The problem with that editorial is that the writer things the American public wants to look away from the war. Sure, they don't want to see the carnage up close, but I think the election taught us that just over half of America *wants* this war overall. They reelected the wartime prez bec. it didn't 'feel right' to switch horses midstream.
Bush has used 9/11 to convince half our country that we have to fight off the world (esp. the Arab part of the world). The America that Bush has swindled thinks there is no moral abyss. They think 9/11 gives the U.S. carte blanche to bomb Iraq to pieces.
While I agree that Americans seem to fail to recognize we are a nation on the brink of financial collapse and engaged in these awkward "peace keeping missions" that are nicely retitled civil wars, I think this author is just as deluded in believing this is unique. Between NATO, UN, and unilateral commitments we've been sucked into several crappy situations over the past couple of decades.
I don't think it's time to retreat, but I do think it's time to get real. Time to recognize that if you want to rebuild Afghanistan and Iraq then you better start relocating civilian and military people to there. Time to recognize there is a long road ahead, and with terrorism in particular the only solution is annihilation of the enemy. You don't lock them up in prisons - you kill them dead. And each one who rises up you kill too. And if we cannot stomach a bloodbath in Iraq and Afghanistan then we should get used to bloodbaths in NYC and DC and San Francisco.
How much news coverage was dedicated to the renewed bombing of Spain this week? They left Iraq and they still have to put up with suicide bombers.
The author has a nice pretty world to live in. Unfortunately from where I sit it doesn't look too familiar with the one I experience every day.
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ninetydegrees
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not disagreeing with you, more w/the editorial
Bush has used 9/11 to convince half our country that we have to fight off the world (esp. the Arab part of the world). The America that Bush has swindled thinks there is no moral abyss. They think 9/11 gives the U.S. carte blanche to bomb Iraq to pieces.
That's the problem, IMNSHO.
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(no subject)
I disagree with this articles point of view.
A lot.
While I agree that Americans seem to fail to recognize we are a nation on the brink of financial collapse and engaged in these awkward "peace keeping missions" that are nicely retitled civil wars, I think this author is just as deluded in believing this is unique. Between NATO, UN, and unilateral commitments we've been sucked into several crappy situations over the past couple of decades.
I don't think it's time to retreat, but I do think it's time to get real. Time to recognize that if you want to rebuild Afghanistan and Iraq then you better start relocating civilian and military people to there. Time to recognize there is a long road ahead, and with terrorism in particular the only solution is annihilation of the enemy. You don't lock them up in prisons - you kill them dead. And each one who rises up you kill too. And if we cannot stomach a bloodbath in Iraq and Afghanistan then we should get used to bloodbaths in NYC and DC and San Francisco.
How much news coverage was dedicated to the renewed bombing of Spain this week? They left Iraq and they still have to put up with suicide bombers.
The author has a nice pretty world to live in. Unfortunately from where I sit it doesn't look too familiar with the one I experience every day.
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OTOH, at the current rate, after this one's over we won't have to worry about a third guerilla war in Asia for another forty years. . . .