Defeat Terrorism

by on December 18, 2007 · 33 comments

Terrorism is a strategy used by the weak to goad the strong into self-injurious overreaction.

DownsizeDC has a campaign underway that I think is critical to defeating terrorism. It’s described on their site this way: “We’re looking for a few brave Americans to start a real war on terror — by not being afraid!”

The “I am Not Afraid” campaign is not about passing or killing any legislation. It is just to get Washington, D.C.’s consistent overreaction to the threat of terrorism under control. The sense of proportion this campaign seeks to create really makes it worth a visit, but here’s a taste:

Nearly 800,000 people have died in car accidents in the last twenty years. During that time there have been exactly two Islamic terrorist attacks on U.S. soil, with less than 3,000 total fatalities. That’s more than 200 TIMES as many Americans dying in their cars as at the hands of Islamic terrorism. And yet . . . We’ve turned the whole world upside down in response to the two terrorist attacks. We’ve launched invasions, created vast new bureaucracies, shredded the Bill of Rights, compounded regulations, spent hundreds of billions of dollars, and disrupted travel and commerce. But no one is suggesting that we do 200 times as much to address the driving risk, which is 200 times greater.

Terror warriors, keep your straw men in the barn. This is not a pacifist, terrorism-denial campaign. It seeks proportional responses to threats, and acceptance of harms that cannot reasonably be prevented. The message to legislators:

“I am not afraid of terrorism, and I want you to stop being afraid on my behalf. Please start scaling back the official government war on terror. Please replace it with a smaller, more focused anti-terrorist police effort in keeping with the rule of law. Please stop overreacting. I understand that it will not be possible to stop all terrorist acts. I accept that. I am not afraid.”

This is good, important work to defeat terrorism.

SHARE: 33 comments

About Jim Harper

Jim Harper is the Director of Information Policy Studies at The Cato Institute, the Editor of Web-based privacy think-tank Privacilla.org, and the Webmaster of WashingtonWatch.com. A Poli Sci major at the University of California at Santa Barbara, Jim served as Editor-in-Chief of the Hastings Constitutional Law Quarterly in his final year at Hastings College of the Law. Prior to becoming a policy analyst and advocate, Jim served as counsel to committees in both the U.S. House and Senate. He avoids genuine life experience by watching lots and lots of reality TV.

Read more articles by Jim Harper.

  • http://linuxworld.com/community/ Don Marti

    “The surest defense against terrorism is to refuse to be terrorized.” — Bruce Schneier (You link to one, but this also appears in another essay from him on this subject.)

  • http://linuxworld.com/community/ Don Marti

    “The surest defense against terrorism is to refuse to be terrorized.” — Bruce Schneier (You link to one, but this also appears in another essay from him on this subject.)

  • Todd

    Eh, I don’t mind more attention being paid to terrorism than to traffic fatalities. The traffic deaths are (generally) accidents that would have been prevented if it were possible to do so. Those that aren’t accidents are generally due to negligence and stupidness, not malice.

    Terrorism is born, at least in some part, out of malice. It makes sense to take greater steps against those displaying malice than against those showing negligence or foolishness… it’s likely to be more productive.

    But, yeah, toning it down would be great.

  • Todd

    Eh, I don’t mind more attention being paid to terrorism than to traffic fatalities. The traffic deaths are (generally) accidents that would have been prevented if it were possible to do so. Those that aren’t accidents are generally due to negligence and stupidness, not malice.

    Terrorism is born, at least in some part, out of malice. It makes sense to take greater steps against those displaying malice than against those showing negligence or foolishness… it’s likely to be more productive.

    But, yeah, toning it down would be great.

  • Drew

    It’s ironic that the whole terrorism fraud is perpetuated to allow Americans to continue terrorizing each other on the roads. People are willing to be subjected to or allow any infringement upon their rights, heinous levels of debt and outrageous crimes against humanity so long as they can drive oversized cars, too fast, to the next intersection. It’s a modern insanity.

