Three reasons why America is better at terrorism than the terrorists

By Catholic Online (NEWS CONSORTIUM)
1/31/2013
Catholic Online (www.catholic.org)

Grim reasons why the terrorists should quit.

Perhaps the terrorists should quit. Since 9-11, the United States has beat the terrorists at their own game, time and again. The most conservative estimates now say that in Pakistan alone, the U.S. has killed at least 3,000 people just using drones. Unfortunately, precise totals are unavailable. Add other countries such as Afghanistan, Iraq, Yemen, and those in the Horn of Africa, and the toll exacted by the U.S. is much, much higher. Here are three grim reasons why the terrorists should quit.

A predator drone fires a hellfire missile in testing.

Facebook Delicous MySpace

Twitter Stumble Digg

More Destinations

3. America has killed more people. If we look at the numbers purely from a mathematical standpoint, the U.S. has managed to destroy more human lives than the terrorists. There are a couple good reasons for this.

First, terrorists must operate in secret, often compelled to smuggle themselves and their implements of terror past security officials, alert and concerned citizens, and so on. They are restricted to striking in small groups, or even as individuals. Before they can stage a successful attack, a number of things must go in their favor. Many plots have been foiled by investigations and hardware failures.

Conversely, American efforts are conducted in the open, at will, and with little risk to American assets. Unmanned drones fly 24-hours a day, free of fear from interception, and they deploy sophisticated, tried-and-true technology that works. The result is, it is much easier for us to strike at them than they at us. We can exact much higher body counts from terrorists.

Conversely, since 9-11 terrorists have killed only 57 Americans in attacks in the U.S., and all of those attacks have been carried out by individuals sympathetic to al-Qaeda, but were not themselves al-Qaeda operatives. Al-Qaeda operatives have enjoyed no success on American soil since 9-11.

From a body count perspective, we're the ones winning, by far.

2. Americans are not afraid of terrorists, but terrorists are afraid of us. Although the country was gripped in panic following 9-11, that fear has subsided. Color-coded terror alerts were once part of the nightly news, but now they have been dispensed with by both the media and the government. Although an alert system still exists, one would be hard-pressed to find an American who actually knows what the alert level is for a given day.

These days, it's domestic gun violence and gas prices that occupy our minds as opposed to fear of being victimized in a terrorist plot.

Meanwhile, overseas, terrorists and their communities have much to worry about. According to a series of studies conducted by the government and various activist groups, drones kill approximately 50 civilians to every terrorist. The numbers however, are difficult to assess because every entity has a different criteria for separating terrorists from civilians. Furthermore, accurate body counts are impossible to obtain. Nonetheless, the strikes are killing many more civilians than they are terrorists, so we're not just killing insurgents and jihadists, but also their families and friends. This qualifies as a form of terror. When your family cannot gather for fear of their imminent death from above, you are the one being terrorized.

In addition to the sheer number of deaths, there remains a larger number of people who are maimed and wounded as well as extensive property damage that is done. Al-Qaeda has inflicted almost zero of both on the U.S. while we have destroyed entire families and their homes.

1. We can do worse. The U.S. has a fearsome arsenal of weaponry at its disposal. From carpet-bombing B-52s, to ballistic missile nuke subs, the United States can inflict death from afar like no other country on the planet. If we add into the mix ground forces such as the Army and the Marines, which are highly-trained, and highly motivated forces, the terrorists stand virtually no chance. The strike on Osama bin Laden's compound is a shining example of this. Not only was bin Laden eliminated, but no U.S. soldiers or agents were hurt in the process.

Although several thousand Americans have been killed in combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, U.S. losses pale in comparison to those suffered by insurgent groups, terrorists, and civilians.

Ultimately, if the national will existed, the United States could swiftly annihilate entire populations, remotely. A drone pilot in the United States can launch a hellfire missile into a crowd of suspected insurgents in Pakistan, and an hour later, sit down to a nice hot supper at home.

While topics such as these are undoubtedly controversial, and even inflammatory to some, we must sometimes take a hard look at what we are doing and why. We cannot capitulate to terrorists, yet we cannot continue indiscriminately killing thousands of civilians. Any escalation, should be carefully considered.

