Explosions At 117th Boston Marathon (Photo credit: Asitimes)

It’s been several hours since the attack in Boston. I will admit that I maintained hope – a small, very improbable hope – that this was a horrific accident. It became quickly apparent that it wasn’t. This was an act of terrorism, pure and simple.

We don’t know who did this so we watch and wait, seeing this unfold before our eyes from the relative safety of a television screen. There are those who are personally affected. People were there. People were hurt. People have died. We have all been affected for we are all brothers and sisters, we are all Americans.

My heart aches for those who are suffering, for the victims and the victims family and friends, and for those who managed to get out uninjured but witnessed the horror up close. It’s not much, I’m sure, but my prayers are with you.

But what has me angrier than the attack itself are those who began soliciting donations in the guise of charities but were in fact looking to take advantage of the situation. Not too long after I read about the explosions I read an article on Examiner about fake charity Twitter accounts being created. To think that people are so depraved that they are willing to exploit a national tragedy is beyond comprehension, but yet it’s not too surprising. So I urge caution if you decide to make a donation.

From the Red Cross, they put out a bulletin saying that they currently have enough blood and financial resources to support their efforts, but urge those who want to help to donate blood in their communities in the coming weeks and months. You can read the full bulletin here.

And on a very personal note, please remember to hold those dear to you close tonight, and every night. We live very much with the illusion that we are safe but the fact is that we live in a very volatile word. Be grateful for the time you have. As we have been reminded yet again, it’s all too simple for that illusion to be replaces by a cruel reality. Again my prayers are with you all tonight, Boston.

Related articles

• W.H. official: Appears to be ‘an act of terror’ (oddonion.com)
• Boston Marathon Tragedy: How To Locate Friends and Family and Donate Blood (healthland.time.com)
• American Atheists Releases Statement About Boston Marathon Explosions (patheos.com)
• Boston – A Quick Post (jcsbloggery.wordpress.com)
• For Boston (akrummenacker.wordpress.com)
• Relieved (livinginmaine.wordpress.com)