How to Deal with Dissenters
Please excuse me while I go into conspiracy theory-mode....

So, let's say that you've already set it up that you can declare anyone you want a terrorist and put them away in jail without the right to fair and speedy trial by declaring them "enemy combatants." Of course, there is the pesky problem that most Americans are only thinking that your "war on terrorism" is only on arabs and the first time you make some white non-islam guy disappear because he is asking difficult questions that you would rather people not think about, they may realize what your "war on terrorism" is really about. So, how do you make people paranoid enough that they'll look the other way when you start rounding up anybody who questions your authority, the glories of capitalism or the American right to invade whoever the hell they want? You give them a new bogey-man to worry about. Remind them of of those "lone terrorists" that look like us. Peace Activist getting too loud? Tell the world you found a copy of the Anarchist's Cookbook in his basement and make him disappear.