Caribou Kid
04-01-2004, 10:46 PM
It seems like the post-September 11th attitude of zero tolerance for terrorists has made for many unusual bedfellows during the war on Terror. As several members have already pointed out, Dictators like Robert Mugabe are still merrily going about, performing business as usual, while other places (Iraq, A-stan) have been deemed "fix-it-right-bloody-now!" proirity #1.
Zimbabwe, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, SOMALIA, Rwanda, Haiti, and good ole North Korea seem to be BEGGING for the sort of intervention that the World has been witness to since the 9/11 line in the sand was drawn. I recognize the need to take issues like this "one step at a time" but I cannot help but feel that the momentum will be lost as more and more squabbling/internal bickering tears the Western nations of the world apart from within. As body bags continue to accumulate, the impetus seems to be withering as our generation begins to feel the true cost of deciding if you are "with us or against us." It's a bit like wanting to quit running the Marathon when that first stitch hits you at the 8 klick mark. Can we manage to rise to the challenge of our forefathers, and win this awful war, or will the cries of the naysayers prevail? If you remember, when Ground Zero was still a pile of smouldering wreckage, George W. Bush said that this war would not be won "..IN OUR LIFETIME."
This means for the long haul, right?
So what about dealing with these Despots? When does their turn come? Hell, the efforts in A-stan and Iraq are already seriously depleting the resources of most of the free world as it is, (not to mention peace keeping duties elsewhere) without contending with, say, a Korean or Taiwanese uprising, or even going BACK TO AFRICA. (shudder.)
I know the Weapons of mass destruction/base for terrorists arguement has been used to the point of almost being a cliche' by both the Pro and Con camps in this issue, but surely other facets of the broader picture warrant scrutiny too. Without a doubt, Anti-western sentiment is still simmering away in the aformentioned nations, often quite blatantly. (Read: Pakistan) Will they be dealt with as severely? Saying that the presence of Oil/Peroleum skewers the arguement is a cop out, too. That's an easy option/card to play. Think about George's words for a sec.
"we will bring you to justice, or bring justice to you."
Does this also apply to Somali Clan gunmen? Or Indonesian Islamic extremist clerics who call the Bali bombing a "C.I.A. plot???!!" :roll:
What about Libya, and it's "helpful" attitude towards the war on Terror, or Genaralissmo-***-President Pervez Musharraf and his imminent (NOT!) plans to step down from power?
I look forward to your replies.
Sorry if this came across as a rant. :oops:
Zimbabwe, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, SOMALIA, Rwanda, Haiti, and good ole North Korea seem to be BEGGING for the sort of intervention that the World has been witness to since the 9/11 line in the sand was drawn. I recognize the need to take issues like this "one step at a time" but I cannot help but feel that the momentum will be lost as more and more squabbling/internal bickering tears the Western nations of the world apart from within. As body bags continue to accumulate, the impetus seems to be withering as our generation begins to feel the true cost of deciding if you are "with us or against us." It's a bit like wanting to quit running the Marathon when that first stitch hits you at the 8 klick mark. Can we manage to rise to the challenge of our forefathers, and win this awful war, or will the cries of the naysayers prevail? If you remember, when Ground Zero was still a pile of smouldering wreckage, George W. Bush said that this war would not be won "..IN OUR LIFETIME."
This means for the long haul, right?
So what about dealing with these Despots? When does their turn come? Hell, the efforts in A-stan and Iraq are already seriously depleting the resources of most of the free world as it is, (not to mention peace keeping duties elsewhere) without contending with, say, a Korean or Taiwanese uprising, or even going BACK TO AFRICA. (shudder.)
I know the Weapons of mass destruction/base for terrorists arguement has been used to the point of almost being a cliche' by both the Pro and Con camps in this issue, but surely other facets of the broader picture warrant scrutiny too. Without a doubt, Anti-western sentiment is still simmering away in the aformentioned nations, often quite blatantly. (Read: Pakistan) Will they be dealt with as severely? Saying that the presence of Oil/Peroleum skewers the arguement is a cop out, too. That's an easy option/card to play. Think about George's words for a sec.
"we will bring you to justice, or bring justice to you."
Does this also apply to Somali Clan gunmen? Or Indonesian Islamic extremist clerics who call the Bali bombing a "C.I.A. plot???!!" :roll:
What about Libya, and it's "helpful" attitude towards the war on Terror, or Genaralissmo-***-President Pervez Musharraf and his imminent (NOT!) plans to step down from power?
I look forward to your replies.
Sorry if this came across as a rant. :oops: