07 Oct The Terrorist Amongst Us

Posted at 16:08h in News Outta My Control by

What does a terrorist look like? After five days of living amongst someone who gets his kicks from killing and scaring people, I am trying to visualize him: to think about what he really looks like. To see a face when a faceless creature seems so much more powerful.

What does he look like naked, without his high power rifle? What does he see in his mirror? I am looking closely at him, observing every inch from head to feet. And I see him. From farther away than his 600 meter bullets can go. It’s hard, but I see him.

What do victims of terrorism look like? What’s the difference between “justifiable” war and terrorism? Where is the slippery slope? What’s it like to be thought of as a terrorist? Let me ask the families of 9/11. Let me ask the Kurds, Somalis, Palestinians, and Israelis. Let me ask my neighbors.

Montgomery County Police Chief, Charles A. Moose, wants us to “engage [our children], talk to them and explain this mess to them” tonight. And I’m trying to figure out just what to say.

President Bush is preparing to talk to us tonight about another terrorist. Our focus will be on George Bush and Suddam Hussein. But what if we look at the people of Baghdad and we think about terrorists amongst their neighborhoods. What will we see in our mirrors?

It’s a lot to think about. I’m trying to visualize it. And how will I explain this mess to my children tomorrow?

Jeff
jeffgates@outlook.com
2 Comments
  • Donna
    Posted at 17:40h, 07 October

    I’m sorry you have to deal with this in your neighborhood.
    When it comes to Bush, this is entirely a political move. One commentator said last night that he couldn’t believe the Democratic party is allowing him to make this speech tonight – meaning how did they let him get this far on something that is clearly a Wag-the-Dog scenario. That by doing this, Bush is assuring a Republican victory in the coming election – and that is what this is about. Of course Saddam is dangerous but he has been for years. Something should be done but it is not declaring war on Iraq and giving the president unlimited power in deciding to make a first strike.
    This is about many things – oil, covering up for not getting Osama bin Laden, the 911 terrorist, distraction from Enron and Bush’s involvement, distraction from Florida, and from how much the administration knew that a terrorist act was coming down on Sept 11. Top Pentagon officials cancelled their travel plans on 9/10/01 for 9/11 according to Newsweek.
    I’ve emailed my senators that I do not want war on Iraq. notinmyname.org is organizing protests. Let them know how the majority of the public feels.

  • Jeff
    Posted at 10:16h, 08 October

    Living in Washington, DC, I have learned that the intricacies of POLITICS is often far from the issues of the average citizen’s daily life.
    I am finding, though, that distance is growing smaller and smaller.