The terrorists' goal is to make us paranoid and fearful in our everyday life. Are they succeeding?

Answer 1

Their success has been massive. WE as a society haven't become more fearful, but the government certainly has. The government has become so fearful of anti-US sentiment, that it has almost sought anti-democratic measures, such as the "anti-desecration act," that only failed by two votes. As well, intelligence agencies have not only illegally eavesdropped on our telephone calls, but they've arrested men for mere verbal utterances, with a lack of physical evidence and/or weapons. Then, too, in the retaliation of the US's strict immigration and travel policies, countries like Brazil have responded by making it more difficult- for US citizens exlusively, to enter their country.

The whole idea of the terrorists was to bring us to our knees, humiliate us in fear, and cause our government to react. We are the richest, most powerful nation in the world with the largest military, yet our government compromises some key principals of democracy in the face of a tiny terrorist organization. That's sad, and it shows that they are succeeding. Why, there was even talk about prosecuting the New York Times! What is that?!?! We're a democracy, and probably the biggest symbol of that is a free press. The press keeps the public informed about whatever it uncovers, keeping the government "by the people, and for the people." It's crazy, but I'm afraid it's just going to get worse...... I cannot believe others don't see this. You know what other government passed radical laws in the wake of a fearing, wary, and demoralized people? Nazi Germany. The people at the time feared the Soviets, they feared a collapsing economy, and they were looking for answers.

I know that we need to be extra cautious as Americans, but caution is equally important in interpreting true the Constitution.

Answer 2

No, the U.S. Government is to blame for that, they are, day by day, giving the country to the criminals, you risk jail and lawsuits for defending yourself and your property. Also, the dam* reporters are a HUGE problem, in that, they are always trying to report the worst, most horrific news that they can find, the little bit of good news that squeaks by to the public, is so overshadowed by the bad things that happen, you can`t help but feel a little paranoid. Everyone NEEDS to get the attention of those Butt Munchs in D.C. to start getting the laws back to what they were 100 years ago, when, you happened to shoot and kill a burglar in the middle of the night, in your own home, they would file a report, make sure it happened the way you said, then after that, NADA, free to go. No repercussions. Laws are supposed to be for the protection of the innocents, not the criminals. I would guess that if you were to take a poll, asking the average citizen which they were more afraid of, criminals or terrorists, i think the larger percentage would vote for the criminal, in which the average american, stands a much larger chance of running into.

Answer 3

The US goverment has trained them, provided them with arms and an opportunity to make their investment work. They are the real terrorists. They knew beforehand that it would allow them to manipulate its own people and knew it would allow them to install illegal, unconstitutional laws such as the homeland security act. WW-II has never ended, it merely changed venues:

“Naturally the common people don’t want war. But after all, it is the
leaders of a country who determine the policy, and it’s always a
simple matter to drag people along whether it is a democracy or a
fascist dictatorship, or a parliament, or a communist dictatorship.
Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of
the leaders. This is easy. All you have to do is tell them they are
being attacked, and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and
for exposing the country to danger. It works the same in every
country.”
--- Hermann Goering, Hitler’s Reich Marshall, at the Nuremberg
Trials after World War II.

Answer 4

They are not bringing us together. After 9/11, one could say that the American people felt a surge of patriotism, but it also felt a "surge" of terrorising American-Muslims. Is that unity?

Now look at terrorism today. They attack, we get angry, feel American, and then Bush comes along to take us to another Vietnam, only this time with alot more sand. This leads to further division between liberals and conservatives, Democrats and Republicans, Americans against Americans. Terrorists are the having the exact effect that they want on us. Just look at the last election. We are more divided than ever.

Answer 5

They are succeeding.

More Americans value security over freedom since 9/11.

This shows that Americans are afraid. Fear is the goal of terrorists.

Answer 6

I'm not afraid. I personally feel very very safe knowing our military forces and even civilian businesses are working to keep us safe 24 hours a day. We are the safest we've ever been. I refuse to live in fear for any reason; we have the latest and greatest technology and the U.S. knows about everything being contemplated. When you hear about another yet thwarted plan to destroy part of our great USA, say thank you God, that you live in the greatest land in the world. Stay educated to what our military and civilians are doing and you will feel 100% safe. There's no place safer in the whole world.

Answer 7

No, I don't think they are succeeding. Unfortunately a lot of Americans have blinders on when it comes to world events. Of course when 9/11 happened everyone on the planet payed attention, but we stuck together, helped each other and moved on. At this point, at least for me, I care about what is happening now, overseas. Support our troops and hope they kill as many of those bastards as they can before they can kill us.
(When I say bastards I mean the terrorists and those who support them)

Answer 8

I personally dont think that the terrorists goal is to make us paranoid and fearful. I think they are trying to break down the united states......

but anyways.

only to some people. i dont really think about it alot, because i have an enormous amount of faith in our troops, and that they are doing a good job keeping them under control.

Answer 9

No, the current administration is doing an admirable job at pissing off all of the Islamic/Muslim countries by creating more terrorists, while constantly reminding us that "they" are the only ones stopping them. The irony being that they created this crap in the first place with their horrible foreign policy, all in an effort to grab a hold of OIL.

Answer 10

For the most part I would have to say NO, there are to many other things in our lives that make us fearful, like all the crime that is around us every day, or how will we find a job and pay our bills. or any thing else that we worry about on a daily basis