Q&A Friday #35: Has The Threat Of Terrorism Been “Exaggerated”?

Question: “Many on the right are fond of saying that the fact we haven’t had a terrorist attack on American soil since 9/11 is proof of the success of America’s foreign policy.

John, what do you say to the claim that this is evidence that the Bush Administration has exaggerated the threat of terrorism?” — SecHumanist

Wait a second: if the threat of terrorism is “exaggerated,” then why exactly were there so many Democrats out there saying that the port deal was dangerous? After all, if the threat of terrorism is “exaggerated,” what difference does it make if Dubai Ports World takes over from a British company?

So, let’s be honest here: As per usual, this argument, which liberals have been making in one form or another for the last few years, is an example of their wanting to have it both ways on this issue.

On the one hand, liberals say that the threat of terrorism is “exaggerated.” On the other hand, they blame Bush for not doing enough to fight terrorism before 9/11.

On the one hand, liberals say that the threat of terrorism is “exaggerated.” On the other hand, they claim the American people should trust them to handle a threat they obviously don’t take seriously.

On the one hand, liberals say that the threat of terrorism is “exaggerated.” On the other hand, if there’s a terrorist attack, they’ll claim Bush is responsible because he didn’t do more to stop it.

If liberals want to say that there’s no real danger from terrorism then they should call for cuts in spending on airport and port security. They should have all voted against the Patriot Act instead of accepting some inconsequential changes and then caving almost en masse in the Senate.

Either terrorism is a major threat and there’s a real chance that we could have another 9/11 or it’s an “exaggerated” threat and not something we should spend a lot of time worrying about. Liberals should pick a side and be intellectually honest about it, like Bush has, instead of being such opportunistic crapweasels who put politics ahead of national security.

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