Runes-- I don't think willcousa or anyone wishes ill in Europe. However, I just visited a friend in Portugal and spoke with friends in Paris and were stunned by their lack of outrage. Indeed, the Parisian friend tried to blame US policies for the WTC. That pissed me off!
Most Americans see this as a culture clash and feel our allies, with the exception of the UK, Israel, and Russia, don't share our intensity. Americans also seem blind that many of our policies -- eg, Indonesia, Nicaragua, and more recently in Venezuela, do make us look hypocritical. IMO, there are no good guys but some bad guys are worse than others.
Altho I am not a fan of Sharon, random stupid killing has too often been associated with Arabs. It is a culture clash. Previously I mentioned the killing of Algerians by the Muslem brotherhood, the slaughters at Hama by Assad, Saddam Hussein's assasination of political competitors. etc., etc. I didn't hear of a trial of those Palestinians accused of being Israeli collaborators -- nor any protest by Europe.
Israel and the West are at war, and in war power determines the winner. Thankfully, we have always had neccessary constraints on power, but the ME conflict's basis will not be satisfied without force and punishment for random massacres of civilians. I also agree with you that I don't see any solution unless legitimate rights and concerns of the Palestians are addressed. The policies of Begin, Netanyahu, and Sharon were calloused and provocative. The settlements are a thorn in the side of Palestinians and must be removed.
However, what Willcousa, Mike and I want from Europeans is a sharing of our outrage at the WTC. Perhaps it is too much to ask. How many Americans were outraged when an apartment house in Russia was bombed by Chechnyan terrorists?
fred |
