Overstating terrorism
This is from Jonathan Turley's website
He is Professor of Public Interest Law at George Washington University. These words come from his testimony before the House Judiciary Committee on the Bush administrations prosecution of terrorism cases:
Perhaps the most serious danger of the inflation of terrorism cases is that it deprives Congress and the public of a fair estimate of the current threat facing the nation. The fact is that, after 9-11, we did not find rampant terrorism threats in this country. Most of the terrorism suspects have proven to be unhinged or incompetent individuals. Nevertheless, there is obviously a continuing threat of terrorism that we must take very seriously. However, the inflation of these case numbers leaves a distorted picture of the size and scope of that threat. Both Congress and the public need accurate information to determine how to strike the balance between security and liberty concerns. They also need accurate information to determine how much money and resources are required. Obviously, the Justice Department has an institutional interest in securing such financial and public support. However, it cannot “cook the books” by representing a far greater incidence of terrorist crimes to justify continued support. The current debate over the loss of civil liberties in this country demands honest and accurate figures from the Justice Department.
We need to stop being so afraid. I talk to people every day who are still terrified of terrorism, but that fear does not come from evidence in their daily lives, it comes from the media frenzy that has many convinced that terrorists are around every corner, prowling suburban shopping malls and lighted city streets.
This must stop.
I am not afraid. Terrorism is a RARE thing.
He is Professor of Public Interest Law at George Washington University. These words come from his testimony before the House Judiciary Committee on the Bush administrations prosecution of terrorism cases:
Perhaps the most serious danger of the inflation of terrorism cases is that it deprives Congress and the public of a fair estimate of the current threat facing the nation. The fact is that, after 9-11, we did not find rampant terrorism threats in this country. Most of the terrorism suspects have proven to be unhinged or incompetent individuals. Nevertheless, there is obviously a continuing threat of terrorism that we must take very seriously. However, the inflation of these case numbers leaves a distorted picture of the size and scope of that threat. Both Congress and the public need accurate information to determine how to strike the balance between security and liberty concerns. They also need accurate information to determine how much money and resources are required. Obviously, the Justice Department has an institutional interest in securing such financial and public support. However, it cannot “cook the books” by representing a far greater incidence of terrorist crimes to justify continued support. The current debate over the loss of civil liberties in this country demands honest and accurate figures from the Justice Department.
We need to stop being so afraid. I talk to people every day who are still terrified of terrorism, but that fear does not come from evidence in their daily lives, it comes from the media frenzy that has many convinced that terrorists are around every corner, prowling suburban shopping malls and lighted city streets.
This must stop.
I am not afraid. Terrorism is a RARE thing.
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