The attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, as evil and as destructive as they were, at least followed a warped kind of logic 鈥� the targets were symbols of what the fanatical perpetrators saw as the enemy.
But why attack the Boston Marathon?
Perhaps those who carried out the bombings in Boston will claim responsibility, because this sort of deed is usually intended to send a message. But their message, if they choose to broadcast it, will have validity in their twisted minds only 鈥� the rest of the world sees it for what it is: a monstrous act of terrorism that violates fundamental standards of human decency.
The Boston Marathon is virtually free of political overtones. It is everything that is good about athletic competition. Those who cross the finish line first win their moments of fame, but don鈥檛 come away with great riches.
Everyone involved is a winner 鈥� it鈥檚 an impressive achievement just to gain entry to the marathon. Most runners are more intent on improving their performance than on being better than someone else. Spectators cheer the first, the last and everyone in between.
Whatever message the evildoers hoped to spread will be overshadowed by a quote that quickly went viral on the Internet: 鈥淲hen I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, 鈥楲ook for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.鈥� 鈥�
Long after the names of the Boston terrorists are forgotten, the words of Fred Rogers, the gentle host of a children鈥檚 show will be remembered, along with the images and good works of the helpers.
The terrorists will always be the losers.
