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As undoubtedly everyone’s heard last night a cowardly, despicable and evil act of terror was perpetrated against concert goers out for an evening of fun and music at the Ariana Grande concert. As of this morning 22 people have been reported deceased including an eight-year-old girl, and 120 injured. Among the 59 casualties taken to area hospitals were 12 children under the age of 16. In addition there are 15 people listed as missing. While not confirmed, unsurprisingly ISIS has claimed responsibility, boasting that more than 100 “crusaders” were killed or wounded at the “shameless” concert. Really? An arena filled with children, teens and families deserved this? Against this one act of evil though there were stories of taxi drivers (including Muslims) heading to the Arena to offer free rides to survivors, and hotels and Manchester residents offering rooms. You see, this is what the majority of people do in the face of adversity. We open our hearts and do what we can to help. For every evil act there will always be countless ones of courage, generosity, and compassion. As with so many people around the world, my thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families, as well as with Manchester and England as a whole. I’m going finish this post by sharing a quote that really jumped out at me.
The terrible thing about terrorism is that it ultimately destroys those who practice it. Slowly but surely, as they try to extinguish life in others, the light within them dies.
~ Terry Waite ~
*Update: Thanks to https://theorangutanlibrarian.wordpress.com for providing the link to the confounding site that’s been set up to help victims and their families. If you’d like to donate please visit
http://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/westandtogethermanchester
thesarahdoughty said:
Sigh. 😢😢😢
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Indeed.😢😡
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Richard said:
Such sad news.
The people of Manchester have shown the true nature of humanity: civilians, nurses and doctors saving lives, taxi drivers and civilians offering lifts home, and hotel owners and strangers offering places to stay.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
I firmly believe that good will always triumph over evil Richard.
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Felicia Denise said:
The worst of us always brings out the best of us.
So tired of these scum-sucking dogs thinking they’re advancing their cause by taking innocent lives. And this particular group of low-lifes always seem to target the youngest of us. They need to be hunted down once and for all.
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exoticnita54 said:
If only we know how to flush them out…,Felicia..
But we have no clue as to who or why…
But I share your feelings and your rage…
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
I agree Felicia!
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exoticnita54 said:
Oooh my goodness… such awfulness…,
Maan.. when are they gonna realize it’s not worth it…
to take some ones life without a reasonable explanation.. is so sad…,
My greatest condolences..
and that little eight years old..
Smh.. sighing.. in disbelief..
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
It is unbelievable that people could have hold such hatred.
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Mama Cass said:
So very well written. What kind of sick f*** goes after innocent moms and children? Cowards.
I do love what you wrote, it’s what a lot of us can’t find the words for, so thanks for that.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Thank you so much. It is indeed hard to find the right words to say at times like this.
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Jay said:
Incredibly sad news. I always think of the Fred Rogers quote –
“When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.” -Mister Rogers
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
I love that quote Jay. And it’s so true.
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ksbeth said:
So sad
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
*Sigh*😢
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Literary Weaponry said:
Those children absolutely break my heart. They were out having fun, having a life experience, and their whole future was stolen from them. It is just despicable. Love that Manchester came together to help those affected.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
While any attack like this is devastating, the young ages of so many of the concert goers makes this especially heart-breaking.
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angiedokos said:
Reblogged this on Angie Dokos.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Thank you for reblogging this Angie.
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angiedokos said:
You’re welcome.
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Jazz said:
I used to live in Manchester and the way in which the people of that wonderful city have united in the wake of this tragedy is a fine example of the Mancunian spirit I know and love. It’s so, so sad. It’s horrendous when anyone dies, but for children to die in such a way is beyond heartbreaking. Such bright futures extinguished in a single, heartless act 😦
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Oh Gosh. This must make this even more horrific as you have ties to Manchester. I’ve heard so much in the last couple of days of the Mancunian spirit and perseverance. You could see that at the vigil Tuesday night. And I agree, for anyone to be murdered is tragic, but for a venue to be deliberately targeted in part because of it’s young audience makes it especially evil.😢 BTW, I apologize for the late reply, but I just found you in my spam folder.
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Jazz said:
No worries, I sometimes have issues with WP and the joy it takes in putting me in ‘spam jail’ >.<
Yes, the Mancunian spirit has really shone throughout all this tragedy. It'll be difficult for the victims' families and for those grievously injured, but with the backing of such a warm, friendly city, hopefully the road to recovery won't be as difficult.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
It’s only happened to me once (knock on wood), but it took over two weeks for Akismet to fix whatever was wrong.
I know the survivors and the families of those who were lost have a difficult road ahead of them, but it’s obvious they’re getting so much love and support so hopefully that will help.
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Emma said:
Nothing can justify such a despicable act.
We are all with Manchester today and with all the innocent victims and their families.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Perfectly said Emma.
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Eddy Winko said:
Well said.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Thanks Eddy.
