We faced a suicidal enemy in World War II as well, the Japanese. We won. These things need not go on and on. Even fanatics have their limits. Faced with the extinction of the Japanese people, suicidal zealotry seemed a good deal less attractive. Nor did our willingness to bomb them into extinction, if that is what it took, create a new generation bent on vengeance. Instead, the Japanese became our good buddies.
Additionally, there is no alternative to taking defensive measures and proactively trying to destroy their infrastructure. We cannot sit on our hands. The public would be outraged, and lose confidence in the government. Our ability, as a nation, to meet the challenge of terroism and move on would be destroyed, as people cowered at home passively awaited the next blow. The suicidal zealots are already there, and will interpret any sign of weakness as proof that their strategy is working, and an invitation to further attacks. If they are met with relentless strength, it undermines their zealotry....... |
