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The classification of terrorism is a blurred line, and the distinction between terrorism and war is basically whether or not catastrophe was expected. Prior to September 11, 2001 the entire world was moving to what Marshall Mcluhan referred to as a "Global Community." Marshall Mcluhan however, never mentioned "Planet America." The attacks were in clear defiance to this notion of the western way of life. Since the crumbling of the Ottoman Empire (which happened to be the last great Muslim state), the world has been moving "decisively in the direction of liberal capitalist democracy." (Malkin 2002) After the collapse of the USSR, America was left as the sole super power. Osama bin Laden claims that since this point America is the biggest threat to his people since the days of Muhammad. "Discrediting of socialism meant that there was no concrete alternatives to capitalism, and all the countries of the world seemed destined to be intergrated into a single global economy." (D"Souza 2001) .
The forces behind September 11th could not have over taken America, nor did they try to. These attacks were not like the unintelligent poorly thought out plans America had experienced in the past. The horror of that morning was strategically, sophisticatedly and intelligently thought out well in advance. The terrorists didn't just find an easy way to kill Americans and gain acknowledgement they had a message. Everything about the September attacks had meaning. "Terrorist target symbols of American capitalism and American government." (D"Souza 2002) It wasn't enough to hijack planes; the men chose American and United Airlines to make a point. The date, September 11th or 9-1-1 carefully paints a picture. And then the true evidence, the targets. The terrorist didn't just head for an embassy or a military base; they went for symbols- The World Trade Center symbolizing the western markets and the Pentagon the western military and government.
