Communism is still a threat to our way of life but I do agree that we are going about this terrorism thing the same way we went about getting rid of Communism. The United States is going through drastic measures to make sure that neither terrorism, Communism, whateverism... will not effect our way of life. But you have to think, what extent are we willing to go to get rid of the threat? As far as this war goes I am against it, if anything we are causing more of a threat on a level of more personal attacks. However, on the plus side we are a step closer in promoting democracy which is much better than the dictatorship Saddam ruled under.

THe point is when this terrorism thing has run its course there will be yet another fear that we will be fed. Probably China...

I guess you can go as far as to say China is somewhat of a fear. China's population and economy is growing rapidly and let's not forget that we are not allies by any stretch of the imagination. Still I think we have more to fear from North Korea than China.

Even if there is no need to be afraid a fear will be found. It is the American way.

Living in a state of fear is better than living in a state of denial.

And what makes you think the majority of Americans aren't in denial?

Being realistic and educated is better than living in fear or denial.

As Noam Chomsky puts it, in order to decrease the occurances of terrorism in the world, we [the US] would need to cease employing it.

A statement, although paraphrased, which I agree with completely. We can't eliminate terrorism completely, however, by leading by example would serve to drastically reduce the instances of terrorism, much of which is done to a much higher degree than what 9/11 ever did.

Good opening post.

Just because the article cites those reasons (I'm assuming due to space constraints) doesn't mean other examples don't exist.

The case of Nicaragua for instance, on a per capita basis, devastated that country - it's not through healing. I can't remember the numbers but again, on a per capita basis on how we terrorized that country, was many times fold what we witnessed on 9/11. And that's but one example.

Our terror support for Israel's policies towards the Palestinians are not only barbaric and immoral (not to mention illegal per US and international law) but extremely hypocritical. We expect the militants on the Palestinians side to cease their terrorism yet continue to supply the fourth mightiest army with weapons and aid with which to expel a mostly armless people. That's beyond chutzpah.

With regard to using nuclear weapons, well that's self evident the barbarity and terrorism employed on hundreds of thousands of people. Not to mention the firebombings in other Japanese and European cities that killed countless civilians.

If we were to apply the principles of Nuremburg as a truism, many allied commanders and leaders would be hanged as well.

Or as Noam Chomsky aptly puts it:

"If the Nuremberg laws were applied today, then every Post-War American president would have to be hanged."

Not to mention our support for Augusto Pinochet, the champion of free market economics, as well as murderous campaigns to acheive his nefarious goals. Another dictator sponsored by the US.

Now Chile has elected a former polictical prisoner as her leader (Michelle Bachelet) who is a socialist and has demonstrated that she has a high regard for democratic ideals and principles. Good thing for Chile after the nightmare of Pinochet.