I am watching a live press conference in New York City on CNN following an Islamic terrorist attack caused by a man in a Home Depot truck who ran down innocent civilians on a bike path near the World Trade Center between Houston and Chambers Streets. NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio states that eight people have been killed.
The perpetrator was shot and detained by the NYPD. He has not been identified but has been described as "Middle Eastern". Of course, that doesn't mean he was born outside the United States for those of you who support President Trump's Muslim travel ban. But witnesses report the perpetrator was shouting "Allahu Akbar" as the act was being committed.
Of course, with today being Halloween and people being out and about, today's attack was an opportune time to maximize civilian casualties and to show disdain for an occasion deemed to be a holiday observed by pagans and infidels.
Fortunately, the people of New York will not be deterred. The Halloween Parade will proceed as scheduled.
Needless to say there will be more to follow.
UPDATE: The perpetrator has been identified as Sayfullo Saipov. Originally from Uzbekistan, he came to the United States in 2010. There is speculation that he is a refugee. He has been living in New Jersey, but previously resided in Florida.
Of course, now there will be renewed calls for Trump's Muslim Ban including from Trump himself. Not that Trump knew Uzbekistan even existed until today. After all, it has not been the target of any of his bans to date though I'm sure this will change.
Islamic jihadism is an ideology which transcends borders. Even if the Trump Administration is successfully in restricting travel from the Middle East there are plenty of people born and raised in this country who hate it every bit as much as Saipov and a travel ban isn't about to stop them.
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