"We Have Nothing to Fear But......Ourselves?"

In the immediate aftermath of the 09/11 terrorist attacks, we, the American public, were warned that the greatest threat to our security and liberty stemmed from one specific source, the terrorist organization Al Qaeda, and the general umbrella threat of Muslim extremism. And we bought it. The result being the political and strategic debacles in Iraq and Afghanistan. But what have recent events shown us?

"The shooting at the Holocaust Memorial Museum by a white supremacist wrapped tragedy around atrocity. But it was not the only act of home-grown terrorism in this season of anger and anxiety, and not all the violence was from right-wing extremists.

Within two weeks, an abortion provider was shot dead in Kansas, allegedly by a man with religious motivations. And a military recruiter was killed and another wounded in Arkansas, allegedly by a man who converted to Islam as a teenager and said he was upset at the killing of Muslims in Iraq and Afghanistan." Raasch, C., 2009

Three words in that quote are important; "home-grown terrorism." Each of those three examples are evidently terrorist acts not performed by Al Qaeda or a cell of any particular Muslim extremist group. Remember Timothy McVeigh? The Oklahoma City bomber? Home-grown as well. Of course, McVeigh allegedly had some help....a loose coalition of sorts that helped plan and organize his plot. The people in the previous three examples appeared to be working as loners, but, what's chilling is, there are more of them that feel the same way.

How long before this bunch of extremists prods some loose cannon into inappropriate, violent action? Yes, I'm talking about the Westboro Baptist Church...

"In Washington, the group first picketed the funeral of former congressman Jack Kemp, and then protested outside the ADL offices, the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum and the city's largest synagogue, Washington Hebrew Congregation. (The group positioned itself across the street from the museum -- on the edge of the National Mall -- meaning that visitors to the museum that afternoon did not even necessarily see them when entering the facility.)

Margie Phelps and three fellow church members stood on the sidewalk and held signs stating that “God Hates Israel,” “Jews Killed Jesus,” “America Is Doomed,” “Israel Is Doomed,” and “ADL Jew Bullies.” One of the four women had an Israeli flag tied around her waist that dragged on the ground; she stepped on the flag as she walked." ADL, 2009

Creepy that they appeared outside the Holocaust Memorial Museum. Of course, "creepy" is what the Westboro Baptist Church is all about.

The point of this is to show that the most recent and worst violence and terror inflicted on American citizens, in America, has come from people that we rub shoulders with on the bus, and interact with on a daily basis. People that would never be mistaken as Muslim or of Middle Eastern ethnicity.

There is some very bizarre thinking going on within some American's minds. It's fine that some may have a distrust of politicians and politics...or feel that much of what happens in our life is beyond our control or influence. But there are some extremes being expressed that I don't think reflect reality. Go dig around in some of the "conspiracy" forums and websites....yowza. Ah hell, make it easy on yourself...turn on the TV and look for O'Reilly, Beck, Savage, et al. The uncivility, shitty tactics, and intellectual dishonesty spewed by these people is breathtaking. For example, here's a bit of O'Reilly...



This kind of shit passes as discourse on a widely viewed news channel? Are we kidding ourselves here? I'll answer that....yes, we are. Personally, I think "commentators" of this sort are generally jackoffs.

The current "flavor" of American discourse, rhetoric, and extremism is doing far more damage to our security, safety, and liberty than any Muslim terrorist has caused in the last 8 years.

And here's the kicker....from where has the greatest damage to our health, well-being, and security come from? Our very own financial markets. In fact, the irresponsibility, greed, and lack of oversight of the United State's financial markets and its practices, has caused more worldwide fear, uncertainty, and doubt than the terrorist acts of 09/11 could have ever hoped for.