2008 Woodie Awards
Terrorism: Author calls for improved response
Jessica Schreindl
Issue date: 3/24/08 Section: Popcorn Forum
Dr. Jeffrey Simon, author of "The Terrorists Trap: America's Experience with Terrorism," is not a stranger to terrorism. Two of his high school classmates had very different experiences with terrorism. One of them joined a radical left-wing group and is in prison for involvement in domestic terrorism. The other was held hostage in the 1970s by the Palestine Liberation Organization.
"When I looked in the yearbook, we were all in a picture of the honor society," he said.
Simon spoke to audience members about the threat of terrorism as part of his lecture "Combating Terrorism: What Works and What Doesn't in the New Age of Terrorism" Thursday morning in Schuler Auditorium.
Simon warned that America needs to better anticipate terrorist attacks. But, according to him, original efforts by the Department of Homeland Security, such as advising Americans to duct-tape their windows, were ridiculed.
"We are doing very little, if nothing, to prepare the public of what to do in case of a terrorist attack," he said. "Unless we have a serious effort to involve the public, we are likely to see mass panic in the aftermath of an attack."
And such an attack is likely, according to Simon.
Under his talking point "Looking Toward the Future" Simon listed three things he expects to see: attacks becoming more lethal, the inevitability of a major attack on American soil and an increase in religious-related attacks.
He said a shift has occurred from political terrorism toward religious terrorism. There are key differences in the two, according to him.
"In religious terrorism, all non-believers are viewed as enemies," he said. "The goal of some is to convert entire nations to their religion."
Simon said the real danger is there is no compromise for religious terrorists. Compromise is seen as a defeat.
"When you believe God is on your side it's a powerful incentive to continue fighting," he said.
Simon listed the military as one of the key defensives in fighting terrorism. He advocated the use of both preemptive and retaliatory strikes saying they "demonstrate U.S. resolve." However, he said the cost and benefits must always be weighed.
In closing, Simon stressed the importance of striking a balance between having tough standards on terrorism and protecting our civil liberties.
"Otherwise," he said, "the terrorists will have already won."
"When I looked in the yearbook, we were all in a picture of the honor society," he said.
Simon spoke to audience members about the threat of terrorism as part of his lecture "Combating Terrorism: What Works and What Doesn't in the New Age of Terrorism" Thursday morning in Schuler Auditorium.
Simon warned that America needs to better anticipate terrorist attacks. But, according to him, original efforts by the Department of Homeland Security, such as advising Americans to duct-tape their windows, were ridiculed.
"We are doing very little, if nothing, to prepare the public of what to do in case of a terrorist attack," he said. "Unless we have a serious effort to involve the public, we are likely to see mass panic in the aftermath of an attack."
And such an attack is likely, according to Simon.
Under his talking point "Looking Toward the Future" Simon listed three things he expects to see: attacks becoming more lethal, the inevitability of a major attack on American soil and an increase in religious-related attacks.
He said a shift has occurred from political terrorism toward religious terrorism. There are key differences in the two, according to him.
"In religious terrorism, all non-believers are viewed as enemies," he said. "The goal of some is to convert entire nations to their religion."
Simon said the real danger is there is no compromise for religious terrorists. Compromise is seen as a defeat.
"When you believe God is on your side it's a powerful incentive to continue fighting," he said.
Simon listed the military as one of the key defensives in fighting terrorism. He advocated the use of both preemptive and retaliatory strikes saying they "demonstrate U.S. resolve." However, he said the cost and benefits must always be weighed.
In closing, Simon stressed the importance of striking a balance between having tough standards on terrorism and protecting our civil liberties.
"Otherwise," he said, "the terrorists will have already won."
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