Statistics show that the chances of being involved in a terrorist act are the same as being hit by lightning.
“If you and I had to make a reasonable determination of whether you should be afraid of terrorists, I would say no,” said Lynn Kuzma, assistant professor of Political Science and Director of International Studies.
While Kuzma called Tuesday’s attack well thought out and well planned, she said the odds of another attack are unlikely.
“We may think the terrorists are crazy, but they’re not stupid,” said Kuzma, referring to awareness of America’s heightened security. “The terrorists were successful in a number of things – they got three of four targets, they knocked down the two trade towers, they were fairly successful in shaking the foundation of American confidence and safety.”
Feelings of vulnerability were a common national reaction, she said, because domestic attacks erode citizen’s confidence in government.
“I bet some people won’t even leave their homes,” Kuzma said. “There are some people who won’t fly in a plane. In general we all have the same feeling of fear.”
“Terrorists might have destroyed buildings,” she said, “but not America. People are calling for retribution. All policy makers are saying we must act.”
And act they will. Most likely, however, it will be an act of aggression.
“The sad thing is, from my perspective, we have to do something in retaliation so the American public doesn’t lose confidence in its government,” Kuzma said. “Unfortunately that doesn’t lend itself to an extensive investigation and figuring out an appropriate response.”
Tuesday’s events were often compared to the bombing of Pearl Harbor, but Kuzma disagreed with the analogy.
“I don’t think the analogy captures the situation,” she said. “[Pearl Harbor] was an attack on ships and military personnel. In this instance, the attack was aimed at civilians in a non-war situation. The psychological effect is very damaging.”
As a primary target in the attack, the World Trade Center accounts for the largest cluster of civilian lives ever lost in America. Kuzma said the towers were targeted because of what they represent. “They were a symbol of American economic power and superiority.”
Kuzma also claims that the Pentagon was targeted because it is the symbol of American military superiority.
She said the purpose of terrorism is to put people into a situation of vulnerability and helplessness, and that terrorist strikes commonly happen without warning.
“They target innocence, and the attacks are typically aimed at symbolic buildings,” she said.
While government officials forward blame on Osama Bin Laden and terrorist groups affiliated with him, Bin Laden has not taken responsibility for the action. For terrorist actions that America has associated with Bin Laden in the past, Kuzma claims Bin Laden has typically not taken the blame.
“Usually, when a terrorist group does something, numerous groups claim responsibility,” she said. “The whole point of terrorist activity is to bring light on a cause you are fighting for.”
Colin Powell has been quoted as saying America is at war.
“It is a strange thing to say,” Kuzma said. “War usually occurs between two states where there is a physical enemy to wage war against. To claim you’re at war with an entity you’re not sure in what manner it exists makes it infinitely more complicated.”
Beyond war, Kuzma suggests other problems caused by the attack.
“Some people are saying this action could erode everything that makes us great,” she said.
She fears the attack could spur violations of American civil liberties as well.
“We face ideas of never allowing people from other countries in our country,” Kuzma said. “The government can take numerous actions, but they could erode our civil liberties. Everybody’s phones could get tapped. You could have your fingerprints checked every time you get on a plane. How many civil liberties are we willing to give up? I just hope the terrorists are not successful in eroding what America stands for by making us erode civil liberties and behaving internationally in unjust ways.”
Staff Writer Alex Steed can be contacted at [email protected]