Terrorism Down

So says the State Department in its annual report on global terrorism. The report, which you can read here, lists a total of 725 deaths in 199 separate terrorist events worldwide in 2002. North America rated a big 0 in both categories; so much for the Fourth of July El Al shootings. Intro, with basic stats and a picture of Basque separatist Ainhoa Mugica Gona's Noel Redding 'do, here.

Comments

[the anti-Tim]

Tim, with the El Al heads up I think you've finally earned a days pay!! *hnyuk!*

[James Merritt]

Does anyone know the peak number of deaths caused by gang massacres during Prohibition in the US alone? Please post here if so; I'm curious!

[Lazarus Long]

Bush is a Machiavellian?geninus. This isn't gloating, as this is good news for everyone.

[C. Gregory]

During the providence wars of china a young man appeared before a warlord who had suffered the loss of land and power in his providence. Standing before the warlord?s court, the young man, speaking boldly and loudly announced that he wanted to be in charge of the army.
Soon all the court was laughing. Including all the concubines. The young man stood firm and silent. The warlord then became intrigued by the young man and his confident stature.
?Why should I let you run the army?? the warlord asked.
?Because I can do it better than those now in charge.? The young man retorted.

There was a moment of silence in the court. The generals became angry but then converted to amusement. Soon the whole court was laughing again. Still the young man stood firm.

Suddenly serious, by the young man?s firmness, the warlord raised his hand for silence.
?How do you plan on proving this?? the warlord inquired.

Looking at the smiling concubines the young man replied. ?I will, within a short time, have your concubines marching in perfect order.?

Again laughter. All knew that women had no sense of military order and even the concubines were laughing hysterically. The young man broke in.

?All that I ask is that you give me full authority, full charge, right here and right now and I will prove it to you.? The young man barked aloud. There was again silence in the court.

The emperor thought for a moment and then spoke.
?You have full charge over the concubines. Now you must prove that these women can be taught military drill.? ?There is a penalty for not accomplishing the task.? The emperor replied, pointing to the executioner.

?Done? said the young man, agreeing with the terms.

The young man assembled the milling mob of more than 50 women. He taught them the basic rudiments and techniques. The whole time the head concubine was bumping into and leading a humorous milling mob as the leader. The remaining concubines were following her lead and creating a humorous spectacle.
?Stop? the young man yelled.
The milling mob tried to stop amidst the laughing court.
The young man grabbed the beautiful head concubine by the arm and pulled her out of the mob. The court silenced and the emperor was on his feet. The penalty for touching a concubine was death.

Smiling in a mocking way she listen to the young man?s complaints of her disobedience and sabotage.
Finally the young man pointed at the executioner. ?Chop her head off?.

The emperor was outraged and the court was screaming for the young man?s head. The young man shouted?..
?Did you not put me in charge??
?Did you not give me full authority??

The court silenced. The emperor became sad. It was a point of honor. The concubine was a very beautiful creature that flamed his heart and satisfied his loins. Lower his head he waved to the ax man to follow the order.

The guards dragged the weeping, sobbing woman to the block and the ax man whacked her head to the floor.

The young man then turned back to the mob of concubines. They were now somber and the smiles were gone. He started again and before long the concubines marched better than the best of troops in the land.

The emperor put the young man in charge and his massive victories won the land and peace ensued.

Sun Tzu