The Devil Gets the Last Laugh

When nearly 3,000 Americans were killed in the 9/11 attacks, much of the Muslim world reacted by giving out candy and holding celebrations. Should Americans be handing out candy today after this?

MINA, Saudi Arabia (CNN) -- At least 345 people have been killed in a stampede during a symbolic stoning ritual at the annual Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia, according to the country's Health Ministry.

Health Minister Hamad al-Maneh told Saudi TV that 289 others were injured in the stampede near Mecca and taken to the hospital.

[...]

The stampede, like others in the past, occurred during the stone-throwing ritual in which the pilgrims stone a symbolic devil. It took place at a wide bridge over the desert plain of Mina.

Saudi authorities had replaced the pillar, which had represented the devil in the past, with an oval wall with padding around the edges to protect the crush of pilgrims.

[...]

The Interior Ministry said Thursday's trampling occurred when the pilgrims bottlenecked at the eastern edge of the bridge leading to the oval wall. Many pilgrims brought their luggage, which caused further crowding.

To answer my question above, no, of course not. Americans, unlike much of the Muslim world, value life, but I thought it was worth thinking about.

These human sacrifices during the hajj are almost annual events. Two years ago 251 pilgrims died during this same event, 36 in 2003, 35 in 2001, and in 1990 1,426 people were trampled to death. According to some reports I heard, this whole mess was caused by some of the luggage carriers who dropped their luggage, which was then tripped over by those coming behind.

That's a really stupid way to die.

UPDATE: Scrappleface says the Devil beat the spread.