twf,
re: Unless being able to pull off 9/11 itself is winning big time I don't see how he did. He may have changed the course of the US to an extent but not to one that I think he is enjoying.
Terrorism is all about taking very limited resources, applying those resources in a grand symbolic event, and having the country project the event to their own lives. That's how they create "terror", that's where the word terrorist comes from. It implies irrational fear.
9/11 was the ultimate successful terrorist act, not because of the death or destruction that was caused, but because of the reaction it created. Even though it was only the second (non-domestic) terrorist act in 10 years, we've changes the shape of our government, gone to war with two countries, instituted alert status, spent $billions on new security measures, passed new laws limiting our liberties, bought duct tape, turned in innocent acquantences...
OBL won, big time. Most successful terrorist EVER, he takes the Lifetime Achievment Award. I'm sure he never imagined that he would be so successful. And you can bet he enjoys every minute of our reaction.
The question that needs to be asked is... what made that one act so successful?
John |
