The public was the target

By Scott North and Janice Podsada

Herald Writers

Terrorists do not care about who gets hurt or killed in an attack. Civilians are fair game. Men, women and children are fair game. Terrorism is meant to create a fear that shakes society to the bone, said Ellis Goldberg, professor of Middle Eastern Politics at the University of Washington.

"The target is society. The target is to destabilize society," Goldberg said.

"It seems most likely that this has to do with somebody in the Middle East. This seems like something out of the ’60s — an attack on America," Goldberg said.

Like millions of other people, he was stunned by the scale of destruction terrorists were able to cause in such a short period of time Tuesday. "They would only have a short time to do this before a heightened security situation goes into effect. This was coordinated. It shows a high level of ability to do stuff."

Terrorists clearly planned to hit these two targets, Goldberg said.

ADVERTISEMENT
0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
00:00
00:00
 

"They picked two of America’s most visible targets — the World Trade Center, which they’ve tried to destroy before — and the Pentagon," he said.

People worldwide view these two institutions as bastions of American power, Goldberg said. The trade towers are symbolic of American capitalism, and the Pentagon is symbolic of American military strength, he said.

If the intent of Tuesday’s terrorism was to shut down the function of American government, they did not succeed.

"What this shows is a profound misunderstanding of American power," Goldberg said.

"We’re not like an authoritarian county, where the centers of power are in one place. If you’re coming from an authoritarian background, you’re going to think this kind of thing is going to make it impossible for the American government to function. If you took out the Syrian military facility, for instance, it would shut down their government. That’s not the case here."

As for the prospect of further terrorism of this scale in the next few days, the worst is probably over, Goldberg said.

Seattle-based journalist David Neiwert has studied people who advocate violence to advance their political beliefs. He touched on home-grown terror in a 1999 book about far-right extremists, "In God’s Country: The Patriot Movement and the Pacific Northwest."

"Blind hatred is the only thing that possibly can explain it," Neiwert said of Tuesday’s attacks.

For some reasons, terrorists are able to "turn off that part of your psyche that normally connects you as a human being" to others and look at victims as sacrifices to a cause, he said.

One of the groups Neiwert profiled in his book was the Washington State Militia, a Bellingham-based organization with Snohomish County members and whose leaders being were prosecuted in 1996 for a manufacturing explosives and stockpiling illegal firearms. At their trials, tapes were played of militia members discussing plans to attack law officers, government officials and journalists viewed as opposing their cause.

Although it appears as if the attacks in New York and Washington, D.C., are acts of international terrorism, the April 1995 bombing of the federal building in Oklahoma City by Timothy McVeigh shows that some Americans are capable of engaging in such behavior, Neiwert said.

McVeigh, executed earlier this year, used a truck bomb to express his outrage over deadly federal standoffs at Waco, Texas, and Ruby Ridge, Idaho — incidents that incited many with far-right leanings to talk about violent reprisals. The grim reality of the 168 deaths attributed to McVeigh’s bomb had a chilling effect for many patriot supporters, but it also radicalized some others, Neiwert said.

"Even after Oklahoma City, we had, largely unnoticed, a continuing wave of domestic terrorism," he said. "It bubbled along at a low level, in large part because the authorities did a very good job" of identifying groups that were planning terrorists acts and making arrests.

Despite Tuesday’s heavy death toll, there "certainly are people, even in this country, that are going to celebrate this event," he predicted.

Indeed, some domestic extremists almost immediately showed support for the attacks by posting Internet messages, according to Mark Pitcavage, who oversees fact-finding for the Anti Defamation League.

One of the groups, the anti-Semitic Posse Comitatus, had a message on its Web site that said "Hallelu-Yahweh! May the war be started! Death to his enemies. May the World Trade Center burn to the ground!"

You can call Herald Writer Scott North at 425-339-3431

or send e-mail to north@heraldnet.com.

You can call Herald Writer Janice Podsada at 425-339-3029 or send e-mail to podsada@heraldnet.com.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Jennifer Humelo, right, hugs Art Cass outside of Full Life Care Snohomish County on Wednesday, May 28, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘I’ll lose everything’: Snohomish County’s only adult day health center to close

Full Life Care in Everett, which supports adults with disabilities, will shut its doors July 19 due to state funding challenges.

(City of Everett)
Everett’s possible new stadium has a possible price tag

City staff said a stadium could be built for $82 million, lower than previous estimates. Bonds and private investment would pay for most of it.

The Edmonds City Council gathers to discuss annexing into South County Fire on Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Community group presents vision for Edmonds’ fiscal future

Members from Keep Edmonds Vibrant suggested the council focus on revenue generation and a levy lid lift to address its budget crisis.

The age of bridge 503 that spans Swamp Creek can be seen in its timber supports and metal pipes on Wednesday, May 15, 2024, in Lynnwood, Washington. The bridge is set to be replaced by the county in 2025. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Snohomish County report: 10 bridges set for repairs, replacement

An annual report the county released May 22 details the condition of local bridges and future maintenance they may require.

People listen as the Marysville School Board votes to close an elementary and a middle school in the 2025-26 school year while reconfiguring the district’s elementary schools to a K-6 model on Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025 in Marysville, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Marysville schools audit shows some improvement

Even though the district still faces serious financial problems, the findings are a positive change over last year, auditors said.

Outside of the Madrona School on Monday, Aug. 26, 2024 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Sewer district notifies Edmonds schools of intent to sue

The letter of intent alleges the school district has failed to address long-standing “water pollution issues” at Madrona K-8 School.

Cars drive along Cathcart Way next to the site of the proposed Eastview Village development that borders Little Cedars Elementary on Wednesday, May 7, 2025 in unincorporated Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Former engineer: Snohomish County rushed plans for Eastview development

David Irwin cited red flags from the developers. After he resigned, the county approved the development that’s now stalled with an appeal

Everett’s minimum wage goes up on July 1. Here’s what to know.

Voters approved the increase as part of a ballot measure in the November election.

Logo for news use featuring Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
State declares drought emergency for parts of Snohomish County

Everett and the southwest part of the county are still under a drought advisory, but city Public Works say water outlooks are good.

Paddle boarders enjoy the waters off Edmonds Beach last month to beat the heat in Edmonds, Washington on July 26, 2022.  (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Snohomish County braces for first mini heat wave

Everett is forecasted to hit 83 degrees on Sunday with inland temperatures reaching as high as 89 degrees.

Police Cmdr. Scott King answers questions about the Flock Safety license plate camera system on Thursday, June 5, 2025 in Mountlake Terrace, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mountlake Terrace approves Flock camera system after public pushback

The council approved the $54,000 license plate camera system agreement by a vote of 5-2.

Marysville Pride organizers Vee Gilman, left, and Mike Pieckiel hold their welcome banner on Thursday, June 5, 2025 in Marysville, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Marysville to host first ever Pride festival next week

It’s one of many Pride events scheduled to take place across Snohomish County throughout June.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.