<present realities>
I know, that self-image
<By Western civilization I mean the ideals which people in the West have embraced in modern times and the pursuits based on these ideals. The supremacy of brute force, worshipping money as God, spending most of one’s time in seeking worldly happiness, breathtaking risks in pursuit of worldly enjoyments of all kinds, the expenditure of limitless mental energy on efforts to multiply the power of machinery, the expenditure on the invention of means of destruction, the moral righteousness which looks down upon people outside Europe,—this civilization in my view, deserves to be altogether rejected.-Gandhi
Message 18677444
is repugnant to most Westerners, and virtually all decision-makers in the U.S. For that matter, I don't agree with most of it myself. That's not the point. The point is, there are several billion people on this planet, who do agree with that view of the West. 90%-99% of the people who live in the potential and real terrorist Safe Havens, agree with that view of the West. So, in spite of the fact that we don't see ourselves that way, in spite of the fact that we are outraged and quickly reject that view, we have to look at it, take it seriously, and make a serious response. If only to keep our feet out of our own mouths (like keeping our President from using the word "crusade"). |
