Murphy's Law:

http://www.strategypage.com/htmw/htmurph/articles/20090125.aspx

Americans take for granted that there has been no Islamic terrorist attacks in the United States since September 11, 2001, and fewer elsewhere in the world. The counter-terrorism efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan are, in turn, blamed for somehow making the situation worse. In reality (which is not always a factor in forming public opinion), operations in Iraq and Afghanistan have crippled the al Qaeda, the Taliban and many other Islamic radical organizations. But many people don't want to believe it, unless something blows up near them. That's a reality check. Normally, however, reality is not the goal. Other agendas (partisan politics, religion or political correctness in general) are.