Understanding terrorism is like looking into muddy water without government telling us the truth. Let’s label terrorism as “evil, phobic, unreasoned people who invoke an ever present sense of fear, insecurity and anxiety about the future.” What are you feeling these days?

I’ve been labeled a terrorist by the U.S. government. The Homeland Security secretary suggested tea party people, right wing groups, religious fanatics and citizens for smaller government and lower taxes are potential terrorists. I confess, I qualify. At first I denied it, but when the Homeland Secretary added returning veterans as potential terrorists I now proudly wear the label. Are you a terrorist?

The infiltration of the concept of terrorism into our society has gotten so ugly that a T.V. documentary about Jessie James was titled “The Legend, outlaw and terrorist.” Now that’s crazy. In reality there is no terrorism in the act of killing others, it’s just plain and simple murder. However, if you keep being duped into believing you’re next and/or powerless and that your government is too dysfunctional or frightened to act decisively, then you’ve probably fallen prey to the purpose of the terrorism game. Think you’ll be next?

Until our government honestly defines terrorism and establishes a firm winnable policy, nothing will bring this evil to a satisfactory conclusion. Wouldn’t a good starting point be to focus on the worlds self-identified terrorist groups and move the tea party and veterans farther down the list? Where would you start?

Salman Rushdie said: “How do you defeat terrorism? Don’t be terrified.” Seemingly complicated things made simple. What would keep you from being afraid?

Can we set fear aside? Can we call an evil act whatever crime it is and not give it a new life as terrorism for the future?