We will defeat terrorism only when we refuse to be terrorised
The threat must be put in perspective -- our civilisation's
survival isn't at stake.   As we approach the tenth anniversary
of the 11 September 2001 attacks, I find myself yearning for the
leadership of Franklin D Roosevelt - and not just on the
economy. "The only thing we have to fear is fear itself," FDR
declaimed in his 1933 inaugural address. "Nameless, unreasoning,
unjustified terror, which paralyses needed efforts to convert
retreat into advance."  If there is one word that has come to
define our reaction (overreaction?) to the September 2001
tragedy, it is fear. Murderous, unseen enemies lurk in the
shadows, waiting to do us harm. We live in fear of the next
terror attack. In May this year, a nationwide survey conducted
by Suffolk University, Boston, found a majority of American
voters (51 per cent) said they feared another terrorist attack
on US soil in the next 12 months.  Yet these all-pervading fears
of attack are irrational and unfound