Terrorist attacks of any kind are horrible and tragic events that should not be tolerated by any government or by any respectful individuals.  There are a thousand derogatory words to describe how unthinkable these acts are and just how demented are the people who commit these acts.  Among the adjectives that come to mind are senseless, tragic, mean, evil, appalling, disastrous, heartbreaking, and disgraceful.

One descriptor that I don't understand is "cowardly".  The President has used this term; Senators and Congressmen have said it; and the media always describes terrorism as cowardly.  How so?  To me, being cowardly suggests fear, being afraid, and hiding your true feelings.  Online sources support this definition by describing cowardly behavior as "being weak", "lacking courage", and "failure to stand up for principle".

You can't use the word "cowardly" without at least briefly thinking of The Wizard Of Oz.  The Cowardly Lion is all talk, and he certainly doesn't act like the king of the forest.  He starts out acting tough, but when he's put in a situation where he should stand up for himself, he "cowers" and hides in fear.  He's so afraid that he has second thoughts about going in to see the wizard who might cure him.  He'd rather wait outside.  That is a cowardly way to act.

How are terrorists and suicide bombers showing fear?  One could argue that they are showing no fear and are making the ultimate sacrifice for what they believe in -- even if it is some crazy, delusional belief.  If these crazy lunatics had a little more fear, we'd probably be a lot safer.  If some of them had been a little more cowardly, we wouldn't have to take our shoes off at the airport.  If only the Wonderful Wizard could take away their courage medallions and make them more like the Cowardly Lion when he first meets Dorothy.