I doubt I’m alone on this one.
When Boston Marathon bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev “apologized” to his victims and their families, I was hoping for more. Possibly an epiphany. A “what have I done” moment of palpable horror and abject shame. And maybe a gut-wrenching, emotional plea for forgiveness.
Not even close. He buried the lead.
It began with Allah and it ended with Allah, the “Lord of the Worlds.” Ramadan was referenced–as in the month to ask forgiveness. Of Allah. It was noted that Allah says in the Koran that “no soul is burdened with more than it can bear.” Presumably, this was meant as consolation to those who will suffer torment–physical and psychological–the rest of their lives for what the Tsarnaev brothers wrought.
Near the conclusion, Tsarnaev said he was sorry before pivoting back to Allah.
He asked for Allah’s mercy for himself, his brother and his family–as well as those present in the courtroom whom he had victimized. “And Allah knows best those deserving of his mercy.” There’s a pecking order here?
This wasn’t closure. This was a re-wounding.