A Cold War on Terrorism? Or a Red Hot Herring?

“The war on terror is over.” a senior official in the State Department told the National Journal in April 2012. “Now that we have killed most of Al Qaeda…” Approximately 16 months after this statement, a global warning has been issued. The war on terrorism is apparently not over. We are in fact all under threat. Don’t travel this weekend, the State Department warns. The entire month of August has been set ablaze with warning- Al Qaeda communications have been intercepted and they have plans for mass destruction. Terrorism is at hand. Travel alerts everywhere…beware…the planet??? * * * On Friday, August 2, 2013 the State Department issued what it phrased to be a ‘worldwide travel alert,’ in response to an unspecified terrorist threat. A White House official stated that President Obama was being updated on “a potential threat occurring in or emanating from the Arabian Peninsula.” In summary of the sparse details offered, the threat was specific enough justify the closure of 21 US embassies and consulates as well as that of several European allies; but at the same time the threat was unspecific enough to narrow down the alert to anything less than the entire planet. In further elaboration of the travel alert issued on August 2nd, Americans were warned of the “continued potential for terrorist attacks, both in the region and beyond, and that they may focus efforts to conduct attacks in the period between now and the end of August.” * * * On the first day that this “WARNING” was issued, Truth Hack conducted a series of interviews amongst the general population to find out how they felt about the issue at hand. “It’s kinda like alerting you that hey- the sun is coming up. It’s (the terrorist threat) something that has been going on for so many years.” Chris* commented. “The potential (for a terrorist attack) is always there and has always been there, I spent 8 years in the military so I’m always listening to what the government has to say and always keeping an eye out… but as far as I can see the government is just telling us to be careful.” “It’s not anything unusual.” Juan commented in regards to the warning. “If there is a real threat, the closure of the embassies this weekend might just be prolonging the threat.” “Look at what happened in Boston. There was no alert there, was there?” Ramon* asked. “But you can’t live in fear.” * * * Exactly a week has passed since the warning and Al Qaeda has yet to make a move. According to CNN, the security at the Yemen embassy was one of the most revamped. By Saturday at least 12 tanks were stationed within 500 meters of the building. All roads leading to the embassy were either closed or guarded, checkpoints were set up at a distance, and hundreds of additional security forces joined the already impressive security detail. Not to be outdone, the Department of Homeland Security beefed up it’s presence at airports, train stations and other travel points in the US. According to Senator Saxby Chambliss, the top Republican on the Senate Intelligence Committee, the communications among terrorism suspects about the planning of possible attack was intercepted by one of the NSA surveillance programs revealed by NSA leaker Edward Snowden. These programs “allow us to have the ability to gather this chatter (terrorist conspiracy)” Chambliss stated. “If we did not have these programs then we simply wouldn’t be able to listen in on the bad guys.” * * * Lets take a moment to review the facts: Fact: We were issued an alert. Fact: The alert was severe enough to tell the world. Fact: The alert was so vague that no location was actually ruled out of danger. Fact: All US citizens were warned against travel. Fact: Multiple US and European embassies were closed down for the weekend. Fact: Certain locations experienced heightened security efforts. Fact: The information about this threat was derived from a mass surveillance program. Fact: No once has really specified the “threat” as anything beyond the terms of ‘terrorist‘ and ‘Al Qaeda.’ and ‘one of the most specific and credible since 9/11.’ Fact: The State Department announced Sunday that 19 diplomatic post will remain closed through Saturday (August 10th) because of the threat. Fact: Until recently, we were under the impression that Al Qaeda had been severely weakened and lacking in drive since the death of Osama Bin Laden and other leaders. Fact: There is always SOME threat to be an American overseas. Fact: Despite a lack of visible terrorist activity, the Senate Intelligence Committee was extremely eager to credit the “saving information” to one of the NSA programs made known by NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden. * * * Let me back up and clarify something here: I hate speculation. Literally. I hate theorizing about anything less than a solid, legitimate truth. I hate conspiracy theories. I long for nothing more than a solid foundation, a plausible and tangible truth. But in analyzing the facts that have been presented to date, I must ask myself these questions: Are we actually fighting a cold war on terrorism? A war so cold that the core group was declared gutted and the war itself “over” 16 months ago? Or could this be a red herring? Are the supporters of mass surveillance programs so desperate to support their cause that they would declare a worldwide threat of nothing specific so that they could more easily shoot down opponents to their illegal programs? Admittedly, I don’t know. There is no proof for either scenario. In all sincerity I hope that our government still respects the citizens enough to not fabricate stories to form grounds of justification for illegal activity. * * * So what is the truth? John 8:32 says "And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." In the age of deceit it can be hard to see through the presentations of men, but there is one thing that shall always remain true- the Word of our Lord. As for the truth regardig the state of our nation- Only time will tell for sure, but as you observe and wonder at the things happening in the world, ask yourself this question- who do I trust to keep me safe? Do you trust the governnment with its massive warnings and chokehold on freedom in the name of safety? Palms 20:7 says "Some trust in chariots and some in horses" (in the power and secuirity of men) "but we will remember the name of the Lord our God." The unchanging truth in this matter is simple: Put your trust in God and you'll never be let down.