Splodey Chronicles

In case no one noticed, several terrorist bombings occured this weekend. Bali was, once again, the target of Islamist bombs; this time it was suicide bombers.

Indonesia — Homicide bombers targeted the Indonesian tropical resort of Bali (search) with coordinated attacks Saturday that devastated seafood and noodle restaurants packed with foreigners, killing at least [22] people.

And 104 people injured.

On cable news, a chilling homemade video was shown displaying one of the bombers casually strolling through a crowded restaurant, picking a plum spot; the detonation was caught on camera. There were three bombers in total, in as many locations.

To me the ugliest and most terror-inducing factor of suicide bombing isn’t the deaths, but the injuries. The things that people think they can’t live without—eyesight, mobility, physical beauty—are gone permanently, but many continue living radically altered lives. Pray for these people.

One can’t live without one’s head (warning: graphic), however, not even mighty jihadis. Enjoy your “virgins.”

*****

It appears that the second suicide bombing in twice as many years has occurred on US soil . Outside of Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, during a football game between the OU and Kansas State University, one Joel Hinrichs spontaneously exploded. Fortunately the culprit only succeeded in blowing himself up. Was it a “work accident” (as in premature detonation)? Mark Tapscott thinks so and also thinks that the university officials are being rather circumspect on the interpretation of this incident.

University of Oklahoma President David Boren seems determined to have everybody believe Joel Henry Hinrichs III was merely a disturbed young man who decided to commit suicide by blowing himself up within 100 yards of a stadium containing 84,000 screaming fans of Sooner football.

Sorry, I don't buy it, at least not yet. Here's why: First, The Daily Oklahoman is reporting authorities found a large cache of bomb-making materials in Hinrichs' apartment. The cache is so big that the Oklahoman reported one of the officials on the scene estimated a full 24 hours would be required to cart away all of the material.

Suicide victims don't normally accumulate a large amount of bomb-making material in their homes. People intent on blowing up other people do.

All indications point to Hinrichs being a convert to Islam. Mr. Hinrichs’ father is in denial about his son’s intentions, however. (Wouldn’t you be?)

“Joe would have become a Muslim fanatic when pigs fly,” the father said.

Interesting metaphor.

It would seem to me that the reason for circumspection on Mr. Boren’s part would be to help keep panic or--more likely--vigilantism down to a minimum in his state. After all, Oklahoma is the one of the reddest of Red States.

Keep your eyes open.

(Thanks to Michelle Malkin who, as usual, has many of the intricate details and thanks to Charles G. Hill of OKC.)

UPDATE: Eric at Classical Values reports that few in the Big Media are reporting on this story.