billege

If we panic when a Cessna flies over, then I don't see how we all feel safer. How long exactly is "short term." When will I know it's okay to feel safe?

The terrorists were pissed off at us enough to attack the World Trade center. Now, we've REALLY pissed them off by taking over Afganistan, taking over Iraq, beating prisoners, etc. etc. etc.
I don't think they're any more afraid of us than they were before. Not that the thought of dying to achieve their task scared them before.
We've added immensly to their list of grievences, and they still aren't afraid enough to hold back. We run like babies when a light plane flies over.
What exactly did we accomplish here?

The short term in the Arab mind is longer than my lifetime, so I don't think I can be placated by the "just wait, it'll be okay" position.
I am all for defeating and destroying, that's fine. Didn't we learn in Vietnam that an enemy that hides, fights, runs, hides, repeat, is not one we fight well against? These guys suffered a setback, nothing more. We didn't defeat their country (they don't have one), we moved them to a different one.


Last edit (I swear)

If the system really worked, we wouldn't worry that there was a backpack nuke or bioweapon in that plane. We'd feel that the FBI knowing which library books I check out would be worth it.

Also, to stay on point, the system didn't work. The plane, on a known and approved flight path, IN CONTACT with the tower the whole time, and cleared for landing, still caused a lot of panic.
If the system worked that sucker'd have been shot down, forced down, or ID'd well before people had to evacuate.
Instead, we're talking to it, we know who it is, we expect this person at this time, and yet we're still telling people to run like their lives depended on it.

If that's success, I'd hate to see utter failure.

__________________
I can sum up the clash of religion in one sentence:
"My Invisible Friend is better than your Invisible Friend."