Reponse to comments on previous "Dean and TV" blog posting

I felt this important enough to devote another posting to. In my previous post on Dean feeling the most important issue on the minds of America is TV, Mike V made a comment as follows:

According to this exit poll, people who voted in the last election felt these were the most important issues:

• Moral Values (22%)
• Economy/Jobs (20%)
• Terrorism (19%)
• Iraq (15%)
• Health Care(8%)
• Taxes (5%)
• Education (4%)

Personally I think Americans are a bit misguided based on these poll results. The chances of dying in a terrorist attack are very, very, very slim. However the chances of getting ill are very, very, great and more of a priority should be placed on ensuring health care for Americans.

Once again I feel the need to set the misguided liberals straight, hopefully on the right path. This list is actually interesting. I will deal with that and healthcare in future postings.

Mike, Health Care is an important issue. But above terrorism? About your comment about your chance of dying in a terrorist attack being very, very, very slim; Terrorism is not totally about death. Actually, quite the opposite.

Terrorism:

• Is about life. It is about the quality of life we wish to live in this country.
• Is about fear. Having to live under the constant fear that you or someone you know of love may just be in the wrong place at the wrong time.
• Is about love. Your love for others, even beyond yourself and loved ones. It is about love for Americans, and humans all over the world. It is about love for this country. The country that allows you to have what you have where we don't stand for this kind of nonsense.
• Is about death. The death of even one person, whether you know that person or not. Because that one person could be anyone. You may or may not know, but why does that matter?
• Is about terror. Because you know that somehow, someway, more attacks will come. Maybe killing 5 in a car bomb. Maybe killing 5 more in another and another. Maybe 3000 by flying a plane into a building of innocent hardworking Americans. Maybe 10,000 by some dirty nuclear device in NYC or LA or Chicago. And when it happens the terror this country will live in, as we did before, for days, weeks, months, years, will only build. And your life will change.
• Is about anger. The anger we feel that we could have done something to prevent it, but didn't. The anger that we can no longer lead our lives as we once did. The anger that the very thing that makes this country so great, is supposedly the excuse used to want kill us.
• Is about hate. The level of hate that others in this world have for freedom, because they don't have it. The hate for the pure evil in this world. The hate I have for myself because I hate those cowards who are evil enough to prey on those who can't defend themselves and for no reason at all, and in the name of something that is supposed to be pure love.
• Is about change. The change in our economy. The change in how we live. The change in our outlook.

So, do I think I will die in the next attack?

Honestly, I don't know. The chance is slim you say, but I am not so sure that to be the case. I knew someone who was coming out of the subway, and almost got hit by a falling wheel from the plane. I knew a few personally who got out alive, but we didn't know it for quite some time. I knew people who lost their jobs and whose lives were turned upside down. I knew people who's families were torn apart because a spouse or parent died. I know how I felt that day watching it on TV and knowing my wife was stuck in the city and fearing other attacks near where she was. I know the sadness I felt for the world. I wasn't worried about myself that day. I felt fairly safe where I was, I wasn't worried about me. I was worried about others, and I was worried about the unsecure future of my family, my state, my country, and my world.

Perhaps you are right. The odds of me dying in a terrorist attack is probably slim. Let me tell you a little story that hit me pretty hard a fairly long time ago:

I always assumed this was an episode of the twilight zone. Turns out after some research it wasn't. Instead it was from a similar show that I still haven't found the name of. But here is the story.

A man knocks on the door of a couple's home. Seems like a door-to-door salesman (for those of you old enough to know what I am talking about) and he starts his pitch. He hands the couple a box. Very plain, with nothing on it except a button. No wires, nothing. (Remember, this was black and white, before wireless anything).

Anyway, the couple is asked if they want to be rich. They say yes of course and the man tells them they can be millionaires. They will receive 1 million dollars. All they have to do is press the button on that box. The catch? If they press the button on the box, someone they DO NOT KNOW will die, but they will receive the 1 million dollars.

The man departs and tells them he will be back in 1 week to pick up the box. Explains if they press the button, they will know and there is no way to unpress it. But he reassures them not to worry, they will not know the person who dies.

The couple argues for a week about pressing the button. The wife wants to, but the husband doesn't. You see the torture on her face each night as she tries to convince herself, and him, it would be ok. After all, what do they really care, it isn't anyone they know. The night before the man is scheduled to return, she presses the button. Nothing seems to happen that she can tell so she rationalizes that she did the right thing. The husband is furious.

The man returns and hands her a check for 1 million dollars and starts to leave. She stops him and asks what will happen to the box now? His answer: "Well, it will be given to someone else. I can assure you, it will be given to someone you don't know!"

So, Mike. Healthcare? An important issue, I agree. Above terrorism? I may have a greater chance of getting sick, but I will take that chance.

My chance of dying in an attack slim? Yes, probably is. That doesn't mean others won't and therefore I should not be concerned. If you want to look at is as which has the greater impact, which is really what your point is, I think I answered your question.