Are we the terrorists?
Discussion
As september 11th has passed and we have remembered those whom lost their lives, I guess its only fair to think about what we have lost as a consequence of 911.
[i] The report responds: "The implications of this statement are breath-taking. Across the EU, governments have, or are, adopting national laws for the mandatory retention of everyone's communications data - all forms of communication (phone calls, faxes, mobile calls including locations) which will be extended to keeping a record of all internet usage from 2009 - even though few are aware this is happening.[i/]
"Brussels in 'frightening' grab for personal information"
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/2...
Have the terrorists won? Are we in danger of being terrorised by the defences which are meant to 'protect freedom'?
[i] The report responds: "The implications of this statement are breath-taking. Across the EU, governments have, or are, adopting national laws for the mandatory retention of everyone's communications data - all forms of communication (phone calls, faxes, mobile calls including locations) which will be extended to keeping a record of all internet usage from 2009 - even though few are aware this is happening.[i/]
"Brussels in 'frightening' grab for personal information"
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/2...
Have the terrorists won? Are we in danger of being terrorised by the defences which are meant to 'protect freedom'?
We have to be paranoid about cameras and satellites watching us speed and our travelling habits, in order to reinforce taxes and fines, those with criminal records are also limited in their ability to travel abroad. 'They' have to worry about cameras and satellites watching them every hour of the day, which can pin point their location so an AC130 Spectre can bring a lovely warm care package filled with Bofors and Gatling goodness should they think about placing an IED.
Back in 2000 we could travel on airliners with a bottle of lucozade, 'they' could have a large, reasonably public meeting of insurgent leaders outdoors without fear, but now we can't carry larger bottles of liquid on board, and if they step outside, they're killed to death.
I'd say its 50/50.
Back in 2000 we could travel on airliners with a bottle of lucozade, 'they' could have a large, reasonably public meeting of insurgent leaders outdoors without fear, but now we can't carry larger bottles of liquid on board, and if they step outside, they're killed to death.
I'd say its 50/50.
They have "won" in reducing our supposedly free society's freedoms, and in causing us great expense and inconvenience with largely ineffective precautionary measures. There has been virtually no effect on their ability to operate anywhere, and they are almost as adept at using technology for their own ends as we are. Their attrition rate isn't any higher than before because of all the high-tech wizardry. They seem to have gained more recruits, but I don't know if the rate of acquisition of these recruits is greater than before 9/11 or not. We have had some limited successes. But we are fighting a monster by lopping off arms that can be regenerated, rather than going after its brains or motivation.
All that said, some parties seem to have gotten very, very rich off of all this. One wonders what their motivations really are--to defeat terrorism, or to wage perpetual war.
All that said, some parties seem to have gotten very, very rich off of all this. One wonders what their motivations really are--to defeat terrorism, or to wage perpetual war.
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