[An.American.Expatriate]

Terrorists kill the innocent to coerce the powerful.

This is SO wrong!

"The Powerful", as a rule, generally are only concerned with themselves and thier power. Attacks against the innocent actually provide them with a platform where there can appear to be compassionate and caring, but, the only real effect is an INCREASE in thier power.

Terrorists kill the innocent to instill distrust among them! Based on the distrust of "The Powerful", and all thier attempts to control terrorism (mostly by implementing draconian policies among the innocent!) - the innocent are expected to one day demand that "The Powerful" give in to the terrorist in exchange for security.

take for example the Patriot Act. Many here decry that these measures were implemented, but few if any see that the implementation of such measures is EXACTLY what the terrorists wanted to achieve! The existance of these measures, and a later demonstration that they are inneffective in the WoT will cause widespread disillusionment with the Government and ever increasing demands to "Bring the troops home", etc...

This is the real goal of terrorism!

AND, for a really interesting twist, compare what I have said above to the tactics of the left from the 60's through to today...

[Mi-kha-el]

"and a later demonstration that they are inneffective in the WoT "
Can you substanciate this statement with facts?

[Dave Olson]

Many here decry that these measures were implemented, but few if any see that the implementation of such measures is EXACTLY what the terrorists wanted to achieve!

I disagree. In 1998, Osama bin Laden issued a fatwa that Muslims are to "kill Americans everywhere".

Anything short of our death is NOT what they want.