One of the greatest safety-nets of western civilization is the widespread public understanding that correlation is not causation. For example, people now consider it common knowledge that “although a large percentage terrorists are Muslims, a relatively small percentage of Muslims are terrorists.” Similar phrases can be constructed from stereotypes about every cultural and ethnic group.
However, those who pursue the goal of “security above all else” shortcut causes, and engage in preemptive action based on correlation. Whether their preeption comes in the form of political rhetoric or acts of violence, one cannot escape the law of causation–in a record of events, cause always comes before effect.
Therefore, preemption and preventive action are nothing more than fancy words for what military strategists call the advantage of first strike.
Blurry Visions 