Bomb Attack

When people are bombarded by a problem, they eventually become so dulled by its effects they stop caring as much. There has been so much fear and change in the world because of and since 9/11, further terrorist threats are actually becoming common place and treated by citizens with a degree of complacency. Although there is still initial shock when another terrorist plot is exposed the same fear no longer lasts---the story doesn’t linger because of the incident itself.

The December 29, 2009 issue of the Ottawa Citizen ran a story entitled, “I’m the first of many, bomb suspect warns.” The article outlined a plot by Umar Farouk Abdulmitallab who was supposedly associated with al-Queda in Yemen. He attempted to blow up an airliner over Detroit. The reason for this bomb attempt was allegedly retaliation for an attack on suspected militants in Yemen a few days earlier where US intelligence and hardware were used by Yemen government forces and resulted in 60 dead. However his tickets were supposedly purchased before the Yemen attack.
The attempted bomber started his voyage in Ghana then went through Amsterdam.

The device he was attempting to use could only have been detected by a full body scanner. This technology obviously raises privacy concerns and could certainly be abused.

The “system’ currently in place to intercept terrorism on aircrafts failed, given that Abdulmutallab had been on a US watch list and his own father had called Nigerian and Us authorities with concerns about his son.

In a separate article in the same edition of the Citizen, “Online postings show suspect’s loneliness,” it reveals that attempted bomber had a past of loneliness with no friends. How easy is it them for lonely people, friendless people and even very spiritually religious people to be led astray with easy access on the internet by zealot terrorists?

I don’t have the answers. I do know we are all becoming numb as we accept terrorist threats as a way of life. There is little doubt in my mind that the world of travel will change once again and full body scanners will become the norm. Note to self, better invest in Goodlife fitness their stock may be rising soon!

What strikes me most is that although we must fight terror to protect our citizens, the world political leaders also need to look to kinder, gentler ways to prevent youth like Umar from being interested in terrorist extremists in the first place. Maybe if Canada and the US shared as much wealth as they do on war efforts in helping others they would be taking the right first step.

……isn’t it amazing the effect Osama Bin Laden has had on the world! One man’s twisted views have impacted so many and will continue to do so for so long.