They're escalating: Someone attempted to bomb a Martin Luther King Day parade.

[TheWraith]

The FBI described the device, which was found hidden along the parade route just a few hours before the parade was to start, as having been an improvised bomb with a remote trigger, loaded with shrapnel and capable of multiple fatalities. They are treating it as an incident of domestic terrorism.

Add it to the list of "isolated incidents" and "random nuts." Like the one who attempted to assassinate a member of Congress, killing 6 other people in the process. Or before that, the one who murdered Dr. George Tiller. Or before that, the ones who conspired to kill some police officers.

These "isolated random nuts" are far from isolated, and anything but random. Even if you don't believe that there is a direct link between the violent political rhetoric coming from the right, and these acts, one has to recognize that there is a pattern of escalation here, both in the attempted targets and in the desired body count. The nuts are getting bolder, and more dangerous, and they're being egged on by a political climate that says violence directed at "those people" is not just okay but necessary--the government, the liberals, the baby-killers, the Muslims, the coloreds, the queers, all the "others" who they hear railed at every day, the people they're told are destroying their America.

It's been said before, and it has to be said again--there are people on the right who are actively encouraging this kind of climate, knowing the results.

[JustAnotherGen]

1. Seen this a few times

Has the FBI identified a suspect yet? Can't find that info on the web.

[wryter2000]

2. Heard on the news last night

They were talking to some people. I imagine they'll have a suspect soon.

[nadinbrzezinski]

3. Yes and we are there

At the very low intensity side of the spectrum...but we are there.

[grahamhgreen]

4. K&R

[Doctor_J]

5. They seem to be beyond the law, and

our own side's response is indignation. I am at a loss as to how to fight back.

[pokerfan]

6. most potentially destructive...

The bomb, which was defused without incident on Monday, was the most potentially destructive he had ever seen, said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he is not authorized to release information about the investigation.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=133030247

KHQ has quoted an official (speaking in anonymity) as stating that, "They haven't seen anything like this in this country. This was the worst device, and most intentional device, I've ever seen."

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/6240484/spokane_bomb_called_worst_device_ever.html