Today on the MAX

Two people were murdered  as they attempted to stop a hate crime, right here in Portland, if I didn't have a car I might have been on that train on my way to or from work. The details are in the link, and I am sure more will be revealed in the coming days but you get the gist of it. Witnesses reported specifically anti-Muslim rhetoric among other rants, and one of the women who were being threatened was wearing a hijab.

Two men saw cruelty happening, attempted to stop it, and paid with their lives, a third is in the hospital. It's a story that is surely not unique to this time and place and yet it sure does seem that most of what we are seeing these days can be blamed on our current administration doesn't it?

I'm not here to yell at the president tonight, tonight is for those who gave their lives in the fight against terrorism, and don't misunderstand me, that is precisely what happened. Someone went far enough down the rabbit hole of radicalism that they decided it was time to scare people, and when their preferred target was obstructed, they took out their rage and fear against those who would stand against them in an effort to discourage others.

This shitbag wasn't acting to some great plan, he is likely just a crazed racist who finally felt his time had come, but the results of his attack are virtually the same as if it was a religious terrorist, Trimet is promising increased security, with all the consequences that brings, you better believe a lot of people are going to be taking different routes home for a while too, and of course other people who think as he does will be encouraged. Perhaps not to kill, though you can't rule it out, but at the least to degrade, insult, and batter.

I hope the men who died today felt like it was worth it, they made the choice to put themselves in harms way to protect others, and there isn't a cause more noble than that. I hope others follow their example because that is the only way we win against terror, by showing that we will not let threats change our way of life. I hope when the time comes I am able to stand up like they did.