Day of Infamy, Again

I was doing my push-ups when I heard from a friend that there's a bomb explosion in the Kuningan area, right in front of the Australian Embassy. I forwarded the message I got to my Mom, since I thought she would be interested in hearing another bomb explosion. I also asked another friend whether the information was true. And it was.

I didn't know the extent of the damage the bomb had caused until I watched the news later in the afternoon. Because at first I thought it was another small bomb. Anteve was doing a live broadcast right at the scene, since their office was not far from there. The surrounding buildings got their mirrors shattered because of the blast, the road was a mess, a lot of people injured, a few died, and it seemed that the nation would undergo yet another pressure concerning the fight on terrorism (if it was terrorism). Small bomb my ass, I was wrong. This one was a huge motherfucker. A friend sent me a picture of the huge smokecloud caused by the bomb. That was no ordinary bomb.

It was always sad, knowing that the victims were always innocent civillian. Collateral damage, I think, is the term. There are some issues that come to mind. Terrorist usually stated their responsibility and their demands after a terror attack. At least that was how it always was in movies and also in real life. However, these guys didn't say anything. It was as if you were just walking when a person came to you and hit you in the eye. You aksed him what was wrong, and the guy just said 'go figure'. They didn't say what their demands were. It was stupid.

Or...

They have issued their demands, but the government didn't let people know about it. Maybe because the demands have got something to do with the mistakes the government made in the past that it doesn't want the people to know. From the talk shows and the interviews yesterday it would seem that the word the government was holding on to was 'mum'.

Regardless of the conspiracy theories...

Innocent people would always fall victim to such political games. There are plenty of blame to go around. But let's take a look at ourselves. Alone, we couldn't do anything. We didn't have the power to decide things, we didn't have the power to track these people down, and we didn't have the power to expose these people, whoever they are. The only thing we could do is to demand the government to do so for us. However, to do so, we have to be united, so our voice is significant enough to be heard by the government. Alas, this is not so.

Indonesia is a very diverse country. And through some measures, the government and the status quo have prevail in making it more diverse. I think it's due time that we realize that we're in it together, like it or not. I think it's due time that we set our differences aside and start doing things that matter. The government was also reluctant to confirm whether the bombing was related to a certain religious extremist groups. I could only say that killing people is always wrong, no matter what the reasons are, no matter whether it's religious or not. And even if the group uses a name that is religious, it's got nothing to do with religion since the act that they brought upon this country was not a religious act. It was murder, and there's nothing religious about that. The government must make it clear to the people on this, that they intent to bring justice (if they are willing to be committed to it) upon those responsible not because of their religious ties (if there is such a thing called ties between religion and terror) but because of their deeds. Put forth proofs, make it clear that the government is doing the best it can. Uncertainties like this could only create more rift between the people of this country, where religion is such a sensitive issue. There's nothing religious in bombing people. It's not a religious rite. It's murder and everybody knows it.

However, of course, we didn't know for sure concerning who the masterminds behind this latest bombing. It might be done by certain extremist groups, or maybe a different group altogether.

Nevertheless, unity is what we need most. And all we know for sure is that: bomb = bad, bomb = wrong, bomb = people dies. It's that simple. If only we could keep to those facts.

But I sensed that people here are becoming ignorant. 2 years and we've already forgotten Bali. A year and we've forgotten Marriott. We're too immersed in our own daily lives that we didn't stop to look and think for awhile and come to the conclusion that some things need to be done first for us to be able to move on. 3 huge bombs, people. And lots of smaller ones. Isn't it about time we realize something? Don't just blame the terrorist, we're also to blame for our own ignorances. 3 bombs, people. I think it's more than enough. It's about time we realize that we, the people of Indonesia, matter too. That we, if united, have more than enough strength to press our government to start doing the right thing. That we're not so stupid that we didn't know that something smells wrong with our government. That united, we could make a difference. That we, together, do have the power.

I'm just another person. A boy, no less. But at least I'm not dumb enough not to realize this. Not dumb enough not to realize that we've become too ignorant. Not dumb enough not to realize that we've been swayed by the concerns of our own daily lives. Not dumb enough not to realize that the terrorists aren't the only one to blame. Not dumb enough not to realize that we could not only blame our government. And not dumb enough not to realize that we could not only blame a certain country and it's war on terror. Plenty of blame to go around, and some of it should go to ourselves.

Like it or not, blood has been spilled, and some of it is on our hands. On my hands, if some of you don't want to take that responsibility.

It was yet another sad day again for the people of our beloved country. I hope it won't take another one to wake us up.

At the very least, remember this day. I know it's not an easy thing, making a difference in this world. At the very least, remember.