Matter of Luck

The attempted New York City bombing was not thwarted by brilliant police work. Our Federal law enforcers did not save the day. Local authorities did not head off the attack. Only a blatant lack of skill on the part of the bomber himself prevented grave catastrophe. If a few dozen New Yorkers and visitors had been killed had the bomber been more skillful, the economic impact might have been devastating. Some who otherwise might have visited the city would now avoid it and the costs of increasing security would have been overwhelming. Protective measures would by necessity have become even more intrusive which would cripple Manhattan even more. Only fate or God's intervention prevented another costly tragedy.