I'd like to see more details of the plans for what follows - hey, I'd like to be certain we *have* plans for after the Taliban are removed.
There are two possible reasons you haven't seen them.
(a) They don't exist. That's not necessarily bad. Playing it by ear sometimes produces wonderful symphonies.
(b) They do, but the gov't believes that it is not in its best interest for the world (and the radical Arabs in particular) to know them yet.
And I'd like to know what steps we're taking, if any, to remove the causes of terrorism from the region
I think that's code for "Let's abandon the Israelis to their gruesome fate." And even that might not do the trick: bin Laden has said he wants Western, and particularly American, influence and interests out of the Islamic areas. That's a big chunk of real estate. I don't think we're going to be agreeable to that.
And even if we are, that's most likely just the beginning: because pretty soon the Islamic fanatics are going to decide the entire planet should be Muslim.
Bought your prayer rug yet?
how do we cut the attraction of extremist quasi-Islamic movements? how about reining in Israel
I actually have no particular problem with that- -but NOT in response to ramming two planes into the WTC. That makes it clear to terrorists that terrorism pays. If the point is to demonstrate the depth and sincerity of our feelings, I'd rather turn Afghanistan into a radioactive desert than do that.
making it clear to them that their 1967 boundaries are secure, now GTF out of the lands beyond these, and UN oversight for Jerusalem?
And who is going to guarantee that? Remember, Osama wants US out of the Middle East. Putting US troops in in case of trouble doesn't appear to meet that requirement.
But the attacks so far, and the diplomatic work (ntowithstanding a few gaffes and nutters) have been admirable. I'd like to see such a sensible response continue - and *not* some knee-jerk tantrum bombing of random targets, or whatever was being suggested...
Do you understand that reaction? Because if not you should turn in your American passport. |
