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Following the London terror attack that claimed at least four lives and injured over 30 people Wednesday, NBC News' Ken Dilanian posted what he considered to be a gentle reminder for his Twitter followers.
"I know it's a big story, but every time we freak out about a small-bore terror attack we play into their hands," he wrote.
I know it's a big story, but every time we freak out about a small-bore terror attack we play into their hands.— Ken Dilanian (@Ken Dilanian) 1490197217.0
As you might imagine, Dilanian — the intelligence and national security reporter for NBC News' Investigative Unit — experienced some immediate pushback over his choice of words.
Fatalities and injuries are not “small bore.” https://t.co/VOpu31VLdc— Dana Loesch (@Dana Loesch) 1490203025.0
Great. Now make this argument about mass shootings and gun control https://t.co/EYPW9V6s2i— Stephen L. Miller (@Stephen L. Miller) 1490201667.0
@KenDilanianNBC Is this a real tweet? Nothing is "small-bore" when even one person loses his/her life.— Brian (@Brian) 1490203946.0
"Intelligence" reporter. SMDH https://t.co/oN0rTQE7St— Bob Owens (@Bob Owens) 1490203087.0
But Dilanian had more to say:
I covered the 7/7 bombings in London. Londoners were back on the Tube by day's end.They are not going to be terrorized. We shouldn't either.— Ken Dilanian (@Ken Dilanian) 1490199842.0
NBC's @MattMcBradley reports that Londoners are not panicking. Damned right they're not. They are going about their business.— Ken Dilanian (@Ken Dilanian) 1490201486.0
One Twitter user was unmoved by Dilanian's position:
@KenDilanianNBC Family members are still rushing to the sides of the injured and dying as you write these tweets— John Sheehan 🌹 (@John Sheehan 🌹) 1490200118.0
Dilanian made headlines a few years back amid a report that he allegedly submitted some of his stories to the CIA before publication. Dilanian declined to comment to the Los Angeles Times about the report, but the chief of the Tribune Washington bureau told the paper Dilanian may have violated policy that prohibits reporters from sharing "copies of stories outside the newsroom."
(H/T: Young Conservatives)
