Did the Radical Muslim Chechen Brothers Act Alone? – Were they radicalized in the U.S.? – Not Likely - How New and Old Media Get’s it Wrong.

First, addressing the subject of how on earth old and new media “get the details wrong”, one looks to new media first, if one is anywhere near an event, such as the one which occurred in Boston, one is looking for answers, and it is somewhat personal – and judgment does get clouded, to say the least. In the first reports of finding suspects, two individuals were named as possible suspects, and as it happened, those who penned articles were wrong, up to and including links used. Old media might not be that much different – with the exception of the experienced pragmatist who has patience, errors occur. When a nation is under attack (and yes, Boston is this nation), rumors turn into facts. It is not so much different than what happens after such an event. Those who are trying to understand what happened to these bright, young students might want to look to the nation and the culture from which they came.

The current question is: Were the two brothers “radicalized” in the U.S? The Daily Mail. UK article suggests that the Uncle of the boy believes they were “brainwashed” by someone in the U.S., however, it points to the possibility that, the older brother, on a return trip to Russia, may have encounters a man known as “Russia’s Bin Laden”. It should be noted, the young man took offense at his Iman in a local Boston Mosque for holding up Martin Luther King as someone to be emulated.

As yesterday is history and what may have occurred 5 or 10 years ago, ancient history, one might look to the region from when these refugees came – and continue to return. In 2004 in a school located in North Ossetia, Russia, 400 people were held hostage, a siege ensued, and as a result 350 children and teachers were killed by Chechen Separatist. There was also a female suicide bomber, who killed 9 people at a rail station in Moscow. The Chechen’s have been pursuing an Islamic Fundamentalist State for decades: “Chechens have been affiliated with the al Qaeda terror network, and an Arab connection suggests a further link between the Chechen rebel movement and international terrorism. Chechen rebels have been fighting Russian troops for a decade, seeking independence.” (CNN.com World – 9/2004

Therefore, it is quite possible that while in Russia, the brother was in training, and that the concept of killing in the name of religion, using bombs, up to and including suicide, may not have been a foreign concept. When the question is raised - “How could that young man put down a back pack next to children?” The answer lies in the obvious fact that those who believe so strongly in the eradication of Christians, or the “West” as they see it, having a cause that is both political and religious, they do not see the child, they are blinded by a very danger zealotry.

As to whether or not the two brothers acted on their own – It is speculation: The Daily Mail, UK is reporting that the FBI is seeking a 12 person terrorist cell, although citing unnamed sources. That said, in such an instance, when one has two young men, who have modest means, have the wherewithal to fly to Russia, and have access to late model cars, etc? The speculation is that they were “funded” by outside sources. This is not unusual, considering the 9/11 terrorists receive flight training in the U.S. which was paid for by outside sources. (Al Queda). As there are only 200 Chechen refugees in the U.S., most of them in Boston does that make every Chechnan a terrorist? Or every Muslim? The answer is obviously – no. However, as a nation, we have no way of knowing how many may or may not be considering an attack on U.S. civilians. It could very well be that the two, out of a sense of religious zeal, did act alone, however, the money had to come from somewhere, so perhaps it was in concert with a group, either within or outside of the U.S.

Should we all be more vigilant? – Absolutely, when in a mall or at a restaurant, or at a large event, look for things that may seem unusual – especially watch those dropping backpacks and calmly walking away – one might want to return that backpack to the owner. (Or call the police!!) Some may believe that the actions of the Boston PD, the FBI, the Watertown PD and the Massachusstts State Police, the ATF, all acting in concert, and killing one, capturing the other within days, would be a deterrent to others thinking of doing the same thing. Possibly – but the nagging question remains: Will those individuals in our nation, whether privileged or not, who believe in a religion that mandates murder of those who do not hold the same beliefs, just stop planning to blow something up?

Finally, yes they were brainwashed, and most likely from birth. If one looks to the way certain Middle Eastern Nations teach their children from Kindergarten, how to be good suicide bombers, then, in the most twisted and unimaginable manner, yes – brainwashed from birth – to hate, to die, to kill – in the name of a religion. This has, Islam aside, been taking place forever, and as history dictates, men have used religion in political causes for millenniums – but today, we must be mindful, and at the same time respectful – We are a nation that was founded on Religious Freedom, granted Judeo Christian – however, we, as a nation, regardless of the faith, look towards the peace that comes from all peoples, no matter their faith, being able to practice that faith freely. Except for one tenant of faith that allows for the murder and maiming of innocents, in other words, those whose beliefs are not mainstream – it is not fair to compare every Muslim to those who are jihadist, in the same manner it would not be fair to compare every Irish Catholic to those who bombed Harrods department store in London in the name of religions. The world changed for those living in the U.S. on September 11, 2001, but, a false sense of security has pervaded the society – and we, as a nation, must understand that even if this incident is isolated, there are other brothers, sisters who would kill themselves alone with so many innocents, all in the name of religion.