Comments on: A Report from the Front of the War on Terror

By: Sean

Sean — Sat, 19 Aug 2006 21:25:34 +0000

Thanks for the comments and to those of you who have sent email. I’d like to share one of those emails from a good friend, and my response.

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Sent: 8/14/06

Good work. In general I agree about creating more terrorists… but I caught part of an interview with a cleric from Iran the other day. It was interesting that these guys are very honest. They don’t lie about their motives. He was asked when will the war end, and he said when every Jew, Christian, heretic or non Muslim was eliminated. He said it might take a thousand years, but he said that he and his followers are going to see to it that they don’t fail. I don’t think that the US’ actions are the reason we’re a target. Part of his problem is that modernization and western views are corrupting his people and their way of life. It’s really sad that these people can’t just isolate themselves and leave the rest of the civilized world to continue to evolve, even if we do evolve in ways that are self destructive and our societies do degenerate some in terms of morals.

If I remember correctly, the radicals were basically created by the Ayatollah Khomeini in his war against Iraq in the late 60s early 70s. He created the radical group of fighters to fight their war and from this training and mentality grew radical Islam and all kinds of copy cats and splinter groups.

I actually am beginning to believe that regardless what the politicians say, that we’re in more danger than we believe. There is increasing chatter on the internet, news, and reportedly in government eavesdropping that August 22nd will bring about another catastrophic event. I hope not.

So I think we have created more by our actions, but I don’t think they’re going to stop. So I think I’d rather that we tighten border security and make it harder to get into this country both illegally and legally. Tough times call for tough measures. We are also trying to fight the war abroad and keep em busy before they come over here. Risky strategy in a way, but if we were to let them build strength and armaments, they’ll only be stronger abroad and cause more trouble for peaceful people across the pond.

It’s difficult for sure. I don’t love Bush, but I don’t know if I’d go so far as to blame Bush for all of this. After all, if what we’re doing as a country ends up being the right thing, we’ll be praising him later. If we do nothing and we let these terrorist organizations abroad grow unfettered, we may pay a much higher price later. I don’t know.

Maybe we could start deporting people whose visas have expired or who are here illegally, but that’s a slippery slope and political suicide for anyone who tries to get that process going. So Americans lose rights and pay more taxes. Meanwhile illegal people from all over the world get more benefits and are protected, and cared for, and may pay no taxes at all. Something is wrong there. Being self employed I pay about 40% of what I earn in taxes. Then I also have to pay sales taxes, astronomical property taxes, and various other taxes on goods and services. We’re practically in Europe here.

Back on terrorism. Is it an inflammatory word? I guess. The Brits call these people bombers and suspected bombers and not terrorists. Hmm. A Syrian friend of mine has since 911 become more radical in his views against Israel and the US. He recently left the US, is no longer wearing western clothes, no longer smoking or drinking alcohol and is exploring his Muslim faith more. Hmm.

My best to the family. Be safe.

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And my response, sent today:

Thanks for your very thoughtful comments. I really do appreciate them.

I don’t blame the Bush administration for creating the concept of fundamentalism and hatred against modernism, the US, and the West in general. You are right that those people who would seek to blame us for everything and destroy us based on their religious hatred have been around a long time; much longer than the revolution in Iran. I believe it goes back to the origins of religion, which is to say the origins of man. I do blame the Bush administration for causing once-moderate people around the world to turn to radical fundamentalism and hatred as a reaction to the Bush government actions. You have brilliantly connected the two fundamental points of my argument in your own response: 1. The bankrupt “flypaper” theory that the US invasion of Iraq is somehow keeping the terrorists “busy” outside of the US, and 2. your Syrian friend turning to fundamentalism as a reaction to that invasion. That is exactly my thesis — that’s what I meant by my statement that we’re manufacturing terrorists faster than we can kill them. All rational evidence points to the fact that the invasion of Iraq is in no way keeping the legitimate terrorists at bay. Do you really think that Osama bin Laden and others like him, the real criminals here, are focusing their next attacks on Iraq? Clearly the UK terror plot disproves that. And by invading Iraq to “protect our vital interests in the Gulf” we set the vast majority of the population of the world radically against us, and that becomes the recruiting video for the crazy fundamentalists (e.g. your honest cleric) who seek to destroy us. [Aside: I strongly encourage you to read the motivation for the invasion directly from the people who planned it at: http://www.newamericancentury.org/iraqclintonletter.htm. It isn't conspiracy theory when it's flatly spelled out by the very people in control of the operation.]

