Today, terrorism is a more common fear for a few simple and obvious reasons.  The first reason is because to most Americans terrorism is a new thing.  The attack on the World Trade Center was one of few attacks on American soil from the rest of the world.  Most Americans had the idea that because we are surrounded by two oceans, nothing can hurt us.  However, as we have seen through this attack and globalization the United States is most certainly attached to the rest of the world.  Another reason why terrorism is a bigger fear today is because of how it works.  I agree with the author on this point because the fact that terrorist can strike at random and because most Americans have never seen terrorism make it a very scary thing to many people.  Another blame to this fear is the media.  The media covers the Middle East in a very negative and misleading way.  They make it seem as if every citizen living in the Middle East hates the United States and will kill you just because of your nationality.  This idea is ridiculous and many people have adopted this idea.  For example, I have heard people that think Barack Obama is a terrorist just because his middle name is Hussein and his last name rhymes with Osama.  Give me a break people.  I am not ashamed to admit that I will not be voting for Mr. Obama in this year’s election, however, my decision is not based on my fear of him being a terrorist.  I think he has some excellent ideas and if elected I would not be afraid of him helping Al Quieda take over the world or whatever.  My point is that the media is partially to blame for their exposure of Middle East lifestyle, but the other half of the blame needs to rest solely on the individual.  Yes the thought of terrorism can be somewhat scary but so is a tornado hitting your house.  Both are unavoidable so why is the fear of terrorism so much greater?  I hear about many more tornadoes than terror strikes in the US but the reason for terrorism being a bigger fear is because it is new.  In short, Americans hate living with the factor of risk.  Generally speaking, we love to be in control of every phase of our life no matter what area that is.  I think terrorism is obviously a terrible and scary thing but it’s threat in the United States is largely exaggerated.  Although globalization no longer allows our oceans to protect us, I still believe that most Americans are safe everyday from terrorism and this fear should be channeled elsewhere.