No Fear

Face Squarely the Real Threats

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 ~ Yoda:

Fear is the path to the dark side. Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering.

Although we shouldn't ignore them, it's not terrorists we should be fearing. The more existential threat is that, by our actions, our reactions, and our inaction, we will destroy ourselves. This is the only mechanism by which terrorism can succeed: by encouraging an emotional state where we abandon reason, forget our values, and lose sight of our ideals.

In a few hours, I'm getting on an airplane. Yeah, it's the 10th anniversary of 9-11, but life goes on, and it is only that life we choose to lead. I'm not afraid of flying, or terrorists, and I suppose some day I could be one of the unlucky few (the very few) that is killed by a terrorist.

I fear much more for my country.

Cornelius Nepos:

Hateful is the power, and pitiable is the life, of those who wish to be feared rather than to be loved.