Terrorism in Disguise by Erick San Juan
Since 9/11 (September 11, 2001) the global war on terror (GWOT) has dragged all nations to a new kind of war. A special coalition was formed through the initiative of the former US President George Bush, Jr. The coalition of the willing to get rid of the terror network of Osama bin Laden and his Al-Qaida terror group.
From the so-called death of bin Laden to the different terror group springing from the original Al-Qaeda terror network, leaders of different countries have invested in various forms of protection especially in their airports and sea ports in order to secure their territories from terrorists.
In the span of fourteen years, several terror attacks or other similar attacks being associated to terrorists were the new normal. Almost every year ‘a terror attack’ happens and the culprit/s were associated with the Al-Qaeda terror network or a new group of terrorists.
The strategy of fear among the populace was successfully maintained and the threat of another terror attack created a new kind of tension that justified the government’s move to create laws that limited every citizen’s freedom. All in the name of national security.
But the nagging question remains, are these terrorists for real? Who benefits from every act of terror against civilians? Who are the sponsors behind these terrorists?
Unfortunately as long as state-sponsored terrorists can freely roam and do their terror acts, and through corporate-backed media group that helps in fanning the faked stories of terrorism, fear and tension will remain as part of our daily lives.
The mere fact that terrorism is here to stay in whatever form, leaders and would-be leaders of countries seeking peace will have to think twice of providing security to its citizenry.
That is why the article of David Stokes - It’s National Security, Stupid (12/11/2015) cited the importance of having in mind the national security of one’s nation especially those who are running for national office.
Come 2016, the US will have its national elections (like in the Philippines) and Stokes wrote his observation and analysis – “One thing is clear as we watch candidates from both major political parties scramble for the presidential prize in 2016—the stakes are very high. And national security issues are finally getting the kind of attention they always warrant in this dangerous world.
Many candidates for the highest office in the land—and most of those who make it to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue—tend to prefer talking about their “domestic vision.” Bill Clinton’s mantra, “It’s the economy, stupid,” comes to mind. But they eventually find themselves facing issues of war and national security, whether they like it or not.
It’s just a guess, but I don’t think President Obama likes talking about the bad guys who are after us. I’m pretty sure he’d rather change the subject and talk about climate change.”
Stakes also mentioned the book “1932: The Rise of Hitler and FDR—Two Tales of Politics, Betrayal, and Unlikely Destiny” by David Pietrusza, historian. He writes – “Mr. Pietrusza has done a masterful job bringing a vital era and several dynamic personalities to life. The Great Depression was in full bust, and deprivation was giving way to desperation in some quarters. It is one of the odd convergences in history that Franklin Roosevelt and Adolf Hitler came to power within weeks of each other, and then also died within weeks of each other.
The two men were, of course, very different from each other. One was born to wealth, the other to meager means. One lived a charmed life, for the most part. The other man barely managed to crawl on his belly from failure to failure. One man faced a dreadful disease that served to strengthen his character. The other battled diseases of the imagination that poisoned his. But both men managed to climb their respective political ladders to the top. Each leader superimposed a sweeping societal vision.
One man used hope—the other used hate.
David Pietrusza’s book is a must read for all political animals during this political season. If only for the fact that while Franklin Roosevelt and the nation wrestled with political and social solutions to the great domestic problems of the day, Adolf Hitler was already planting the seeds of aggression and conflict that would wreak havoc on the world.
Clinton was wrong back in 1992. It’s national security, stupid. It always has been and always will be.”
Especially here in our country when every time a new terrorist group emerges, the international community always tag us as the training ground for this group particularly in the south. They conveniently used the southern part of the country as haven for training of terrorists because of its strategic location (even though the US special forces are stationed there).
The political bickering of the country’s presidentiables (and other political wannabes) that had bombarded us day in and day out should be mature enough to discuss current issues as important as national security instead. Whether we like it or not, our archipelago is in danger from domestic and foreign threat that should be addressed with concrete plan of action and not just asking the Big Brother’s help.
At the end of the day, it still is the national security, stupid!
