Bottom line, on a relative basis, there is very little threat to the US from terrorism?
I know that's a "knock on wood" statement; still, it seems to be true.
And the next obvious questions is, what justifies our response...
These are hard political positions when "terrorism" is the emotional issue.
The way I see it.......we need to defend ourselves against the violent acts of terrorism as much as possible. Beyond that, we then have to decide what's the best course of action for us to take. The current administration wants to use the tried and what they think is true method......might makes right, spare the rod, spoil the child, walk with a big stick and use it. It won't work.
The other two choices..........isolate ourselves as much as possible.........or work to get rid of the conditions that cause terrorism. That means working actively to rid the third world of poverty, illiteracy and regimes that would thwart this effort. Not in a violent way like we did with Iraq but in non violent ways of which there are plenty.
The example I think we need to follow is the much despised AA and other laws that were passed after the black riots of the 50's and 60's. All that legislation has hastened the improving economics of the minorities in this country. Its not surprising that very few cities followed LA's lead in 1992. By 1992, LA had become probably one of the most racist big cities in the country. Did you know that in 1992, there was not one major supermarket chain in the minority areas of LA? We're talking an area of roughly 30 sq. miles.......the size of a small city.
In those areas, most food stores were mom and pop operations run by Asians. Because they were small and had to contend with a lot of theft and vandalism, their prices were high. Those high prices helped to fuel the race hatred between the black and Latino minorities, and the Koreans, and the violence that ensued in 1992.
However, the riots finally were a wake up call for LA. After Magic Johnson's success with his theatres, there has been considerable investment in the poorer areas and at least two supermarket chains have opened multiple stores. Their success has encouraged other chains to open operations in the area and to bring insurance rates down. It helps that income levels are improving in those areas thanks to AA and improved education.
My point is that I think we need to address the ills of the world in much the same way we have addressed the ills of our cities. Until people in poor countries have a life worth living, they will be easy recruitment for terrorist leaders. Until there are enough jobs to go around; until they don't have to fear their gov'ts; until they have enough to eat, terrorism will be a way of life in this world. And they will go after us because we are big, rich and visible, and we support the very gov'ts that are keeping them down.
ted |
