Surprise and Preparedness

When my teeth bite down I can see the blood
Of a thousand men who have come and gone
Now we grieve 'cause now it's gone
Things were good when we were young
--Von Bondies

As I once again reflect on that day, the word that comes to mind this time is preparedness. Pearl Harbor, the 9/11 attack, last week's Fifth Third shooting. A common factor in nearly all massacres is the element of surprise. Perpetrators generally do not want to be expected. They prefer to take their victims by surprise.

I saw some tweets today claiming that threat of terrorism is all around us today. Others claim that we are far safer than 17 years ago today.

But neither claim is worth pondering much. Whether there is more or less risk now compared to then, there is risk. And if that risk is realized, then it is no longer a probability. It is a reality.

The best way to cope with that reality, whatever its chances, it to be prepared.