A child died in Boston Monday because some individual was deranged enough to cause some kind of explosion amidst a crowd of people – many of whom were about to finish a 26.2-mile journey through the city.

Runners’ legs were on fire – filled with lactic acid and alternately burning and aching with strain – when what some thought were fireworks celebrating their achievement exploded on the sidelines.

This, America, is insanity.

It is insane that people were killed at an event that holds up some fine athletes and physical fitness as pinnacles of humanity. It is insane how now some people fear these events – fear participating in an event that, in essence, celebrates life.

I know I speak for the entire staff of The State Hornet when I say our hearts go out to everyone who was affected by this senseless, manmade tragedy, including the three whose lives have been lost and the 10 who have lost arms or legs and the 130 who were injured.

Whoever was responsible was – I hope – not mentally stable. Anyone who disregards human lives, regardless of their age, sex, gender, sexual orientation or political beliefs, cannot be stable. I refuse to believe it. 

Despite the evident evilness of those who perpetrated the disaster, Twitter was filled with thoughts and images of hope for the victims. The American Red Cross said its blood supplies were stable and plentiful thanks to volunteer blood donors. I have hope: There is still good in the world.

For information about people and their whereabouts, visit google.org/personfinder/2013-boston-explosions or call the Boston mayor’s hotline at 617-635-4500. You can also give blood to help victims or donate funds. Find more information about this at redcross.org.