Have the terrorists achieved their aims?

[ugabuga]

The theory behind terrorism is that random violent acts can enable David to beat Goliath.

With a few random violent acts Al-Qaeda has caused us to
(1) abandon our long-standing disavowal of preemptive war (vs. Iraq)
(2) abrogate our Constitutional guarantees of privacy & freedom from unreasonable search & seizure (the ?Patriot? Act)
(3) decide that accused terrorists can be held indefinitely without bringing them to trial; they don't have to be told the charges against them, nor shown the evidence against them, and, in some cases, it's ok to torture them
(4) argue about whether Muslims deserve freedom of religion.

Have the terrorists achieved their aims?

 

[Andy A]

All four of the "aims" you list are so ludicrous on their face that any answer to them would also be ludicrous.

 

[scooterbug44]

I agree that that list is a bit far fetched - but every time we take actions/make policy that goes against our basic principles they do win a little.

 

[Bob]

our freedoms have been under attack from within, we have played the world aggressor by an idiot commander in chief, we have spent a fortune to finance our warmongering by borrowing from the suppliers of wal mart, and we are denying innocent people they're freedom of religion and vilifying an entire religion. andy, shows us that degree in okienomics.

 

[Bob]

YouTube - BANNED Pres. Bush Interview

 

[Lynnie]

I think in many ways we overreacted to the attacks and slowly have compromised our fundamentals as a strong Nation. We have always been better unified and I wonder if we can get back there. I detect a great deal of bitterness here, however; and, as long as that is the motivator, I do not believe we can effectively unify and turn around the aspects that will give us strength as a Nation again. That's too bad.

 

[Geo]

YouTube - BANNED Pres. Bush Interview

Banned where, why and by whom?

This might floor some folks along different points of the political continuum but I watched this interview and despite the fact that I don't agree with our invasion of Iraq (or how things were managed after we got there),,,

I thought GW actually did a good job during most of this interview. Do you believe otherwise, Bob (or anyone else)?

 

[passin thru]

I agree that the four trends referred to have been happening in America & continue ... so, if those are among al Qaeda's aims, then I guess they're achieving them.

 

[30ashopper]

The theory behind terrorism is that random violent acts can enable David to beat Goliath.

With a few random violent acts Al-Qaeda has caused us to
(1) abandon our long-standing disavowal of preemptive war (vs. Iraq)
(2) abrogate our Constitutional guarantees of privacy & freedom from unreasonable search & seizure (the ?Patriot? Act)
(3) decide that accused terrorists can be held indefinitely without bringing them to trial; they don't have to be told the charges against them, nor shown the evidence against them, and, in some cases, it's ok to torture them
(4) argue about whether Muslims deserve freedom of religion.

Have the terrorists achieved their aims?

I think some democrats are trying to exploit these pseudo issues as wedges issues. Which is odd considering their party was both complicit in and is continuing to promote much of the policy that surrounds these points. I'm not concerned about any of this in the least. America is still America, the terrorists responsible for 9/11 got their butts kicked, the 9/11 perpetrators are either dead or sitting in jail cells in Colorado, the world is not coming to an end, and we don't currently live in a police state. (well, at least in regards to most everything except maybe our new private healthcare insurance mandate! )

 

[Geo]

I think some democrats are trying to exploit these pseudo issues as wedges issues. Which is odd considering their party was both complicit in and is continuing to promote much of the policy that surrounds these points. I'm not concerned about any of this in the least. America is still America, the terrorists responsible for 9/11 got their butts kicked, the 9/11 perpetrators are either dead or sitting in jail cells in Colorado, the world is not coming to an end, and we don't currently live in a police state. (well, at least in regards to most everything except maybe our new private healthcare insurance mandate! )

Those damn democrats fearmongering with terrorism and national security!



Other than your opening sentence and closing parentheses-
I agree with your fine post!