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June 21, 2004 - Subscribe - Contact Us - Rate Card - Place an Ad Valley&State Backpage O&E Sports Archives Classifieds Faith&Beliefs Obituaries Revels May 29, 2004 Has George become the boy who cried wolf? Who would have ever thought it would have come to this? The front page of most newspapers across the country (but not this one, however) blared stories of a new threat to America, in America, with real, live suspects sought by the FBI. "A clear and present danger," our leaders howled, clearly enjoying the connection to Hollywood heroes. But, the unanimous reaction of our editorial board: We didn't believe it. Not a lick. Not from the start. Haven't we heard this cry before? What's new about a threat in America? Weren't the maniacs who hijacked airplanes on 9/11 in America? Weren't there high-profile busts in places like Buffalo and Portland? Aren't they in America? A day later, a Wall Street Journal story that we did run quoted several officials saying that A) the threat is not new, B) the threat is not as bad as the orange level threats in the past, and C) the people behind the threat could be anywhere in the world, causing searches from "Islamabad to Istanbul." The BBC apparently shared our sentiment, reporting immediately on worldwide cynicism of the latest terror alert. After all, there may be a Hollywood connection, though not a Tom Clancy novel. "Wag the Dog?" Political chicanery. Media spin. Not lies, just a news release timed to remind the American public, i.e., the American voters, that these are scary times and now more than ever we need to hide behind the skirts of our wartime president and his men. If this administration is known for anything in the history books, it should be the tactical use of playing upon people's fears to foster dependency. Control through fear. In the emotional days, weeks and months following the events of 9/11, much of the world stood with us, offering support, speaking and writing of American goodwill. Here, in America, people rallied together, singing together, praying together. Now the world mocks us, looks askance at our bullying leadership and smirks, wearing designer T-shirts that read, "I'm scared of Americans." We simply shake our head, not knowing what, if anything, we can believe anymore. Perhaps this latest threat is very real. Perhaps some terrible tragedy is being hatched by a determined and maniacal foe. But even if it did happen, God forbid, we wouldn't believe this announcement was meant to deter it. Who would have ever dreamed it would come to this? DailyTidings.com Home Page Valley&State | Backpage | O&E | Sports | Archives | Weather | Classifieds Columnists | Faith&Beliefs | Obituaries | Revels | Subscribe | Contact Us Copyright 2004 Ashland Daily Tidings and Ottaway Newspapers All Rights Reserved Click Here Site Search: .:Advertisements:. RESOURCES - Mail Tribune News - ODOT Road Cams