[Blog Entry] The Terror or Terrorists
The Terror of Terrorists
Taking a page from George R. R. Martin's blog, I think some people have forgotten what exactly it is terrorists do. More than the arson, more than the murders, it's about sowing terror.
Judging from the responses of the US and the UK as of late, it seems that their government is doing exactly what the terrorists set out to do: giving in to fear. I mean so far, it's a lose-lose situation. They don't stop the terrorists, the nation is caught in its grip of terror amidst much destruction. When they do manage to apprehend and prevent terrorism, the nation is still overwhelmed by fear.
Of course it's easy to say this and that, especially with us being far way from either country. But honestly, we've experienced something like it. It wasn't so long ago that bombs were planted in key locations in the country, from shopping malls to public transportation vehicles. The bombings have stopped by the security precaution's haven't. Until this day, there are armed security men and women guarding the entrances of malls and the MRT, performing bag searches and the occasional frisking. Let's be honest, this really isn't much a deterrent. The searches aren't thorough enough to prevent anyone from concealing dangerous weapons. All it does is slow down the line and hassle people. That and giving people muscle cramps as they suspend their bags on one arm.
The Terror of Terrorists
Taking a page from George R. R. Martin's blog, I think some people have forgotten what exactly it is terrorists do. More than the arson, more than the murders, it's about sowing terror.
Judging from the responses of the US and the UK as of late, it seems that their government is doing exactly what the terrorists set out to do: giving in to fear. I mean so far, it's a lose-lose situation. They don't stop the terrorists, the nation is caught in its grip of terror amidst much destruction. When they do manage to apprehend and prevent terrorism, the nation is still overwhelmed by fear.
Of course it's easy to say this and that, especially with us being far way from either country. But honestly, we've experienced something like it. It wasn't so long ago that bombs were planted in key locations in the country, from shopping malls to public transportation vehicles. The bombings have stopped by the security precaution's haven't. Until this day, there are armed security men and women guarding the entrances of malls and the MRT, performing bag searches and the occasional frisking. Let's be honest, this really isn't much a deterrent. The searches aren't thorough enough to prevent anyone from concealing dangerous weapons. All it does is slow down the line and hassle people. That and giving people muscle cramps as they suspend their bags on one arm.
posted by Charles at 5:40 AM
2 Comments:
On the other hand, it's not as though the media can report a discovery like this and expect the public to not feel some measure of fear or apprehension. I keep thinking that the best way to overcome the intended "terror" consequences would for people to go about their business with no changes at all... but such an approach might leave them vulnerable to further attacks. And, really, not everyone will probably stay calm in the face of (impending) chaos like this.
I figure that any reactionary measures are mostly there to give us some form of assurance, even if they do turn out to be inconvenient at times. They may not be as effective as we want, but at least we know that somebody's doing something there.
It's just that if you're going to propose a solution, might as well give one that works (such as a thorough search instead of the half-hearted attempt at one).
And in the end, it's about personal freedom. Sure, a day, a week, even a month after the explosions, that's fine. But it's already 2006, and the same safeguards are still there, minus the threat that caused them to be installed in the first place.
Post a Comment
<< Home