Thap, my definition of original thought must deviate greatly from yours. A penchant for sarcasm, haughtiness and anomalous phraseology seem to indicate more a lack of substance than originality to me.
I don't understand the premise of this thread. Are you trying to group all of American opinion into one tidy answer, or solicity the opinions of individual posters? I don't pretend to speak for all of America. American opinions are not homogeneous. Never have been, never will. That's one of the obvious outcomes of a diverse society. There is plenty of dissent on Bush's 'war on terror', led by the Democratic presidential contenders.
To generalize, I think Afghanistan is widely accepted by Americans to have been good policy to protect us from further 9/11 type incidents. Iraq is a little more fuzzy. I personally think Bush did it the wrong way in Iraq. But there are a lot of other actions outside of these two military campaigns that are working toward containing the world wide extremist threat.
"I find it hard to believe that the US government’s recent actions in Afghanistan and Iraq have been accepted so blithely under the banner of ‘the war against terror’ within the US."
You find it hard to believe? You simply don't know Americans very well. Start your thinking with this; evil cannot go unchallenged. And attacks on the America cannot go unanswered.
Now, there has been lots and lots of debate on how those core values should be implemeted, timing and approach, but Americans changed a great deal on 9/11. Had 9/11 not happened, the war against Iraq would have been much more of a debate. The certain knowledge that Saddam had vigorously pursued biological and chemical weapons made the potential for a nexus between Saddam and terrorists much more of a threat. The worst case is that a tyrant is removed, even if there were no currently existing threats via WMD. Either way most Americans are OK with this....
We are at the very beginning of the war against extremists. But taking away their sanctuary, potential resouces and supporters is a good beginning. They are being chased and hounded, and they are convinced that the US will take action much more aggressive than lobbing a few cruise missles.
Seminole is right. We are not homogenous. There a few things about the core of America that you clearly do not understand, and your snottyness is preventing you from realizing.
Snottyness, is this ye olde English? I don’t think it even exists as a word, well that never stopped you guys.
Seminole,
Please point out the benefit the world gained through the actions in Afghanistan how will it stop another bombing in oh say India, Pakistan, Spain, N Ireland, Palestine, Iraq..And while you’re at it go into a little more detail on how it’s a good idea dropping thousands of bombs on a country whilst only having a ‘fuzzy’ premise.
OG,
So you admit that 9/11 was a galvanising event for extremist elements within the US administration which gave them carte blanche in roving around the world dropping bombs for peace? Did I read wrong or between the lines? A novel view I could even agree with you if pushed.
To fight extremists one must become one, how very…Zen Buddhist of you.
Americans aren’t homogenous but you caricatures in gupshup sure are.
“evil cannot go unchallenged”?, hmmm attacks against anyone shouldn’t go unchallenged, but instead of lashing out maybe the reasons behind the perceived ‘evil’ should be looked at in a little more detail. It’s all so black and white when thoughts are piped in huh? “We’ll smoke ‘em out” etc…reminiscent of Nelson’s speech at Trafalgar, nice to see jingoism is filtering down to the drones.
I told you guys to be original and give me some insight, not bore the y-fronts off me with Bush speak and calling me haughty and snotty just turns me on. So come one give it another go and lets get to the bottom of why you’re brain-washed into thinking more murder will solve everything.
I'll give it a rest after this ....pwomise and back to general chit for me again.
Thap you would make a good 60's flower child, which isn't a bad thing. Amazingly the likes of the Taliban and Saddam opted for war (remember the coalition gave them both an opportunity to avoid war but they choose nought.). A multi-prong approached is needed in dealing with terrorism and one of those prongs happens to be military action. Since mankind’s presence on earth, achieving peace with one another has been bloody murder. If you have the answers, do share.
"but instead of lashing out maybe the reasons behind the perceived ‘evil’ should be looked at in a little more detail."
Oh, OK prince Saud, here's your check back. Maybe you're right though. Maybe the US should allow the arab world finish what the nazis couldn't. While we're at it, we could put a cap on any new starbucks or mcdonalds in dubai and everyone can ride Segways to work.
