"Travis Marlatte" wrote in message
ink.net...
I wish it didn't have to happen but I think it does. We have entered an
era
where almost any disruption to our political process would be seen as a
small victory by one group or another.

Ah, but we forget that in politics perception is everything.

They only get their victory when we allow an event (whether 9/11, political
distruption, or worse...) to be seen as a "really big deal". Then the
groups know that they have something, and become encouraged and bold.

If we snarl quietly behind gritted teeth and a bland exterior... ferret out
the perps, their financiers, and supporters, like in any other crime... make
some quiet adjustments and go on with business as usual... these groups
cannot be sure that they have hurt a powerful democracy in any significant
way.

Treat your own citizens like potential terrorists and the real terrorists
get to think... "hey, they believe everyone is a terrorist...we can blend
right in!!

*** A great civilization is not conquered from without until it
has destroyed itself from within. ***
- Ariel Durant 1898-1981