Package Bombs Away

Twelve package bombs sent to CNN, retired intelligence officers and Democratic politicians - and Robert DeNiro - have been intercepted by federal authorities before they exploded.  All of the intended recipients have been among Donald Trump's biggest detractors, and Trump has bashed them personally of late.  Trump isn't responsible for these bombs, but someone out there has been inspired and emboldened enough to terrorize Democrats and other Trump critics on Trump's behalf.

I thought this would be a game changer for a suddenly emboldened Republican Party hoping to capitalize on the very anger that led some bomber to act.  Maybe it will be.  But there's no indication that Trump himself is going to back down from his hateful rhetoric, and he and his most ardent supporters have even suggested that the bombs were sent by a renegade Democrat to make the GOP in general and Trump in particular look bad.  Some Trump fans have even suggested that there are no bombs - that the whole story is faked.  And Democrats, who have been down in the dumps all month despite polls in their favor mostly holding steady, don't seem - yet - to have found a proper way to respond.

Perhaps it's better that the Democrats don't go overboard in response.  The bomb story is enough to get people to see what's happening.  There are all of these incendiary devices out there, and Trump keeps trying to focus on a phony migrant caravan story by sending active troops to the border with Mexico.  The public should demand more of a focus on this bomb investigation and should say they they've had enough of this insane political hate-mongering.  Also, the Democrats still have the health care issue in their favor, as if that alone weren't enough.  Joe Biden - who, at the moment at least, isn't running for anything - has struck the best tone and delivered the best message.  Don't be afraid of terrorists, he says. Don't be afraid of Trump. Vote.

I'm going to.