This has concerned me for over two years - but lately I've been speaking out about these things here on Kos, in response to what I believe is nonchalance and cynicism regarding the threat to the United States.
Some of this, I think, is semantics. People are saying we shouldn't be afraid in the sense that we shouldn't be cowering under the bed. I agree. And we shouldn't be open to manipulation by the Bush Administration trying to scare us into going along with their foolhardy crusades. I agree with that too.
What I object to is the complete lack of a sense of urgency that I sense. People recoil at the Bush Administration's "scare mongering" tactics, but throw out the baby with the bath water, and say that we should not be concerned at all. Or they lump terrorism in with the same category as the proverbial "Well, you could get hit by a bus tomorrow, too"
I think this is wrong. What follows, is me plagiarizing myself from another thread.
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I am not hiding under the bed. I was just in NYC. I've been there many times since 9/11 ... I ride the subways ... I have not stopped doing anything since 9/11 that I don't ordinarily do.
That's not the point. The point is, terrorists are actively plotting to kill all of us. Period. What the hell am I supposed to do? Say, "awww, fuck it - if they get me, they get me, I ain't gonna worry about it"
The type of complacency I read on this site scares the crap out of me. People say "Well, you can get hit by a bus tomorrow too" -- Yeah, you could. A burglar could also randomly come in your house and kill you -- that doesn't mean we don't lock our doors.
I totally disagree that the people most fearful are the ones with the least to worry about. I don't see anyone in middle america remotely worried about it. If Americans were truly concerned about terrorism, we'd be marching on Washington demanding REAL things be done for our safety. No, instead, we're told to go shopping - and we do it. Getting on a plane is like playing Russian roulette. You've only got a 16 percent chance of killing yourself in Russian Roulette - but that doesn't mean we shouldn't be scared to play it.
People in the cities are more concerned - they're also more hardened - so they go on about their business anyway.
Fear is good - used as a proper motivator to take action. Why in god's name shouldn't I be fearful of another attack on U.S. soil?
The problem is not the fear. The problem is the Bush Administration's reaction to it. They have used it for their own purposes to go on missions they have been wanting fo 7 years - and snookered people into believing it has to do with terrorism. All the while, they tell people to go on about their business, and go shopping.
Well, you know what? In WWII, we didn't just go on about our business. We ALL sacrificed. Rations - the draft - etc... Not saying we have to go that far - but Americans aren't being challenged to do ANYTHING.
True leaders would be galvanizing the nation. Acknowledging our concerns, and utilizing it to solve a problem. Not cynically capitalzing on it to prop up the economy and chase PNAC crusades.
Thank you.