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Reading the news, I’m frequently reminded of the 2004 Michael Crichton book State of Fear. The premise is as simple as it is prescient for what we are dealing with today. A group of eco-terrorists plots mass murder to publicize the dangers of global warming. They believe their cause is just because the only way to get people to do what they want is to keep them in a state of fear.
“Nobody dares to solve the problems because the solution might contradict your philosophy, and for most people clinging to beliefs is more important than succeeding in the world.” ― Michael Crichton, State of Fear
But terrorism isn’t merely acts of destruction, but the use of terror, intense and overwhelming fear, as a means of coercion. Take a look around, and you’ll get a sense of just how often fear is used to coerce people into behaving a certain way and then thinking a certain way.
If intense fear is being used to coerce not just the people of America but of the world, then is that not just another form of terrorism?
The Constitution Study with Paul Engel on America Out Loud Talk Radio can be heard on weekdays at 4 pm ET. Listen on iHeart Radio, our world-class media player, or our free Apple, Android, or Alexa apps. Listen to other episodes of The Constitution Study, available on podcast.