Staff Editorial
University Wire
10-12-2001
(Rocky Mountain Collegian) (U-WIRE) FORT COLLINS, Colo. -- Lately, the world has been comprised of an alarming collection of contradictions.
In a Thursday press release (chillingly named "Skyfall"), the FBI issued a warning to the nation that "certain information" gives them reason to believe that in the next several days, there may be additional terrorist attacks within the United States, and against U.S. interests abroad. The statement did not include the haunting fact that today marks the one-year anniversary of the suicide bombing on the USS Cole in a Yemen port - an act in which Public Enemy No. 1, Osama bin Laden, has been named.
The statement called on "all people to immediately notify the FBI and local law enforcement of any unusual or suspicious activity." Hours later, in his first prime-time news conference, President Bush asked the country to go on with its business, and pleaded with Americans to go on with their lives.
But how are we to "go on with our lives" when the nation's foremost law enforcement agency is essentially asking us to become vigilantes?
"I have urged my - our fellow Americans to go about their lives, to fly on airplanes, to travel, to go to work," the president told reporters. "We cannot let the terrorists achieve the objective of frightening our nation to the point where we don't conduct business or people don't shop. That's their intention. "The American people, obviously if they see something that is suspicious, something out of the norm that looks suspicious, they ought to notify local law authorities," Bush continued. "But in the meantime, they ought to take comfort in knowing our government is doing everything we possibly can."
Bush said the FBI had not received specific intelligence posing a threat to a particular building, city or facility, but if it did, it would act accordingly.
Wednesday, National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice asked U.S. TV networks to use discretion when airing pre-recorded statements from bin Laden or his followers. The White House press secretary later stressed the Administration was not censoring the media; it was simply asking networks to exercise judgment in airing the tapes.
"At best, Osama bin Laden's message is propaganda, calling on people to kill Americans," Ari Fleischer said. "At worst, he could be issuing orders to his followers to initiate such attacks."
Fleischer, as Bush did last night, went on to say the government has no specific intelligence that would indicate that was the case. Basically, the government was taking precautions, and they were asking the media - and the public - to do the same.
This is a glaring incongruity. The Bush Administration continues to ask Americans to conduct business as usual and get on with our daily routines. At the same time, it encourages us to be wary of our surroundings; watch our neighbors' every move; and report "suspicious" activity or persons to the appropriate authorities.
But what defines "suspicion?" Are we supposed to "profile" Americans or foreign nationals who may be of Middle Eastern descent? That is unacceptable, but it seems we are left with few alternatives.
Be wary of propaganda
Although the sense of national pride that has blossomed since Sept. 11 is a great thing, Americans need to realize there is a fine line between patriotism and jingoism, or fervent nationalism.
The country is unified against those our president has adriotly named "the evildoers," but domestic media outlets may be forgetting some other sides of the story. While they are quality, outlets such as CNN and the New York Times are not the only places Americans can find news. It is worthwhile to seek out alternative sources, such as European newspapers or Internet sites that offer unique perspectives on the war.
Though patriotism is an admirable thing, when it reaches the point of overt nationalism it can be dangerous. Americans should take care to seek out varied forms of journalism. Patriotism is healthy until it starts to cloud our judgment.
(C) 2001 Rocky Mountain Collegian via U-WIRE
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