FP 1-19
12/2003
ABSTRACT
TERRORISM: WHAT SHOULD WE DO NOW?
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PREPARED BY:
Sue E. Williams, Ph.D.
Family Policy & Leadership Development Specialist
333 HES, Oklahoma State University
Stillwater, OK 74078
(405) 744-6282
sarahk@okstate.edu |
Renée A. Daugherty, Ph.D.
Extension Specialist / Assistant Professor
104 HES, Oklahoma State University
Stillwater, OK 74078
(405) 744-6231
radaugh@okstate.edu |
Doble Research Associates, Inc. (2003).
Terrorism: What Should We Do Now? Dayton, Ohio: National Issues
Forums Institute.
IMPLICATIONS FOR COOPERATIVE EXTENSION.
The policy debate over how to best respond to acts of terrorism
and national security has been raging since September 11, 2001.
Although this debate can seem very far removed to the every day lives
of Oklahomans, it does have an impact on our lives in both the short
and long term. The Doble Research Associates report shares
perspectives on terrorism and national security from people across our
country who participated in hundreds of public forums. Several of
these forums were conducted in our state with Oklahoma perspectives
shared in the report. Voices represented in this report will be
helpful in understanding and serving people in Oklahoma who are
increasingly concerned about terrorism and national security.
In addition the discussion guide used to
conduct these forums is available to conduct future forums in
communities across Oklahoma. The Oklahoma Partnership for Public
Deliberation has prepared moderators and recorders to assist in
conducting forums on this and other challenging issues. To learn more
about hosting a forum contact a member of the OPPD, Sue Williams
(405-744-6282) or Renée Daugherty (405-744-6231).
OVERVIEW
This analyzes what happened in National
Issues Forums on terrorism that took place in 40 states. These forums
were conducted by trained moderators and recorders and used an issue
guide, Terrorism: What Should We Do Now?
National Issues Forums (NIF) bring together
citizens to deliberate and make choices about challenging social and
political issues. In the past, NIF has addressed such issues as money
and politics, race and ethnic tensions, the economy, education, health
care and crime. Throughout the nation, civic, service, and religious
organizations as well as libraries, high schools, community colleges and
universities have convened thousands of forums in hundreds of
communities.
SAMPLE
Doble Research Associates took a sample of
the hundreds of NIF forums that took place in 2002 and 2003. Almost 2000
forum participants (some from Oklahoma) were included in this report.
FINDINGS
Following are statements that summarize the
results of the Doble Research Associates analysis:
Deep Concerns—Forum
participants were deeply concerned about what they saw to be a
fundamental lack of understanding. People in the Middle East and Muslims
throughout the world are poorly informed about the U.S. Instead of
understanding who Americans are and what we value, Muslims views stem
from our movies and popular culture. On the other hand the American
people, including policy makers, are poorly informed about Afghanistan,
Arab Countries, the Middle East and Islam. Moreover, instead of
informing us, the news media exacerbates the problem. Such
misunderstanding makes it not only easy to misread intentions and
actions but also to stereotype other people and countries.
Expressed Values---Key values
were evident as forum participants discussed the issue of terrorism. The
following values and related actions emerged as forum participants
deliberated the terrorism issue:
Courage: The citizen
participants said the U.S. must defend itself and do whatever is necessary
to fight terrorism, even if that involves real sacrifice on the part of
ordinary citizens.
Determination: Saying that
the war on terrorism is likely to go on and on, forum participants said
they were prepared for the long haul.
Effectiveness:
Participants said U.S. policy in the war against terrorism should be
driven by questions about what will be most effective, not about what is
justified in the abstract.
Education: Americans must
become better educated about the Middle East and Islam, particularly about
the cause of so much Arab and Muslim hatred toward this country. Many also
felt that policymakers are poorly informed, resulting in naïve and
ill-advised foreign policy decisions.
Restraint: The citizens
who participated in these forums called for a carefully calibrated
military response that minimizes civilian casualties. In short, the use of
force should never make the problem worse.
Prudence: Participants
said the U.S. must be far-sighted and develop a strategy to combat
terrorism in both the long and short term.
The Public Voice---The citizens
who participated in the forums were willing to be inconvenienced to
enhance domestic security. Participants also generally did not want to
trade off civil liberties for increased security and they opposed
profiling Arab-Americans and Muslims. They indicated that domestic
security must be enhanced without compromising the rights, values and
principles we fight to defend.
People said we must get at the problem behind
the problem----the deep hatred of the U.S. in the Arab World and the
Middle East. The threat of terrorism will remain until we understand and
address the problem’s roots. |