We are the better terrorists, but we are also fighting a very self-restrained conflict. We have the power to do even more harm to many more people. What would it take to escalate the conflict to that level? Nobody knows. Unless both we and the terrorists agree to quit, it's likely we'll see it. And while everybody loses in war, we can guarantee that we will lose less than they do.

Much less.

� 2013, Distributed by NEWS CONSORTIUM.

- - -

Pope Benedict XVI's Prayer Intentions for January 2013
General Intention: The Faith of Christians. That in this Year of Faith Christians may deepen their knowledge of the mystery of Christ and witness joyfully to the gift of faith in him.
Missionary Intention: Middle Eastern Christians. That the Christian communities of the Middle East, often discriminated against, may receive from the Holy Spirit the strength of fidelity and perseverance.

Keywords: Terrorism, drones, terrorists, jihad, jihadists, al qaeda, better

NEWSLETTERS »

Rate This Article

Was this helpful to you? Very Helpful Somewhat Helpful Not Helpful at All

Would you be interested in more articles like this? Yes, I am Interested No, I am not Interested

Rate Article

1 - 8 of 8 Comments

Tom Seeman
1 week ago
"3. America has killed more people. If we look at the numbers purely from a mathematical standpoint, the U.S. has managed to destroy more human lives than the terrorists" and "From a body count perspective, we're the ones winning, by far"

In WWII we killed more Germans and Japanese than they killed Americans. So was our government worse than ours? Is that your point?

The Japanese killed 2,402 Americans at Pearl Harbor. We should have stopped once we killed 2,402 Japanese and sank an equivalent number of their ships?

More, it is simply false to state that we have "managed to destroy more human lives than the terrorists." You are ignoring the thousands of innocent Iraqis and Afghans killed by AQI and the Taliban in those respective countries. Not to mention the terrorist - Muslim Brotherhood - government of Sudan, or the Palestinian terrorists (the PLO, Hamas), Hezbollah in Lebanon... on and on.

Third, if Vietnam taught us anything, is was that "body count" was meaningless as to who eventually won. Since WWII America has become more and more casualty adverse, whereas our enemies are willing to take fantastic numbers of casualties to achieve their political objectives. So body count is meaningless when it comes to determining victory.

" The result is, it is much easier for us to strike at them than they at us."

So... you want a more level playing field? Mana-a-mano? What's your point?

"According to a series of studies conducted by the government and various activist groups, drones kill approximately 50 civilians to every terrorist. "

Cite the studies or take out that statement.

"From carpet-bombing B-52s"

We do not "carpet bomb," at least not since Vietnam (and that's debatable). Please learn about how military weapons are used before talking about things you obviously know nothing about.