  • Drew

    It’s ironic that the whole terrorism fraud is perpetuated to allow Americans to continue terrorizing each other on the roads. People are willing to be subjected to or allow any infringement upon their rights, heinous levels of debt and outrageous crimes against humanity so long as they can drive oversized cars, too fast, to the next intersection. It’s a modern insanity.

  • http://gregorylent.com gregory

    what is the dept of homeland security, except the institutionalized free of death… land of the surveilled, home of the fearful… i ain’t proud, it is embarrassing

  • http://gregorylent.com gregory

    what is the dept of homeland security, except the institutionalized free of death… land of the surveilled, home of the fearful… i ain’t proud, it is embarrassing

  • james

    speak for yourself todd. i’d much prefer a war on stupid people over a war on terrorism. terrorists don’t drive 45 mph in the fast lane and refuse to move.. EVERY DAY.

    i may sound like i’m joking but i’m not. the threat of terrorism has been SO over blown it’s ridiculous. and that’s the point of this article i think, it blew straight over your head.

  • james

    speak for yourself todd. i’d much prefer a war on stupid people over a war on terrorism. terrorists don’t drive 45 mph in the fast lane and refuse to move.. EVERY DAY.

    i may sound like i’m joking but i’m not. the threat of terrorism has been SO over blown it’s ridiculous. and that’s the point of this article i think, it blew straight over your head.

  • Andrew

    It makes sense to take greater steps against those displaying malice than against those showing negligence or foolishness… it’s likely to be more productive.

    Actually, I believe the opposite is true. It’s much easier to fight against negligence and foolishness: you just need to inform people and make them aware. But there’s no easy answer against malice.

  • Andrew

    It makes sense to take greater steps against those displaying malice than against those showing negligence or foolishness… it’s likely to be more productive.

    Actually, I believe the opposite is true. It’s much easier to fight against negligence and foolishness: you just need to inform people and make them aware. But there’s no easy answer against malice.

  • Dan Rande

    This is long overdue. The whole war on terrorism has not only been greatly hpyed but it has proved counterproductive. By overreacting we’ve actually aided the enemy.

    Incidentally, another comparison that should be made is with the numer of people killed by guns.

  • Dan Rande

    This is long overdue. The whole war on terrorism has not only been greatly hpyed but it has proved counterproductive. By overreacting we’ve actually aided the enemy.

    Incidentally, another comparison that should be made is with the numer of people killed by guns.

  • JD

    Do not confuse genuin fear and calculated fake fear to promote fascist laws… History showed us many times how the people in power used scarecrows to keep the populations in submission. Same old, same old… “There are terrorists sleeper cells everywhere!!! Be afraid!!! We can protect you, but you will have to pay a price (your liberty)…” Sounds like Mafia protection to me.

  • JD

    Do not confuse genuin fear and calculated fake fear to promote fascist laws…
    History showed us many times how the people in power used scarecrows to keep the populations in submission.
    Same old, same old…
    “There are terrorists sleeper cells everywhere!!! Be afraid!!! We can protect you, but you will have to pay a price (your liberty)…”
    Sounds like Mafia protection to me.

  • Brent

    Are you kidding me????!!!! Yea, might as well have turned our backs on Japan when they attacked Pearl Harbor. Perhaps if we ask nicely, the psyco muslim jihadist wont attack us again. Pretty please!! Dont hurt us!!! And the threat of terrorism has been overblown? Tell that to the peoples families who died on 9/11. Or better yet, move to the middle east and see how much love you get over there. I have no problem getting in my car every day, knowing full well that i may be involved in a car accident. We all take that risk. Thats why they are called accidents and not “on purposes”. What I dont expect to happen is to go to work and have some arab bent on the destruction of America drive a airplane thru my building.

