11/23/06 Feingold: See terror here, too

Submitted by WNPJ member Daniel J. Guilfoil

Feingold: See terror here, too

Wisconsin State Journal
November 23, 2006

On Saturday U.S. Sen. Russ Feingold, D-Wis., gave a speech in which he outlined the threats of terrorism to the United States. While he properly described the many terror threats around the world, he did not acknowledge the use of terror by states, especially by the United States.

Terrorism is the threat or use of violence to induce fear as a tool of political or military power. Internally, the United States is threatening its citizens with the terror of being declared a person of interest and taken to some secret prison, with "habeas corpus" suspended.

The use of wiretaps and electronic eavesdropping is a further threat to U.S. citizens. Libraries are inspected for possible terrorist threats. Citizens who contribute to charitable causes may be subject to arrest if their donations are held suspect.

Externally, the United States is inflicting much terror on the people of occupied territories. In Iraq and Afghanistan, innocent populations are reported living in fear from U.S. air strikes, cluster bombs, home destruction and constant "mistakes" that kill and injure.

Terror is not something "they" do; terror is a tool of those who wish to impose their will on others. It knows no nationality or religious belief. I hope Feingold acknowledges that terror is inhumane at home as well as abroad.

-- Daniel J. (Jim) Guilfoil, Monona