I could go on but you get my point. The author's point is not totally clear, but it seems to be that we are to lay down our arms and wait for them to come and get us. One may argue with aspects of our current or past strategies, but this piece is sadly way off base.
DrJoeS
2 months ago
I am compelled to comment.
I presume the pacifist, turn-the-other-cheek attitude is legit and heartfelt. But I am unwilling to let al-Qaeda and their related ilk feel that they can attack the rest of the world (and especially the Great Satan/USA) with no consequences.
Others have commented on why our intentions separate us from the true terrorists. I am in agreement. All damages done by the US were in response to unwarranted damages first inflicted by others. That is the lesson that the writers of this article must address.
Parsimoniae
4 months ago
I'm totally confused by the purpose of this article. Yes, terrorists can be defeated by superior firepower, but ultimately neither part will be justified because of their ideology. Take a look at what has happened historically in Europe, between protestants and catholics. Brashy propaganda like this could simly put our moral ground into a landslide. It is a brainless effort that couldn't convince either part.
Emma
4 months ago
I'm unsure of what the purpose of this article is. But, I will say : 1. Our soldiers did not execute an unprovoked attack on the civilians in their country. 2. Our soldiers do not practice ethnic cleansing. 3. Our soldiers do not carry out genocide. 4. Our soldiers do not enter their houses of worship and execute their clergy and congregations. 5. Our soldiers do not shoot little girls on school buses whose only crime is stating a desire to learn to read and write. 6. Our soldiers do not take over villages by force, then rape, loot and burn. 7. Our soldiers do not execute young men by shooting them in the back of their heads and dumping their bodies in canals. 8. Our soldiers do not kidnap and decapitate hostages . 9. Our soldiers are not cowards who hide behind their wives (and husbands), children "parents and grandparents. 10. Our soldiers do not murder and torture humanitarian workers. I could go on, but I think I've made my point. I also would say that after reading the threats on another article posted here by those cowards, that I would be agreeable to our government cleaning out the cockroaches from their nests should they ever again attempt an attack on our soil. If that were to happen, I would say the time had passed for any diplomatic solution with these idiots who still want to fight the Crusades. At that time I would fully support the use of any weapons at our disposal to rid the world of this menace so that all peoples of all persuasions can live without "terror ". Now, I should go read the other article about anger and contemplation. Sigh.
simon
4 months ago
You are definitely far better .However you should be open about the fact that you have killed innocent civilians in pakistan with your drone strikes.Further you have maimed and tortured people and refused to take responsibilty.
All is fair in love and war-so be frank and honest about your brutality towards civilians.You lack any knowledge about the countries you have destroyed -all you know is to kill which is fine.
Terrorists attacked you first ,you have the right to self defense but not the right to lie
Debra
4 months ago
Goodbye Catholic Online; this is the last story I will read here.
Brian D.
4 months ago
I stopped in mid sentence when I read "We cannot capitulate to terrorists, yet we cannot continue indiscriminately killing thousands of civilians" The implication is that we have indiscriminately killed thousands of civilians- really? Where did this information come from-Al Jezeera? I don't doubt that civilians have been killed by such bombing but I doubt that was the intent. And no doubt some of those civilians harbored terrorists. It seems the writer has forgotten that we didn't start this war. And because the body count shows we've killed more of them than they of us, it fails to note clearly that we are not jihadists, we do not prosecute a war on those whose beliefs are different (as these terrorists do), we do not purposely target civilians as they do. Let's have some perspective, please.
Brian
4 months ago
It is important to remember that while there may be collateral damage in war, and especially in the unmanned drone strikes, the deaths are not due to our indiscriminate strikes. We act on the intel we gather and strike at people, places, and things that are considered to be threats. If the terrorists we strike at decide to hide in a building behind their families, friends, or other “innocent” people that are effectively harboring murderers, and these human shields end up the same as the terrorist we are striking at… well, it is the bed they made.
We saw this in the most recent Hamas/Isreal conflict. Hamas would fire rockets from crowded areas and schools and such and then attempt to garner world support because of the counter strikes of the Isrealis that killed civilians. Cowards will always be cowards and will use their cowardice to drum up support of the sympathetic bleeding hearts in the world who will demand that those people that are defending themselves cease and desist. It gives a free pass to the enemy. Let’s not forget, they started this with a horrible attack on our soil that killed thousands in one morning. Do you think for one second they felt bad about the innocent lives lost on our side?
Now I know it doesn’t make it right, vengeance is not a path one should walk. That said, it is our right to defend ourselves, and in the opinion of this US Soldier, that is EXACTLY what we are doing.

Comments submitted must be civil, remain on-topic and not violate any laws including copyright. We reserve the right to delete any comments which are abusive, inappropriate or not constructive to the discussion.

Though we invite robust discussion, we reserve the right to not publish any comment which denigrates the human person, undermines marriage and the family, or advocates for positions which openly oppose the teaching of the Catholic Church.

This is a supervised forum and the Editors of Catholic Online retain the right to direct it.

We also reserve the right to block any commenter for repeated violations. Your email address is required to post, but it will not be published on the site.

We ask that you NOT post your comment more than once. Catholic Online is growing and our ability to review all comments sometimes results in a delay in their publication.

Name *

Email *

Comment *

Send me important information from Catholic Online and it's partners. See Sample

Post Comment