FEAR MONGERING

We, here in America, are told constantly that terrorists are running wild and that we are susceptible to an attack at any given moment. It's an election year here in the United States of America and the value of fear mongering cannot be ignored as a campaign tool.

There was a horrific attack on America and no one can forget that for the symbolism was iconic. And there have been several attempts made in the ensuing years to repeat the effect of that horrific act, if not in the same magnitude, at least in the doubting of our own security. But intelligence agencies thwarted those attacks and saved lives.

Europe has experienced brutal attacks that have claimed hundreds of lives with thousands injured. Terrorism works because brutal violence committed against civilians in the midst of the mundane, day-to-day grind with people gathered to celebrate a joyous occasion, shocks an open pluralistic, democratic society to its core.

That such horror is employed against unsuspecting civilians causes fear and the senselessness and chaos such acts create feeds public panic. It is a testament to the resilience of the people of America and the people of Europe that while they mourn the fallen and attempt to bring to justice those responsible, they refuse to waiver in their pursuit of life and happiness.

Such terrorist acts are the result of deep-seated perceptions of political and social injustice. Others firmly believe their sacred values have been maligned and that violence is a justifiable remedy.

Perhaps, if we addressed the issues underpinning the violence, a reasonable remedy might present itself. This approach may not work on all terrorists, but could it be that such an approach is so seldom employed, a distant second to the favored choice of retribution, that the cycle of violence continues, and might that not be the desire of the terrorists? It is said, men with full bellies do not resort to violence. And would it not be cheaper to provide clean water, food and health services to people whom we wish to "help," rather than launch Tomahawk missiles? Certainly, it would be more moral.

I have no idea what goes through the minds of our leaders, I only know what I am fed by the news. I try to read what learned men outside the cabal of the powerful think, but that too, is difficult. Objective truth is much harder to come by even in a so-called free society.

One thought did strike me, we seem to be so concerned with gaining the power to assert ourselves that we may have lost sight of the wisdom of how to correctly use that power.

The ancient Greeks preferred to use reason in order they may think more clearly and discover truth, especially with regard to our psychological impulses and limitations.

Have we done that? Or has greed, power and the desire for revenge overtaken our good sense? And what of the future? What kind of scenario can be imagined with a President Trump or a President Clinton?

What of reason, critical thinking, and the common desire for peace and the abhorrence of employing violence? Have we as a nation lost our moral compass? When we look at the tragedy that is Syria, when we realize that Guantanomo Bay is still open, when we hear of drone strikes and the bombings of hospitals, the death of children and women, do we not also see the end of our moral authority, if indeed we had any, on the world stage? How can we be so blind?