Where is al-Qaeda in North America

Here we are, September 13 and no significant activity on the part of al-Qaeda across North America.

Where are all the terrorists’ cells and individuals hiding? Did they not listen to the words of Osama bin Laden? I thought that the Remembrance Day of September 11 would have generated a few if not many actions against, in particular, white North Americans. There would be actions taken against the Americans in Iraq and Afghanistan; that is well understood; but across North America, nothing happened! Either the American anti-terrorist actions are forcing any al-Qaeda members to keep their heads low. It may even be that there are no al-Qaeda cells or there are inactive cells that may remain so for some time into the future.

The belief that there are al-Qaeda members in North America results in a continuing fear of terrorism resulting in the expenditure of many dollars to support all anti-terrorism activities. As well, the good citizens of North America will be subjected to the time consuming and debilitating security measures at the airports of Canada and the United States. Anti-terrorism has become a big industry with many dollars going to all the firms that are in the business. It is like a war industry. It has become a necessity and even to speak out against it might be deemed to be unpatriotic.

Of concern to the governments of Canada and the United States should be the potential recruitment by al-Qaeda of disaffected youth. Where will the come from? Can they be identified well before they fall into the mindset of terrorists? Can they be turned around to act as involved youth working to build a better world for others anywhere in the world? This concern needs to be addressed on a continuing basis.

Fear and Terrorism

Fear is everywhere and so often for some things we are able to take out insurance. In fact, insurance companies make money because they provide services that reduce our fear of catastrophes taking place that would make our living most uncomfortable.

Terrorism has now come into our daily lives though it is not as apparent here in Canada as it can be witnessed in the United States. Yes, those of us who fly have experienced long delays that have been caused by security measures that came into play after 9/11. As to insurance payments to reduce our stress from losses due to potential terrorism are not readily present, it takes little thinking to realize that the governments and airlines have imposed direct and indirect taxes on the traveling public as well as the expenses associated with additional security for the protection of public buildings. So much has changed in our society since 9/11.

The Canadian military has been involved in Afghanistan as a measure to stamp out international terrorism. We have gone through a spell of “support our troops” and if unwilling to hop on that bandwagon, one would be accused of being unpatriotic. There are some Canadians who say that they do not want any harm to come to our Canadian military personnel and they wish that no casualties would ever take place. To be realistic, there will be members of our military who will be numbered among the dead and injured. That is the history of our fighting personnel. It is their way of life, a life of living in danger. In fact those who are in danger because of physical location outside of Canada are awarded additional wages called “danger pay”.

To return to the “support our troops”, many Canadians do but they are not willing to support the government in its military objective of being in Afghanistan or, in particular, to extend the time that our forces would be there. This is not unpatriotic; it is a simple expression of how Canadians feel and with our sense of freedom, we can express our desires and interests.

Some Canadians would say that the Canadian Government should look into our own affairs and clean up our acts that relate to poverty, medical care, the treatment of our Aboriginal peoples and our homeless. The list could go on but there is a clear enough statement of our own problems and therefore why should Canada be spending money and sacrificing the lives of our Canadian personnel to solve the problems of peoples in other parts of the world?

We in Canada have been subjected to our own “state terrorism” when we can not obtain necessary health care services or see our homeless peoples on our streets which is particularly disturbing during our long cold nights of sub-zero weather.

Bring our troops home. Provide better health services. These are activities that politicians should endorse and make promises during elections that they will keep while in office.


Potential terrorism will always be with us. The Bin Ladens of the world will be with us for many years to come. We will be subjected to increased taxes, inconveniences during travels and some levels of fear. We will see people suffering the results of terrorist attacks. Perhaps we should try to understand why we are being subjected to terrorism or the threats of terrorism and do something to get at the root of the problem and do those things that are required to make our world healthier and happier.

September 11, 2007

Today the Prime Minister of Canada in his address to the Australian Parliament said:
“September 11, 2001 was truly a day that shook the world. Six years on, the horrific images from that morning still evoke anger, sorrow and – as intended – terror. The buildings may have been American, but the targets were every one of us: every country and every person who chooses tolerance over hatred, pluralism over extremism, democracy over tyranny”.

So we are targets because we have chosen tolerance, pluralism and democracy as a way of living. Should I laugh or cry? Both, first laugh then cry! Was the United States attacked because it had chosen tolerance, pluralism or democracy? Can we say this of other nations that have been subjected to attacks by terrorists?

Americans have been the targets for attacks because there are individuals around the world who disagree with American foreign policy, American interest in foreign economies for the wealthy Americans to become wealthier and to protect their interests abroad. There are many individuals around the world who say that America’s involvement in Iraq was not for any hidden weapons of mass destruction which have never been found but because of the resource, oil. It has been said that it is that simple.

Is Canada in the American back pocket? When it came to Iraq perhaps the answer is no; concerning Afghanistan, perhaps the answer is a big YES.

Now, a poem which was written on September 12 and published on September 13, 2001.



September 11, 2001

This day etched forever in a mind,
A deed so cruel, so unjust, so unkind,
In disbelief we saw so much,
Knowing death would so many touch.

Our tears were shed, emotions enflamed,
Our understanding and thoughts were drained.
But many found much courage deep,
They gave their lives, now they sleep.

Thus left behind, family and friends,
And many who wonder how to make amends.
Some in anger, some in fear,
War is the word we did often hear.

But American leadership is very strong,
Voices were raised in patriotic song,
A people in crises always do unite,
The scoundrel, the villain, they will fight.

And those with wounds do suffer now,
For you in the future we do vow,
Remembrance, you served your country
When struck by the common enemy.

For in our freedom we do share.
All those who worked with much care,
To rescue all who could be saved,
So many images in our minds engraved.

This day we will never forget,
A remembrance day to beget,
A day for strength to renew,
With blessings, many to accrue!

© September 12, 2001 by Louis Henry Reeves

Changing Times

I remember a publication by the name Changing Times which I read to keep abreast of opportunities to invest in personal health and wealth. Although I can’t say that I was as successful in gaining great wealth but when it comes to health, I must say that I feel great. Today two individuals commented on my appearance for they could not believe that I am as old as I am. But age brings with it, at least for me, feelings of not wanting to participate in activities such as voting. Perhaps a sense of futility has settled in with my expression of: “One party is as bad as another”. Am I cynical? Yes, of course!

I have refrained from writing items which I might share with others for no sooner do ideas come to mind, other ideas seem to replace that were held earlier. Yet, I do write many emails to individuals and organizations for by doing so I am able to disburden myself of thoughts which tend to depress me and by doing so I can get onto other topics. As an example I want to write a letter to the Imam of a local mosque which is under construction. It will cover some topics which I would not want to share with the general public but which I do want to present to this Muslim authority. It will no doubt be a “mild blast” which will cause him to think and to perhaps appreciate what others might be thinking. Some parts of the contents of that letter might be used in some future article. Now, I will share one small item which may reflect a linguistic and cultural gap that exists between the Muslim community and the wider Canadian community. A sign was posted on the property which read: “Absolutely No Trespassing”. To most North Americans, “No means No” and the additional word “absolutely” does not wear well on those who read the sign. As well, the noise and dust created by the continuous drilling for the excavation in bedrock for the foundation of the building had been an ongoing nuisance to most of the local residence. It has been said that on Friday afternoon during the prayer session attended by Muslim men, the drilling was halted. “How nice for them”, a local resident said, “While we have to put up with the constant noise”.

I have always felt better after I “speak my mind”. It so often helps to “clear the air” and lets me get onto other tasks.