Lafayette, Indiana

This week an al Qaeda leader released a tape, described by some as a “fireside chat” to the Muslim world assuring them that the West’s defeat is imminent. Ayman al-Zawahiri, hiding in a mountain retreat with his boss, whats-his-name, droned on about the desperation of the West in their battle against their inevitable collapse.
In the words of Dr. Evil, R-i-i-ight!

I am reminded of a time in my youth when we were all terrified of the Soviet Union and their bluster about how they will overcome the United States and institute their system of communism. It scared the living daylights out of us. The thought that hundreds of nuclear (or is it nucular?) missiles would slam into the U.S. gave all of us the Heebie Jeebies. And since I was living in New York at the time, I was especially convinced that we were a first strike target. (Although I can recall hearing countless numbers of people “boast,” if you will, that their town was on the target list because there was a secret military base or silo in a local bean field). In any event I took it for granted that my parents were not going to relocate to a remote town (perhaps they knew where all the silo’s were).

One particular Friday in 1962, during the infamous “Cuban missile crisis,” the country was convinced that we were on the very brink of a nuclear war. The churches in the area were open for prayers and my parish opened up for confessions that very day. Wow! It was an amazing time, with a pervasive anxiety much like we feel today. In a memorable speech a few years earlier, Soviet Premiere Nikita Khrushchev - a fearsome individual who looked like Shrek - threatened the U.S. with the words, “We will bury you.” Well, for some, them’s fightin’ words! For the average citizen, however, it was enough to release your bowels.

So what are we to make of the bravado of the al Qaeda nut case posturing for his YouTube video? Well, the Soviet Union, although still a discomforting presence, did not in fact bury us. Much like fifty years ago, there may be divided opinion about how to respond to serious threats. But let no one be fooled into thinking that we will sit back and allow anyone to overwhelm us and strip away our blessed lifestyle.

Issues of governmental and political incompetence side, the country’s will is overwhelmingly focused on stopping any force that promises to take away what we have - the NFL, provocative dress, beer and, of course our freedom to be fixated on Paris Hilton.

So be careful Ayman.

I believe in the end we will bury you!

CLICK HERE to hear Dr. Will describe the psychological profile of I Dream of Jeannie & Bewitched.