San Francisco hit and run-- terrorism?

I fully realize it's stupid to speculate on such things without all the facts, which is probably why some of the big blogs are staying away from this. But some are not. With a name like Omeed Aziz Popal it's hard not to wonder.

If it's the same guy, looks like he went to court in 2005 in Stanislaus County, California for a previous traffic incident, which could provide other motives unrelated to terrorism. The man is still innocent until proven guilty.

Yet there is a tendency to presuppose. In a semi-related story, most Americans now believe we should be profiling. I'm never been real keen on this idea mainly because it defeats what America is all about, but also because it might force the terrorists to work harder to recruit fair-skinned red headed guys like this one. We simply need better screening and intelligence.

MORE 8/29/06

A little more clarity from Hugh Hewitt, including an Afghan link. Mayor Newsome is saying there is no international connection, whatever that means. Time to pull out the ole BS-screen until more is known. Surely the major news media outlets will be all over this soon...

MSM 8/30/06

CNN has hoisted an AP feed on the story. Nothing was mentioned about the Afghanistan connection, and they abbreviated his middle name "Aziz". They are obviously being careful, but not as careful as Fox News, who as of this writing (around 12:45am CDT) wasn't carrying the story at all.

MORE(NING) 8/30/06

The MSM is covering the story but in a somewhat muted fashion, preferring the road rage angle. Maybe the Afghan connection is a coincidence, but The Anchoress has an opinion about their careful hesitation,

Can you imagine, if someone had (God forbid!) driven a car into 14 gay people, how quickly the press would have managed to cover the story?

Well yes, but the analogy is a little off since all the victims weren't Jews or gays. But I agree with her in general. For example, let's say some 'lilly white' guy goes on a rampage through Detroit and is finally stopped near a Mosque in a 'mainly Islamic' neighborhood after running down 14. I think the MSM reaction might have been less muted.

"I'M A TERRORIST" 8/30

That's what a witness reportedly heard Mr. Popal say after he was detained, yet it seems to have dropped off the map. Hat tip, Right Truth.

"I'M A NUT?" 8/31/06

That's what it looks like. Of course now they can blame it on our evil society, or maybe even Bush.