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September 28, 2006
Tribune Doesn't Understand The Threat
Today's opinion in the Tribune attempts to lay out a convincing argument for the release of the entire NIE. It's not a very compelling case and it comes across as reactive to getting slammed by what the President did release. The passage that got my attention, however, is this one:
See that the terrorist threat is not an army that can be crushed, Death Star-like, in a military victory. It is a state of mind created by oppression, corruption and poverty in the Muslim world and intensified by a fear of Western domination.
That is how the Tribune chooses to view a fanatical religious ideology. They couldn't be more wrong.
First, they aren't the byproducts of oppression, but the initiators of it. Oppression of speech, thought and action outside the teachings of a 14th century interpretation of the Koran are brutally, gleefully enforced. They take great pleasure executing the teachings of Islam.
The corruption and poverty are self imposed. They are classic examples of necessary measures taken to ensure the continuation of a dictatorship or fanatical regime.
Finally, it's not Western domination they fear, but Western liberation. They know that given the choice, the citizens of their regimes would choose Levi's, iPods and modern appliances over rags, calls to prayer and an open pit fire on a dirt floor. They will fight to the death to defend their power and dominance over these people, which is exactly what they are doing.
It's sad that the Tribune editorial board misunderstands the threat so badly. They are truly subscribing to Churchhill's definition of appeasment:
Feeding the alligator hoping it will eat you last.
Posted by Jonathan at September 28, 2006 8:25 AM
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Comments
Great article Jon. I like your look into the past because it is there that our future is going to be won or lost..Keep up the good work..Dad
Posted by: D.Sabin at October 9, 2006 4:52 PM