  • Brent

    Are you kidding me????!!!! Yea, might as well have turned our backs on Japan when they attacked Pearl Harbor. Perhaps if we ask nicely, the psyco muslim jihadist wont attack us again. Pretty please!! Dont hurt us!!! And the threat of terrorism has been overblown? Tell that to the peoples families who died on 9/11. Or better yet, move to the middle east and see how much love you get over there.
    I have no problem getting in my car every day, knowing full well that i may be involved in a car accident. We all take that risk. Thats why they are called accidents and not
    “on purposes”. What I dont expect to happen is to go to work and have some arab bent on the destruction of America drive a airplane thru my building.

  • Katie

    Anyone remember that part from “V for Vendetta” where Chancellor Sutler says “I want everyone to know how much they need us!”?

    Yeah, that’s what hyping up the “war on terror” has accomplished, and that’s why we have given up our rights. It’s ridiculous.

  • Katie

    Anyone remember that part from “V for Vendetta” where Chancellor Sutler says “I want everyone to know how much they need us!”?

    Yeah, that’s what hyping up the “war on terror” has accomplished, and that’s why we have given up our rights. It’s ridiculous.

  • Sighorny Beaver

    Oh, you are all SO wrong! What about when tom ridge instructed us to all go out and buy plastic sheeting and duct tape?! Home depot, 3M and their stockholders made out like bandits, didn’t they?! What about Haliburton’s no bid contracts and missing pallets of cash, and their new AMERICAN prison camps?! What about blackwater, the private army of the elite? What about globalization and NAFTA? Just LOOK at the the wonderful things fake terror has spawned! You should all be ashamed of yourselves and be grateful to the elite who ALLOW you the privledge of living unshackled in this great christian land (at least until it’s inconvenient for us to have you around). You are all trash!

  • Sighorny Beaver

    Oh, you are all SO wrong! What about when tom ridge instructed us to all go out and buy plastic sheeting and duct tape?! Home depot, 3M and their stockholders made out like bandits, didn’t they?! What about Haliburton’s no bid contracts and missing pallets of cash, and their new AMERICAN prison camps?! What about blackwater, the private army of the elite? What about globalization and NAFTA? Just LOOK at the the wonderful things fake terror has spawned! You should all be ashamed of yourselves and be grateful to the elite who ALLOW you the privledge of living unshackled in this great christian land (at least until it’s inconvenient for us to have you around). You are all trash!

  • Ventrue

    “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.”

    Someone should do a good t5anslation of “Homeland Security” into german and compare it to a few titles found in nazi germany.

    Not all germans were nazi’s, not all arab or muslims are terrorists.

    Real security comes from knowing that what ever happens you can deal with it.

    Anyone feel that way right now?

  • Ventrue

    “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.”

    Someone should do a good t5anslation of “Homeland Security” into german and compare it to a few titles found in nazi germany.

    Not all germans were nazi’s, not all arab or muslims are terrorists.

    Real security comes from knowing that what ever happens you can deal with it.

    Anyone feel that way right now?

  • http://www2.blogger.com/profile/14380731108416527657 Steve R.

    For years I have complained that Orwell’s 1984 has arrived. The creation of a new bureaucracy (Homeland Security) that overemphasizes threats is depressing further proof.

  • http://www2.blogger.com/profile/14380731108416527657 Steve R.

    For years I have complained that Orwell’s 1984 has arrived. The creation of a new bureaucracy (Homeland Security) that overemphasizes threats is depressing further proof.

  • BecauseBushSaysSo

    It’s well known that our government knew about Pearl Harbor before it happened. And I know our government was in on 9/11. So why do we have to fear muslims? Because Bush says so. We should be fearing our government. Both parties for that matter. For those people who think 9/11 was the work of 19 terrorist just think of “Ten floors a second” when you think about the WTC and tell me fire did that. Fear Our Government not muslims.