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ravenblake99 said:
There is no limit for their evilness. They’re now targeting concerts and taking innocent children’s lives.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
I agree Raven. It’s unfathomable that people can be that evil.
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KrystiYAandWine said:
Such a tragedy. All those poor people and their families.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
It’s difficult to imagine what all those families are going through.
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cantstopwontstopbooks said:
The first thing that I thought when I heard the news is the fact that the majority of the people who would be at that concert were young girls.. I saw that one of the deceased was an eight year old girl, I believe. I just don’t understand this type of evil..
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
My husband didn’t know who Ariana Grande is, but as soon as he came in and told me he saw the news online, that was my first thought as well. I’ll bet for many of them this was their first concert. It’s simply heinous.
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Birdie said:
It breaks my heart. I can’t understand anyone who would target youth. I can’t understand anyone who would target anyone, but especially children.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
I think the majority of us feel that way Birdie. Hugs.😞
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Carrie said:
I often ask myself just what is this world coming to? We have to read so many of these stories of bombings or cars into crowds etc etc. And here in my town two of the top race car drivers out at the Indy 500 track were just robbed at gunpoint in a dang drive thru by a couple of young kids, 14 and 15. There’s shootings daily, robberies, hit and runs… it just goes on and on. 😦
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
I heard about that robbery Carrie, but I didn’t know the kids were so young. It just seems like there more hatred and violence than ever before. 😞
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Carrie said:
Yep, quite sad really, just a couple of high school kids. Of course we were talking and thought if they’d only come to the TB to the west of the track they probably would have had a much better time of it, going towards the east and downtown Indy not a good idea at night unfortunately. I often say it seems our city is trying to compete with Chicago and Detroit in terms of violence these days.
And on top of that going back to the Manchester story and all those poor kids getting injured it’s always in the back of my head every time there is a big event at the track that something like that could happen. 😦
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
I’m sorry to hear that your city is having such trouble Carrie. Even in a small suburb like mine a young teacher was raped and murdered by one of her 14 year old students. I saw an interview today of a man in Boston who was asked for his reaction to what happened last night. Among his remarks he related how he was watching a street performer. A large crowd had gathered and he found himself unable to stop looking around him to see if there was anyone or anything suspicious.😕
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Carrie said:
I know that they say you can’t live being afraid of what might happened and need to just go out an enjoy but these days you have to be overly cautious and always aware anywhere you go. Shame though, I remember going to the movies right after that theater shooting and a friend of mine spent more time watching the outer door than the movie it seemed. 😦
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theorangutanlibrarian said:
Great post- just thought I’d share this with you- if you could donate or even just share this around that would be really amazing https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/westandtogethermanchester
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
I’ll add this to my post right now. Thanks for sharing this.
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theorangutanlibrarian said:
Thank you- I’m sure that would help
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Nola Stam said:
Amen!
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Indeed!
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Emma The Book Lover said:
My heart is broken 😦
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
I think it was one of the most horrific things to watch and that was just on the news.😞
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Emma The Book Lover said:
Yeah. I knew about it as soon as it happened because of Instagram and my heart has been heavy ever since 😦
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ignitedmoth said:
It’s so terrible what happened. 😦 Reading what you wrote about the taxi drivers and the people offering up their rooms really warmed my heart though. There are some really awful people out there, but it helps to be reminded that there are so many others who will help people when the time comes.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
It’s ironic that it’s during horrific times like this that people remind us that there is still good out there.
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jowensauthor said:
Such a horrible event 😦
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Just insane.😞
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jowensauthor said:
Sure is 😦
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Natasha said:
I think the worst for me is that it was only children. All deaths are terrible, all acts of terrorism despicable, but this just felt wrong on another level. I can’t even look at the reports with those young faces right now.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
I know Natasha! I keep obsessing about these young ones and teens so excited to see the I r favorite pop princess. To ha v e such a wonderful night end in such tragedy is unbearable. This is going to sound odd, but I keep picturing all those pink balloons that floated down on the audience near t h e end of the concert.
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vinnieh said:
So tragic and horrible. There is no reason for such barbarity to take place.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
It’s a horrible enough act, but when you realize that it was deliberately focused on children… 😕😡
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vinnieh said:
That’s just abhorrent. It makes me feel sick.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
😞
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beetleypete said:
It seems we have been having attacks like this sine the days of the IRA bombings, incidents that also killed young people on occasion. No doubt we will endure, long after the terrorists are gone.
Best wishes, Pete.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
We will persevere Pete.
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Lashaan (Bookidote) said:
A very, very horrible incident… It’s really sad how hard it is to prevent these types of events… Thank you for sharing your strength with everyone, Kim.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
As awful as any terror attack is, this one just seems particularly horrific because it was knowingly aimed at a venue which would have scores of children and teens. 😢
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oliviajaneblythe said:
💔😩 my heart still hurts
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
It’s a tragedy that I don’t think many will forget.😟
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