TERRORISM This word terrorism appropriately labels what happened to those involved with yesterday’s Boston Marathon. The American people on Patriot’s day had their basic freedoms violated because of terrorism. Contrary to news anchors, some politicians, reporters, and others, this word does not require a modifier. Whether it is revealed as domestic or foreign it is still incredibly destructive, terrorism yesterday resulted in the death, injured, and carnage of traditional freedoms people have enjoyed for decades. I retain no sympathy for those that perpetrated the crime, be they plotters, a system, or any motivator that took the life of a young eight year old with the others injured or killed. Call it what it is, whether you are a news anchor, media analyst, crime commenter, or anyone, terrorism is the word. The horrible act in Boston was criminal terrorism, plain, pure and simple, an attack on basic American freedoms. Media and internet outlets are filled with comments today like, reprehensible, brutal, carnage, innocents, etc., certainly those comments are warranted. Yet some in leadership and public position refuse to even use the word “terrorism,” in describing the brutal event that took place in Boston yesterday. Why is terrorism overlooked as a word in our national vocabulary by many notable individuals. Have we disregarded our history and freedoms for items of personal or political expedience? Does terrorism when used to describe the injury and death of innocent Americans offend someone’s friend, nation, system or faith system? Not really, terrorism calls death and injury of innocents by labeling the act for that which it really is, cowardice, immorality, lack of feeling, gross brutality, having no regard for human life, butchery performed without mercy. I label the awful event in Boston and the great Americans injured and killed as an act of terrorism which should be eliminated from the globe. My hope is that we find and dispense justice to any and all those cowardly perpetrators responsible for these deaths and injuries. God bless America, Dr. Alan Phillips, Sr.