Terrorism

           

By: Chantal J Kyffin

September. 11,th 2001 two planes crashed into the two tallest buildings in New York City, the twin towers. This was an act of terrorism on Americans. To terrorize is to reduce to a state of terror. Did Iraq accomplish what they came to accomplish? Yes, they did. Since 9:11 Americans have been completely terrorized, the shadow of terrorism has become a part of daily life in America. Weather they know it or not Americans have become victims of terrorism. Americans have handicapped there personal freedom, privacy, and control.

            After 9:11, many Americans felt and still feel they have given up to much security to fight terrorism. The cost Americans have to pay through gaining personal security has been, loss of personal freedom and civil rights. Laura W. Murphy a Lawyer from Washington State says, “Americans have been permanently re programmed to hold the fear of Terrorism true just below the surface, waiting for a trigger.” She’s right. Taking shoes, coats, belts and flashing I.D. cards to the 49,000 screeners at National Airports is de- humanizing. The ways the American government has tried to improve America’s security has set off terror in Americans. The screening at airports, surveillance powers, and at schools and work obstacles such as barricades and metal detectors are now a reality. Another new act of higher security is the U.S.A. Patriot Act. They demanded Congress to give the justice department more powers to combat terrorists by being able to search any suspect’s residence privately and secretly if felt needed. This is a complete threat to civil rights. It is very clear Americans are living in a place with constant terror alerts. American citizens feel they have given up to much for security. Who is to blame? Bush and his

administration as well as the American government are. Bush and his administration are using fear of terrorism to justify privacy and freedom. This is a means of control over Americans. They cover what they really want “control” with a justification system. For example General John Ashcroft part of Bushes administration says, “The first responsibility of government is to provide the security that “preserves” the lives and liberty of people.” Higher security does not “preserve” the lives and liberty of people. Security has spread more terror in Americans, is that “preserving?” If anything security has made people feel less secure, than secure, because the government and Bush are giving Americans something to be terrorized about, “Terrorism” and Ashcroft who defended higher security systems also stated that “No major attack has occurred on American soil since September. 11,th / 01 thanks to higher security” this statement makes a statement. There has been no act of terror since Sept 11, and Americans are still fighting “The War on Terrorism” by killing thousands of innocent people in Iraq.

            According to Bush the “War on Terrorism” ( “War on Terrorism” is supposed to stop terrorism, not create terrorism) is apparently working. Bush and his administration have managed to kill terrorists (few proven to be terrorists) around the world, along with thousands of innocent humans. So ask yourself, who are the terrorists now?

             Why is it O.K. for Bush to say it’s “The War on Terrorism?” because it’s an excuse for creating war that isn’t even being fought back or retaliated against by Iraq. It’s not the “War on Terrorism” it’s the “War on Power.” According to America’s top foreign priority policy the main focus is “The War on Terrorism” there way of fighting the “War on Terrorism” is to expand “Democracy” and help generate “Prosperity” in the Middle East. This is unbelievable. Saying they want to expand “Democracy” goes against the grain of Democracy altogether. Democracy is social equality, a government that is controlled and shared by its entire people. For Bush and the government to say they are “peace keeping” and being heroic while killing thousands of  innocent people to reinforce “Democracy” is controlling and not Democratic. Bush and his administration use the term “The War on Terrorism” to make it justifiable to Americans, but it’s the opposite. It’s the act of Terrorism. The undeniable truth is that while Bush and his administration are convincing Americans they must “fight back,” terrorism and make Iraq a better place by spreading Democracy, they themselves are being the terrorists. They are doing what they do best, controlling others. They are not fighting against terrorism there is no terrorism to fight just like Ashcroft said, “No major attack has occurred on American soil since sept.11/01. Is Iraq fighting back against America? No. So why is America still fighting? Because America is controlling (I am referring to the government, along with Bush and his administration not the people of America (citizens) and by killing innocent people and spreading terror in Iraq America will eventually take control over Iraq, and there people will give up there freedom and give into America’s commands. Iraq will not be the only country to give up control to America they may be the first, but not the last.

            In conclusion, American’s have been terrorized. The reality is the cause of the terrorism is not other foreign countries. That is just what the American government and Bush want American’s to feed into and they have. So while American’s fear for there lives over terrorism they are truly handicapping there own freedom. The very freedom to live every moment of every day freely, rather than fearing what may or may not happen. American’s are also losing there freedom and control over the things in life they can actually change. They are forgetting about the real things that affect every single individual. There is poverty, economic struggles, and unfair justice and job issues. These things are a part of everyday life and affect every single person. Yet  Americans have got themselves so caught up in “Anti Terrorism” that they are slowly losing control over what they actually have control over. By the time America finally realizes that all this time they have been hiding and fighting against terrorism it will be too late. To late to gain control,  because Bush and the government will have full control over Americans, Iraq and what ever other countries are on Bushes “which country should I take control over today?” to do list. When this happens and it has already started it will be the beginning of the end for American’s and by the time American’s do finally realize they have something to fear……themselves, it will be too late.