Volume V- Issue 12,  January 2006
Published by Llumina Press

Terrorism: The Gift that Keeps on Giving

              “Terrorism- the unlawful use or threat of violence esp. against the state or the public as a politically motivated means of attack or coercion” (Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law). Terrorism is the evil work of a villainous society. Or, rather, that is what we have been led to believe. Terrorism, by definition, should be what the victimized society makes of it. After all, only the recipients of fear can judge who the perpetrator truly is.

          Israel, previously bombarded with Katusha rockets on a constant basis, feared the terrorist group “Hezbollah.” The missiles used were a failed creation during WWII, resulting in RPG-like (rocket propelled grenade) accuracy and effectiveness. The archaic weapons, nonetheless, produced a site of raining fire and still had the capability of frightening observers into shock. Would the Israelites still be fearful if they ignored the rockets? Could they have ignored the rockets?

          Consider a society, however, that does not understand they are forcibly placed in fear. Unfortunately, it is not only a plausible scenario, but a real one. Would we even realize there was a conflict, had there not been constant coverage? Unlike World War Two, this war does not drive the funds of economy, and there is no draft. Is there still anything happening outside our borders? Yes.

          On September 11^th, 2001, Al Qaeda got a lucky shot at America, abruptly ending many lives. The world changed. America united in determination to end all terrorism. That terrorist organization is, for the most part, destroyed; yet, we are still worried about another terrorist attack. As we should be, because they may strike again. On the other hand, fear is the terrorist weapon; thus, we are stabbing ourselves with their dagger.

          This paradox can lead to a severe conflict in ideologies. Shouldn’t our government protect its citizens from death? Perhaps so; perhaps we should forget the definitions and merely worry about maintaining America. It can get out of hand. Who’s protected if we destroy ourselves in the process?

          “Terrorists” are detained in a port in Cuba, controlled since the Spanish-American War. From there, these men are tortured and starved. They receive no fair trial. Does that happen in America? No; it happens just outside it. Legal and effective, but utterly contrasted to what our nation believes.

          Spotlighting terrorism’s effects, one would think it would constitute a great weapon. Actually, many countries have already thought of that. In fact, it is now a household fact that Iran funds terrorist groups like Hezbollah to destroy their enemies. Conceivably, this article is not the only testament of the damage terrorists procure. Leaders such as Mohammad Khatami may have figured the destruction is not always directly inflicted.

          Other countries, such as North Korea, act as terrorists themselves. Kim Jong-il truly has no other means of immortality in the world but fear. He simply is not a good enough leader to pull his people out of debt. So, he makes idle threats and disobeys the international consensus. Lately, he has been testing missiles and nuclear weaponry.

Needless to say, the world is worried. News programs cover, almost exclusively, the negative stories around the globe. Regretfully the phrase, “Bad news sells” was coined in the current era. The controversial title “Terrorism: The Gift that Keeps on Giving” is, indeed, a fitting one in light of the latest trend in journalism. Is the media’s sole purpose to keep the public informed of a “fair and balanced” view of a crumbling world?

How far is the United States willing to go and is the patriot act worth it? Our phones, internet exchanges, and purchases can lawfully be observed without warrant. If the founding fathers were here today, would they justify the means with the end? Being owned as a province of Great Britain would have been a huge security improvement. Regardless, they gathered the militia and fought the “good fight.” They never resorted to a “Patriot Act.”

 Calculating the odds with simple arithmetic, one must surely find there is no possible way the terrorists can win. So, why take preparations? Because, if no caution is heeded, another September 11^th will happen and that adds an overwhelming variable to our favorable equation. With the best intentions in mind, the U.S. has dug itself into a bottomless hole.

          Is there anything that can be done? If so, America must never again engage in the persecution of each other, neither communists nor witches. In addition, to not be accused of hypocrisy, the United States cannot hide our ideals to those less fortunate, especially the enemy combatants. Stretching the news to sell newspapers is a terrible route. And compromising what the United States stands for to save our lives, is self-defeating. The safe society we crave is suicide. For, if America shall be ruined, let Americans be ruined as Americans, upholding the values that we were founded on.

--Dan Neumann (author of OMA: One Man Army and editor of E Writer Magazine)