Why do we keep falling into the same conversation every time there is a terrorist incident? The facts are that there will be more attacks; there is no war to win; and we are reacting exactly how the terrorists want us to react. Spending billions of dollars, using torture, invading privacy and heightening security are exactly what they want us to do.
Bruce Schneier – Is aviation security mostly for show?
“Our current response to terrorism is a form of “magical thinking.” It relies on the idea that we can somehow make ourselves safer by protecting against what the terrorists happened to do last time…By not overreacting, by not responding to movie-plot threats, and by not becoming defensive, we demonstrate the resilience of our society, in our laws, our culture, our freedoms. There is a difference between indomitability and arrogant “bring ‘em on” rhetoric. There’s a difference between accepting the inherent risk that comes with a free and open society, and hyping the threats.”
I was saying the same thing just the other day. Now we will forbid blankets and pillows to be held on one’s lap during flight in order to prevent future “lap bombers.”
The sad truth, as you note, is that there will be more attacks until we get to the root of the problem. Unfortunately, that root is nasty and ugly and distasteful. It makes thinking people cringe, but it exists and it must be dealt with.
And acting terrified is exactly what the terrorists hope for. Without that reaction, they lose.
I too am always struck by how unimaginative the reaction is: “Since he tried to blow up the plane in the last of his 19-hour trip, we’ll make everyone sit with their hands in the air for the last hour.” Why not just handcuff everyone? Or go all the way and ban male trust fund kids wearing underwear from flying.