I Always Thought Americans Were Made of Sterner Stuff.

[Montagnard]

Terrorism is a tactic, not a person or group of people, or government. It is describes what action is used to achieve some end. Throughout history there has been terrorism. In America it came in the night dressed in white robes, it came as shaved headed followers of a mad man, it came a religious bigots…and each time it came we, Americans, met it with a stiff spine and spit in its eye. Our fathers met terrorism on the factory floor, in union halls and on the picket lines. The terrorist beat them, shot them and burned their families, but they looked terror in the face and punched them in the nose.

What a shame that today's Americans are such cowards as to be willing to set aside the very freedom that they feel is being threatened by those who would use terror. Could it be that we are not as fearful as our leaders say we are? Could it be that our leaders are the ones who are encouraging us to give up our freedom? Have we changed that much since the time of our grandparents and parents? Something to consider.

[Ioo]

1. Nope, According to Bush, Republicans are nothing but cowards!

BOO! Now give up your rights!!!

[marmar]

2. False bravado...

And the flag-waving, America's gonna kick your ass, Toby Keith-types are always the biggest cowards.

[MadMaddie]

3. I honestly think that as a society we have become

comfortable with our lives, complacent and lazy.

I think that as the Repugs get bolder in the laws they try to pass (such as Ohio trying to make it illegal for a woman to cross state lines to get an abortion)the angrier the population becomes...

One of they myths that the Repugs have been successful with is telling America that the NeoCons are the majority....they are not the majority....The new poll numbers are showing that they are not...

I honestly believe that it will take an event like Kent state (I don't wish this of course) to really galvanize the population....

The Latino marches were surprisingly huge....and they were effective....

Change is in the wind my friend...

[gumby]

7. The Ohio law is just the purposeful trajectory

that anyone knows from reading "The Handmaid's Tail." http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/038549081X/103-0745971-7705436?v=glance&n=283155

Ancient fiction predicting reality.

edit: The Nazis were Not the Majority either.... or so it seems.

[Malikshah]

4. Interesting issue-- although I would argue that terrorism is not a tactic

it is a symptom--

Thus far it has been misdiagnosed. And as ever with all misdiagnoses, when one treats the symptom--it might go away, but the underlying cause will have it recur--sometimes in a much stronger way (i.e. builds up resistance)

How has it been diagnosed thus far?

"Clash of Civlizations"
"They hate us for our freedom"
"Islam is inherently violent, etc."
"They do not value human life"
etc.

The correct diagnosis of this symptom should be tied to U.S. foreign policy and its manifestation (two separate, but connected issues). The economic and political hegemony, Cold War mentalities, hypocritical standards regarding human rights, etc.---all of these covered with an air of moral superiority and the notion the "we know best" and must teach others how to be civilized etc. Add to that the complete ignorance on the average citizen's part regarding the region in question, its inherent diversity, the history behind its creation and subjugation. Then add a heaping dose of arrogance tied to the idea that the region's peoples are blind to the effects of our foreign on them on a daily basis.

A similar sort of mentality was apparent during the Vietnam era-- once we began to help people, work with them to rebuild what we destroyed, and the like-- sightings of the Vietcong skyrocketed. In other words-- we undercut/submarined/sidestepped the resistance by providing a viable alternative--one that was respectful, recalcitrant, and productive.

Anyone wonder why Hamas and Muslim Brotherhood have so much support in Occupied Territories and Egypt respectively? Support of terrorists as heroes? (only partly) Support of the various social services (clinics, schools, charities, etc) provided by the two groups (bingo)

So far we bomb the hell of folks-- and then call them ungrateful for not being willing to trust us or work with us.

Hopefully folks will address some of these points--- I'd be happy to go on with you all about it.

[NRaleighLiberal]

5. Yup - even odder, those who are most afraid are those convinced...

that they will be saved...all of those fundy righties, shaking in their boots, thinking someone different than them will move in next door, or speak to them...terra! could become gay! could meet a nonChristian! Man, I hope they pack light - heaven is NOT where most of them will end up.

[DavidDvorkin]

6. Americans are no sterner or stronger than anyone else

They're humans beings, just like people in every other country.

Practically every country believes in a national superiority myth, and that's a dangerous thing.

[gumby]

8. I used to be a "populist."

That's before I became an "elitist" and realized that most 'Muricans are just plain stooopid.