An excellent article from Shikha Dalmia at Reason, via Bruce Schneier, points out that in any realistic sense the threat from Al-Qaeda to the US is all but non-existent.
But this year marks the 10th anniversary of 9-11 and none of the horrible scenarios conjured then have materialized. Islamic terrorists have not flown more planes into buildings. They haven’t detonated “loose nukes” or dirty bombs. They haven’t released nerve gas into subway stations. They haven’t poisoned the water supply. They haven’t even strolled into one of America’s hundreds of malls or farmer’s markets and blown themselves up.
Maybe this is because enhanced post-9/11 security has made America invulnerable. Or maybe the Islamists never posed that big a threat to begin with.
The article quotes Ohio State University political-science professor John Mueller, who observes that even taking 9/11 into account, an average American is more likely to drown in his or her bathtub than to be killed by international terrorism. Unfortunately, all that screaming hysteria about terrorism sells newspapers, justifies increased budgets and new government agencies, and provides a rationale for expanded local and federal police powers.
The true threat to America is not international terrorism. It is Washington DC's reaction to — and eager exploitation of — international terrorism. It is Capitol Hill, not Al-Qaeda, that is destroying America.
no subject
I've been saying that for years. Of course the media has happily played along and assisted in creating the climate of universal fear.
Let's face it, the IRA in England in the '70s might not have had quite as high a body count, but in terms of keeping up a steady flow of attacks, they put Al-Q to shame. There was a point when there was a car bomb or parcel bomb almost every week.
no subject
no subject
But, heaven forbid that you ever actually fix a problem. You will have the entirety of Capitol Hill screaming for your head, because they have lost a justification for funding, busy work, and ineffectiveness.
no subject