Terrorism: What is it, and how can it be prevented?

Terrorism by definition is the use of violence, or the threat of violence, to create a climate of fear in a given population. Terrorist violence targets ethnic or religious groups, governments, political parties, corporations, and media enterprises. Organizations that engage in acts of terror are almost always small in size and limited in resources compared to the populations and institutions they oppose. Through publicity and fear generated by their violence, they seek to magnify their influence and power to affect political change on either a local or an international scale.

There are ways of prevention against these heinous attacks, however our civil liberties would have to be inconvenienced. Since Tuesday’s attack, I think the airports should operate in a stricter manner. When I went to Italy, the airports were mobbed with men carrying firearms, along with a dog, ready to detect any harmful substances. It was also a thorough process to load the luggage on the specific flight, and at any moment, someone might ask you to open your bag for a quick search. I think there also should be a nationwide database, provided in all airports, which allows one to type in another’s name and find their personal information out. If one is truly innocent, then infringing on their privacy should not be a big offense.

Additionally, I think we should allow latitude on racial profiling. For example, when the Middle Eastern men wanted instruction in the flight simulator, to specifically learn how to “maneuver a passenger airline” a light should have gone off in someone’s head asking “Why?”

Our borders need to be more strictly regulated. We need to control immigration, to help hinder terrorism. We also need to stop being so politically correct, and “get in bed” with unsavory characters. The informants that we need to use are from the dregs of society. We need to get these questionable people back on the payroll.

Lastly, we need to think as our enemies do. There needs to be severe consequences on the adversary to make aware that we are a strong nation, who will not allow another to interfere in the general well-being of Americans. We need to involve them emotionally as they do to us. For instance, Americans strive to live, while the Arabs will sacrifice nearly anything to die. They believe that after death they’re raised to their almighty Allah. However, it is also a belief that it is unattainable to achieve their honor, if they’re buried with any type of animal.