
I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
Hate kills - let’s run away from it!
Victor Dobrin
Ypsilanti
Comments
Tru2Blu76
Sun, Apr 28, 2013 : 2:39 p.m.
A resident of Northern Ireland commented in the NY Times that, during all those IRA bombings, the people in those locations just cleaned up and went on about their business. What they did not do was obsess about the threat and let themselves or anyone else drive them into an emotional stampede for political ends. Nor did they let "authorities" lock down whole cities and force them to hide in their own homes. In Scientific American, a Boston resident (Adrian Ward) who's also a Science writer told of the bravery and concern for others which spurred many runners and spectators to aid the injured, not knowing how many bombs would explode. His belief is that the American Spirit is at least partly about helping and defending those in need. But apparently, one faction in our political leadership, is more interested in "debunking" the American Spirit (and Human Nature) - the part about defending the helpless and having the right to do so. That political faction has focused for the past 4 months on victimhood and has given repeated national media access to selected victims so that they can advocate for the "common sense" of trying to screen out 1 in 10 million potential mass killers from the approximately 240 million adult Americans who just want the ability to defend and to help when necessary. I've long known of and witnessed the appreciation of those immigrants who decided on allegiance to the American flag and to the Republic for which it stands. I do believe though, it's a matter of "run from hate if you can" - but fight or help when you can't run.
Homeland Conspiracy
Sat, Apr 27, 2013 : 10:52 p.m.
I went shopping just like I was told to do after 9-11
Paul
Sat, Apr 27, 2013 : 9:36 p.m.
First we don't know just why they did it--the bombings. Then we do have the police saying one thing and then a few days later on, the other. Such as the guy in the boat was armed and shooting back and then tried to take his own life by shooting himself in the mouth. Then 3--4 days later on, we find out that guy had no weapon on him and was not shooting at the police, that all those bullet holes were from police fire on the the boat (hard to believe he was taken alive but he was and I guess is doing OK). Do I think they did the bombings, yes judging by the photos shown and just walking away without trying to help or running for their lives..they just calmly walked away like they knew there be only two explosions. I'm not ready to hang him just yet but pretty close, lol. Be interesting to hear the facts if they ever come out in court, they might since he is getting a regular trail.