I think it is more than just manipulation- I think there is a certain amount of CYA going on. If and when something happens, our fearless leaders can say "See, we TOLD you something was going to happen- sure, we didn't know it was going to happen in the middle of nowhere in Podunk, Alaska, but we TOLD you SOMETHING was going to happen SOMEWHERE."
No one wants to be held accountable when something else does happen, especially not if it turns out it could have been prevented (a la 9/11). So, while I do think fear and manipulation are probably involved somewhat, I think CYA also plays a large component- as well as the irresistible attraction people have to vague Hollywood type fears, and their amazing ability to completely ignore very real and present dangers(heart disease, obesity, traffic deaths, domestic violence, etc). |
