Kevin, I didn't mean to convey that I disagreed with the use of force in dealing with terrorists. I simply disagree with the concept that the primary tool in dealing with terrorists is to attack, intimidate and destroy any nation or community that can be "suspected" of harboring terrorists.
I'm all for hunting down and killing or capturing those that attack us. I'm all for the death penalty, fairly applied. I'm not, of course, for the "no charges, no representation, no fair trial" neocon theory of "justice."
The real battle in the war against terror will be won or lost based on the perception of the peoples of the world that we act justly and nobly in accordance with the principles embodied in our heritage and constitution, or conversely, that we act arrogantly, selfishly and unjustly in furtherance of our own narrow interests. If the tide swings in one direction the terrorists will find themselves isolated and surrounded by adversaries. If it turns in the other, they will find themselves sheltered, protected and supported by cultures and societies that are virtually opaque to us, and also flooded with recruits.
Unfortunately, the unintended consequences of the bumbling actions of Bush seem to have done far more to promote the long term survival of terrorism than to harm it. |