Since 9/11 (September 11, 2001) the global war on terror (GWOT) has dragged all nations to a new kind of war. A special coalition was formed through the initiative of the former US President George Bush, Jr. The coalition of the willing to get rid of the terror network of Osama bin Laden and his Al-Qaida terror group.
From the so-called death of bin Laden to the different terror group springing from the original Al-Qaeda terror network, leaders of different countries have invested in various forms of protection especially in their airports and sea ports in order to secure their territories from terrorists.
In the span of fourteen years, several terror attacks or other similar attacks being associated to terrorists were the new normal. Almost every year ‘a terror attack’ happens and the culprit/s were associated with the Al-Qaeda terror network or a new group of terrorists.
The strategy of fear among the populace was successfully maintained and the threat of another terror attack created a new kind of tension that justified the government’s move to create laws that limited every citizen’s freedom. All in the name of national security.
But the nagging question remains, are these terrorists for real? Who benefits from every act of terror against civilians? Who are the sponsors behind these terrorists?
Unfortunately as long as state-sponsored terrorists can freely roam and do their terror acts, and through corporate-backed media group that helps in fanning the faked stories of terrorism, fear and tension will remain as part of our daily lives.
The mere fact that terrorism is here to stay in whatever form, leaders and would-be leaders of countries seeking peace will have to think twice of providing security to its citizenry.
That is why the article of David Stokes - It’s National Security, Stupid (12/11/2015) cited the importance of having in mind the national security of one’s nation especially those who are running for national office.
Come 2016, the US will have its national elections (like in the Philippines) and Stokes wrote his observation and analysis – “One thing is clear as we watch candidates from both major political parties scramble for the presidential prize in 2016—the stakes are very high. And national security issues are finally getting the kind of attention they always warrant in this dangerous world.
Many candidates for the highest office in the land—and most of those who make it to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue—tend to prefer talking about their “domestic vision.” Bill Clinton’s mantra, “It’s the economy, stupid,” comes to mind. But they eventually find themselves facing issues of war and national security, whether they like it or not.
It’s just a guess, but I don’t think President Obama likes talking about the bad guys who are after us. I’m pretty sure he’d rather change the subject and talk about climate change.”
Stakes also mentioned the book “1932: The Rise of Hitler and FDR—Two Tales of Politics, Betrayal, and Unlikely Destiny” by David Pietrusza, historian. He writes – “Mr. Pietrusza has done a masterful job bringing a vital era and several dynamic personalities to life. The Great Depression was in full bust, and deprivation was giving way to desperation in some quarters. It is one of the odd convergences in history that Franklin Roosevelt and Adolf Hitler came to power within weeks of each other, and then also died within weeks of each other.
The two men were, of course, very different from each other. One was born to wealth, the other to meager means. One lived a charmed life, for the most part. The other man barely managed to crawl on his belly from failure to failure. One man faced a dreadful disease that served to strengthen his character. The other battled diseases of the imagination that poisoned his. But both men managed to climb their respective political ladders to the top. Each leader superimposed a sweeping societal vision.
One man used hope—the other used hate.
David Pietrusza’s book is a must read for all political animals during this political season. If only for the fact that while Franklin Roosevelt and the nation wrestled with political and social solutions to the great domestic problems of the day, Adolf Hitler was already planting the seeds of aggression and conflict that would wreak havoc on the world.
Clinton was wrong back in 1992. It’s national security, stupid. It always has been and always will be.”
Especially here in our country when every time a new terrorist group emerges, the international community always tag us as the training ground for this group particularly in the south. They conveniently used the southern part of the country as haven for training of terrorists because of its strategic location (even though the US special forces are stationed there).
The political bickering of the country’s presidentiables (and other political wannabes) that had bombarded us day in and day out should be mature enough to discuss current issues as important as national security instead. Whether we like it or not, our archipelago is in danger from domestic and foreign threat that should be addressed with concrete plan of action and not just asking the Big Brother’s help.
At the end of the day, it still is the national security, stupid!
No comments:
Post a Comment