Regarding the word terrorist: I believe that there are such things as terrorists. And I believe we should destroy the living shit out of them. But the Bush regime throws the word against anyone or any group that they want the American people to rally against. The religious and political left are terrorists. Environmentalists are terrorists. Is it possible to imagine that the insurgents in Iraq are made up of people that are pissed off that a foreign superpower has invaded their country, and not “terrorists?” What would you or I do if another country invaded America regardless of how we felt about Bush? Using terrorist in the propagandist way that the Bush regime does is dangerous and takes the focus off of the true criminals that we should be wiping off of this planet. Osama bin Laden perhaps?

Again, thanks very much for your reply. All the best to you and yours as well.

Sean

By: jrolfe

jrolfe — Thu, 17 Aug 2006 04:29:34 +0000

Glad you got back safely. I agree with most of what you said, although I think you know America could easily kill the “enemies” faster than they can be made. I only hope it never comes to that and we finally figure out that differences in religion does not justify taking away all the hopes and dreams of the people in the countries that choose something other than Christianity or Judaism. It’s very difficult to deal with an “enemy” that doesn’t care if they die. Look what we did to Japan after the kamikazes- lets hope that history doesn’t repeat. People just don’t want to die if they believe they have a future.

I travelled on both 9/11 and landed in Beijing the day the US bombed the Chinese embassy in Yugoslavia. Both those days sucked as did Aug 10th – the day my mother in law was to finally leave my home to go back to her home. Needless to say she extended her stay:-

By: hcropper

hcropper — Tue, 15 Aug 2006 02:55:43 +0000

Sean,
You always were able to write well. The “terror” war. I think about the words often. It’s not a war we can win with guns or bombs. the problem is that america’s leader don’t want to win. This is a wonderful excuse to shape the government in a way to promote an agenda. We can argue which agenda they sant to promote. Religion, Security, Energy, … Here’s the problem I see. The government has no credability left. People don’t know what’s real anymore. The news is lazy. The opposition is uninspiring and also lacks credability. I am usually confused. I can’t beleive that Bush would allow so many people to die to make money for his friends and family. I keep wanting to believe there was a real threat in Iraq. Then I get depressed. America lost it’s way so easily. It was like a Judo move. We were all trying to attack Bin Ladin and Bush was able to shift his weight and there we were on top of Hussain. We mis-underestimated him again.

By: timk

timk — Mon, 14 Aug 2006 22:27:05 +0000

Well, I’ve been hoping this blog would be updated for ages, but I’m sad it’s for this. I preferred the women in lettuce bikinis. Sean, I agree 100% with what you said. The older I get, the more frustrated I am with how people just want easy answers, even if they make absolutely no sense. I’m as lazy as the next guy, but what’s happening to the world just seems too absurd to be true. Thanks for sharing your point of view. It’s rage-inducing for me to see what those in power are doing to the world in our name, and even if it seems there is little we can do about it, it feels good to commisserate.

I drew hope from a recent visit to Paris, which those on the american right would say is enemy country. I didn’t know what kind of receptionTeresa and I would get, and I’m grateful that my basic faith in humankind was proved true – everywhere we went, people were unbelievably friendly, helpful, and just plain kind. Well, almost everywhere, but that’s another story… But what I am getting at is, whatever the manipulative techniques that our government uses to terrorize us into submission, I have to remember that people are people, not kill-bots, and whatever the global situation, we always have to fight for understanding and humane solutions.

Sean, I’m glad you’re back home on one piece. I wish I could have met up with you between flights in Chicago, but that probably would’t be possible thanks to the zealous efforts of the security-industrial complex at the Terminal. ;^)

By: Diane

Diane — Sun, 13 Aug 2006 01:51:01 +0000

Very well written. I’m sure you must have been very anxious during all this. I was worried about you. Mothers do that, you know. I am so glad you are home safe and sound.

Anyway – I’m going to pass this on – others should read what you have written. I surly should give everyone a lot of food for thought.