Terrorism Works, Even When it Fails
How are we supposed to fight terrorism when the stopping of terrorists creates terror itself? Terrorists failed to blow up the planes, but panic (nay, terror) ensued regardless. Hey Bush, think those terrorist could borrow your “Mission Accomplished” banner?
Apparently the liquid state of matter is this year’s version of the box cutter or the nail clippers. “Liquids, gels and creams” are now considered as dangerous as a knife, and won’t be allowed in your carry-on luggage. Now I’m going to have to check my fucking toiletries bag if I expect to shave or wash my face at my destination. Maybe instead of serving you a beverage during flights, they’ll hand you ice cubes and tell you to “suck on that.” Not that telling Americans to “suck on that” is some kind of policy change for the TSA.
Back to the hard questions: how are we supposed to get rid of terrorism when our own leader is encouraging us to be fearful? How are we supposed to carry on with our lives when our government is doing a better job of terrorizing us than the professional terrorists are?
The president, speaking in Wisconsin, called the plot “a stark reminder that this nation is at war with Islamic fascists who will use any means to destroy those of us who love freedom.”
I like how he cleverly excluded himself from being a terrorist target there at the end. I should write him a National Security Letter of admiration.
I think that this just underscores the importance of fighting terrorism overseas and not letting dangerous people into the US or onto planes headed here.
I loved the comments by some airline industry rep (I’m paraphrasing): “We need to focus on keeping dangerous people off planes, not dangerous substances.”
I hear ya, but some people (I’m not pointing any fingers) refuse to believe these nutjobs really intend to kill us. Maybe the Prez has to remind people from time to time.
As far as not letting toothpaste and shaving cream onboard, it does seem a little silly when you can make a gun out of a ballpoint pen or when our borders are are pourous as they are. I’m all for reasonable searches and precautiouns, but this is getting ridiculous!
[...] Mark ruminated on the effect of terrorism. [...]
I sincerely hope that Mr. Stricklin is right. At the same time I could easily see a situation where ‘The Prez’ is using scare tactics to convince his electorate that a semi-permanent presence of the US Army in the Middle East is a necessity.
Apart from the fact that nobody has ever won a war against terrorism or guerrilla warfare, I really do not believe those ‘nut jobs’ are out to primarily kill Americans or Europeans. They just want the Americans and the Europeans out of the Middle East. Do not forget that the core problem is still the Israeli/Palestinian conflict. Call me naive, but US/EU diplomacy would be more effective than this wild goose chase on terrorists.
I do know that these are just precautions but it is way beyond the point…even on creams, gels or just anything maybe that seemed to be suspicious.
Look why can’t you guys just see it from their point of
view ? If it is’nt absolutely nessesary don’t take it
(travel light) I know it’s all a big hassle, but trouble
of this type (terrorism) mandates it’s own protocalls if
we are ever to get a leg up on it. Yes it will require
permanent changes that we all initially are going to
disagree with , but the alternative is totally unacceptable. Bottom line .it’s still a free country , just not quite as free as it used to be !!?>
Robyn has a point.
If something goes wrong, of course the government will be blamed for not taking the necessary steps. Freedom? I do not know about the US but Europe has become less free. We have the same security measures, but speaking up on certain issues is a taboo. We cannot criticize Americans, because they are our allies, we cannot criticize Israel, because we still feel quilt over the Holocaust and we cannot blame Islamic extremists, because a large part of our population is Muslim.
To be fair I don’t think Bush or Blair (depending on which side of the Atlantic you are on) have any choice. The sercurity services and airlines are right to take these kinds of precautions.
- That is terrorism. You don’t have to kill people to incite terror. I was on the tube in London exactly a year after the attacks there, and I admit to feeling on edge, but I wouldn’t blame the leaders of our respective countries. What should they do? Hush it under the carpet? It is only through facing our fears, and letting the government and the security services get on with their job without hinderance, that we will win in the battle against terror. The battle against terror is not fought with bullets and bombs in the cities and mountains, but rather in the hearts and minds of the people.
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