Salem High School
Salem, MO

Terrorism

 Teacher: Mr. Hendricks

By: Sarah Hodges

Terrorism is such an awful word, just hearing it gives me chills. It seems that the word, terrorism is so common these days that no one really even gives it a second thought, but I do. When I thought about a definition for terrorism I could not think of one. You would think it would be easy, but there really is not any way to define it. Everyone knows what it is, but then again they kind of do not. I’ve thought about terrorism a lot lately and this is what I have discovered:

I looked in the dictionary to see what Mr. Webster’s definition was and this is it the use of terror to intimidate by violence. Another dictionary says it is the unlawful use or threatened use of force or violence by a person or an organized group against people or property with the intention of intimidating or coercing societies or governments, often for ideological or political reasons. I will admit these are good definitions so I guess terrorism can be defined.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation categorizes terrorism in the United States as one of two types-- domestic terrorism or international terrorism. Domestic terrorism involves groups or individuals whose terrorist activities are directed at elements of our government or population without foreign direction. International terrorism involves groups or individuals whose terrorist activities are foreign- based and/or directed by countries or groups outside the United States or whose activities transcend national boundaries.

To help answer the question what is terrorism and can it be stopped I found some facts about terrorism prior to September 11, 2001. On February 29, 1993, a bombing in the parking garage of the World Trade Center in New York City resulted in the deaths of five people and thousands of injuries. The bomb left a crater 200 by 100 feet wide and five stories deep. The Department of Defense estimates that as many as 26 nations may possess chemical agents and/or weapons and an additional 12 may be seeking to develop them. The Central Intelligence Agency reports that at least ten countries are believed to possess or be conducting research on biological agents for weaponization.

In the United States, most terrorist incidents have involved small extremist groups who use terrorism to achieve a designated objective. Local, State, and federal law enforcement officials monitor suspected terrorist groups and try to prevent or protect against a suspected attack. Additionally, the United States government works with other countries to limit the sources of support for terrorism. A terrorist attack can take several forms, depending on the technological means available to the terrorists, the nature of the political issue motivating the attack, and the points of weakness of the terrorist target. Bombings have been the most frequently used terrorist method in the United States. Other possibilities includes an attack against utilities or other public services or an incident involving chemical or biological agents.

Terrorist incidents in this country prior to September 11, 2001 attack have included bombings of the World Trade Center in New York City, the United States Capitol Building in Washington, D.C. and Mobil Oil corporate headquarters in New York City. Terrorist have been attacking the United States for some while now, so I do not think that there is any way to stop them. There will always be a country that is not in agreement with the way Americans live.

Terrorist attack the United States because they are jealous of what Americans have. Americans are prosperous and we tend to flaunt it. Other countries are suffering and are often living in poverty. The United States has a great economy and we have little poverty compared to other countries. If we become weak terrorist groups accomplish their goal, which is to make their believes seem right.

Based on the facts previously presented I do not think that there is any way to stop terrorism completely. So what do we do about it? We, the United States fight back. We defend our country when someone attacks us like we are doing right now. The United States has a great army, navy, marines, and air force. National Defense is what they are for. We use them to defend Americans and our way of life.

Americans will not live in fear. We will go on about our daily business as usual. I think that this is another way to fight back and help prevent future attacks. If terrorists think that their attacks are having little effect maybe they will give up. If we do not give them a chance to see us as a country are in pain, maybe they will feel they are fighting a lost cause. Terrorist want to see the United States weak. We need to not give them that pleasure. Laugh in their crazy faces.

I think that the United States needs to get someone on the inside of terrorist groups too. Someone who can tell us what terrorist plans are, and when they plan to do it. Even if our government has to sin to protect us. I know that this is probably impossible, but it sure would be nice to know what was going to happen before it happened.

Maybe if the United States could fight fire with fire. I know that this sounds really bad but if terrorist groups do not take us seriously then how can we survive. How can we prevent their attacks if they do not know we mean business. I think the United States is to nice to other countries. We always help them when they are in need, which is great but maybe we milk the cow a little to much. Eventually are kindness should wear down. When we bomb a country for something they did to us and then feed and cloth that countries people it kind of defeats the whole purpose. Terrorism is a mean word. Lets get mean.

In conclusion terrorism can be defined, but not stopped. All the United States can do when someone attacks us is pray for the best, pick up the pieces, and move on. We can fight back, but for how long. Forever. Fighting terrorist is a never-ending job. They will kept attacking us, and we will kept fighting back.

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