  • BecauseBushSaysSo

    It’s well known that our government knew about Pearl Harbor before it happened. And I know our government was in on 9/11. So why do we have to fear muslims? Because Bush says so. We should be fearing our government. Both parties for that matter. For those people who think 9/11 was the work of 19 terrorist just think of “Ten floors a second” when you think about the WTC and tell me fire did that. Fear Our Government not muslims.

  • Jaxplane

    BecauseBushSaysSo is the fanatical side of trying to instill fear into the american people. Fear our Government not the terrorists. Yes believe the terrorist dont exist, 911 was the US government killing 3000 americans so we could start a war to line the pockets of the corporation. So yes, lets fear one another, fear your neighbors, the doctors, the educators fear everyone…but dont fear islamic faciest terrorists. Instill paranoia of everyone rather than doing what can be done to secure our country.

  • Jaxplane

    BecauseBushSaysSo is the fanatical side of trying to instill fear into the american people. Fear our Government not the terrorists. Yes believe the terrorist dont exist, 911 was the US government killing 3000 americans so we could start a war to line the pockets of the corporation. So yes, lets fear one another, fear your neighbors, the doctors, the educators fear everyone…but dont fear islamic faciest terrorists. Instill paranoia of everyone rather than doing what can be done to secure our country.

  • andrewwang

    Speaking of terrorism:

    George W. Bush committed hate crimes of epic proportions and with the stench of terrorism (indicated in my blog).

    George W. Bush did in fact commit innumerable hate crimes.

    And I do solemnly swear by Almighty God that George W. Bush committed other hate crimes of epic proportions and with the stench of terrorism which I am not at liberty to mention.

    Many people know what Bush did.

    And many people will know what Bush did—even to the end of the world.

    Bush was absolute evil.

    Bush is now like a fugitive from justice.

    Bush is a psychological prisoner.

    Bush has a lot to worry about.

    Bush can technically be prosecuted for hate crimes at any time.

    In any case, Bush will go down in history in infamy.

    Submitted by Andrew Yu-Jen Wang
    B.S., Summa Cum Laude, 1996
    Messiah College, Grantham, PA
    Lower Merion High School, Ardmore, PA, 1993

    “GEORGE W. BUSH IS THE WORST PRESIDENT IN U.S. HISTORY” BLOG OF ANDREW YU-JEN WANG
    ______________________
    I am not sure where I had read it before, but anyway, it is a linguistically excellent statement, and it goes kind of like this: “If only it were possible to ban invention that bottled up memory so it never got stale and faded.” Oh wait—off of the top of my head—I think the quotation came from my Lower Merion High School yearbook.

  • andrewwang

    Speaking of terrorism:

    George W. Bush committed hate crimes of epic proportions and with the stench of terrorism (indicated in my blog).

    George W. Bush did in fact commit innumerable hate crimes.

    And I do solemnly swear by Almighty God that George W. Bush committed other hate crimes of epic proportions and with the stench of terrorism which I am not at liberty to mention.

    Many people know what Bush did.

    And many people will know what Bush did—even to the end of the world.

    Bush was absolute evil.

    Bush is now like a fugitive from justice.

    Bush is a psychological prisoner.

    Bush has a lot to worry about.

    Bush can technically be prosecuted for hate crimes at any time.

    In any case, Bush will go down in history in infamy.

    Submitted by Andrew Yu-Jen Wang
    B.S., Summa Cum Laude, 1996
    Messiah College, Grantham, PA
    Lower Merion High School, Ardmore, PA, 1993

    “GEORGE W. BUSH IS THE WORST PRESIDENT IN U.S. HISTORY” BLOG OF ANDREW YU-JEN WANG
    ______________________
    I am not sure where I had read it before, but anyway, it is a linguistically excellent statement, and it goes kind of like this: “If only it were possible to ban invention that bottled up memory so it never got stale and faded.” Oh wait—off of the top of my head—I think the quotation came from my Lower Merion High School yearbook.

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