In Answer to Yesterday’s Question, we have to wonder how many “disasters” we see in the news have been caused by sabotage. Forest fires, gas explosions, airplane crashes, refineries blowing up, train wrecks, all these things can, and often do, have their origins in sabotage. It would appear to be a reasonable conjecture that authorities know, and are continually reminded, that modern societies are easily damaged by sabotage.
There are few easier ways for an an enemy to gain control of a nation than by destroying, or threatening to destroy, its energy, communication, transportation, and manufacturing capabilities. A few bombs, suicide vehicles, or well-placed rifle shots can bring a huge city to a virtual halt. When we see the endless networks of wires and pipes on which we depend, we see how helpless we are. Even the threats of such destruction may cause governmental cave-ins to extremist demands.
Remember how two Moslem snipers were able to paralyze our nation’s capitol a few years ago? That may help us understand why governments are afraid and kowtow to those with the power to unleash suicide bombers and other saboteurs. The longer we give in to them, the more impossible it will be to protect ourselves, something they rely on to continue to have their demands met.