[ter-uh-riz-uh m]
1.
the use of violence and threats to intimidate or coerce, especially for political purposes.
The use of violence and threats to INTIMIDATE or COERCE, especially for POLITICAL PURPOSES.
Please take a moment to careful study that definition. It tells you all you need to know about what is happening in the world right now - and, just how EFFECTIVE the terrorists have actually been. By the very NATURE of the word, terrorism can only be seen as effective IF it produces the desired results as defined above: Intimidate and Coerce, especially for Political Purposes.
In simple terms, it means that terror only works when we let it significantly change our lives and daily routines. When we are AFRAID to do things we normally enjoy doing, or go places we normally enjoy going, the terrorists have succeeded. And, the greatest failure on our part is allowing them into our HEADS where the fear and mistrust they create actually changes the way we THINK. This is the ultimate goal of the terrorists - to get into our heads in such a way as to alter our very consciousness. When they do, they have won.
And, apparently, they ARE winning. Because they've gotten into our heads.
It's understandable that after a heinous act like the one committed against France will produce a visceral reaction. People want revenge! And, they want it quickly. We were in a similar situation in the days and weeks following 9/11. But, in the final analysis, where did the hunt for revenge lead us? Well, ultimately, because we fell into the trap actually set for us BY the terrorists, it brought us into disastrous wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The effects of those wars are still being keenly felt by the US (and, the entire world), even today. In fact, part of the current wave of terror by the brutal ISIS is a DIRECT result of that policy! It's EXACTLY what the terrorists wanted and we gave it ALL to them.
The current situation is no different. The reaction in this Country has, perhaps, been even more visceral and explosive than in France. Social Media has exploded with simple paranoia, most of it ill focused against Muslims and anything Islamic. Even President Obama's plan for accepting 10,000 of the most needy Syrian refugees has been thrown back in his face. The vitriol hurled against these desperate people has been shocking - AND, if you happen to be a TERRORIST, most pleasing! They have created the chaos and paranoia that is their most powerful weapon. Terror groups create far more damage with propaganda than they do with bombs. They will get a society to eat its own children. And, they will be waiting to rise from the wreckage.
And, we will have no one ultimately to blame - but ourselves . . .
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