Yes. And no.
First put things in perspective. What was the worst terrorist attack for Americans in history? The Twin Towers on 911 would need to be a the top of the list. How many people were killed in that attack? We know of 2,753 plus the other attacks of the day. Tragic and evil. Should that make you stay home from your Christmas party?
How many were killed that year in automobile accidents? According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, 42,116. If you take the worst year in terrorist mayhem and do a little math you will find that even in that year you were 15 times more likely to die in a traffic accident than you were from crazy jihadists. Picture what the ratio would have been in the year only 17 died in terror attacks.
Does that mean that I am afraid to drive? The answer should be obvious, but for those who went to public school in the last 20 years I will make it clear. No.
So, no. I don’t need to “worry” about terrorists. That doesn’t mean I don’t use common sense.
I do drive with caution. I look both ways before a cross a street. A keep checking my six when I am walking in a parking lot. I try to be aware. I am concerned about that drunk driver or the person texting. I am aware that there are thugs and drugies out there. I will still do my Christmas Shopping.
So, yes. I “worry” about terrorists. But it is the type of worry that makes me more alert, not the kind that cripples me. It makes me watch my surroundings. I lock my car and my house. It might make me buy a gun. It should make me think deeply before I vote.
The danger we face is not climate change it is cultural change.
Wake up, America before something tragic wakes you up.
homo unius libri
Well said.
ReplyDeleteThank You. It is always hard to find balance in difficult subjects. It is so boring not to shout, "The sky is falling!"
DeleteGrace and peace