Solidarity, Again
My first thoughts on learning of the bombings in Egypt early today were for the victims and their families - as I said two weeks ago of the London attacks, my thoughts and prayers are with them and all the people of Egypt today as they look terror in the face.
If any doubt remained (it had departed from my mind some time ago) that those who terrorize care nothing about about who they kill: this conflict is not between East and West, Muslims and Christians. It is between peace-loving people of all races, religions, and creeds ... and those who seek to destroy that peace through mindless terror. They seek to spread their hateful ideology of bigotry and fear across the world, with no regard for humanity.
I can't claim to have any solutions. As history shows us, combatting an enemy like the nebulous foe we face today is by far the most difficult contingency to plan for. What we must do - we Americans and all those around the world who do not subscribe to the twisted logic of terror - is devote ourselves not only to finding those responsible for organizing and funding these attacks and bringing them to justice, but also to trying to find ways to stop the recruitment of new terrorists. Both are equally important, and the second even more so.
How do we do this? It's not going to be easy. And really I don't know the answer. I don't even know if there is an answer. This is why I find it so hard to write about this sort of thing. When there's a problem in America, I can urge passage of x law, or write y congressman, etc. I can't do that with this.
I'd appreciate any of your thoughts.
posted by JBD @ 10:17 AM
6 comments
6 Comments:
The first step is retracing your thoughts and realizing that their goal is not just mindless killing in order to destroy peace. While these individuals of disgustingly choosen, for the most part, innocent people to kill (odd are somewhere along the lines they kill someone that really isn't a good person), that is not the end of the story.
These people have a political aim, and until we own up to this fact we (whoever "we" is) will never succeed.
For example, I recently visited Egypt. The common theme echoed by Egyptians is that Mubarak is a cruel dictator who has been in power for 24 years and is about to hand power to his son. The Egyptians want him gone, but all democratic movements are crushed by Mubarak and the police. Who is Mubarak's foremost supporter? That's right - - the United States of America. Mark my words, the Egyptian people (and their Arab neighbors) know this. In order to save face, the U.S. and Mubarak make statements in the press to give the illusion they are pushing for democracy, but they are not. the United States gives Mubarak $2 billion in aid every year. If our government truely wanted to force democracy, who not just withdraw this aid? Actions speak louder than words my friends. Think about this, which Arab governments across the globe are the greatest allies of the U.S.? Lets see, Saudia Arabia (Kingdom), Kuwait (Kingdom), Egypt (dictatorship), Jordan (Monarchy). Starting to get the picture? In Kuwait, there are about 800,000 Kuwaiti residents and over 1.5 million guest workers that do all the work for low wages and have no rights in the government. Kuwait is littered with lavish shopping malls where the royals spend all day just "being rich." The United States will defend this system of power at all costs, remember the 1st Gulf War?
Now, besides Israel, the only other democracy in the Middle East is Iran. Note, Iranians are not Arabs, most Americans are too ignorant to know that. Yes, the religious establishment weilds significant influence in Iran, but it is a democracy nonetheless. For example, the Reformist have been in power for the past eight years until they lost the last election. Just the fact they were in power should say something to you though.
In closing, this is a political agenda meant to bring world attention to the cause of the Islamic movement. Please differentiate between my understand of recognition of the issue and support for this cause. For a historical context, think about the IRA's campaign against the British. They blew up political targets, not only to cause financial hardship to the British government, but more importantly to bring world attention to their struggle.
In this light, it seems the Islamists are winning. Think back several years before 9-11, how much did you think about Islam, the Middle East, etc.? Not much. How about now? How many people are now Middle East experts? Muslims are now at the forefront of world politics. This my friends is the goal, don't lose sight of it.
It may be argued that there's nothing complicated or subtle about ending suicide terrorism: stop bombing other countries. Robert Pape points out that when democratic (I would say "democratic”)power elites stop military interventions in other countries, the suicide terrorism stops. Terrorist groups have stated this plainly enough. Even dumb laymen like myself can get this logic. Who is Robert Pape and what does he know?
http://www.amconmag.com/2005_07_18/article.html
--Jack Saturday
It may be argued that there's nothing complicated or subtle about ending suicide terrorism: stop bombing other countries. Robert Pape points out that when democratic (I would say "democratic”) power elites stop military interventions in other countries, the suicide terrorism stops. Terrorist groups have stated this plainly enough. Even dumb laymen like myself can get this logic. Who is Robert Pape and what does he know?
http://www.amconmag.com/2005_07_18/article.html
I read the article, Jack and he may be right; who knows? But I'd like to hear an explanation for the Egyptian bombing this weekend.
Jack,
Not to be rude, but that is foolish. Your theory requires that 1) we ignore all terrorist attacks before there were significant "bombings" of other nations (9/11 as not in response to bombines, for instance) and 2) you expect us to BELEIVE the terrorists.
Osama bin Laden and his ilk have a whole grab-bag of reasons for terrorism. Everything from the crusades of the dark ages to the Reconquista of Spain by Ferdinand and Isabella in 1492 to Egypt's peace with Israel to just about anything America has ever done.
What these Isalmic fascists want is not peace. What they want is to impose a Taliban-like Caliphate over all of the Middle East and eventually the world. To think that by merely ceasing to confront them we will somehow stop terrorism is a foolish misreading of the situation and of history.
While I'll be the first to say that the War on Terror should not and cannot be only a military campaign, I also readily acknowledge that military action is now and will again be an important element in the struggle. We cannot be affraid to fight back. Nor can we be tricked into believing that we will be safe if we stop fighting.
Neville Chamberlain believed that "peace in our time" was possible through the appeasment of that era's fascists. We should not make the same mistake with this era's fascists.
Thanks, Alan. Couldn't have said it any better. It's interesting that Professor Pape took the bait.
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