Since the horrific events of Sept. 11, the media have been replete with condemnation of the terrorists and of Osama bin Laden in particular. Meanwhile, government leaders state clearly that this is not a war against Islam and the nation is not engaged in any form of racial profiling. Just as quickly, news reports and government leaders have been showing images of the terrorists and exclaiming that many 'active cells' are still scattered throughout the United States. Simultaneously, detentions and questioning have become the norm for an increasing number of select individuals. These events, widely articulated by the media and coming just days after the unanticipated horror, could hardly be seen as calming. Many Americans, emerging from the shock of the events and desperately in need of targets on whom to vent their anger, have been provided a needed focal point.
In no time at all, good American citizens have been able to put two and two together'the terrorists are 'Arabs' and 'Muslims' and the nation should be afraid until all present and would-be terrorists are driven from the land. Without further adieu, informal operations have begun across the country with the united goal of finding likely terrorists and using threats and intimidation so they know their days are numbered. As in past conflicts, many citizens have risen to the task. From New York City, home of Ground Zero, taxi drivers, most of whom are remarkably 'terrorist' in appearance, regularly receive threats, taunts and bodily harm. Across the country, small bands of citizens have taken up the cause. In addition to threatening terrorist look-alikes, these bands plan and strike at terrorist gathering places, especially mosques, well known as terrorism launch points.
Without a doubt, the campaign has hit its mark, as fear extends coast-to-coast in Mosques and in homes of Arabs and Arab look-alikes. While the government makes its official sweeps of potential terrorists'nearly 400 have been detained since Sept. 11'citizens have been able to put the rest of the terrorist lot on notice. Little wonder police and government officials give only mild discouragements to these actions. After all, they are furthering the greater good of the nation.
We don't have to look far back in time to see the effectiveness of similar actions in shutting down terrorism. Oklahoma City provides a perfect case in point. Following that horrific event, both governmental and terrorism experts immediately pinpointed Osama bin Laden as the mastermind behind the gruesome bombing. Daily talk shows with illustrious guests pointed out similarities to his credited actions around the globe and patriotic citizens quickly responded with attacks on would-be terrorists lurking in mosques across the United States. Of course, before long, home-grown terrorists were found responsible for the bombing. Immediately, talk-show hosts brought the same illustrious experts back into their studios. They began by apologizing to Osama bin Laden for their previous accusations. They then began to make numerous claims that the attackers were part of a terrorist network of white Christian males. We soon learned that sects of white Christian males, united by disillusionment with the government, were scattered throughout the country.
In short order, white Christian males began to be detained by the government for questioning. Soon, hundreds of suspects had been detained and new laws were quickly put in place justifying detention without evidence. America had been threatened and no stone was being left unturned until all white Christian males'potential terrorists all'had amply proven their innocence.
While the government began its detention program, many citizens took up the good cause'find likely terrorists and put the fear of the true God into them. A huge informal network of Hindus, Muslims, Jews and other non-Christians took on the responsibility for making white Christian males know that our great nation would not tolerate terrorism. Churches had windows broken while spray-painted slogans of 'go home' were found on the homes and SUVs of Christians throughout the land.
I say here and now, what was good enough for Christians when they committed barbarous acts of terrorism should be good enough for believers in Islam, or for anyone who approximates the classic Islamic look we've seen on our nightly news. If you have any doubt about the need to terrorize these would-be terrorists in our midst, consider this'have there been any more bombings of government buildings by white Christian males since we 'put the fear of God' back into them?
Pause for a reality check. The only real difference between the Oklahoma City atrocity and the New York City atrocity is that Oklahoma City was never followed by official detentions of white Christian males. Nor did we hear experts pronouncing that sects of white Christian males exist that would be terrorizing us further. Nor did we see attacks on white Christian males. Nor were there attacks on churches. So, why is there such a difference between the earlier response and the one we've seen since Sept. 11? Why was it obvious then that there was no need to fear, nor to attack, white Christian males, but today every Arab-looking male is seen as a potential terrorist and a target worthy of our wrath?
Perhaps too many of us are too inclined to respond to this and all horrific events in ways unworthy of our shared humanity'if it helps the pain, go ahead and strike back at any target we can find, letting common sense take a back seat until a later time.
