Also, please keep in mind that most Muslims see through the “Holy War” rhetoric. The Taliban and bin Laden are extremists, and not representative of all Muslims, just as Fred Phelps is not representative of all Christians. The Taliban and bin Laden may well be “fully prepared for holy war”, but that does not, in any way, mean that all, or even most Muslims feel that way.
Remember also that at the onset of the Gulf War, Saddam Hussein spit out quite the stream of vitriol, bragging about the upcoming “Mother of all battles” and such. Needless to say, the war did not quite go as Saddam had hoped. Iraq’s air force fled, and the vaunted Republican Guard was virtually swept aside.
Similarly, the Taliban can make big claims. They threatened to invade Pakistan if Pakistan allowed the U.S. to launch attacks from its bases. They have similarly also threatend to invade Uzbekistan. It is highly unlikely that the Taliban would have any hope of success if they ever actually followed through on those threats.
Osama bin Laden, likewise, talks big. But remember, he’s the one in hiding.
And as you’ll see on the news tomorrow (at least the printed version), Bin Ladin’s call for a war against America is going largely unheard in the Arab world. A few demonstrations in Pakistan, but all the other Arabs are prudently watching watching watching. Just as I would is I had B2’s flying over my head.
See, the biggest bull crap of all is the “thousand years of conflict” between the Arab and Christian worlds. Yes, there have been differences of opinion (Crusades, anyone?). But, get this, no one’s gonna try to kill us because of something that happened a thousand years ago.
They’ll do it because they’re living in poverty and see no way out. Because they’re ill-educated and being manipulated by leaders who are bleeding them dry and blaming that ole devil U.S. Because they see our presence in Saudi Arabia and believe that we’re strolling through Mecca eating McDonald fries.
To repeat the other posters, turn the TV off. You’ll feel much better for it.
I feel like I’m pulling a Wildest Bill here, but you all know so much more about these issues. I do feel better. So much better that I can say…haven’t the YANKEES WON ENOUGH WORLD SERIES?
Not yet. Their thumbs are shockingly naked of championship rings, which is an outrage to civilized people everywhere.
Besides, people from Chicago aren’t allowed to complain about teams that win too many championships in a row and leave us Knick fans with only the memory of Michael “51 Points” Jordan and John “Clang” Starks. So there.
jarbabyj, I’m in the same position you are. I’m also 29, thinking about having my first baby, just getting started in all the great, fun stuff in life - husband, house, family, etc. I, too, have been really scared lately. I’ve been having nightmares every night (one was that I was in a Taliban-run concentration camp). Last night, a plane flew over our house really low and it scared the ever-lovin bejesus out of me.
I’m coping with this by repeatedly reminding myself that:
a) I have a plan. I know it’s being melodramatic, but my husband and I came up with a plan for where we would go, how we would meet up, what we would take, etc. if we had to flee the area. I’m 99% sure it’s not going to come to that, but just having a plan of action made me feel better.
b) I keep telling myself that through all wars, life has gone on. I picture the people having parties in Charleston during the Civil War, women having babies during the Revolutionary War, people going to the grocery store during WWII…just normal, everyday occurences. I just imagine stuff like that in my mind and it reminds me that I’m not the first person who lived in a dangerous world, I’m not the only person who does now.
That’s about all I’ve come up with coping-wise. I hope this is some help to you. I often read your posts and think we’re living parallel lives, so I can really relate to what you’re saying.
Oh, and, turn off the damn t.v.
One more idea…maybe it would be helpful for you to talk to someone who’s lived through a war. Not a soldier, but maybe a woman who was in the same stage of life you’re in now during WWII or the Cuban Missile Crisis. It might reassure you to hear how someone else coped and survived.
I’ve been pretty scared to since 9/11. Mostly because I’m so far away (hour and a half drive) from my kid during the day.
Her preschool is pretty close to a nuclear power plant - if there was an incident there it would only take 2 hours max for the fallout to reach her. I was very concerned about the schools evacuation procedure in the event of an accident. There is no bus on site fully gassed and mechanically sound instantly available for them to get all the kids as far away as quickly as possible. I was really starting to panic until I took the time to learn about the safety precautions and the security measures in place at the plant.
The security there in peaceful times is extraordinarily tight. There is redundancy upon redunancy in the measures set up to prevent a catastrophe here. I actually feel safer now with her where she is.
My advice to you is to take the time to talk to the security team in your building and find out as much as you can (without spooking them) about security measures there, evacuation procedures all that kind of stuff. If you feel prepared and informed you are much less likely to be afraid.
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It troubles me that so many people think that just because the US is such a large entity that it is a given that we will triumph in this war against terrorism.
How many times throughout history has the large been defeated by the small? My biggest concern is that the US will become to cocky in our ability to takeout bin laden et al, and wind up making things worse.
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