I recently wrote a post over at my blog regarding the recent foiled alleged blow-up-some-planes plot, and about the US and UK’s response. Specifically, I’m among the school of thought that believes that imposing restrictions on average-joe-citizen doesn’t make things more difficult for would-be terrorists, but rather just makes things more difficult for average-joe-citizen.
Here’s an exerpt:
And I guess that’s the problem, really — laws and policies restricting freedoms don’t really stop terrorists who generally look for ways to get around those policies. Next year, people will be required to board planes naked and drugged, and terrorists will insert bombs into one orifice or another set to a timer… there’s not much you can do. It’s like gun control — taking away guns from law abiding citizens doesn’t do a thing to stop criminals. Tracking the purchase of Sudafed doesn’t stop the production of meth. These solutions simply don’t work, and yet it’s the only solutions governments use… and in the end, it’s average joe that suffers.
I’d like to fly without having to worry too much if somebody on the plane wants to kill everybody to make some statement about his or her beliefs. I think something should be done, but I’m at a loss for reasonable solutions to the problem.
The administration hasn’t done anything to make me feel safer. Any ideas?
Very few terrorist plots are stopped at the airport. The best defense is to have good investigations way before people get to the airport with bombs in hand.
Also, not contributing to the problems that breed terrorists- like say starting a war with a foriegn country in order to set in motion a democratic domino theory (same one that failed in vietnam).
And, look at who the terrorists are. They are not poor or uneducated. They are the middle class sons of middle eastern families who face a high rate of unemployment at their own governments hands. get them meaningful work and much of the problem would be eliminated.
I have to agree with RQ and not just because I want to kiss her malaria riddled ass.
We seldom hear of the high unemployment in areas that breed terrorists; it’s something like 30% in Saudi Arabia. It is very similar in most nations that produce people who hate our policies.
Other things can be done to make us feel safer like investing in equipment and procedure to protect chemical plants, refineries and ports. Barely any efforts have been applied in these areas.
I also think that we have to accept the POSSIBILITY of terrorism in our more open, more global society. Acceptance should also come with the knowledge that more equitable treatment of people around the world will decrease the motivation to destroy societies that seemingly take advantage of the ones that breed terrorists.
Lastly, this acceptance also means that more and different investment needs to be placed in espionage and policing. The US’s lack of those qualified to speak certain languages and understand various cultures is a huge oversight; Somalia, a new hotbed for terrorists activities has exactly one “expert” assigned to that country.
Terrorism has been around for a long time, but its face changes with the times. Our governments need to change with times as well.
I like the piece of this conversation that focuses on unemployement. How do we, being Americans, deal with that problem?
I think the first thing is to publicize it. I think very few ‘merikuns know the situation “over there”. It is a theory of mine that leaders in those countries either encourage or ignore terrorism in the west as a “safety-valve” in their countries.
I think a good illustration of the problem is that South Korea generates thousands of patents per year, while about nineteen come from the entire Arab world. For many reasons the Islamic world failed to keep up with the transition to first the modern and now post-modern world. This results in backwardness that allows western countries to exploit resources with little return except for those at the top. Perhaps this is why the “bombers” come from what would be our middle-class–they have no outlet for their talents in their culture.
Imagine if you were fairly well-educated, and your only option to improve your life and that of your family was to adopt Islam as your way of life. Multiply that feeling by the millions and you have the fertile ground that grows dissent that turns into hate. Now, consider knowledge that can only point to US policies as being the root of the problem and you have our present situation.
We ‘merikuns should also realize that offshoring is the other side of the same coin. It is because corporations can exploit workers all over the planet that our unions and our power as workers has been sapped. It is the same reason that Mexicans find it easier to risk emigration than addressing the conditions that make them poor at home. It is also this ignorance that threatens our environment and keeps us addicted to oil and ignorant to alternatives.
I’ve said enough.
Are you feeling any better, Red Queen? – lf
For more info on alleged plot, google Craig Murray, former British ambassador to Uzbekistan. He gives more reason for fear of Republicans than fear of Muslims