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American terrorists?

The American Terrorists by Sandra Shorthill In the aftermath of September 11th I, like most people, could see the logical arguments behind having to analyze what it was that America had done to deserve the wrath visited upon it; however seeing the logical argument and having the heart to discuss foreign policy in the wake of the destruction are two different things. Yet it’s in times of extreme hardship that we are tested and learn most about ourselves, those around us and the society in which we live. With three months between us and the events, we are now in a position to absorb those lessons and reevaluate the changed world around us. The last months have seen the rise in prominence of several groups that pose a threat to the security and peace of our lifestyle. We are all aware of the threat posed by extremists of certain cultures and religions, but it’s the threat posed by another group that is easier to understand but harder to stomach. These American terrorists are already in your homes, like vampires you invited them in. America has gone to war against a foreign nation for harboring people who spread terror, yet another group is spreading terror on a daily basis and we turn a blind eye. If we have deemed terror to be an act of war, then this group is guilty of treason. I know its clichéd and easy to take shots at the media but they are perpetuating the work started on those 747’s. For a profession based on its adherence to words, it’s worth checking a dictionary on this one…Terrorism “Violence, the threat of violence, the spreading of terror for political, social gains” I have been unable to switch on my television, pick up a newspaper, turn a web page without being bombarded with stories designed to install fear. Do not go to malls on Halloween trumpeted one story; do not drive on bridges, throw away mail with no return address. The line between patriotic concern for our safety and instilling fear has been crossed! Terrorism depends on a scared populace and the American media is seeing to that! American media’s genius is in its ability to spin a story and keep interest alive. We all know thousands of people are dying worldwide on a daily basis, but their passing goes unnoticed, unsponsored, unmourned, their families receive no aid, there are no concerts, no telethons, no outpouring of support. Why? Because there is no American media to throw a spin on it, weave a story that will keep papers printing, new stories rolling and keep self proclaimed experts in speaking engagements for months. They have even created their own catchy phrase - “911”. Monica and her dress were harmless, but now it affects the fabric of our daily lives and fulfills the ambitions of an enemy of the state. I am one of the lucky ones who don’t have children old enough to know this fear. I don’t have to explain the daily inundation of fear and hatred the media dishes out. I don’t have to comfort kids who have now been taught to fear the Golden Gate Bridge, who believe death arrives in the mail and that when Dad gets on an airplane it might be the last trip. As I watch business meetings being cancelled, celebrations being forgone, important documents being discarded unopened all in the name of safety (and 100% of the time it’s all been unnecessary) I wonder what the cost of panic-mongering is going to turn out to be. The mastermind of the terrorist attacks could not have envisioned how completely they would succeed; fear and panic has become a stable of our daily lives. We are instructed to it by our daily dose of scare stories. For all the lip service to getting on with it and flying flags to show we are unintimidated… thousands of people skipped work today because the media told them it was ‘safer’, and yet nothing happened again! In the post ‘911’ world we are faced with a choice: to be a victim or not. I chose to open my mail, I chose to go to work, I chose to fly and I chose to have a life. I refuse to let terrorists and their self-appointed communication arm, the media make me panic. I have chosen not to be a victim in this war. In a time when heroes are being born, the media has decided that ratings and money are more important than restraint and helping to heal a nation. The fear they spread is not grounded in ideology but even worse rooted in the love of money. It’s time for all of us to chose and not allow these American terrorists do it for you. About the author: Sandra Shorthill is currently tenuously employed as a software engineer at one of the ailing computer giants in Silicon Valley. In her limited spare time she cares for her British husband, 4 yr old daughter and a new born son.

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