Rou

Terror is the trademark of a terrorist.

On September 11th 2001, I was wakened from my mid-afternoon slumber by a phone call from a friend. He said he was sorry to wake me up so early. Than he told me the news and had me turn on the TV. Of course, I’d slept through the event and the initial reactions. The buildings were already down.

I remember being shocked and surprised. But I was not afraid. I have no recollection of fear that day. It’s a day I’ve reexamined thoroughly, and never once did a trickle of fear arise.

That is, until the next day. On 9/12/01, my shock wore off and I felt fear, but not from terrorists. No, my first tickle of dread came when I realized that my fellow citizens were terrified. And so was our government. And from that fear, I knew our country would lash out. Strike at anything and everything it could.

I could see everything so clearly. In the days, weeks, months and years that followed, I have shaken my head time and time again. If ever there was a time I hoped I’d be wrong, this was it.

Over the last half decade fear has ruled the country. Fear of terrorists. Fear of being perceived weak. Fear of impotence.

No terrorist ever made me afraid.

No terrorist ever altered the way I lived my life.

No terrorist ever attempted to deceive me about their actions.

No terrorist ever took my rights away in order to gain power for himself.

No, it took my countrymen and my government to do that.

If the terrorists hate my freedom as the spin masters claim, why is it that the US government is the one usurping it? Why do I fear Congress more than Islamic fundamentalists? Why do I fear my countrymen’s blundering and bigotry more than hostile intentions of people over 6000 miles away?

Terror is the trademark of terrorists. And I think we need look no further than the mirror.