A Special Section of the Project On Insurgency, Terrorism and
Security
Living Life in Troubled
Times
Homefront Living is intended to make your life easier during the war foisted upon Americans,
and others, by terrorists. This site, along with our companion site, paladin-san-francisco.com is
intended as a starting point for Americans and others faced with the dangers that became
apparent on 9/11/01.
A year after the events of 9/11, a doctor reversed roles on us and asked: What do we do about
terrorists?
The best answer we could offer: You treat terrorists as doctor would a disease. For terrorism is
a disease, a disease that could well be called "fear-ism." The whole purpose of terrorists, people
who really don't have much power except the ability to inflict pain by stealth, is to make people
so afraid that everyone will simply acceed to their wishes.
The first rule in the treatment of a society afflicted with this disease follows the doctor's
injunction of "Do no harm" to the patient. Many who fancy themselves experts in the
anti-terrorism field do not
understand and they prescribe the heaviest doses -- doses that may kill the patient.
Threats have to be analyzed and countered as a doctor would analyze
a patient's illness. Anti-terrorism is a battle fought with a scalpel and a prescription pad
precision. Aspirin solutions, the "simple and obvious," often do not work. In real life that means
anti-terrorism is a police function rather than a war-making
capacity. Block buster bombs are not usually effective against terrorists any more than trippling
or quadrupling the prescription for a dangerous drug will make recovery come faster. In either
case, the "cure" may kill the patient.
You treat terrorism with knowledge and carefully measured, proven steps. The process of
learning about terrorism and insurgency takes some time. Just as a
wise patient avoids medical quacks who offer cure-all elixers, you must look with skepticism
at anyone who promises you "do this and the problem will be solved." Not all snake-oil
salesmen drive a horse-drawn wagon. Charlatans can be found in any field -- including politics,
law enforcement and
the military. Some talking heads on TV, too, know far more about public speaking than they do
about the subjects of terrorism and insurgency. One of the moe knowledgeable field operators
in this field insists that "an expert is anyone licensed to carry a slide projector across state lines."
Just as a doctor cannot save every patient, there will be casualties in this war. A good "doctor"
of anti-terrorism recognizes that he cannot prevent terrorists from striking, even killing. The
strong presuption is that terrorists will strike at the United States again, and they will be
successful.
Just as a wise patient follows a doctor's orders and gets plenty of bed rest to improve their health,
or avoids crowds during the height of flu season, civilians facing the terrorist threat today are
wise to consider how much exposure is too much. Terrorists of all kinds, including those
associated with al-Qaeda are far more likely to attack crowds than they are individuals.
Another similarity with the medical world is that the patient -- you and I -- will live our lives
as before, except for those changes needed to meet the medical necessity. EVERYTHING doesn't
change. Little should change, for massive changes in the way we live and work, the way we
behave and the way we think, is the goal of the terrorist.
In this war you still be faced with the common threats. Things such as burglary and safety in travel are the "common
cold" of our lives.
And just as a patient's attitude is important to recovery in the medical world, the attitude of
Americans and others faced with the threat of terrorism is a key element. The psychology of
terrorism, and of terrorists, must be carefully studied and understood by those who must make
crucial decisions -- as well as by those who place them in office. Many are intent on "borrowing
grief." There is enough to go around.
In the long run, we deal with Living the Good Life and prospering in
time of terrorism.
Americans, the Western world and large parts of the globe are in a war. This is a far more subtle
war than we have ever fought in the past. Learning about the war, and how to enjoy life during
that war, is crucial for victory.
