Call it a black eye for the state of Minnesota, but at least federal authorities believe they have the man responsible for numerous mailbox pipe bombs that have spread terror throughout the nation's Heartland.

Luke J. Helder, of Pine Island, Minn. was charged Tuesday in connection with the bombings that injured four letter carriers and two residents.

But how can we, as a community, prevent such incidents of terror from happening here? It doesn't start with leaving mailboxes open.

It starts at home.

However, it appears that Helder's father, Cameron, believes his son was merely trying to get people's attention when he said "I really want you to know that Luke is not a dangerous person."

Really?

Further, the father said he believes his son was "trying to make a statement about the way our government is run" and that "I think Luke wants people to listen to his ideas, and not enough people are hearing him, and he thinks this may help."

Last we checked, spreading fear throughout a nation that's already on edge isn't a smart move.

Further, innocent people who were just doing their jobs were maimed by someone who wasn't done harming folks, as the FBI said it found five pipe bombs in the car driven by Helder, a 21-year-old college student.

What does a letter carrier have to do with the way government policy is conducted?

How many more signs do parents need to hear their children's cry for help? This country has seen too many instances where parents look the other way, dismissing such behavior as a serious threat.

Let's hope the blinders are taken off before another tragedy occurs.