"Some Things You Never Forget"

I saw this article in today’s WaPo, “Some Things You Never Forget,” and it immediately intrigued me. The second paragraph reads, “For 39 hours in March 1977 — before the word “terrorism” entered our daily vocabulary — 12 gunmen paralyzed the District in a three-point siege. The group of Hanafi Muslims held about 150 people hostage in three buildings, and before they surrendered, a young reporter was killed and dozens were injured, including D.C. Council member [and future Mayor and noted criminal Marion] Barry. A shotgun pellet pierced his chest, right above his heart, nearly killing him.”

NEVER HEARD OF IT BEFORE. Wow. I read on.

One of the main targets was the B’nai B’rith International Center. Another was an Islamic center. I read on. “The 12 gunmen had several demands. They wanted the government to hand over a group of men who had been convicted of killing seven relatives — mostly children — of takeover leader Hamaas Abdul Khaalis. They also demanded that the movie “Mohammad, Messenger of God” be destroyed because they considered it sacrilegious.”

And then… nothing. The rest of the article talked about the one man killed, as it properly should, and cited the terror of the hostages, as it should. But beyond that, no detail. Beyond being “Hanafi Muslims,” who were the hostage takers and what was their agenda? Were they homegrown assholes or imported assholes? What happened to them?

I don’t know for sure, but I wouldn’t be surprised if the WaPo soft-pedalled the Muslims-go-nuts-take-over-building-kill-innocents-demand-film-on-Big Mo-be-censored angle. Because if they didn’t, well, that might raise some interesting questions. Such as, This was happening before 9/11? Yep. Before we invaded Iraq? Yep. Muslim fanatics hated us back then too?

Yep.

WaPo, you rolled over and played dead. Good dog. Don’t worry, they’ll probably come for you last.