# I don't understand why there is not MORE terrorism in America **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [September 11, 2011, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-understand-why-there-is-not-more-terrorism-in-america/595895 "2011-09-11T01:14:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![voltaire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voltaire/32/313_2.png) [@voltaire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/voltaire)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2011, 3:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-understand-why-there-is-not-more-terrorism-in-america/595895/21 "2011-09-11T03:21:46Z")
> [@Merneith](#): > > I went and looked it up - turns out they caught the guy, thanks in part to a camera he left in the backpack that still had his photo on it… Nitpick: At least according to the CNN article, the camera was found in his home and it had pictures of him at the march. > [@CNN](#): > > The plea agreement says Harpham’s DNA was matched to the backpack; investigators tracked his purchase of the fishing weights to a local Walmart store and an Internet buy of the remote triggering mechanism; and they retrieved a camera from his home that contained pictures Harpham had taken of himself at the march. Security camera and news media footage also placed Harpham at the site of the march. ---
**Author:** ![gravitycrash](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/977dab/32.png) [@gravitycrash](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gravitycrash)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2011, 3:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-understand-why-there-is-not-more-terrorism-in-america/595895/22 "2011-09-11T03:21:57Z")
Could it be that our federal government is actually somewhat competent when dealing with terrorism? :eek: . . . . . . . . . . Naw, I’ll go with the terrorists being incompetent. ---
**Author:** ![Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/f04885/32.png) [@Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qin_Shi_Huangdi)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2011, 3:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-understand-why-there-is-not-more-terrorism-in-america/595895/23 "2011-09-11T03:32:15Z")
> [@Der\_Trihs](#): > > Well, for one thing there’s less reason to bother when America has been doing such a good job of ruining itself. Attacking would risk disturbing the process of self destruction. :rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes: > [@](#): > > For another, right wing terrorism in this country almost never gets called terrorism. All the violence and shootings over medical reform never got labeled terrorism; if it had been a bunch of Muslims or leftists doing the same thing it would have. Death threats and shootings of doctors who perform abortions doesn’t get labeled terrorism, nor does KKK style racist violence. It’s only “terrorism” if it’s foreign, Muslim or left wing violence. [/QUOTE] You do realize anti-abortion terrorists have been tried and executed for their crimes? And what word if not terrorism was used for Timothy McVeigh? And don’t forget that everyone originally thought the Times Square bomber was a Tea Partier. Indeed right-wing terrorism is grossly exaggerated-the militas have been all words and no action, and Jared Lee Loughner was not an ideologue and plain old nuts (note how his shooting was more emphasized than that of say the Fort Hood shooter). ---
**Author:** ![Merneith](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/57b2e6/32.png) [@Merneith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merneith)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2011, 3:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-understand-why-there-is-not-more-terrorism-in-america/595895/24 "2011-09-11T03:43:28Z")
> [@voltaire](#): > > Nitpick: At least according to the CNN article, the camera was found in his home and it had pictures of him at the march. Sorry about that - I could swear that I had read that the camera was in the backpack, but clearly, you’re correct. ---
**Author:** ![Mosier](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ea924/32.png) [@Mosier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mosier)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2011, 3:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-understand-why-there-is-not-more-terrorism-in-america/595895/25 "2011-09-11T03:44:57Z")
> [@Der\_Trihs](#): > > Well, for one thing there’s less reason to bother when America has been doing such a good job of ruining itself. Attacking would risk disturbing the process of self destruction. > > For another, right wing terrorism in this country almost never gets called terrorism. All the violence and shootings over medical reform never got labeled terrorism; if it had been a bunch of Muslims or leftists doing the same thing it would have. Death threats and shootings of doctors who perform abortions doesn’t get labeled terrorism, nor does KKK style racist violence. It’s only “terrorism” if it’s foreign, Muslim or left wing violence. One hundred percent of what you just wrote is wrong. ---
**Author:** ![JoelUpchurch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f05b48/32.png) [@JoelUpchurch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JoelUpchurch)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2011, 3:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-understand-why-there-is-not-more-terrorism-in-america/595895/26 "2011-09-11T03:50:45Z")
How well do you expect any organization to run when the executives keep getting assassinated by the CIA? ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2011, 3:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-understand-why-there-is-not-more-terrorism-in-america/595895/27 "2011-09-11T03:52:10Z")
Terrorism is a very over stated problem so that it appears that we have to arm up for generations to come. It makes good talk on TV and radio. It scares people into submission . It makes the military more powerful and influential.It makes a hell of a lot of money for contractors and corporations. It permits the government to strip away our rights ,“to save us”. War is profitable. A permanent war is a gift to the military/industrial complex. The terrorism threat is one that keeps on giving. How would you ever defeat all the terrorist? How would you know it if you did? Yet, all the money and power can never make it impossible for some determined right winger or religious nut to commit a crazy act. Then our government will have to crack down again. ---
