"it might be impossible to solve a matter other than by physical force?"
Not only does this "situation" occur (in the minds of people) regularly, it is the NORM. People are driven by fear of "the other"-- the terrorists, the Russians, the Communists, the Jews, the Germans, etc, etc, etc.
Motivated by fear, and driven (in some cases) by the desire for revenge, populations SUPPORT war--particularly if someone else (air force, army, etc) will do it for them, and preferably if it occurs somewhere else (in somebody else's backyard). But that enthusiasm, or even blood-lust diminishes and dies when the venue for war becomes one's own backyard.
Everyone remembers the "Cold War". Nuclear armaments and missiles on both sides, best available war hardware and so on. America versus "the Evil Empire". Now Mr. Putin is taking riding lessons in preparation to visit the Bush TX
ranch!
Did war end the cold war? Obviously not! I presume the beginning of that process was the Nuclear Arms Treaty.
Some people will say it was the threat of "Star Wars".
Believe me, the Russians were not that stupid! But a lot of cooperation and tolerance were involved. Plus the willingness to see the former "enemy", not as "vilified demons", but as other humans!
How do you eliminate terrorism? The simplistic answer is by eliminating terrorists. The true answer is by eliminating the causes of terrorism.
Such a process requires a DEDICATION TO PEACEFUL CO-EXISTENCE, and a process of cooperation + tolerance.
I, and others, have posted on this thread articles in which the authors accuse the U.S. governments (of both parties) of a schizophrenic policy OVERSEAS of supporting ANY government that can be won over to supporting U.S. economic interests by whatever means (usually money). In a certain sense, U.S. policy overseas could be said to be reflective not of the interests of the American people as a whole, but rather its big business interests. Perhaps it is because of a true POLICY VACCUUM following the Cold War.
It is perhaps simplistic to suggest that this is a CAUSE of terrorism. I would suggest instead that terrorism is a by-product of intense frustration and disempowerment of millions of people. U.S. economic policy seems to be aligned against such movements, and thus the U.S. becomes the convenient target for the hate and anger. Even more important, to have an enemy enables the mobilzation of public support.
It is entirely possible for U.S. Policy overseas to be oriented to:
-- assuring of peace
-- assuring of economic opportunity for all (not just us)
That is not what U.S. Policy aims to do right now.
But it can change.
But WAR will not do it.
Namaste!
Jim |