Thap:
Stop!!! Wasting your breath on these nitwits.
They are a clan of people who will find the Pope and Naomi Campbell in bed and say it was an act of charity to raise funds for the Somali kids.
They are so blinded with revenge and hatred that they have lost all bearings on morality, ethics and righteousness.
Worst of all they have transformed into the people whom they hate. While meeting some hardliner extremists (in Pakistan) I was amazed to see that they could not envisage westerners as humans, They thought of them as objects that had no feelings, emotions, or sense of suffering.
The sad part is that this absurd mentality is becoming ever so popular in the west , as you can see from the posts above. They have stopped classifying us as humans, and my friend that is a dangerous thing.
^ This post reflects the larger problem. Hurl insults, judgments, generalizations and hate. Then wrap it up with "I hope there is an end to this vicious circle." Ok, well when is it your turn to be introspective, bridge the gap or end the vicious circle? Where was the morality, ethics and righteousness in your post?
It's just as apologetic and pathetic as Thap's assertion "instead of lashing out maybe the reasons behind the perceived ‘evil’ should be looked at in a little more detail."
Why don't you look at the details and reasons extremists are using religion as a catalyst to wage war?
"They are a clan of people who will find the Pope and Naomi Campbell in bed and say it was an act of charity to raise funds for the Somali kids."
Huh? Is that a prediction, some sort of bizarre fantasy or the next reality TV show?
Sadly, I don't see an end to the vicious cycle in sight. I don't even want to think what Bush might do if there's another Terrorist attack on american soil in the near future.
[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by Thap: *
Do you feel safer at home or travelling abroad since the war against terror began?
Do you feel that the occupation of far off lands is helping you sleep better or merely exacerbating the polarisation of global cultures leading to the increased chance of random acts of violence?
Just interested in your opinions.
[/QUOTE]
There was definately an unreal fear in the air after 911, But: that fear soon turned into reality..........The Reality is that our Safety lied in our Freedom. We are not as free or safe sinse the Bush 'REGIME' has everyone giving the hiel Bush.....
WE ARE ALL IN FEAR THAT OUR FREEDOMS ARE GONE FOREVER....and that is just what those responsible for 911 wanted...( I wonder who 'THEY' are! )
Seminole I am sorry u found the post insulting, I find some of ur posts insulting too but just accept them as a slap on the wrist by our colonial or modern day masters.
U r asking for introspection from people whose whole life revolves around religion, the most important thought of the day they have is how to get their next meal, they are stricken by poverty, hopelessness, injustice (on an immediate and global scale) and lack of education. If all this doesn’t kill them then voila!! They have bush’s daisy-cutters falling on their heads to obliterate them.
The countries that hold the banner of freedom of speech, human rights, and are at the top of the list in technology, education and scientific advancements, should be the ones to introspect. As u very rightly pointed out they are the ones who should reach the root cause of this so called “Islamic terrorism” and should bridge the gap, not by destruction and occupation but rather by help and construction.
IMHO, I think enough blood has been spilt and it is time to forgive and forget, Seminole u sitting in the US and me sitting in Peshawar cant solve these matters by having wars of words. I think it would be better that we understand each others point of views with open minds and open eyes, influence and motivate those (whom we can) to stop fueling the fire.
Where had we got to today, have the Christian Zionists finally reared their heads in the thread? These Willow the Wisps, this phantom menace, these middles aged white people with weak chins and slack jaws, who are they?
"These Willow the Wisps, this phantom menace, these middles aged white people with weak chins and slack jaws, who are they?"
Silly little boy, they're the people who control the world. They hold all the cards and pull all the strings. They probably aren't the strongest, the bravest, the smartest or the best looking but you probably work for one or are somehow ultimately beholden to one. Why? Maybe it's because they just understand better "how things work", including the fact that many frustrated and powerless people around the world are envious of them and hate even them.
Perhaps that is the basic answer. But, surely you can read between the lines by now. How about the Saudi's and the CIA and maybe others here in our own house.
I have seen the enemy and the enemy looks remarkably like a Bush.