In the last month long killers have been responsible for deaths in Orlando (49), Dallas (5), and Nice, France (84). While ISIS was not operationally responsible for these attacks, the Main Stream Media (MSM), with some corroboration from the authorities, have called them “ISIS inspired.” None of the attackers seemed to be particularly knowledgeable about ISIS, although the attackers in Orlando and Nice were from Muslim families and the Dallas attacker said he hated white people. What seems to especially raise concerns among authorities is the difficulty of identifying attackers who are not a part of any network and who cannot be infiltrated. By lumping these attacks together under the rubric of “lone wolf ISIS inspired terrorists” the MSM, including their paid consultants who provide color commentary, play into a more exciting narrative.
These attacks were certainly deadly, but not because they were “ISIS inspired” or carried out by “lone wolves.” The attack in Orlando, and possibly the Dallas attack, was deadly because of the availability of military style weapons. The attack in Nice was deadly because a vulnerable street was not secured with impenetrable barricades. Lone wolf attacks can be very deadly even though the attackers do not have help in planning and executing the attack, nor anyone to critique their operational plan. Nonetheless, attacks planned, resourced, and executed by trained terrorists are likely to be even deadlier. Since 9/11 there have been no such attacks in the U.S. due to the extraordinary efforts of law enforcement and the help provided by various civilian communities.
These attacks were certainly deadly, but not because they were “ISIS inspired” or carried out by “lone wolves.” The attack in Orlando, and possibly the Dallas attack, was deadly because of the availability of military style weapons. The attack in Nice was deadly because a vulnerable street was not secured with impenetrable barricades. Lone wolf attacks can be very deadly even though the attackers do not have help in planning and executing the attack, nor anyone to critique their operational plan. Nonetheless, attacks planned, resourced, and executed by trained terrorists are likely to be even deadlier. Since 9/11 there have been no such attacks in the U.S. due to the extraordinary efforts of law enforcement and the help provided by various civilian communities.