This is quite a tired conservative argument.
Why? Because it's not true.
Sure, 3,000 Americans haven't died on the same day at the hands of terrorists like 9/11. But terror attacks are still occurring. Here are a few:
1) The Beltway Snipers. John Allen Muhammad and John Lee Malvo terrorized Montgomery County, Maryland and the Washington D.C. area back in the fall of 2002, leading to the deaths of at least 10 Americans. Their criminal behavior has been linked to as many as 16 deaths.
It's been reported by the Seattle Times "that Muhammad and Malvo were known to speak sympathetically about the September 11 hijackers and may have been motivated by anti-American sentiment. " Muhammad converted to Islam after divorcing his first wife.
2) terror attack on Chapel Hill. Mohammad Reza Teheri-Azar drove an SUV through a crowd of students, apparently as a revenge attack on America for how it treats Muslims. He was indicted for nine counts of attempted murder in May 2006.
3) LAX. Hesham Mohamed Hedayet killed at least 2 Americans at LAX airport in July 2002. There are conflicting reports as to whether Hedayet should've been in the country in the first place - but it seems as if he was granted a 245(i) exception, which "allows illegal immigrants who might otherwise be deported to remain in the United States while they adjust their status to that of a legal permanent resident."
Al Hayat and World Net Daily report that Hadayet had links to terrorism. CNN reports that the attack was isolated:
"Federal, law enforcement and city officials said it appeared the shooting was an isolated incident, with nothing to suggest otherwise.
"'There is no indication of any terrorism connection in this matter right now, but again we also can't discount that until we know more,' (FBI spokesman Matt) McLaughlin told reporters.
"Los Angeles Mayor James Hahn added: 'It appears this was an isolated incident.' A Bush administration source concurred with that statement, adding that nothing suggested it was anything other than a criminal act. "
I guess we're left to draw our own conclusions, but this reeks of terrorist activity. This guy shouldn't have been in the country in the first place, and if not for the Bush administration's still-lax immigration policies, he wouldn't have been. Faced with possible deportation, Hedayet went on a killing spree.
Sounds like a terrorist to me.
4) Sulejman Talovic. Despite the sympathetic coverage in the press, this man's actions should not be overshadowed by his family's dire circumstances. The cold-blooded murder of 5 Americans in a Salt Lake City shopping area (reportedly, the number likely would've been more than 5 had not Talovic been killed himself) took place in February of this year. This case appears to be another revenge attack, this time for Muslim persecution in Bosnia during the '90s
This is only a partial list, too. So the next time someone tries to start a debate with the tagline "America hasn't been attacked since 9/11", know that they are wrong and defend why we need to be vigilant now more than ever in protecting this country.
Of particular importance on this topic is the work of Debbie Schlussel. Check it out.
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2 comments:
Are you surpised by the fact there has been no organized jihad in America since 9/11? The few incidents you mentioned seem to be isolated incidents.
I actually really appreciate your post Chris, because it has "no spin" It is a fine piece of non-biased, honest, and truthful editorial. Many of your favorite Commentators would probably be a little unhappy with you.
The U.S. has been lucky that there has not been a majorly successful terrorist attempt on American soil. It is only a matter of time, and to mislead the American public that the U.S. government can permanently do away with terrorism with politics is bad for our Nation's health.
Right now a tyrant from Venezuala is getting higher favorability ratings from U.S. citizens than our own President, who, while very misguided (In my opinion) is NO Chavez, who is already building himself an army and a loyal following. Check back in a few years and see how many American people love this guy. Bush is a saint next to him.
Lying to the American public about their sense of security is EXTREMLY dangerous. We risk creating an escalating revolt that could I believe go from verbal to physical riots if another 911 happens during the Bush administration. I fear this time people aren't going to be united.
Perhaps even more than the Clinton administration before, the Bush administration has been manipulative and self involved. They don't explain their policies to the public, and it is insulting that they can not treat the American people with respect. The public is more savvy than they are given credit for. Instead they talk down to us and mislead us. Often about even trivial matters.
The Bush administration's efforts to protect the homeland can't be dismissed, as they have been noteworthy. While I think this administration's foriegn policy is short sighted, they have thwarted several terrorist attempts here, although England & Spain were not so lucky... and in this Battle that we are engaged in, those might as well have been attacks on our soil.
I believe the ideals of the Bush Doctrine were the correct ones, to fight terrorism aggressively, beyond our borders when necessary... however we need to proceed with caution, and instead we have proceeded with reckless behavior, which has already begun to reap more problems rather than fixing existing ones.
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