Why are they so concerned about terrorism now?

[Nikia]

I understand that terrorism attacks in the U.S. are relatively new. The UK has been suffering terrorism attacks for decades from the IRA. What about the Libyans too?
For all the criticism of Israel (Yes I realize that they discriminate against Muslims in addition to the attack on Lebanon), I don't think that they are even into taking away so many of their citizens freedoms as the U.S. is even though they have suffered terrorism regularly from the beginning.
There will always be terrorists with us. The answer is not getting paranoid and taking away people's freedom.

[The_Casual_Observer]

1. They searched for a replacement for the fear

of communism since 1991. If you have any doubts, watch a defense contractor sales video for their weapons, it's all "terrorist threat & war on terror"

[azurnoir]

2. It is the method

by which the current administration stays in power. Couple with that this group gave Americans with certain racial attitudes a group that it is OK to openly hate and discriminate against, something they had been truly been missing.

[Warpy]

3. Chicken Little, 2006

THE POLLS ARE FALLING! THE POLLS ARE FALLING! SKRAA-A-AAAXK!"

[rasputin1952]

4. It is the only issue the neo-cons have...

with the disaster that the neo-cons have wreaked upon the nation, the only thing left is the fear of annihaltion from "terrorists".

And I will go on record saying that homegrown "terrorists" are a much greater threat that anyone from the Middle-East. Gangs, neo-nazis, the Klan all pose a far greater threat to the US than anyone else at this point.

Secondly, it all comes down to money and power...the neo-cons are are all about cash and power, nothing else motivates them.