Teacher: Mr. Hendricks
Liz Meier
Salem High School
Salem, MO
Teacher: Mr. Hendricks
Liz Meier
Terrorism
Is There A Solution?
In our society we are afraid of the big black dog who chases us down the street, the stranger who walks down the side walk more than three times a day staring at the beauty of our homes, and the monster inside of our closet. How is this not more terror than what we fear from other countries? How do we expect to live our lives free from it when we seem to be unable to walk three steps outside our homes in the dark? Six million Americans have a fear from something, something as small as a spider, to the very water we drink ever 20 minuets. Do we, as Americans, feel that we have more to fear from than those who starve or are crying in another place only living across a vast ocean?
I feel that to define terrorism is pointless, to even begin to understand it is walking in another mans shoes. I shouldn’t be able to understand the fears of my neighbor, and most of the time should think it unimportant to even mention them for a reason such as small as being made fun of. So do we all fear terrorism, can we all openly admit this fear and give good reason why. War sure isn’t anything we should look forward to and isn’t that what terrorism is, a war that no one can predict or fight? In order to stop such a thing from happening we need to look at the obvious. Ourselves!
Americans are the most nosy people that I know! If you walk down an average city street, it is almost like one another have competition on who’s lawn is better. If a furniture van delivers something to your house, you can almost be assured that within a few days there will be one similar delivering something to another person. The same way with cars, your neighbors don’t want to be showed up or out done. Our streets reflect the same types of actions as our nation as a whole. Do we bomb other countries because we are jealous of their great religious practices, because they may have more weapons than us, or simply because they are not as good as Americans and we just want to show them up?
Who is to say that we are not the ones that are guilty of terrorism, we seem to not even be able to love our fellow man much less show compassion to another country. Looking at past historical events with our family over seas, haven’t we caused more terror than they could have ever caused knocking over a couple of buildings. If you ask me that was nothing compared to what we deserve! I feel, as a free American, that no one should be jealous of us as citizens of the Untied States, and personally I don’t believe that they are. Why should we even be proud to call ourselves Americans? How are we so much better than another person, country, or government? How do you think that you would feel living over there, just a guess but probable more free than living here but with a little less of an education and not so much steak for dinner. I think that half of our population takes a lot of this "freedom" for granted. We say that we are not "free" but then what is free? Lets break this down a little;
free adj. 1. Not imprisoned or enslaved; being at liberty. 2. Not controlled by obligation or the will of another. 3. Having political independence.
That seems good enough to me, you get the idea. Sure all that is freedom, but then what is truly free, from payment or forced will. Our education, our choices of husband and wife, to be solitary of government and religion. Simple choices that we take for granted, maybe other countries are not so free of these things, but then is it a good idea to run wild in our streets and sleep in ever Sunday morning because we are too lazy to give an hour or so to our Father or just chose not to? We have no discipline as Americans and that is terror in itself.
Have we come up with a definition for terrorism yet? Do we think that we can possible come up with one after September elevenths dark morning? If we were asked before this day "What is terrorism?" what would you have said? Most of us would have done that most logical thing and looked it up. Here allow me to help us out:
Terrorism n. The unlawful use or threatened use of force or violence to intimidate or coerce societies or governments, often for ideological or political reasons.
Yes this attack was unlawful, it was threatened, violent, intimidating and coerce on our society and government, and was ideological and for political reasons. The idea was to maybe keep us out of the affairs and business of those we only seek to have the freedom from a fear so undefined, and really is there anything wrong with their society? NO!! They have a wonderful religious commitment and a few laws that they have had forever. If you were to grow up there you wouldn’t think anything about how they live because that is how you are brought up. This is true for our societies today, but because this is the way we are brought up we as well don’t see what others could find as "right and wrong". I am coming to realize that there are more things wrong and bad in our country every day, things that can’t be solved, such things as terrorism. To find a solution for terrorism is to find and name the largest number in the world, no matter how hard you try, there is always something to add, another topic to discuss, and more boundaries to over come. There is really nothing that can be done to better this issue either, only promises and hope for a future waiting to happen. Nothing more can be said than "God bless America".
