The Fog of Terror

DefenseTech links us to an article by Ohio State's John Mueller in the upcoming issue of Foreign Affairs wherein he argues that the terrorist threat within the United States is almost nil.

The massive and expensive homeland security apparatus erected since 9/11 may be persecuting some, spying on many, inconveniencing most, and taxing all to defend the United States against an enemy that scarcely exists.

Mueller's argument appears sound enough but, in our current political climate, this is a reality that neither the White House nor the media want to acknowledge. In fact, it suits their purposes to hype up a near non-existent threat whenever possible, as we've seen with the latest liquid bombs on a plane threat. This is being promulgated by policies we now have that will detain people for looking funny. Of course, the media always loves a good scare; why look, CNN is so committed to keeping Americans scared shitless, they've got a big new scary show called In the Footsteps of bin Laden on tonight.

Ignore the eggheads and don't forget to crap your pants.