Gangsters And Terrorists

I have just finished watching one of the cinematic masterpieces of the twentieth century, Goodfellas. Definitely one of the greatest films ever made. Ray Liotta was brilliant, as was the rest of the cast and Mr Scorcese really hit the nail on the hammer with that one.

On a different note I was reading an article related to the alleged terrorist plot which was thwarted earlier this week. It seems to me that the terrorists are achieving some of their goals despite western governments attempts to give the greater public the sense that the War On Terror is going well...

British Airways has warned that the current searches being carried out which have led to long delays and cancellations at Heathrow airport will not be sustainable. Thousands of passengers have had their flights cancelled and the effects are being felt globally.

A brief definition of the term Terrorism from Wikipedia:

[1] Terrorism is the systematic use or threatened use of violence to intimidate a population or government and thereby effect political, religious, or ideological change.

[2] Terrorist attacks are designed to influence the broader society to which those killed, injured, or taken hostage belong. The dramatic focus of mass media is often ascribed as amplifying and broadcasting feelings of intense fear and anger that make terrorism more effective in the modern world. As a type of unconventional warfare, terrorism is designed to weaken or supplant existing political landscapes through capitulation or acquiescence as opposed to subversion or direct military action.

So it would seem that the "Failed Attacks" of this week were not such a huge failure after all.