Very real bomb threat at Spokane, WA, MLK parade

by David Safier

Lots of sketchy details at this point, but a few things are clear. Someone placed a sophisticated bomb with a remote detonator on the parade route of an MLK Day parade in Spokane Monday. Fortunately, it was spotted and disarmed, and the parade was rerouted to avoid the area.

News reports say there are no clues to the identity of the domestic terrorists who placed the bomb, though its sophistication makes it sound like these folks have a great deal of knowledge. Early reports called it "one of the most potentially destructive in U.S. history," but that's been dialed back a bit. Still, its potential destructive force could have caused a number of casualties.

Spokane is known as a haven for anti-government and white supremacist groups. Whether any of those individuals or groups are involved remains to be seen.

To this point, the story has had minor coverage around the country, including a brief note in the Star. As more details come out, it should get much wider press. It would if it were Muslim-related. We'll see how it plays if it's a non-Muslim brand of domestic terrorism.