**Author:** ![Merneith](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/57b2e6/32.png) [@Merneith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merneith)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2011, 3:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-understand-why-there-is-not-more-terrorism-in-america/595895/28 "2011-09-11T03:55:16Z")
> [@Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](#): > > Indeed right-wing terrorism is grossly exaggerated-the militas have been all words and no action, \ Speaking of which - the Hutaree Christian Militia trial is scheduled to start on Tuesday, September 13th. They were arrested for plotting to kill goverment or LEO workers, hoping to spark a war with the police which would somehow or other lead to the Apocalypse and war with the AntiChrist (they conflate Government and police forces with the AntiChrist’s forces. Somehow.) They’ve been charged with seditious consipiracy, attempted use of weapons of mass destruction, various illegal firearm charges and so forth. You can read about it here - > **[Hutaree](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hutaree)** > > Hutaree /huːˈtɑːriː/ ⓘ was a militia movement group adhering to the ideology of the Christian Patriot movement, based near Adrian, Michigan, in the United States. The group formed in early 2006. The name "Hutaree" appears to be a neologism; the group's website says that the name means "Christian warriors", but an investigation by the FBI concluded the word does not have a Christian background. The group became widely known in 2010 after the United States FBI prosecuted them in federal co The Hu... [http://www.wxyz.com/dpp/news/region/detroit/hutaree-trial-date-set-for-september](http://www.wxyz.com/dpp/news/region/detroit/hutaree-trial-date-set-for-september) ---
**Author:** ![Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/f04885/32.png) [@Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qin_Shi_Huangdi)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2011, 3:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-understand-why-there-is-not-more-terrorism-in-america/595895/29 "2011-09-11T03:58:49Z")
> [@Merneith](#): > > Speaking of which - the Hutaree Christian Militia trial is scheduled to start on Tuesday, September 13th. They were arrested for plotting to kill goverment or LEO workers, hoping to spark a war with the police which would somehow or other lead to the Apocalypse and war with the AntiChrist (they conflate Government and police forces with the AntiChrist’s forces. Somehow.) They’ve been charged with seditious consipiracy, attempted use of weapons of mass destruction, various illegal firearm charges and so forth. > > You can read about it here - > > [Hutaree - Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hutaree) > [http://www.wxyz.com/dpp/news/region/detroit/hutaree-trial-date-set-for-september](http://www.wxyz.com/dpp/news/region/detroit/hutaree-trial-date-set-for-september) Obviously there are such terrorists-what I’m saying is that their danger has been exaggerated by those on the left. ---
**Author:** ![Mosier](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ea924/32.png) [@Mosier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mosier)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2011, 3:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-understand-why-there-is-not-more-terrorism-in-america/595895/30 "2011-09-11T03:59:59Z")
> [@gonzomax](#): > > Terrorism is a very over stated problem so that it appears that we have to arm up for generations to come. It makes good talk on TV and radio. It scares people into submission . It makes the military more powerful and influential.It makes a hell of a lot of money for contractors and corporations. It permits the government to strip away our rights ,“to save us”. War is profitable. A permanent war is a gift to the military/industrial complex. > The terrorism threat is one that keeps on giving. How would you ever defeat all the terrorist? How would you know it if you did? > Yet, all the money and power can never make it impossible for some determined right winger or religious nut to commit a crazy act. Then our government will have to crack down again. There have been plenty of attempted terrorist attacks in America since 9/11. I think the government is doing a pretty good job of preventing another grand gesture, but sooner or later one of those bombs is going to blow up and kill a few people or take out a bridge or something. The problem might be overstated, and our reaction to it might be too heavy handed, but I think it’s easier to have that opinion during the calm times. ---
**Author:** ![Farmer\_Jane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Farmer\_Jane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Farmer_Jane)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2011, 4:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-understand-why-there-is-not-more-terrorism-in-america/595895/31 "2011-09-11T04:01:12Z")
I’m sorry; isn’t 9/11 an example of right-wing terrorism? ---
**Author:** ![villa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/bc79bd/32.png) [@villa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/villa)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2011, 4:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-understand-why-there-is-not-more-terrorism-in-america/595895/32 "2011-09-11T04:09:01Z")
> [@CitizenPained](#): > > I’m sorry; isn’t 9/11 an example of right-wing terrorism? Not really. The left-right model doesn’t really apply. AQ appears to be pretty opposed to capitalism, for example. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2011, 4:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-understand-why-there-is-not-more-terrorism-in-america/595895/33 "2011-09-11T04:12:32Z")
> [@CitizenPained](#): > > I’m sorry; isn’t 9/11 an example of right-wing terrorism? I wouldn’t say so. Al Qaeda’s objection was to an American presence in Muslim countries. The stationing of American troops in the Middle East had been supported by both Republicans and Democrats so it wasn’t a partisan political issue in either direction. ---
**Author:** ![Mosier](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ea924/32.png) [@Mosier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mosier)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2011, 4:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-understand-why-there-is-not-more-terrorism-in-america/595895/34 "2011-09-11T04:15:43Z")
> [@CitizenPained](#): > > I’m sorry; isn’t 9/11 an example of right-wing terrorism? Damn it! What am I going to do with all these “Palin/BinLaden 2012” bumper stickers? ---