1. Why, in your opinion, was the
Untied States attacked?
In
my opinion we were attacked because we feel that we are so much better than
other countries and by attacking us they are saying this isn’t a race to see
who is better but under what power
and reason we have for living. They attacked us to show that we are not the only
ones who can bring harm and destruction to the world.
2. Why is the first question so
important to resolve and agree upon?
Once
you know why you will be able to resolve the situations and hold better peace
between countries.
3. What action or inaction by the
United States and it’s allies, in the authors opinion, increased the
likelihood of chemical and biological attacks?
If
another countries plane were to fly over and bomb us, we could easily shoot them
down. In the sense of chemical or biological destruction, they could attack us
and we could do nothing to stop them because we wouldn’t know until it was to
late. Also it would hurt a greater number of people in less time.
4. Why does the author believe
that the united states is a popular target for terrorist?
Because
we strut around our wealth and our very arrogant about it, plus we show a
godless sort of nature towards our way of life.
5. What motivated terrorist in the
authors opinion?
Religious
matters seem to be for the most part the largest motivation to terrorist.
6. What reasons does the author
give for the intense hatred of the United States by people like Osma Bin Laden?
Our
wealth and godlessness are shown by the ways we live our lives.
7.
How does rule by divine right preclude the reasoned debate that occurs naturally
in a democracy?
Because
there is no debate in a divine right system of government, there was no right or
wrong way of following orders because all people lived under one leader. In a
democracy there are many conflicts and issues to be argued and discussed.
8. What evidence does the author
offer that the terrorism visited upon the United States on September 11, 2001
was based on religions rather than political fanaticism?
To
begin with the country has not that strong of a political form of government and
believe that God is their one true leader and that not following His rule would
be in a way treason.
9. What is Fatwah?
Fatwah
is the Muslims Holy duty to kill American citizens.
10. Why does the author think new
attacks are likely and how does he or she suggest that we stop them?
Because
no country has compassion for Americans and there is truly no way to stop them
from attacking us.
11. Why does the author claim that
declaring war is futile? What two historical examples does he or she give to
back up this claim?
Declaring
war would be pointless because they are really not concerned about living there
lives on earth and this would be a war we are sure to loose. Historical events
would include in 1981 the shooting down of two Libyan air crafts and 1983 the
bombing of Beirut.
12.
Complete this sentence using the authors words. “A declaration of war
implies...
“A
declaration of war implies a conflict of limited duration in which one side
eventually surrenders for capitulates and the other side wins.
13. What does the author suggest
we do?
There
really isn’t an action that was suggested be taken because there is not a
solution to terrorism.
14. Explain the significance of
the Coventry story.
The
CIA repeated History and didn’t tell anybody about the upcoming attack.
15. Suppose you were a general in
a combat situation. Could you “consort with evil to prevent larger evil?”
Why or why not?
I
really can’t say either way how I would react in such an event until it
happened but to sacrifice my life to save thousands of others would only seem
like the right thing to do.
16. The author says something is
un-American what is it? Do you think the author is correct? Please write out
your own definition of un-American.
“Turning
our anger on them because of our frustration in being unable to get the real
villains is not only bad strategy but is un-American.” I believe that he holds
truth to what he says. My definition to un-American would be to act upon this
matter of terrorism as if we were innocent of distraction and felt revenge was
truly necessary.
17. Do you agree that terrorism
must be defined adequately in order to be stooped?
yes
18. How important do you think it
is to research, discuss, and consider the definition of terrorism? Are you
willing to spend the time it takes to give your definition your very best
effort? Why or why not?
It
is important to understand why terrorism happens and in order to prevent or stop
terrorism researching and considering ways to end it seems like the only logical
thing to do. I feel it should be every ones first object to find definition in
any thing worth doing before trying to find a solution.
19.
Were you able to define terrorism in your essay with out admitting that the
United Stated has been guilty of terrorist acts?
No
20.
Are you optimistic about the future? Will you pledge to do your part in
pursuing mutual understanding? Why of why not?
Yes,
because I feel America is not doomed to failure and with the help of our Father
and us as citizens we can make a difference with in out nation.