Will the centre hold?

IT HAS been one of the deadliest weeks in United States political history, which included a horrific massacre of innocent Americans in their sacred place of worship and an attempted bombing spree targeting prominent public figures, including two former presidents. These events have gripped an anxious American public just days ahead of the mid-term elections.

The week started with reports of explosive packages sent to at least a dozen of President Donald Trump's critics, including former presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton and to former secretary of state Hillary Clinton. It ended with what is described as the deadliest assault against the Jewish community in the US, when a man armed with an assault rifle and handguns, and shouting anti-Semitic slurs, opened fire inside a Pittsburgh synagogue on Saturday morning, killing at least 11 congregants.

The only piece of good news in a week dominated by reports about political violence that have shaken the nation was that the two men who had perpetrated the horror were apprehended and will be brought to justice. Unfortunately, there are no signs that these events have challenged Americans and their leaders to examine the state of their political environment,