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Emergency Response & Research Institute (ERRI)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 13:00CDT
Terrorism; We Can't let The 'Bad Guys' Win
Editorial Opinion - By: Clark Staten, Publisher
Chicago, IL, August 14, 1996 (ENN) -- Terrorism investigations continue in Moriches, NY, Atlanta, GA, Dhahran, Saudi
Arabia, and in several other spots throughout the world. The ugly specter of terrorism has finally come home to the
consciousness of America. The facts would suggest that the threat of terrorism is multi-dimensional, both domestic and
international, and comes from a variety of political and religious tangents. It is a assault on freedom and free nations by
extremists, insurgents, shadow warriors, and the geo-politically impotent. It is a war of surrogate engagement involving
attacks by the "have nots" against those they perceive as "haves."
In order to understand this increasing more dangerous problem, let's briefly examine some of the players on this world
stage and the motivating factors behind their dissatisfaction and murderous attacks:
Contrary to popular belief, terrorism isn't just about the color of a person's skin, their religious beliefs, or their political
ideology. It's about fanaticism ...extremists who take any reasonable belief to an absurd conclusion and then justify
abnormal, and often dangerous, behavior in the furtherance of their convoluted beliefs. For example, most members of the
Islamic faith aren't fanatics, nor violent, nor uncaring, nor do they resemble any of the other negative connotations that have
been attributed to them. The real problem of Islamic Fundamentalism involves only a very small percentage of zealots, who
have chosen to undertake violent acts, allegedly in the furtherance of their religion, when in fact, they commit these acts in
contradiction of their faith.
Terrorism isn't about power in the conventional sense...rather, it may be about perceived powerlessness. It is a
seemingly illogical response by individuals, groups, and even nation-states who feel minimized and relegated to a
meaningless or inconsequential position in society. It would appear to be their dysfunctional way of responding to events
and circumstances dictated by more conventional, mainstream, or majority events and thinking. It can be described as a
small minority "raging against the machine" of organized religion, politics, government, or general societal norms. Terrorism
is often spawned in overt repression, a lack of individual freedoms, or in an environment that lacks respect for minority
viewpoints and individuals.
There would also appear to be strong elements of greed, avarice, and "coveting of thy neighbors possessions" in much
of terrorism that is occurring today. In many recent low-intensity conflicts, the motivating factors have involved a problem
as old as society itself. This geo-political/economic struggle has been occurring since the first caveman killed his neighbor in
order to inhabit a "better" cave. The age-old story is one of the use of violence to obtain control of more and better
possessions, be they a flock of sheep, natural resources, a country, or an entire region.
Finally, there are the anarchists, the sociopathic, and psychologically imbalanced, who are so angry and disillusioned
with society and their own failures that they believe that the only solution is the complete destruction of all around them.
They are the most unpredictable and difficult to combat, because they do not adhere to normal behavioral patterns or
rationality. These are the mass murderers and suicide bombers of the world, people who attack school yards full of
children with an AK-47 and blow up senior citizen centers, all in the name of whatever cause they have chosen. They will
commit any and every atrocity in an attempt to cause fear and attain some sense of power.
Having reviewed a few of the motivations and circumstances relating to terrorism, the obvious question comes to mind.
How do we combat this scourge and those that would perpetrate this viciousness on society?
First, and foremost, giving in to feelings of desperation and fear plays into the hands of terrorists. That is one of their
primary objectives...to propagate mistrust of public agencies, institutions, religions, governments, and societal norms. They
want to create an atmosphere that suggests that citizens can't be protected and provided for by existing governmental
structures. They want unmitigated fear to undermine our confidence in those we elect or pay to serve and protect us.
Second, we should be aware that terrorists will use propaganda, misinformation, threats, intimidation, manipulation of
the press, unsubstantiated conspiracy theories, and every other possible means to discredit the government and institutions
of America and her allies. We must, collectively, therefore, maintain our belief in both our government and way of life. It is
this unshakable belief in the "goodness" of our representative system and its inherent freedom that is our greatest strength.
Thirdly, one of the greatest hopes of terrorists is that a government will overreact to threats of terrorism or actual
terrorist acts, and implement repressive and draconian measures in an attempt to thwart the threat. They are hopeful that
government officials will diminish individual freedoms, conduct extensive surveillance campaigns, restrict the press and free
speech, monitor and outlaw peaceful public gatherings, and eventually fight "on the streets" with demonstrators and
defenders of these liberties. The "bad guys" know that historically such tactics often prompt further dissension and
eventually cause chaos and an attempted overthrow of any government that undertakes "heavy-handed" and restrictive
measures. Terrorists would like nothing better...they thrive on this chaos, mistrust, fear, and hatred.
Americans can combat this ploy by working to retain as many of the individual freedoms, provided in the U. S.
Constitution, as are practically possible. It must be understood by all that our 200 year-old system of individual freedoms is
our greatest strength and our greatest vulnerability. Any changes to these fundamental rights and privileges, afforded to
citizens, should only be made with the understanding and concurrence of the governed. While certain changes may need to
be made to minimize any threat to the security of the nation, it certainly should not be done at the expense of the personal
freedoms that make this country worth defending. To do so, would mean that the terrorists have won...we can not let that
happen.
(c) Emergencynet NEWS Service, 1996
All rights reserved, but may be redistributed at will.
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