WISCONSIN HORROR – OVERNIGHT:  The obscene attack on a Christmas parade in Wisconsin yesterday reminds us that terror – individual, foreign, domestic, state-sponsored – is still very much a threat.  At this hour we still don't know very much about it, except that approximately five were killed and 40 injured when a red car plunged through a parade in progress.  We know that authorities have the car that was involved, and we know that a person of interest is in custody.  We know nothing else.

It's these hours that worry me – the hours between an attack and the announcement of who was allegedly responsible.  It's not paranoid to wonder what calls are being made, what pressure is being applied, what interests are being protected, if any.   If the fix will be in, this is when the fix begins.  We've seen many examples around the world of attempts to underplay the involvement of certain groups because the wrong people might be embarrassed.

We hope to know more today.  This had the markings of a terrorist attack, but we cannot say that with certainty at the moment.  From Fox: 

Authorities in a Milwaukee suburb continued overnight to deal with the aftermath after a red SUV plowed into Christmas parade marchers and spectators Sunday evening, striking more than 20 adults and children.

Some fatalities occurred at the Waukesha event, police Chief Dan Thompson told reporters at an evening news conference, according to FOX 6 of Milwaukee.

Wauskesha city officials early Monday confirmed that at least five people had died and more than 40 suffered injuries. They warned that both numbers could change.

More information was expected at a news conference expected later Monday.

Chilling videos on social media showed the SUV plowing into parade participants, with loud screams audible from those who witnessed the horror. Other videos showed people running to the aid of the injured people.

"Oh my God!" a woman shouts over and over in one video, after a group of girls in Santa Claus hats and waving white pompoms is struck. Another video shows members of a marching band being hit, The Associated Press reported.

"There were pompoms and shoes and spilled hot chocolate everywhere," Corey Montiho, a Waukesha school board member and parent told the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel. "I had to go from one crumpled body to the other to fund my daughter. My wife and two daughters were almost hit. Please pray for everybody. Please pray."

Gunshots were heard in the area but authorities said they came from a police officer who was trying to stop the vehicle, the AP reported. No one was hurt by gunfire, authorities said.

A Roman Catholic priest, multiple parishioners and Catholic schoolchildren were among those injured at the parade, an Archdiocese of Milwaukee spokeswoman told the AP.

Parade performers the Milwaukee Dancing Grannies also were affected by the tragedy – and shared on Facebook that they were awaiting more information about their members who were injured.

"Please keep the Grannies, all those injured, and all those who witnessed this horrible event in your thoughts and prayers," the group wrote.

COMMENTS:  There was a terrorist attack in Britain a few weeks ago.  The prime minister, Boris Johnson, warned Britons that there would probably be more.  The nation's alert status was immediately raised.

We'll be watching to see whether our government responds with that kind of seriousness if this does indeed turn out to be a terrorist incident.

November 21,  2021