Terror alert no reason for widespread panic
Published 12:00 am Thursday, August 5, 2004
Tribune editorial staff
Once again, the nation is under a code "orange" terror alert, based on intelligence concerning al-Qaida plans for terrorist attacks against U.S. financial centers.
On Sunday, the alert was imposed by the Department of Homeland Security after an alleged terrorist was arrested in Pakistan; the alleged targets included the International Monetary Fund and World Bank in the District of Columbia, Prudential Financial in Newark, N.J., and Citigroup Center and the New York Stock Exchange in Manhattan. Due to the warning, authorities have increased security checks outside the New York Stock Exchange and at other financial institutions.
While such institutions seem to be legitimate targets for terrorist attacks, it is difficult for us, as average Americans, to know how to respond.
As with any such alert, a sense of uneasiness is going to follow. Since the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks on America, government officials have been criticized for causing widespread panic for issuing these terror alerts with vague information about threats on America. In all cases, no immediate risk to the United States seemed to be at hand.
While we can find no fault in the government for trying to keep us safe, we all need to take the terror alerts for what they are: warnings. We have to continue to live our lives. Sure, some of us will be nervous, but we have to depend on the government to protect us.
Showing widespread panic when such alerts are posted will do nothing more than push the cause of the terrorists. Such people feed off of fear, and while they surely would rather blow something up and kill thousands of people, thinking that millions are fearing for their lives is not a bad consolation prize in their game.
The one thing these terrorists do not understand is that America is a nation of resolve. Even when our people appear to show a weakness, the nation pulls together and makes it through. We will not let these terror threats alter our lives.