I cannot count the nummer of SUV’s I have seen with little ribbon decals on them bearing the inscription: “Support Our Troops”. Each time I see them I think, ‘I do, but this does not mean that I support an unjust war, and even more sadly, one ill conceived, poorly planned, and ineptly executed.’ Absolutely none of this is the fault of our troops.
We have made a grave error. We have given validation and power to a group of individuals by allowing their very name to speak for the emotion they wish to elicit.
Even if we take great pains to disagree with the approach of a terrorist, we are acknowledging their process each and every time we speak their name. Terrorist. What an Artist is to Art, a Terrorist is to Terror. The creator of Fear and Terror.
We give terrorists free advertising and product placement every time we speak their name.
Words have power. Words make a difference. Words matter.
I will not live in fear. I will not grant a person the power to terrorize me.
I will not honor their deeds
by naming them
with the very fear they seek to instill.
You have the power to take away the fear.
You have the power to take away the word.