From: "John D. Giorgis" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Reply-To: Killer Bs Discussion <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Winning the War on Terror Date: Wed, 24 Mar 2004 00:09:49 -0500
I've been thinking lately about what it would actually mean to *WIN* the War on Terror.
I propose, that actually winning the war on terror, is purely a matter of perspective.
"I know that one day we are going to turn on the radio in the morning and hear that the United States has occupied the whole Arab World."
"No matter what, we know the Americans are working for Jewish interests."
So, it occurred to me - what could possibly account for such startling opinions?
As far as I'm concerned, those opinions are far from startling. Is it truly a suprise to see such resignation,(and resignation is indeed what it is) in that first "opinion" there? We are after all, talking about a people who have been brutally and oppressively ruled by a brutal and oppressive dictator. A people who have experienced the true meaning of suppression. They have tasted tyranny! They have walked hand-in-hand with murderous death. And segments of Iraq's population have been let down in the past by the USA, which as the worlds most powerful nation, consequently becomes the preeminent choice for policing the world at large. And ANY police force is ALWAYS subject to SOME criticism from segments of a particular population, in whatever fashion you wish to objectively fashion a "segment of a population". So it comes as no suprise to me, that the citizens of Iraq are hard-pressed to truly trust ANYONE. Let alone the current "occupying" power/s.
I suppose that the first reaction would be to attach such opinions to the US's role as the preeminent occupying power in Iraq. I would reject this explanation, however, because such viewpoints hardly seem unique to Iraqis.
Such is true. And I have a question about that. Why are such views not unique to Iraqis?
Moreover, as has been noted many times on this List, most Arabs living within the Arab World have been subject to some particularly virulent forms of propaganda throughout their lives.
Lets assume that it's more accurately called "culture" as opposed to propaganda for a minute. Now, another question: can you blame 'them' for their views?
Lets get back to propaganda for a second. I say we all, all over the world have been subject to particularly virulent forms of propaganda throughout our lives. In fact, I was subjected to it a short time ago, during our provincial election. And you Americans are going to get a healthy dose (if you havent already), in your upcoming federal election. What's the difference with the Arabs? Actually, let me answer that for you. The difference is, they don't see the world through eyes of Red, White and Blue.
For example, consider the state of Arab journalism, even *with* the relative improvements in journalism represented by Al-Jazeera and Al-Arabiyah. Neverthless, which of the following was the Top Story on in the Arab press last Thursday: A) The One-Year Anniversary of the Iraq War B) Colin Powell's Surprise Visit to the Region C) The Deaths of Two Arab Journalists in Iraq and the Rumours that the Americans Assassinated Them
The answer, of course, is "C." Even to this day, a baseless accusation like this can be reported seriously in the Arab press, and far more importantly, believed.
Consider for a moment, that the top-story of the Arab press must convey what is popular opinion, if it does not convey the objective truth. And we all know that it's an absurd notion, that the Americans assassinated two Arab journalists! So from whence does this popluar opinion come? Well, it's a reflection of a place and a time. Nothing more. Nothing less. And even if an adequate level of trust was obtained from the Arab world, opinions that exude at the very least, caution (which can be expressed in many ways), could not be entirely up-rooted. I mean, are Native Americans 100% trustworthy of the Governments they live under? Have all reservations dissappeared? I think not.
Given these stark realities, it is worth recalling that despite the United State's strategic alliance with Saudi Arabia, it was Saudi Arabia that produced Osama bin Laden; it was Saudi Arabia that produced most of the 9/11 hijackers, and that all of this occurred long before the US invaded Iraq.
Excuse me John, this may sound rude, but it's not my intention. Instead of offering up a few mundane facts as something profound, I say but one word - COINCIDENCE. Coupled of course with: cultural differences, religious fanaticism, etc...
But ultimately, I think the word coincidence, sums everything up nicely.
It seems clear to me that truly *winning* the war on terrorism is going to require eliminating the environments of oppression and ignorance that have bred the lies
The oppression part is easy. It's the ignorance, that'll give y'all problems.
(Hey! I'm just as much of a Westerner as you!!)
, which fuels the desperation that underlies the decision to turn to terrorism. This will require bridging the "freedom defecit" in the Arab world, and bringing the Arab people into the world of the free flow of information and participation in governance.
Listen to the song "Californication" by the Red Hot Chilli Peppers, and replace the title word, which appears MANY times throughout the song, with "Americanization".
As a side note, I absolutely must point out that though Americanization bothers me, it is an effective way to provide long-term security to your precious country. And it's something to be admired in it's effectiveness.
btw, "precious" was NOT said in contempt, but rather in detached admiration.
Thus, in my mind, I cannot imagine a scenario for *winning* the War on Terror that did not involve regime change in Iraq.
Perhaps, from an American perspective at least. But what if an alien mediator, with no ties whatsoever to the politics and policies and problems of Earth were to come here and objectively and accurately tell us when the war on terror was won? When would the line be drawn? Opinions?
-Travis "the speed of the leader, determines the rate of the pack" Edmunds
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