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Technology Stocks : Defense Play in Motion - WTC Reaction
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To: HerbVic who wrote (163)10/14/2001 7:00:29 PM
From: Dale Baker  Read Replies (2) of 225
 
HV, I spent 13 years working for the US Information Service communicating our message overseas. We spent about $1 billion per year including Voice of America and Radio Liberty and all the cultural exchange programs.

Fact is, some people will never be swayed away from fanaticism and violence. We reached a lot of people and made a lot of good friends for the US, people who are speaking up for us now after growing up visiting our embassy libraries overseas (most now closed) and visiting or studying in the US on a USIS grant.

But that didn't stop Milosevic or Bin Laden or Hussein or the others who thrive on violence or profit from chaos. Like the poor, they will always be there to one degree or another no matter what we do.

So we communicate and help where we can and kick ass where it's necessary.

I don't agree that we must target groups who had a few members commit a crime. If we do, then everyone remotely related to Tim McVeigh's and Eric Rudolph's and the Unabomber's profile should get a visit from the FBI in the near future - dumb white trash is a serious menace to a civilized society trying to uphold democratic ideals. Oops, the Unabomber was smart white trash so we have to target them too.

By the time we finish including all the groups whose members have committed offenses against society, we will have to pay special attention to EVERYONE in America around the clock. But who watches if everyone is being watched?

(I am exaggerating the point; we know the FBI has rounded up several hundred people related to the terrorist profile, which is fine if they uphold the usual legal standards. I am more concerned about total innocents getting persecuted or worse because they look or talk differently.)

From what I know about the Islamic community around the world, I expect to see more and more rent-a-mob demonstrations on CNN from around the world while the vast silent majority either opposes or at least doesn't actively advocate what Bin Laden has done.
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