On this day, August 10, 2006, airports and airlines in the United States and United Kingdom, are on "red alert." This is the highest of all warning levels invoked since terrorism became our truth. Precautionary measures are being enforced with vigilance. All liquids and gels are forbidden on flights. These are thought too volatile. It is known, presumed, or suspected radicals were planning to mix fluids while planes were in the air. These solutions would then be unstable, possibly explosive. "Baby formulas and medicines are the only exceptions, though passengers may be asked to verify that these are not toxic."
The times they are a changing. I ask you, what are your thoughts on terrorism, here, and abroad?
9/11 Photograph, By Ted S. Warren, Associated Press. WABC News. Photograph July 10, 2006.
A building in New York City is buried. Fires are blazing. It is highly possible people were killed or injured. The public speculates. Could it be a bomb blast, an act of terrorism, homegrown or international? Might the cause be a gas leak or an electrical explosion? Perhaps, it is a crime of vengeance. Early on, suicide was not considered. For me, while the cause is important, it pales in comparison to the fact.
War is in the air; it blows with the wind. Acts of violence travel. They cannot be isolated or contained to lands far from our shores. If we accept war anywhere, we consent to it here. Warfare is not a concept; it is concrete. Combat comes easily to the minds of men or women in conflict. Witness today, yesterday, and everyday. We as a nation are at war. While the struggle is far from our shores, it looms large in our collective psyche.
Weeks ago, a plane was "forced" to land. Actually, the crew chose to land; "character" was the concern. Who are these characters? Pakistani passengers were walking the aisles. People panicked. They knew. Pakistan is the breeding ground for terrorists; clearly these men must be among those. Passengers and the flight crew agreed; these men must be planning, pacing, and readying for an attack. Numerous people were puzzled; when would the suspicious swarthy men pull out the guns, the knives, and how were they able to get these on the plane. Actually, why were these men allowed on this or any airbus; they are dark characters. Their complexions were cause enough for concern. What was the airline thinking? Everyone knows of persons such as these.
What do we know? We know what they look like, not who they are. People judge and document the rationalization for their personal reality. They forget. A book, a boy, a man, a woman, a terrorist, or even a candidate, cannot be judged by its cover. Character cannot be captured in a moment; it is more than an appearance. Yet, people believe that they know. Individuals and groups alike deny the inevitability of xenophobia, the fear of strangers. Police and politicians, profess profundity, as does the general public. Opinions masquerading as "facts" flourish, and unjust practices become policy.
The facts are America was attacked on 9/11/2001. Terrorists claimed responsibility. These radicals were said to be Middle Eastern. Therefore, people in the West understand, they must fear Middle-Easterners. These individuals must be considered the "enemy." Trepidation for those that appear to be Muslim, Persian, foreign nationals, or merely "strange," is thought to be valid.
On Saturday, July 16, 2005, Prime Minister Tony Blair spoke to the British people; his intent was to reassure an anxious public. However, Blair's words would fall on deaf ears. Numerous citizens had read the Pew Research Project report only days earlier.
This survey states there is substantial support for terrorism in six Muslim-majority countries. Citizens in Jordan and Pakistan support Bin Laden now, more than they had in the past.
The results of this Pew poll were released on July 14, 2005. The Project assessed the attitudes of citizens residing in Morocco, Pakistan, Turkey, Indonesia, Jordan, and Lebanon. The evaluation has been ongoing for the past two years. Persons are surveyed and interviewed. This most recent polling took place between the months of April and mid-June 2005. In total, 17,000 persons are and were consulted. The margin of error varies by country. In some, it could be as low as 2 percentage points, in others, as high as 4 percent.
Western world headlines did not share the truth of "substantial support"; instead, they touted another. See the Los Angeles Times report. Television, radio, and print journalists exclaimed public approval for Osama Bin Laden and acts of terrorism against civilian targets is slipping in some Muslim-majority countries. Headlines did not state that sponsorship is still significant. This latter statement was buried beneath the banners.
Today terrorists attacked London. Four bombs blasted in parts of the city proper, simultaneously. The people were devastated and Prime Minister Tony Blair was not there. The Premier was meeting with Group of Eight leaders, and five heads of state in Gleneagles, Scotland. They were together for what is known as the G8 Summit. The talk was to be of global warming, aid to Africa, and other issues that unite us all. However, the discussion changed and Blair's, participation would be delayed. He needed to return to London quickly.
Before his departure the host of the conference, Prime Minister of England, spoke. He addressed the press on behalf of the G8 leaders. Blair stated, "We will not allow violence to change our societies or our values; nor will we allow it to stop the work of this summit. We will continue our deliberations in the interest of a better world." Later, from his residence at 10 Downing Street, Blair offered, "They are trying to use the slaughter of innocent people to cow us, but they should know they will not succeed."
Might those living in Iraq say the same; have they? They have. Iraqi citizens were and are trying to live a "normal" life. They too are not allowing violence to change their civilization or ethics. They continually work not to be frightened by the forces that besiege them. The people of Iraq believe that, in March 2003, they were going about their daily business when America, Britain, and the allies attacked.
Now, and for three long years, they feel that Americans and the alliance are "trying to use slaughter" and intimidation of innocents, to change their social order. Iraqi citizens huddle in their homes. They know not what the day will bring; however they can say, without hesitation, devastation and killing will occur. Iraqi's are certain that on any given day, in any given moment, the allied armies may break down doors, enter homes, kill families, and do so in the name of justice and freedom. Innocent Iraqi's will be maimed and murdered, just as those in London were today.
Only two days ago, a friend and I were discussing the possibility. Could, or would terrorist attack again? We were discussing the practices and policies of the Transportation Security Administration. We each shared our experiences.
We wondered and mused. It seems the measures imposed merely present the appearance of safety. The procedures are meant to calm fears and nothing more. There is a façade of security; yet, we are not truly "safer." Precautions are not active or assertive, they are aggressive, reactive, too little, and too late. Witness today, four bombs, all detonated at the same time in different locales.
There is much attention to detail, the minutia is being carefully considered; however, some think little can be done to prevent a terror campaign. When people are intent; they do, as they desire. Many believe that security measures will not truly deter a determined mind. There are millions of people globally, and not all can be monitored.
The Department of Homeland Security attempts to invoke principled procedures; are they practical? The stipulations of Patriot Act, for me, are neither ethical, nor realistic. American citizens are turning their lives over to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, to Central Intelligence, or to the President, and the Project for the New American Century. American's are sacrificing their civil rights. Our leaders speak of liberty and freedom and yet, privacy is easily and legally invaded. If a federal agent believes a citizen or resident is a suspected terrorist, that person's civil rights are gone.
No this title does not tell the tale that you might suppose; we have not closed the door on international terrorism, only the reporting of it. We have not conquered the problem; we have only restricted information concerning it.
The State Department, under the auspices of Condoleezza Rice has abruptly decided not to release its annual report on international terrorist incidents. In the past twenty years, two volumes were routinely published. One was for public review, and another for classified personnel only. Now, there will only be one report available and it will not be widely released.
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