**Author:** ![Kobal2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kobal2/32/20_2.png) [@Kobal2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kobal2)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2011, 4:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-understand-why-there-is-not-more-terrorism-in-america/595895/35 "2011-09-11T04:40:53Z")
> [@CitizenPained](#): > > I’m sorry; isn’t 9/11 an example of right-wing terrorism? I don’t think religious-based (and, when it comes right down to it, fucknuts doesn’t-even-make-sense-based) terrorism is so easy to classify on a right-left axis. You could certainly say that fanatic Muslims must surely be right wingers since they have such conservative views (esp. when it comes to social policies and their idea of morality), are often nationalistic and/or in favour of repressive police states - but you could also point out that, for example, Carlos the Jackal is a die-hard Marxist who possibly was a KGB agent to boot… but who still supports fundamental Islam (at least as it pertains to Palestine) and has voiced approval for ObL’s actions. Which you’d think would be at odds with the whole Communist thing, religion being the opiate of the masses and all. Guess the extremes meet somewhere over the horizon of sanity. ---
**Author:** ![China\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/779978/32.png) [@China\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/China_Guy)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2011, 4:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-understand-why-there-is-not-more-terrorism-in-america/595895/36 "2011-09-11T04:48:59Z")
When 9/11 happened, one of my big fears is that Bin Laden would follow up with isolated but horrific car bombings in both Europe and the US every month/few months to keep the financial markets rattled, and to induce Western countries to really go over the top for domestic safety. Car bombs are the easiest thing to pull off - especially if it’s a suicide. The only big international type terrorist incidents I can think of off hand are the 2004 Madrid train bombing and the 2005 London Underground (I don’t put in the 2008 Mumbai shootings because that seems to be an India-Pakistan thing rather than global destabilization). Bin Laden simply didn’t have a network set up to continue on after 9/11 in the West. ---
**Author:** ![Farmer\_Jane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Farmer\_Jane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Farmer_Jane)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2011, 5:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-understand-why-there-is-not-more-terrorism-in-america/595895/37 "2011-09-11T05:00:07Z")
> [@Kobal2](#): > > I don’t think religious-based (and, when it comes right down to it, fucknuts doesn’t-even-make-sense-based) terrorism is so easy to classify on a right-left axis. > > You could certainly say that fanatic Muslims must surely be right wingers since they have such conservative views (esp. when it comes to social policies and their idea of morality), are often nationalistic and/or in favour of repressive police states - but you could also point out that, for example, Carlos the Jackal is a die-hard Marxist who possibly was a KGB agent to boot… but who still supports fundamental Islam (at least as it pertains to Palestine) and has voiced approval for ObL’s actions. Which you’d think would be at odds with the whole Communist thing, religion being the opiate of the masses and all. > Guess the extremes meet somewhere over the horizon of sanity. I do think that at a certain point, left-right just becomes a huge circle of crazy. But that was kind of my point. I’m tired of conservative politicians aligning militant Islam with left-wing politics. Hell, I thought all fundamentalists voted Republican! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2011, 5:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-understand-why-there-is-not-more-terrorism-in-america/595895/38 "2011-09-11T05:06:42Z")
> [@China\_Guy](#): > > Bin Laden simply didn’t have a network set up to continue on after 9/11 in the West. Which is good, because I can think of a half-dozen ways to destabilize middle America on the cheap. _Without_ suicide bombings. In the end, most of the people in the world aren’t Bad Guys, and the cops actually do their jobs pretty well. ---
**Author:** ![Argent\_Towers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e8c25b/32.png) [@Argent\_Towers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Argent_Towers)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2011, 6:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-understand-why-there-is-not-more-terrorism-in-america/595895/39 "2011-09-11T06:19:07Z")
Couldn’t a case be made that, despite the effectiveness of suicide bombing, it’s actually exceptionally rare to find someone with the nerve to do it, even in a super-religious group that believes in martyrdom? Maybe they all want the _other_ guy to be the martyr, but none of them have what it takes to do it himself. I think there may be something to this; perhaps humans across all backgrounds are equally afraid of death and it’s just as hard to find a fundamentalist Muslim who’s brave enough and faithful enough to blow himself up as it is to find an American to do the same? Even if this is true, though, it doesn’t explain the relative lack of Oklahoma City-type attacks where the perpetrators do not kill themselves. For all of the guns in America, the truth is, you really can’t beat bombs for effectiveness, and the means to make bombs are pretty widely available. And even if bomb making materials are not readily available, at the very least, you’d think there would be more _threats_. ---
**Author:** ![Sage\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sage_rat/32/399_2.png) [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2011, 11:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-understand-why-there-is-not-more-terrorism-in-america/595895/40 "2011-09-11T11:25:41Z")
My take on this question, in my blog: [The Cult « Reason for a New Age](http://publius2point0.wordpress.com/2010/04/25/the-cult/) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-understand-why-there-is-not-more-terrorism-in-america/595895.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-understand-why-there-is-not-more-terrorism-in-america/595895.md?page=3)