RE: <The few that we do get will become martyrs which can only serve to enhance the factions' recruiting efforts.>
I agree. That is a scary thought.
<This is not mere speculation. Since Sharon has stepped up Israeli efforts to wipe out Palestinian terrorists, has Israel become safer?>
You say this rhetorically, but I think there is no real way to know. Israel might have actually gotten safer, yes. Would you suggest Israel let down its guard and, using your visual example, put up blinking neon signs saying "Airport Express Line -- 9 Weapons or Less".
Obviously there is no easy solution.
I think we need to go after known terrorists, because it is better than not going after them. In other words, if we don't go after them (in any major way) and merely tighten security a bit, aren't we just waiting for the next massacre to happen?
However, I also hope that we pursue some sort of simultaneous alternative solution (e.g. Marshall Plan), maybe a major economic package for countries that change their ways and actively denounce terrorism or anti-westernism. Won't do anything to counter the anti-Christian, anti-Semitic, anti-anything-but-Muslim fanaticism, but it might be better than not.
I don't know (obviously!) but something besides just ridding them, since ridding them 1) won't work to perfect extinction, and 2) it has the all-too-real potential of creating a new generation of terrorists.
JJ |
