Dear Commons Community,

Yesterday and this morning we were consumed by the news of bomb devices being sent to a number of  individuals (the Obamas, the Clintons, Eric Holder,  John Brennan, Maxine Waters, George Soros, Joe Biden, and Robert DeNiro) as well as to  CNN offices in New York City,  all outspoken critics of President Trump.  Fortunately none of the devices detonated and no one was hurt.  All were sent in similar packages (see above).

These threats have heightened tension in a nation deeply polarized ahead of the mid-term elections on November 6th.  

Several Democrats were quick to accuse Trump of stoking the potential for political violence by frequently engaging in hyper-partisan, vitriolic rhetoric.

Trump told a political rally in Wisconsin on Wednesday his government would conduct “an aggressive investigation.”

“Any acts or threats of political violence are an attack on our democracy itself,” Trump said. “We want all sides to come together in peace and harmony.”  But he said the media has a responsibility “to stop the endless hostility and constant negative and oftentimes false attacks and stories.”

Several commentators have stated that the authorities thought that the culprits would be caught fairly soon.

Let’s hope so!

Tony