Terrorism:
By Amber Watkins
12th grade
Terrorism has been in existence in the world for many decades. Some groups of terrorists fight for religious reasons and some even fight for political reasons. The al Qaeda is one of the many terrorist organizations that America is very familiar with. Everyone wants to know what these organizations really want to achieve, why terrorism really happens, and what The United States of America is doing to stop terrorist attacks. The answers to these questions have become one of today’s world dilemmas.
According to the Webster’s dictionary, terrorism is defined as the use of force and threats to frighten people into obeying completely. Many Americans believe that terrorists are jealous of what America has and do not feel it is right that they don’t get the same freedoms as we do. This assumption is somewhat true but is not the valid reason for Terrorism. Some assume that, “the Muslim clerics decree that if you die in attempt of destroying America that you have a place reserved in heaven for you.” Therefore, the terrorist attacks made on September the eleventh, at the Pentagon and World Trade Center gave these terrorists reservations in heaven. Many Americans were killed that day because our nation does not believe in their god, Allah. These terrorist organizations believe that their attacks will force America to agree with their beliefs and make Islam our main religion. This is not the first time these terrorists, led by Osama bin Ladin, have attacked America. We have dealt with them before, “they are the same murderers indicted for bombing the American embassies in Tanzania and Kenya, and responsible for bombing the USS Cole.” These are just a few examples of terrorism that help to define the ongoing battle of the terror in the world.
Now one must ask what these terrorist organizations are really trying to achieve. “It’s goal is not making money; its goal is remaking the world—and imposing its radical beliefs on America,” and they wont stop until it is achieved. Therefore, now that they have killed a lot of Americans on our own soil, are these heartless people satisfied? In my opinion, these unmoral acts of hatred based upon standards and beliefs of one’s culture are only achieving deaths. I also feel that the terrorist attacks that are supposed to make America weaker have only made us stronger and united as one. “During the last two months, we have shown the world that we are a great nation.” and with each day we grow stronger and stronger. Those on the terrorist side of the battle see that their reasons for terrorism are moral and they won’t stop until they achieve their goal.
Just as there are reasons for terrorism, there are also ways to fight against it. America has never been known to lie down and let anyone destroy us. Right now our government is working together to end this war of terrorism. After September 11, 2001, tighter security in airports and many other places that are very populated and crowded with people were put into affect. One must go through three or four types of security checks before even entering an airport. The checks are part of “an FAA plan to screen one hundred percent of checked baggage by 2014 would cost billions of dollars. But in light of the rise in terrorism, it is a cost the government may have to bear.” In addition to heavier security, America is combating terrorism in other ways too. Many air raids have been made in Afghanistan along with United States reserves called to be on guard. President made sure that “many governors have activated the National Guard to strengthen airport security. We have called up Reserves to reinforce our military capability and strengthen the protection of our homeland.” The only way to really stop these attacks and to protect our country is to take the battle to the enemy. “Even as President Bush mounts a traditional show of force-sending aircraft carriers, bombers, and commandos toward Afghanistan administration officials have backed away from earlier suggestions of swift massive military retribution.” The Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld and Vice-President Dick Cheney have been working around the clock to prepare for future terrorist attacks. “The country is stockpiling vaccines against biological scourges like smallpox and anthrax, putting chemical detectors in subways in other crowded areas, setting up air defense weapons around nuclear power plants, and securing rail lines and trucking facilities used to transport chemicals and other harmful materials,” these are just a few precautionary procedures taken by America.
This war is very different from any war ever fought by the United States. These terrorist organizations have connections in sixty different countries all across the world. The war can’t just be fought overseas but also here on our own soil. The government is fighting against the first attack, but the post office has to fight against the second attack. The Postal Service has, “processed more than thirty billion pieces of mail since September the eleventh, and so far we have identified three letters containing anthrax.” Four Americans out of a total of seventeen people infected have died. President George Bush has organized a new Office of Homeland Security as another way to help fight against terrorism. Former Governor Tom Ridge is in charge of this and works with many government officials on the protection of this nation. Hopefully, these defense tactics will “eliminate the people who have declared themselves to be our mortal enemies and have sworn blood oaths to keep killing us until we’re all gone.”
1. Why, in your opinion, was the United States attacked?
ANSWER: I feel that the United States was attacked because of jealousy and religious issues. We are the most powerful country in the world and how we live every day is against the beliefs of most of the world.
2. Why is the first question so important to resolve and agree upon?
ANSWER: If we can resolve the conflict, then we, as a nation, can end terrorism.
3. What action or inaction by the United States and its allies, in the author’s opinion, increased the likelihood of chemical and biological attacks?
ANSWER: The author thinks that it’s a religious not a political issue.
4. Why does the author believe the United States is a popular target for terrorists?
ANSWER: The author thinks that our past bombings of other countries makes us an easy target.
5. What motivates terrorists, in the author’s opinion?
ANSWER: The clerics decree that if you die in
the attempt of destroying
America the you have a place reserved for you in heaven.
6. What reasons does the author give for the intense hatred of the United States by people like Osama Bin Ladin?
ANSWER: They believe the only legitimate form of government is a caliphate led by Muslim clerics.
7. How does rule by divine right preclude the reasoned debate that occurs naturally in a democracy?
ANSWER: It eliminates any of the basic human rights that the democracy offers.
8. 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?
ANSWER: In 1998, Osama Bin Ladin issued a fatwah, which means that the people who attacked America thought they were doing a holy deed.
9. What is a fatwah?
ANSWER: A fatwah is an explicit religious order, making it the holy duty of the Muslims to kill American civilians.
10. Why does the author think new attacks are likely and how does he/she suggest we stop them?
ANSWER: Because the only way that the United States can stop the attacks is to become a Muslim state. He / she thinks we should eliminate the people who have declared themselves mortal enemies.
11. Why does the author claim that declaring war is futile? What two historical examples does he/she give to back up this claim?
ANSWER: The author feels that we shouldn’t go after the terrorist organizations without being able to identify them geographically and on a limited basis. The Vietnam and the Persian Gulf are two great examples of these conditions.
12. Complete this sentence using the author’s words: “A declaration of war implies…
ANSWER: “…a conflict of limited duration in which one side eventually surrenders or capitulates and the other side wins.”
13. What does the author suggest we do?
ANSWER: He/she suggests the United States should “consort with evil to prevent evil.”
14. Explain the significance of the Coventry story.
ANSWER: The story supports the author’s belief about the CIA.
15. Suppose you were a general in a combat situation. Could you “consort with evil to prevent larger evil”?
ANSWER: Yes, if consorting with evil was the only way to win the war and to defend my country, I would do it.
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.
ANSWER: Turning anger against the whole country instead of only the villains. Yes, I agree that we shouldn’t fight against everyone only the terrorists.
17. Do you agree that terrorism must be defines adequately in order to stopped?
ANSWER: Yes, because you have to know exactly who is committing the terrorism before it can be stopped.
18. 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?
ANSWER: I feel it is very import ant to research this topic. Our country is very important to me and I feel that as a citizen I should understand this tragic situation to the best of my ability.
19. Were you able to define terrorism in your essay without admitting that the United States has been guilty of terrorist acts?
ANSWER : No. I admitted that the United States has been guilty of terrorist acts in the past, but none as horrible as those made against us.
20. Are you optimistic about the future? Will you pledge to do your part in pursuit of mutual understanding?
ANSWER: Yes. I feel that we are slowly defeating terrorism. I think that everyone should have a good understanding of terrorism before it can ever really be stopped.