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Printer-Friendly ModeTerrorism still a threat, says expert speaker
October 5, 2009 —
The possibility of terrorism still looms for the United States, whether people choose to believe it or not, said Dr. Harvey Kushner, a world-known terrorism expert who spoke on campus Wednesday night.
A capacity crowd of SVSU students, faculty and members of the general public gathered at the Malcolm Field Theatre for Performing Arts. Kushner’s lecture was part of the annual Fall Focus Lecture series.
During his half-hour presentation, Kushner addressed many topics, including what he called the government’s sloppiness in trying to understand terrorism, along with the way American society seems to accept the threat as “business as usual” — owing, he said, to political correctness.
Kushner focused on strategies for citizens to recognize terrorist activity and develop procedures in dealing with threats on American soil. In the past, he said, terrorists have bought large amounts of acetone and other chemicals from beauty salons to make bombs.
Something like this, Kushner said, should set off mental alarms. Witnesses should report similar incidents without fear of being labeled as a racist or extremist.
Kushner ended his lecture with his mission statement: “Our public leaders need to develop protocols to ensure that all who set foot on our soil are doing so for peaceful reasons.”
After the lecture, the floor opened to questions. Questions ranged from examples of jihadis in the United States to the qualities of suspicious activity to his thoughts on the future of Persian Gulf countries.
Throughout his answers, Kushner made it clear he was optimistic about peaceful outcomes with the Middle East. He said he was not suggesting a McCarthyist witch hunt, referring to the senator at the height of 1950s Red Scare whose tactics led to a nationwide investigation of American loyalties.
“A welcoming and integrated entrance into American society must continue, Muslim or otherwise,” Kushner said.
Kushner has written five books on terrorism and has experience with some of the most important court cases in the field. He is a frequent commentator on radio and television and has received awards or citations from law enforcement agencies.
He serves as Chair of the Criminal Justice Department at C.W. Post Campus, Long Island University.