Terrorism has evolved over the course of the last decade. Sixteen years ago, terrorism involved meticulous plans and a network of evil geniuses. It involved lots and lots of money, advanced weaponry and scary foreign governments.

Nowadays, all it takes is a driver’s license, 20 bucks and a heart full of hate.

Yesterday, it happened again. Just like it did in Nice. Just like it did in Berlin and Stockholm. Just like London, Paris, Spain and Edmonton. A lone wolf with a warped sense of the world around him rented a truck, turned into a Manhattan bike path and ploughed into anyone and everyone he could find. At least eight people are dead. Eleven more have been left injured.

And thanks to racial profiling and that archaic concept of terrorism we all love tossing about so much, you can already picture the lunatic that did it. In fact, twenty-something Uzbek national Sayfullo Saipov is exactly the sort of guy Donald Trump is always warning us about (he’s a brown Muslim with a beard and a green card).

Footage shows New York terror suspect running through the streets following attack

It goes without saying Republicans are wasting no time politicising the murders.

Hawkish pundits immediately began banging the drums of war and pointing the finger at the globe’s Muslim community. And America’s fearless commander-in-chief took to the Twittersphere within hours, damning political correctness to hell, blaming Democrats and claiming there would be swift policy changes to strengthen our borders and keep bad people like Sayfullo Saipov out of America.

Say what you want about Trump, but that feels like some uncharacteristically decisive leadership with crystal-clear action items. It feels like he actually wants to get something done – and you know why? Because he’s on the hunt for a scapegoat.

There’s nothing wrong with vetting foreigners before they’re allowed to settle in America, and it’s okay to be wary of the unknown. Nobody’s going to argue we shouldn’t exercise due diligence when it comes to immigration. But right-wing America’s fiery calls for action in the wake of yesterday’s tragedy are so hypocritical it hurts.

New York Truck attack Show all 6 1 /6 New York Truck attack New York Truck attack Investigators inspect the truck following the attack Investigators inspect a truck following a shooting incident in New York on 31 October 2017. Several people were killed and numerous others injured in New York on Tuesday when a suspect plowed a vehicle into a bike and pedestrian path in Lower Manhattan, and struck another vehicle on Halloween, police said. A suspect exited the vehicle holding up fake guns, before being shot by police and taken into custody, officers said. The motive was not immediately apparent. Getty New York Truck attack A paramedic looks at a body along the bike path A paramedic looks at a body covered under a white sheet along the bike path 31 October 2017, in New York. A motorist drove onto a busy bicycle path near the World Trade Center memorial and struck several people Tuesday, police and witnesses said. AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews New York Truck attack The truck driver collided with a school bus Authorities respond near a damaged school bus Tuesday, 31 October 2017, in New York. A motorist drove onto a busy bicycle path near the World Trade Center memorial and struck several people, police and witnesses said. Two adults and two children were on the bus at the time. AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews New York Truck attack A young girl reacts to the scene A young girl reacts as police officers secure an area following a shooting incident in New York on 31 October 2017. Several people were killed and numerous others injured in New York on Tuesday after a vehicle plowed into a pedestrian and bike path in Lower Manhattan, police said. 'The vehicle struck multiple people on the path,' police tweeted. 'The vehicle continued south striking another vehicle. The suspect exited the vehicle displaying imitation firearms & was shot by NYPD.' DON EMMERT/AFP/Getty Images New York Truck attack Police officers arrive at the scene Police officers arrive at the scene following a shooting incident in New York on 31 October 2017. Multiple people were hurt in downtown Manhattan, US media reported after police confirmed that they were responding to reports of a shooting. Police said they had mobilized to the scene in Lower Manhattan and that one person was in custody, giving no further details. DON EMMERT/AFP/Getty Images New York Truck attack Emergency personnel respond to truck attack in lower Manhattan Emergency personal respond after reports of multiple people hit by a truck after it plowed through a bike path in lower Manhattan on 31 October 2017 in New York City. According to reports up to six people may have been killed. Kena Betancur/Getty Images

Does anybody happen to remember the worst mass shooting in American history? It was only about a month ago, if that helps. Hundreds were injured and 58 people were gunned down in the middle of a Las Vegas concert by some psychopath who’d bought enough guns to take on an invading army. It’s impossible to describe the pain – those people didn’t stand a damn chance. It should have never happened. It was totally avoidable.

You see, America’s horribly relaxed relationship with the firearm has given birth to a whole new meaning of terror, and politicians like Donald Trump know exactly what it would take to eliminate the constant threat of getting shot and killed for no reason. Sweeping gun control measures; bans on assault rifles and high calibre weapons; shutting down disgustingly obvious loopholes on background checks – the list goes on and on.

It’s all pretty simple. So, where was Donald Trump’s passion and leadership last month when America so desperately needed decisive action to combat acts of home-grown terror? Where were all of the angry GOP talking-heads arguing for sweeping legislative measures to help protect innocent men, women and children?

Loading....

There weren’t any – because white people committing crimes with legally acquired, miniature weapons of mass destruction aren’t an issue to conservatives. In Donald Trump’s dystopian, alternate universe, white people killing each other with guns is what America’s all about. Brown people renting pick-up trucks from DIY shops, on the other hand? That’s just not on.

These shameless, partisan attempts to steer American policy need to be shut down. Bumbling politicians like Donald Trump think they can buy our happiness by kicking immigrants to the kerb and actively discriminating against people based on the colour of their skin or how they’ve been raised to worship God. It doesn’t work that way.