While we consider the consequences of terrorism, it’s history and its impact on us and our allies (and our enemies, who are not immune to terrorism either) let’s consider the humble dog.

Why the dog? Back in the day, each dog has been considered “the worst breed”.  Currently, the bully breeds (e.g., pit bulls) have that dubious honor, although it’s historically been other breeds such as German Shepherds, Rottweilers, Doberman Pinschers, wolf hybrids, and the list goes on.

The same goes with people. Right now, ISIS is the most dangerous group in modern terrorism. Before that, there were areas of Canada (In Quebec, a Marxist group of nationalists that sought to build an socialist nation independent from the rest of Canada there), the U.S (Jewish Defense League, who declared its purpose was to protect Jews from antisemitism), Puerto Rico (FALN, whose goal was to have an independent Puerto Rico), and the Weather Underground (the weathermen) who, in the 1960’s, was a leftist organization which was anti-capitalist and anti-Vietnam War.

I could keep going. Going, in fact, as far back as the first century when terrorism was first documented when the Sicarii Zealots, led by Josephus, Judas of Galilee formed a small, extreme offshoot of the Zealots. Josephus claimed that the Sicarii would conceal their short or small knives and/or daggers under their jackets or cloaks, mingle with crowds at large events, like a festival, kill (or murder) their victims, then disappear when panic ensued. Most notable was their assassination of Jonathan, a high priest.

My point here is, it’s the Muslims’ turn to be the bad guys. Remember back in World War II when we incarcerated all of the Japanese Americans when Japan attacked Pearl Harbor in Hawaii? Gee, how did that work out for us? Forty years after the fact, the U.S. government finally apologized to it’s people of Japanese heritage. After a couple of years being locked up, these people tried to return to their homes and businesses but…they were gone, taken over by non-Japanese people. They couldn’t find jobs. They couldn’t get loans. It took years for them to acquire new land and get new houses.

Today, many families are suing the government to be paid back what their families lost. This is the price we pay for racism. This should teach us all that we are all people, no matter what color or race.

So, sure. We can ban all Muslims entering our country, screening both them and the ones that are already here, and figure out a way to effectively screen anyone else coming into the U.S. That’s what Donald Trump wants to do. Believe me, I’m all for taking any reasonable, cautious step after that 9/11 fiasco where we not only let the perpetrators into the country we actually taught them how to fly the planes they used to take down the twin towers. Talk about adding insult to injury! But what IS reasonable and necessary? Couldn’t it have just as easily have been another Timothy McVeigh? How do we know? What do we do to protect ourselves and our families? How do we make sure that the terrorists don’t win?