Long time readers of this blog may be surprised to see me doing a review of the War on Terror - but with the recent developments in the US regarding Iraq and US torture, I'm inclined to give a brief look over things as a warm up to discussion.
Prior to 9/11 I remember having a conversation with my friend James S. In that conversation I mentioned that America's cultural attitude was going too far and was going to have bad repurcussions. James was adamant that no-one would be stupid enough to attack America. I pointed out that if someone was pissed off enough, they'd find a way.
The thing is, we all believed America to be an unstoppable force. When the planes struck the world trade centre it took a while for people to even accept that it was a deliberate act.
So where has this led us? I also told James that when Bush was put into power that there would be a war in our time. This was a no-brainer. Prior to becoming president, Bush had a reputation as being a warmonger - he was an old-school republican who like to rattle the sabre in favour of US.
The resulting war on terror has been an ill conceived, mishandled, clumsy and foolish errand. It is easy to blame the Bush administration for how it handled things, but the reality (I feel) lies deeper. It lies in the US culture where America refuses to understand that they are not the only people in the world.
It lies in how the terrorists live in equally blind cultures that feel that they are the exceptions to the rule that everyone is equal.
I agree with many analysts who have said that since the War of Terror began, the world has become less safe. There once was a time when thinking about going on a trip overseas was something we readily planned - now even going to the US is considered risky.
We are scared. We know we are dealing with people who have absolutely no respect for life because they have bought into an idea that something is "greater."
But how can we hope to overcome the horror that fanatics bring to our doorstep when the people supposedly defending us are being equally fanatic. The Coalition may not be using acts of terror, but they are using acts of blind violence. They hold PoWs without making any effort to figure out who is innocent and who is guilty.
This war did not need to happen. There were other options - but instead terrorism has become an excuse for people to pursue political agendas for obscure gains.
I fear that this lifetime may bring worse things to us. What is the solution?
Love and Huggles
Conan
Currently Reading: Exalted 2e
Currently Playing: Exalted: The Seventh Legion, The Secret of Zir'An
Mood: Wondering about the future...
(Thoughtful Menchi)
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