Some intelligent commentary on the Democrat pipe-bomb scare

Andrew C. McCarthy: The Pipe-Bombs Story: Another Example of Why No One Trusts the Media  "The political Left has been known to orchestrate frame-up attacks designed to make it appear that right-leaning opponents are responsible for violent acts and plots.

"If I wrote the paragraph above in the context of reporting or commenting on the pipe bombs that were reportedly sent by an unidentified person or persons to prominent Democrats, many people would react angrily, and rightly so. After all, there is no evidence that the atrocious but thankfully unsuccessful targeting of the Obamas, the Clintons, CNN, George Soros, and Eric Holder (as well as Debbie Wasserman Shultz, whose Florida office was given as the return address on some of the packages) was carried out by political leftists. There is no proof that any Democrat was hoping to cast suspicion on Republican supporters, to suggest to voters, less than two weeks before the midterms, that Trump and GOP rhetoric incites violence. To intimate, in the absence of any proof, that left-wing agitators may be responsible would be a condemnable smear.

"That’s why this paragraph, by the usually sensible Will Rashbaum in the New York Times’s report on the apparent attempted bombings, is so infuriating:

Mrs. Clinton, Mr. Obama, Mr. Soros and CNN have all figured prominently in conservative political attacks — many of which have been led by President Trump. He has often referred to major news organizations as “the enemy of the people,” and has had a particular animus for CNN.

"The report goes on to say that the CNN bomb package was addressed to former Obama CIA director John Brennan (who is actually a commentator at MSNBC, not CNN). The Times then adds, gratuitously, that Brennan “is a harsh critic of Mr. Trump,” who revoked Brennan’s security clearance “in what was seen as an act of retribution.”  . . .

Schumer, Pelosi: Trump Bomb Condemnation 'Hollow' Until 'He Reverses Statements That Condone Violence'

Pence condemns 'attempted attacks' on Clinton, Obama as 'cowardly,' Trump agrees

"President Donald Trump is echoing his vice president's condemnation of explosives sent to the homes of Hillary Clinton and former President Barack Obama.

"Trump retweeted a message from Vice President Mike Pence Wednesday, adding "I agree wholeheartedly!" In his tweet, Pence condemned "attempted attacks against fmr Pres Obama, the Clintons, @CNN & others.' " . . .

Personal Liberty

Experts: Bomber Likely Left Behind Trove of Forensic Clues  'Johnson said it is highly likely that the person or people who built the bombs have been previously flagged by law enforcement. The Secret Service maintains an extensive database of individuals and groups who have made past threats against presidents or other top political leaders, either through letters, emails or on social media.
" 'A good percentage of the time, this is not the first time whoever is responsible for this will have stuck their neck out," Johnson said. "Those looking to do revenge or harm to someone, it doesn't just come to them one day.' " . . .
. . . " 'It's not an insurmountable task," Oxley said. "There's a ton of evidence out there. Unless this is a really, really smart person, they will find out who did this."'