UPDATE: And as if by magic, a perfect example comes along here!
News: “Car runs down pedestrians.”
Media: “Tragic accident. No indication this was terror-related.”
News: “Man driving car made no attempt to stop.”
Media: “He may have suffered a medical emergency. No indication this was terror-related.”
News: “Man exited the vehicle and stabbed several passers by.”
Media: “He has mental health issues. No indication this was terror-related.”
News: “Man was named Mohammed (or Abdul, or Saeed or Man Haron or something)”
Media: “He was on drugs. No indication this was terror-related.”
News: “Man was of Middle Eastern appearance, dressed in white robe and long beard”.
Media: “This was a lone wolf attack. No indication this was linked to any terror organisation”
News: “Man yelled ‘Allahu Akbar‘ as he was stabbing people”
Media: “That phrase is the beautiful call to prayer of the Islamic faith and has nothing to do with terrorism. No indication this was linked to any terror organisation”
News: “Man’s Facebook page contained numerous posts and links to Islamic State.”
Media: “He was radicalised on the internet. No indication that this was linked to any terror organisation.”
News: “He attended mosque immediately before the attack”
Media: “We must be careful not to provoke a ‘backlash’ against Muslims [which never happens]. So stop talking please. And, no indication that this was linked to any terror organisation.”
News: “Islamic State claims responsibility for the attack.”
Media: “IS often claim responsibility for unconnected attacks to raise their media profile. No indication that this was linked to any terror organisation”
News: “Man had copy of Qur’an in his car…”
Media: “This was a misinterpretation of the peaceful message of Islam by a disturbed individual. No indication this was linked to any terror organisation.”
News: “…open at 9:29, highlighted in yellow with ‘Do this’ written on it…”
Media: [tumbleweed]
News: “Man had recently travelled to Middle East and met with top IS operatives to discuss possible attacks in the West.”
Media: “Er…”
News: “Man’s phone contained messages from IS operatives specific to the incident.”
Media: “OK, this was a terrorist attack.”
Apparently Police are ignorant to the fact that some terrorists drink:
http://www.nodrinking.com/terrorists-who-drink-alcohol/
(that is not to say the incident *was* terror-related; just foolish to completely discount it on the basis that he was drinking)
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