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root: My sympathies

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Re: Re: My sympathies by d.- on 2001-09-13 13:26:24

Thanks for you clarification Tater... I was HOPING TO GOD that you weren't more concerned with concert-going, the local dive bar, your need for sleep etc. The bottom line is, that WHEN we get Bin Laden there most certainly WILL BE cheering, clapping and dancing in the streets, the video of which will be seen on Afghanistan television and THEY will be shocked by OUR 'victorious' behavoir! On the one hand, I love Ghandi's quote of: "An eye for an eye, and we will all be blind." This is true. But will you NEVER defend yourselves? Against anything?? Americans have been shaken out of their complacency and air of entitlement. Perhaps it is time, and too, perhaps we did have it coming...

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Re: Re: Re: My sympathies by Tetra Grammaton on 2001-09-14 02:22:14  |  Reply to this

I think the crucial thing is to hold both thoughts in mind. Of course we will defend ourselves. Of course the people who did this deserve to be slow-basted over an open fire. But farmers who have the misfortune to leave nearby the people who did this don't deserve to be blown to bits. And in the end, the only safety is in removing the motivation. Think of it like this: what's a better defense against civil unrest - thousands of police, or an economy where most people are able to make a living? That's not an argument against having *any* policemen - just that ultimately, no amount of policemen will save you. Same thing here, I think. It's incredibly unlikely and unrealistic, but in a way, one of the best things we could do would be to completely conqure Afghanistan and then rebuild it - spend the money to bring it into the 21st - hell, the 20th century. Like Europe after WWII. Or go to Israel and the Palestinians and say, "Look, we're through fucking around with you all. Here is the peace plan. Here's where you're going to live. These are your boundaries. We are going to enforce this. We're not asking you, we're telling you." Again - I know this is not going to happen. But if only. Re: Re: Re: Re: My sympathies by buck on 2001-11-30 11:45:13  |  Reply to this   I find your words compelling two and a half months later, when the Taliban has effectively fallen, and the US is putting forth a good faith effort to rebuild the Afghani government. We may have put the hurt on terrorism in Afghanistan, but we will not be able to impose our will on Israel and Palestine. And we need to stop trying to impose our will on other countries. If we keep pushing around weak countries we will ultimately pay the price. In reply to your defense of those cheering the WTC attack... I cannot identify as human anyone who would take joy in that immensity of suffering.