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Terrorist attack on London reminds world that no place is safe
If there’s one thing in the world that really irks me, it’s people that have no regard for others’ safety. There are multiple levels of disregard for others, and are reflected by the laws that outline their punishments. Drunk drivers and careless gun owners might not have purposely killed someone, and they get manslaughter charges. Attackers and murderers purposely injure and kill, and face stiffer penalties.
And then there are terrorists.
A few people were pissed off about the way a government is acting, so they voice their displeasure by setting off explosives in transporation systems that kill 40 people. 40 Londoners trying to go to work so they can provide for their families. Londoners who might have never dreamed of hurting anyone, killed because they live in a country whose government isn’t popular.
This morning, I didn’t wake up thinking about September 11th. But when I saw the pictures coming out of London, all the memories came rushing back. In this instance, I didn’t fear for my own life as I did on September 11th, but I understand how English citizens must feel. The fear of not knowing whether the attacks were over or not. The fear of not knowing if all your friends and family are OK.
By disregarding others’ safety, the terrorists create fear. We’re scared of them not because they have bombs, but because they have no conscience toward using them. They give no warning and can strike anyone, anywhere.
When I drive home at night on a weekend, I fear drunk drivers. My family had some lawn equipment stolen in broad daylight while my mom was home on Tuesday, and when I heard a noise outside my window last night, I feared a burglar.
Terrorists create a cloud of fear around everyone, all the time. Their unpredictability is their strongest weapon. It’s impossible to predict exactly what might happen.
And so we live our lives under that cloud. We can carry an umbrella in case it rains, but during a torrential downpour, even an umbrella doesn’t keep you dry. London’s officials appeared prepared for action, which saved the lives of the injured, but couldn’t save everyone.
I was scared on September 11th, and I’ve told myself I won’t be scared of terrorists ever again. They prey on our fear. But it’s simply impossible to not fear at all when you and your loved ones are in danger.
But I won’t show that fear. Not because I am afraid to admit to fear, but because they want me, and you, and our governments, to act scared. And I, personally, will not.
Best wishes to all those in England (including Brittany, who is visiting Oxford — good luck Brit!). You were supportive of our country when we were attacked, and I am sure that we will return that support.
Thu July 7th, 2005 4:04 pm
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Jaime’s in Oxford, too. Sheesh.
Er… my heart goes out to the Brits and all, but I can’t say I feel one whit more or less fearful than I did a few days ago, and I doubt that’d change any even if I lived in London or New York. The chances of you personally, or anyone you know, getting killed by terrorist attacks are still infinitesimal - you’re far, far more likely to get into a car accident.
I find it interesting to compare people’s reaction to yesterday’s attack with the general US reaction to similar bombings by the IRA in London a few decades ago - the damage, casualties, and threat posed by both the IRA and Al Qeada (assuming that’s who did the recent bombings) is about the same, but our emotional, political, and military reactions are entirely different. Something to ponder, at least.
Actually, I think I should clarify the previous statement to say “the threat posed by both the IRA and Al Qeada is about the same to London“. Obviously the IRA was primarily domestic as far as terrorism’s concerned, and AQ isn’t. Also AQ has (theoretical) access to things like nukes and bioweapons that weren’t available back in the day for the IRA… although I suspect the IRA, being composed of white, English-speaking UK citizens, was much harder to screen out, so that aspect may be something of a wash.
They’re small, but it’s the lack of control that’s scary. I remember reading somewhere that one of the terrorists from 9-11 was interested in renting a crop duster, and commented when he saw a picture of Texas Stadium that he liked how it had a hole in the roof. So you never know, I guess. And you never know how big the next attack is going to be.
I’m too young to remember the IRA attacks, and I admit to not knowing anything about them. But I’d imagine the US reaction was much smaller. The IRA never attacked the US. At the time, the US was unexposed to attacks on its soil. Terrorism was something that happened in the UK (mostly Ireland) and in the Middle East, where they’ve been fighting for millenia. It’s like talking hurricanes to someone who lives in Kansas. They’d go “yeah, I’m sure that’s awful” but not react the same way as they would if a city was devasted by tornadoes — something Kansas people are far more familiar with.
