See No Terrorism, Hear No Terrorism, Speak No Terrorism
Old Soldier linked to a great analysis by Seth at Hard Astarboard. This is my comment there:
We often speak of "going on with our daily lives and not living in fear" as the best way to show the terrorists that they have not won. But the reality is, they have changed our way of life, and we have no choice but to do so, in order to protect ourselves from the reality of terrorism.
News must be reported; but everytime a terrorist act is broadcast, it is another victory for the terrorist. Because it means getting their message of violence out into the public consciousness. I sometimes wonder what if we never allowed any terrorist activity any airtime at all. Would it continue? After all, part of the motivation is to garner as much media attention as possible. They want the spotlight; they want the media to be complicit in their propaganda of terror.
If we only showed more resolve and a harder stance, it would minimize the impact terrorists see that they have on us. But when we broadcast our grief, our fears, our internal political bickering and dissention, they know that terrorism is effective..and that it works.
Labels: media, propaganda, terrorism, War on Terror
posted by The WordSmith from Nantucket at 8/19/2006 07:41:00 AM
6 Comments:
That may very well be true, however if not aired...there would be more people that believed we are not at war with terrorism. Did we broadcast terrorism before 9/11?...I don't think so. Some people were hit broad sided...with total shock, and meanwhile they/terrorists were waiting patiently and planning while over years we did nothing to prevent it or pass laws to fight terrorism.
Suzie, I agree with you, and think I made that point in the post. I don't don't think we should live blissfully ignorant (any more than I think we should be misinformed). Perhaps it's the sensationalist way of reporting the negative. Or more to heart of it, the manner in which people tend to react and respond to tragedy tv.
As an example to what I'm getting at, take some of the protests against televising flag-draped coffins coming home. Terrorists have made statements, to the effect that, "they take delight in making as many mothers as possible weep back in America." What is feared, is that seeing body counts will demoralize and make us lose our ability to persevere in a difficult war. What should happen is the opposite reaction: seeing flag-draped coffins should entrench and embolden; we should show more resolve and more heart than the enemy.
I remember when the 3 Japanese were taken hostage in Iraq by terrorist insurgents. There was public outcry among the Japanese, that the government should give in to the terrorist wishes that Japan withdraw their noncombat troops from Iraq. My answer to the terrorists? Not only should Japan not withdraw, but unless the 3 were released immediately, not only would we triple our troop level, but it will include combat troops. Unfortunately (and in some ways, fortunately) society is made up mostly by people who cannot stomach violence, and they look for the quick-fix solution which is either sticking their heads in the sand or giving in to demands in the belief that that will end the violence and conflict.
I hope that made some sense. I didn't organize my thoughts as well as I would have liked.
I understand your point, and I believe you are right. It is the manner in which events are reported that is discouraging to me. It's just like the coverage about the asshat that says he killed that poor child in Boulder, CO. (I don't believe he did it.)They can't cover him enough and he's loving all the attention! They are feeding his mania with it, and they do the same thing with the Islamofascists!
Excellent post, Shoprat!
Wordsmith, if you remember, the protests about showing flag draped coffins of fallen heroes was associated with the anti-war exploitation of the images. The objection was not because it reminded us that we are in fact at war, it was the unmerited message that was being portended with the image. To me (and I readily admit a prejudice here) the image of a flag draped coffin should be off limits to any and all. It is a very solemn occasion whereby a fallen Soldier is returned home. There is usually a very distraught family involved and they should be allowed the utmost privacy in their loss. Greater love hath no man than to lay down his life for another. A Soldier’s coffin gives testimony to that passage.
Were I the one calling the shots (so to speak) our forces would not be constrained by “just war” or “proportional response” idiocies. They would be the meanest SOBs in the valley and the only terrorists to leave the engagement area would be dead ones. Collateral damage would be a consideration only in a priority that would follow where to place the latrine. I would not give the terrorists any religious consideration other than to exploit it as a weakness. If they want to stick their ass up in the air five times a day, I would be obliged to fill it with hot lead. Shoot on my troops from a mosque (or any building for that matter) and it becomes rubble as quickly as I can arrange it. Let me see a terrorist run into a house and it becomes rubble. Hide among civilians and they join the terrorists before allah. I would not hear of playing these politically correct games. Engage my Army and we have one mission – victory (unconditional surrender of the enemy).
I guess now you have an inkling why I’m not in charge.
Great insights Word..I also heard that Muzlims are purposely trying to scare Westerners just for the fun of it..because they know no one will profile them!
Resolve & a harder stance is the only thing terrorists will respect and respond to. Appeasement and weakness only emboldens them.
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