Divine InnerBitchin’

In light of today’s attempted homocide bombing in Glasgow, and the attempted attacks in London yesterday, I’d like to issue a quick ‘thank you’ to those on the left, and in the media, who continue to point out the importance of global warming, and universal health care, and Paris Hilton.

Again, and I suspect it is, indeed, imminent, that the media will preach to us about how imcompetent these buffoons were in their bungled attempts. We’ll hear plenty about how the attacks of today were carried out by Asian men…not, specifically, those of middle-eastern descent. Hell, they must have been Buddhists. And, well, we all know that the bad guys wear black hats and carry six shooters and, well, come from Texas.

I would like to offer the thought that, perhaps, these ‘bunglers’ are the true believers. And, for some time now, I’ve wondered how long it would take for the true believers to hit us where it hurts. Could this be just the beginning?

Hell, if I watched ‘24′ I might think I have a plot line to sell to them.

Terrorism, as of late, hasn’t really been so terrifying to any but those directly impacted by the events of terrorism themselves. Why? Because it’s ‘over there’.

Let me propose that the reason that true terror has not been struck at the heart of America has more to do with political concerns more commonly associated with Washington, D.C. than with Al Qaeda (no longer a club, but a way of life!)

Ego

Legacy

Immortality

Those who planned the attacks so successfully carried out as those which occured on that terrible day in September, 2001, have achieved a place in the history books while the true believers, the hijackers, went down with the ship. How many of them can you name today?

Ego demands that the leaders of these groups plan the most spectacular attacks possible: NYC, LAX, etc… And, if they fail in their first attempts, it is their egos which force them to return to the site to finish the job.

Whoa! Did you see that?!

Not much difference exists in those spread across this country, when observing a brutal attack on innocent civilians, than occurs when those in places such Seattle watch the devastation created by a storm such as Katrina, or when those in NYC watch the flames destroy 200+ homes in Lake Tahoe…”How terrible. Thank God it wasn’t me.” It’s distant. A devastating blow from any source, when carried out in the U.S. is, to most in this country, a thousand miles or more away from their own front doorsteps.

And, a blessing bestowed by God, which disallows the literal recreation within ourselves of the fear and emotions associated with such an event, just weeks or months later, one which allows the wounds to scab over and heal, also builds a false sense of security.

Do those living in Boise really fear a fully loaded 747 will crash through their local chamber of commerce?

Do those living in Billings, Montana, really feel any sense of personal danger when hearing of the attacks, or thwarted attacks, upon a major metropolitan city?

What happens when the true believers realize that the nirvana they seek will not be achieved through the showy pyrotechnics which occupy the minds of their idealogical leaders?

Where do Americans…humans… feel most safe and secure? In their own homes, of course.

What do they fear most? The pain and suffering of their children, or of their parents.

Why was the hostage situation and, ultimately, the deaths of so many in Beslan so appalling and personally affecting? Because, first, the victims were helpless children and second, because the event took place somewhere traditionally considered hallowed ground; in a school. For just a moment, people everywhere were forced to consider the possibility that simply allowing their children to leave their homes would put them at greater risk than they had previously imagined.

Imagine small bands of these fanatics, truly dedicated to the cause, acting in reckless or spontaneous fashion:

Someone firing an automatic weapon in a supermarket in Modesto, CA.

A nut job driving through a crowd of happy families at an Easter celebration in Hamlet, NC.

A nighttime raid through the homes of a small community in Arkansas.

Children kidnapped from schoolyards in Frederick, MD.

How long would it take for all of America to sit up and take notice? What would become of the economy, of the educational system, of the community, once we were truly afraid?

What if you no longer enjoyed the piece of mind that comes from living in the ‘burbs?

I suspect that, for many, the only time they become acutely aware of the behavior of those around them is when they’re sitting at the gate, waiting to board a plane. I, on the other hand, scare the living piss out of myself. Imagine carrying around these thoughts in your head.

Perhaps, now you will.

Not that I wish ill upon any of you. I don’t. But, a little discomfort can trigger those other gifts that God bestowed upon us: fight or flight. A return to the lower rungs of Maslow’s pyramid, if you will.

Next time you’re sitting in your home, watching in temporary horror the tragic events that the bastards have wreaked upon yet another city far, far away…remember:

It ain’t over.

Not by a long shot.

And those who truly believe aren’t waiting on some bastard hiding in the mountains of Afghanistan to say ‘when’.