I forget who said it - that sometimes, when we try to be too brief, we may compromise intelligibility. I do fall into this trap of excessive brevity from time to time.
I agree with you. My point was that public mood usually changes slowly and gradually. I suppose it is possible that an enormous cataclysmic event can jolt a community or a nation from one extreme of social mood into another. I think that a few years ago the Israelis, for example, had to re-adjust themselves rather quickly from an experience of (relative) peace and economic prosperity - and to the realities of a new "Intifada".
We get used to good times and we get used to bad times, and they become part of us. An Afghani youngster - who grew up in the saddle, among fighters, surrounded by continuous warfare - will easily switch into the psychological mode of a warrior, who is ready to kill or to be killed. A comfortable liberal Westerner would have difficulties with that.
IMO, the challenges we are facing will not simply go away, and will probably take decades or generations to resolve - if they ever do. And they will not resolve in a compromise. How can there be compromise when you deal with religious fanatics? As the ancients used to say, Si Vis Pacem, Para Bellum. Again, I hope I'm wrong, but I don't think I am. |
