As Charles Barkley would say, "That's just turrorism"

I preface this with my deepest condolences to all those who were lost, the families of those who were lost, and anyone who is in any way connected with those who were lost in the Mumbai attacks this past week.

This post is in no way aimed to poke fun or make light of the situation which occurred, but will take a shot at some of the reactions that resulted from them.

When something terrible happens, the first thing on everyone's mind isn't, "I hope everyone's alright" but more so, "How many people are dead?"

This is a natural reaction which allows us to compare the severity of a tragedy in terms of other tragedies.

Especially when not directly related to the situation, most people will never keep an event separate from the others, but rather constantly compare them.

One of the most stark comparisons I read, which was a comment post and nothing more. Surely not by an esteemed journalist, but with all the credentials of a glorified blogger, was a comment that read:

"These attacks are being considered the 9/11 of India."

Ok.

I'll let you catch your breath, it took me a little while too.

How do you gauge this? Is there a way to compare them? Typical American comparisons for terrorist attacks/tragedies with high death tolls. Location? Reasons for the attack?

Sure, it's similar in the sense that Mumbai is to India what New York City is to the US. Even more so that the attacks may have had similar reasons, but the scale is very different.

It is the scale that forces me to believe that these are two attacks that cannot be compared and should remain as two separate entities. Not to be references as, "Never has there been such an attack since..." or even "This is similar to the attacks of..." but rather to keep it on its own.

Ok Americans, my fine fellows and friends, you asked for it, you got it, the death toll comparison.

Let's not be all so cold and desensitized, but this proves there is no comparison. More so considering the high density of Mumbai.

November 2008 Attacks in Mumbai
Deaths: 172
Injuries: 327

September 2001 Attacks in New York
Deaths: 2,604
Injuries: 6,291

The scale is so far different that it is really unable to be compared.

Other tragedies in America:

February 1993 Attacks in New York
Deaths: 9
Injuries: 1,042

Oklahoma City Bombing
Deaths: 168
Injuries: 800

Jonestown (2nd Greatest Single Non-natural Loss to Americans)
Deaths: 909
Injuries: None listed.

Kind of a downer this week, I know. In the spirit of Thanksgiving, I just hope you are truly grateful for what you have and don't take it for granted. No loss is a good loss, but I think even Mumbai should be grateful that it wasn't any worse that what it was.

The next post will be lighter, but some things just need to be said.

-FW