Terrorism is the use of fear to control others and to influence their behavior. This tool has been used throughout human history, by warlords, emperors, gangsters, priests and preachers, racists, financial magnates, kidnappers, abusive spouses and dysfunctional parents, among others. In most cases, it is the threat of violence rather than the act itself that paralyzes the victims.
Today, as we commemorate the worst act of terrorism on American soil, we remember the victims, honor the rescuers and renounce the violent actions of the terrorists. Yet, since that horrible event, ten years ago, we have advanced the cause of those perpetrators and have allowed their actions to influence our lives. By rushing off to invade Afghanistan and Iraq, we have recruited more extremists to the anti-American crusade and, by restricting privacy and freedom in the U.S., we have conceded control to the terrorists.
Personal safety is not guaranteed on planet Earth and we can never be fully protected from the action of crazed zealots. One would hope that the U.S. begins to place emphasis on exporting our message of freedom by confining military campaigns to the protection of human rights and by ensuring that our intelligence network does not support those who abuse those rights. The beacon of American freedom was not dimmed by the terrorists on September 11, 2001, but, rather, by our reaction to their violence.
