Salem High School
Salem, MO

Teacher: Mr. Hendricks
Samantha Pyatt

 What is terrorism and what can we do about it?

            Terrorism is hard to define.  Yet we seem to know it when we are the victims.  (After all how often do we get attacked with our own airplanes?)  I believe that terrorism is an act of violence against civilians and/or members of the armed forces during which time innocent people are unjustly killed by a person or a group of people who do not care for those whose lives they, the terrorists, have just ended.  I believe that terrorism happens both at a time of peace and during war and that there is no excuse for the senseless slaughtering of people at any time or in any situation. 

            I believe that on September eleventh two thousand one, thousands of people died due to a terrorist act that cannot go un-noticed nor can the people who are responsible for this hideous act go unpunished.  To insure that these people get their just rewards we as a nation, must first bond together and express our feelings to those whom run our government.  From there we must trust that they will do their best to seek out and bring forth those who are responsible for this slaughter and ensure that they get their just desserts.

            While we, as a nation, are seeking and punishing those whom are responsible we must also remember that just because one apple is bad doesn’t mean that the whole bushel is.  Even though Osama bin Laden may be guilty it does not mean that all Muslims are (I say “may” because I truly believe that one is innocent until proven guilty in a court of law).  We should continue to treat those whom are kind a good at heart in a way that does not condemn them for what others have done and show them the respect and courtesy that we expect to be shown.   

            As an American I am pained to know that a group of people has taken the hospitality and goodness we extended toward all people and used it against us in order to secure their place in Heaven or to prove to the world how brave they are by killing innocent people with our own airplanes.  In my opinion this act did noting but prove to everyone the cowardly swine that these criminals are.  This act did however force me to open my eyes and realize that the evil in this world is becoming almost too much for us to contain as well as the fact that it is time to make some drastic changes in order to ensure that the world will exist for future generations. 

We as a nation are trying to stand up and face this evil yet are we truly doing more good than harm?  At first I thought we were but once I set down to think of it I’m not so sure.  We are caring on a war that seems to be exactly what the “enemy” wanted.  We risk killing innocent people just to get into the hidden caves and crevices that the “enemy” chooses to hide in.  Even though I’m in support of my government and I will support this decisions I still wonder if we are doing what is right and handling this the right way or if we are playing right into the hands of those we oppose.  It seems to me that we are fighting a war that we are unable to win.  How long can the American people afford to keep funding the endless bombing of deserts?

            We also need to stop and take a look at the precautionary measures we can and are taking in order to prevent another occurrence like the one that happened on September eleventh.  The government has highly advanced the security at airports due to the fact that it was our own airplanes that were used in this horrific attach.  Our government has “declared war on terrorism” to stop a reoccurrence of that day.  While we as a nation grieve for those whom were lost during that day.  We have banded together in assistance for all of those in need whether it was by donating money, or donating blood, or being their for our friends as they buried their loved ones, or if it was just to pray for the souls of those whom were behind the act and/or the innocents that may have died.

Whether anyone realizes this or not we are truly stronger because, of what some third world country extremists did that day.  We now grow stronger as the days go by and become a unit instead of the separate individuals that we were before September eleventh.  I have noticed that people have become friendlier to each other and I have also noticed that those whom have never spoke words to each other saying a friendly “Hi” as they pass each other on the street or in the store while shopping.  The United States of America has proven that no matter how high the mountain, how deep the sea, or what ever the obstacle we can over come it and ultimately go on to be a better and stronger nation and will that we will prevail.  

I believe that we have chosen the right people to lead us in this time of hardship and even though doubts linger in my mind I trust their judgment and wish the best of luck to those who face the “enemy” for a living may God protect you while you protect us and state that I am proud to be an American and will survive come what may.

            While September eleventh will forever be remembered the American people will go on with their lives and continue to fight against those “infidels” whom seek to harm others and do harm to our beautiful country.  We will bring to justice those responsible and carry on with our lives forever carrying with us the effects of the day that the Twin Towers was blown up and thousands died and we will better our selves because of these events.

Q1- Why, in your opinion, was the United States attacked?

 In my opinion the United States was attacked very unexpectedly and undeservingly because, Osama bin Ladn wished to make his point without care to those whom he would kill and their families.  He is a radical who seems to hate all those who are different from him and wished to strike out against the world.  The U.S. would seem to be a logical choice because, we embrace differences and we are proud of it.

Q2- Why is the first question so important to resolve and agree upon?
       

        The first question is important to resolve and to agree upon because; we cannot fight the opposition if we do not know who they are.  If we just strike out against those whom we have no proof against we are treating them unjustly and are going against the morals we, as a nation, pride ourselves on.

Q3- What action or inaction by the United States and its allies, in the author’s opinion, increased the likelihood of chemical and biological attacks?

