On the Tenth Anniversary of 9/11, Terrorists Win Again

It's been ten years since the tragic events of 9/11 and while the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon have brought about a more secure and united front, one thing hasn't changed. Americans haven't smartened up a whole lot. It's been a decade and many Americans are still letting Al Qaeda control their fears and emotions this time each year - just what the terrorists hoped for.

If you've glanced at the news over the past week, it seems as if the public has let Al Qaeda get the best of them once again. Journalists have taken word of an unconfirmed, improbable car bomb plot in NYC and some outlets online and on television have spinned it into this huge looming terror threat across the United States. Are average Americans still living in fear under the thumb of Al Qaeda? One glance online or at the news and you would think so. Google's two hottest searches today are Osama Bin Laden (have people already forgotten he's dead?) and terror threat, and there's no less than ten programs replaying the events of 9/11 at any given hour. It's pretty embarrassing.

We can hardly blame the public for giving the terrorists leverage what with the ubiquitous "Behind 9/11" documentaries shoved down our throats and 24-hour cable news programs speculating about future attacks every year even although nothing ever happens. Americans and journalists alike conclude that never forgetting equates to living in (or perpetuating) fear every year. There's a difference between keeping the memory of loved ones and heroes alive and provoking fear to the point where the public is sure that this will be the year we get attacked all over again, for reals this time [sic].

Regardless of what's being pumped into our occipital lobes, we need to be more logical. We should never forget those who died, but it's time we move on and take the power back from the terrorists. Instead of over-televising the events of September 11th each year, and the worst - playing the news footage at the exact time it all went down, we should let go. By doing so and getting on with our lives each September, it would show Al Qaeda that they don't and can't contribute to the fears of our country.

What are your thoughts? Do you become paralyzed around this time each year due to replays and fear mongering journalists or have you moved on?