In the Aftermath

The tragic events of September 11th shocked and saddened all of us. Thousands of our fellow citizens died, and as a nation, we feel outraged, violated. And yet, the most important thing is to stay calm, to act rationally.

Blame?

It's just a bit early to consider the matter of fault. Perhaps we are all to some degree responsible. While we slept, an elaborate terrorist network conspired, and carefully orchestrating a coordinated strike. And we are just now awakening...
At our entry into the Second World War, Americans were complacent. Coastal cities burned their bright lights at night, conveniently backlighting offshore shipping for grateful U-Boat skippers to torpedo. It took months for our parents' generation to get into the proper mindset for war, to mentally gear up for the all-out effort of total war. We, too, will require time.
Some months back, in a different world, Congress considered legislation authorizing hundreds of FBI agents to investigate copyright violations, in effect, creating a Copyright Police to hunt down teenagers bootlegging MP3s and DVDs. At the time, protecting the profits of Hollywood and the music industry seemed more important than domestic security. No more.
Just a few years back, at the tail end of the Cold War, certain politicians and functionaries sponsored the creators of the Taliban. The CIA trained bin Laden, and apparently did a very good job of it. Now, too late, those responsible might do well to reflect on the lesson of the Sorceror's Apprentice...

What we as private citizens can do

Recognize that this will be a long and difficult conflict, a global war, and that every man, woman, and child is on the front lines. The world is a more dangerous place now.

Hold to our core values, the things that make us strong. Primary are the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, certainly. Also important are tolerance, diversity, the sense of community, and our basic decency. Remember who we are and rediscover a sense of national direction. Turn away from mindless pursuit of hedonism, from escapism and canned entertainment. Rock music, fast food, and theme parks are not the essence of America.

Study geography and history, especially that of the Middle East and Islam. Henry Ford once said that "history is bunk", and was subsequently surprised that his peace mission during the First World War (running against the grain of centuries of European history) was not taken seriously.

Understand the Taliban.
This conflict is not primarily about Islam, consider it rather as a historical phenomenon. Regularly, throughout human history, barbarian hordes pour out of Asia or North Africa or the frozen Scandinavian north or explode out of the Arabian peninsula... to conquer, to loot, to enslave, to rape and despoil and kill. After a generation or two, the barbarians become civilized, decadent, and are usually in turn conquered (sometimes by the very same empire they had invaded, as was the case with the Visigoths).
The root of the Taliban's rage against America is that we stand in the way of their conquering hordes. The way to defuse that anger is simple. We just need to roll over and die.

Take first aid courses.

Of course, report suspicious activity to the police or FBI.

List of vulnerable targets, at home and abroad

seaports
Panama and Suez Canals
straits of Hormuz and Tiran
tankers, esp. oil-carrying supertankers
pipelines
oil refineries
offshore drilling platforms
power plants
water and sewage processing plants
infrastructure (dams, bridges, roads)
Note that future domestic terrorist incidents states may involve arson - incendiary devices, such as firebombs. Especially vulnerable are places where large numbers of people congregate, dance halls, theaters, night clubs. Be alert and exercise caution.

Some Random Thoughts
There have been too few statements by Islamic moderates condemning radicalism and murder of civilians. Perhaps Islam is undergoing an identity crisis of sorts. If fundamentalism is purged from Islamic belief, what then is left? Islam needs a cultural renewal, a return to the tolerance that once brought it a golden age. With regard to bin Laden, it is important that he be captured alive, not be allowed to die in battle as a martyr, an inspiration to others. Best would be to see him break under pressure, name names, disgrace himself and his movement. Accomplishing this would likely be a difficult undertaking, but possibly worth any expense. Finally, let's not permit encryption to fall victim to the need for additional security at home and abroad. Regulation and restriction of encryption technologies will do nothing to hinder terrorist networks, who in any case rely on personal contact for transmission of information. Yet encryption remains an important defense for both companies and individuals, a defense against the very fraud and identity theft that terrorists use to raise money.