The world is a “me first” type of place. When an event doesn’t really affect you, people care less. Which is one of the benefits of the new, global internet and media — I think people worldwide really empathized with the tsunami victims, because we could see the video and see the pictures of it happening, despite there never having been such a tsunami in the US.
I’m not saying it’s right that the US didn’t react as much to the IRA bombings, but I am saying it’s to be expected.
I wrote that last reply before seeing your addendum.
In a similar vein, Americans are less scared of domestic terrorists (Timothy McVeigh, arguably the Waco bunch, who seemed prepared to be terrorists but never actually attacked anyone other than ATF agents busting in) than of Al-Queda — though the potential damage is the same. And harder to screen out, as you noted.
There’s probably a touch of xenophobia there. But I remember people in Dallas being really scared after Oklahoma City, because we’re just a quick trip down the freeway from them and would seemingly be a much more fitting target.
The most recent attack, though, is foreign — and unless you live in Oklahoma City, that’s probably what you fear most: the biggest and most recent attack and attackers.
And one more thing — thanks for leaving a comment, Chris, and getting a discussion going! Feel free to do it more often around here, bub.
Fair enough, but, again, loss of control is happening all the time, regardless of if you know about it or not. I’m way more worried about William Krar and whoever he was working with than a “known unknown” like Al Queda.
And like I said, I’ll be happy to argue more with you if you keep giving me stuff to argue about. Terrorism’s a bit more meaty than 7-11 iTunes promotions, you know?
Not for Andy!
Interesting article. I think I’ll call it even and consider myself equally scared of both domestic and international terrorists. I think it’d probably be easier for a US terrorist to get chemical weapons, and easier for an international terrorist to get nuclear weapons. But that’s just broad speculation.
As Mallory is right — far as 7-11 Slurpee promotions, hey, that’s good stuff in Andyland! Slurpees rock. And it’s an interesting advertising campaign. I’m more into communications and advertising than politics. Politics just aren’t really my bag.
But I’ll try to keep throwing you a bone every now and then.
I hope the world doesn’t give you any more opportunities, but I’m not enough of a wide-eyed child to expect that. My heart bleeds, but my head works.
I’m going to have to agree with coldjones on this one. Now and on 9/11 I still reside and work in the heart of Boston, MA and yet daily life for us stopped maybe for only a day after 9/11.
The day of the London bombings, there was a bomb scare on one of the subways I ride in which all the subway cars got stuck in the tunnels for about 45 minutes during the morning commute. I happened to be one of the people stuck in the tunnel, and more people were pissed off that they were going to be late to work than worried for their life.
I have done a lot of reading on the subject of terrorism ever since the USS Cole bombing. The opinions of what the terrorist’s goals are have changed and have pretty much focused on two main points. I plan at some time putting together all of my research and making a giant post on my site.
(and this is the most disturbing one) The movement back to the “dark ages (in Europe)” when Islam was dominant over southern Europe, northern Africa and all of eastern Europe and the Middle East. This idea focuses on getting rid of all non-Muslims and anyone who helps them. This is a very small group that wants this but they are extremely radical in their train of thought and their spreading of the idea. Basically they do not want democracy, yet they live in democratic countries (mainly to preach their ideals and disrupt the system)
This one is a little more controversial and some experts don’t agree with it. Pure greed is driving bin Laden. He wants Saudia Arabia for himself. He stated this back when he was originally kicked out of the country (part of the reason he was kicked out) and has always held a grudge that they, Saudia Arabia, were puppets of the west.
Those are the two ideas. Where the real problem is, especially in Europe, is the easy influence of the Muslim youth. A lot of the Muslim communities, namely the immigrant ones, are poorer then other areas. The youth are disenchanted and the leaders of the radical mosques prey on them promising a better life and feeding their disenchantment with their life. These leaders give them purpose, telling them they will do great things and they will be rewarded. It’s recruitment at its simplest form. Europe truly is at the front of the fight on terrorism.
I have no doubts the Brits have some of the best intelligence in the world as they have proven in the recent past. I feel a huge crack down is on the horizon.
Eric — that’s a good story. I’m glad people there have that attitude. I think that’s a good attitude to have, especially these days. You can’t live scared.
Stephan, interesting thoughts. I hope there is a big crackdown coming. It always frustrates me how the West is portrayed as a giant evil mass in a lot of the communities. I wish they could see that most of the people here want peace there, and peace here.
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