Re: US WTC Terrorist Attack Response (archive)

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Thanks for the opportunity to continue the dialogue on WTC/Pentagon attacks in this forum. While I realize this is a 740 board, as a newer participant it's become clear to me that 740 owners are a concerned, intelligent and outspoken group with some thought-provoking opinions. I'd like to add mine to the growing list.

First, I've tried to draw a distinction between religious fanaticism and fervor and the acts of terrorism we've witnessed here and abroad. Religious fanaticism is indefatiguable -- regardless of a declaration of war by the United States it will live on the hearts and souls of believers and cannot be extinguished (unless, of course, the believer is...and even then there may be some question). Terrorism, and the means to effectively sponsor and execute a program of terror, is something that can be defeated if the conviction and resources are there. I have also drawn a distinction between the Palestinians and Iraqis who cheered our pain and supported what the terrorists did, and the network and infrastructure of individuals who enabled and took part in the murders. The supporters ought to be ashamed; the enablers ought to be caught, tried and punished accordingly.

Second, it occurred to me that our declaration of war and the strong rhetoric was as much a tool to galvanize the leaders of other countries into siding with us as part of a coalition (nobody wants to be on the receiving end of a cruise missle) as it is anything else. Significant diplomatic progress against terrorism can only be achieved with a coalition of critical mass; if we have to threaten the use of military power to enlighten governments into joining us then so be it. I have to believe that given the tenure of the officials in the current administration, and seeing as how many of them have already lived through Somalia and the "War on Drugs" against Pablo Escobar, they know well enough how slim the chances are that a military war to take out figurehead Osama bin Laden would solve anything.

Which leads me to the next point, that of war. All the postings to date have focused on the military aspects of war. Yet war, at the very least, has economic, psychological, geopolitical and religious aspects. Militarily removing bin Laden will feel great, but it won't stop terrorism. In fact it may only galvanize terrorists. What WILL make a difference is if we are able to smother the financial, physical and other capabilities of the terrorists to do their thing. Remove the handcuffs from our intelligence operations so we can begin dismantling terrorist organizations (not just bin Laden's -- Islamic Jihad, the Mujahedeen, etc.) from the bottom up so they eventually panic, crumble and implode.

As for the "killing of babies", terrorists know that by conducting their acts of terror, and the responses these acts invite, that innocent people will be lost. This is inescapable -- terrorists live amongst innocent people for this reason as well as for reasons of camouflage. When the U.S. undertakes whatever military steps deemed appropriate, "babies" (i.e., young men and women in our armed forces) will indeed be lost as will innocent people on the other side of the conflict. We must all come to grips with this fact and accept it. We can only hope that given the course of action chosen that the loss of life is minimized. BUT, and this is critically important, the strategic objective you wrote about establishing, that of eliminating the ability of sponsoring and executing terrorism, MUST be achieved. If it is not, then those aboard the airplanes, and in the Pentagon, and in the WTC, and everyone else will have lost their lives for nothing.

We have now been made to feel what others around the world have felt for some time. Fortress America is gone. We will all need to (and I will gladly) sacrifice some liberties and conveniences in order to eliminate the pockets where terrorism can take root. For the first time ever, this week I unfurled the flag given to me at my father's funeral in order to fly it over my home in rememberance of those who died, and in tribute to those who will die. I am firmly behind the government and it's resolve to bring those responsible to justice as well as to cripple the abilities of terrorists around the world. God Bless America, and may she make the right decisions.

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