     The author believes that the issue was primarily a religious one and that bin Ladn and his people believe that we are infidels because we embrace religious differences.

 
Q4- Why does the author believe the United States is a popular target for terrorists?

According to the Author the U.S. is a popular target for terrorists because, “we are the most prosperous nation on earth” and that the U.S. has more power than any other country in the world which both draw extensive attention to us.

Q5- What motivates terrorists, in the author’s opinion?

      In the authors opinion the terrorist are motivated by those whom lead telling those whom follow that if they die while trying to kill anyone associated with the U.S. they will go freely to heaven no matter what kinds of past sins they may have committed.

Q6- What reasons does the author give for the intense hatred of the United States by people like Osama bin Ladn?

The author says that people like Osama “believe in only one type of government, a caliphate”, which is “led by a Muslim cleric who provides not only absolute moral authority but political authority as well”.

    Q7- How does rule by divine right preclude the reasoned debate that occurs naturally in a democracy?

            Divine right is the “God given right to rule”.  This goes against the fundamental meaning of democracy because in democracy the people vote and choose their rulers.

Q8- What evidence does the author offer that the terrorism visited upon the United States on September 11, 2001 was based on religious rather than political fanaticism?

The author says that Osama and his followers “believe that the only legitimate form of government is a caliphate led by a Muslim cleric who provides not only absolute moral authority but political authority as well”. The author also says that Osama and his people believe that “governments headed by non-Islamic laypeople are innately heretical, and they feel it their duty to change this situation, much as the Taliban are doing in Afghanistan”. 

Q9- What is a fatwah?

A fatwah is an “explicit religious order”.

Q10- Why does the author think new attacks are likely and how does he/she suggest we stop them?

            The author believes that new attacks will come because, “The spectacularly visible success of last week's operation, bolstered by the glory that will be heaped on the perpetrator's names and their families, will provide powerful motivation for those planning fresh assaults for years to come”.  The author suggests that we stop and consider all the options before we go off and declare war or do other rational actions.

Q11- Why does the author claim that declaring war is futile? What two historical examples does he/she give to back up this claim?

The author claims that, “America has a great track record fighting full-out wars, but there are two conditions under which our record is abysmal. One is when we can't identify the enemy geographically (e.g., the War on Drugs), and the other is when we try to fight on a limited basis (Vietnam, the Persian Gulf).  The author goes on to say that, “Fighting terrorist organizations combines the worst of these two conditions, and is therefore not something we want to rush into”.

Q12- Complete this sentence using the author’s words: “A declaration of war implies . . .

Fighting terrorist organizations combines the worst of these two conditions, and is therefore not something we want to rush into.”

Q13- What does the author suggest we do?

The author suggests that, “We have to understand that religious terrorists don't fight according to the Geneva Convention. They don't present their cases at the UN, they don't negotiate, they're not democracies, they have little regard for their own lives and those of their people because they're fixated on a rewarded afterlife, and they have even less regard for our lives because we're devils”.

Q14- Explain the significance of the Coventry story.

The significance of the Coventry story is to make the point that the government and the president must make decisions about the information that is broadcast on the air ways and that the people of this nation need to understand that these decisions he makes are crucial in ending what the terrorists started.

Q15- Suppose you were a general in a combat situation. Could you “consort with evil to prevent larger evil”?   Why or why not?

          To answer this question truthfully and to help you to understand my answer I am going to say that I am not nor will I ever be a general in a combat situation.  I would not be able to “consort with evil to prevent larger evil” because in my opinion I would be supporting those who may latter become the “larger evil”.

Q16- The author says something is unAmerican. What is it? Do you think the author is correct? Please write out your own definition of un-American.

          The author says that “Turning our anger on them because of our frustration in being unable to get at the real villains is not only bad strategy, it's un-American”.  In my opinion the author is incorrect in using this statement.  My definition of un-American is blaming someone for doing wrong and I believe that the CIA has not only allowed the people to go without information that could have saved thousands of lives but the CIA stood back and HELPED in the killing of innocents.
 

Q17- Do you agree that terrorism must be defined adequately in order to be stopped? 

          I do agree that in order to stop terrorism we must identify it and I also believe that we shouldn’t “put the cart before the horse” so to speak and just run in guns ablaze and possibly doing more harm than good.

Q18- How important do you think it is for you 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?
          I believe that it is very important to research, discuss and consider the definition of terrorism because; we can’t do any good if we don’t have boundaries set and rules laid down.  I am more than willing to spend the time it takes to give my definition my very best effort because, I feel that this war will continue for a long time and I feel that my opinions could help to prevent another tragedy like 9-11-01 from ever happening again.

Q19- Were you able to define terrorism in your essay without admitting that the United States has been guilty of terrorist acts?

Q20- Are you optimistic about the future? Will you pledge to do your part in pursuing mutual understanding? Why or why not?

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