patriotism

January 14, 2004 &bull politics

President Bush’s “War on Terrorism” is immoral and, to some degree, terrorism in its own right. The US has killed thousands of innocent people in Afghanastan and Iraq. In fact, I believe we have killed more innocent people than the terrorists killed on September 11, 2001. Along with being unjust, the war on terrorism will be ineffective in the long-run.

Simply stated, we are not going to stamp out terrorism by invading countries and killing innocent people. It’s my contention that this behavior is the very thing that has bred so many anti-US terrorists in the first place. Thank President Reagan and the first President Bush for September 11th. Their foreign policy meddling and unjust policies produced Osama Bin Laden and his ilk. George Bush, the second, is currently doing the same thing. I’m envisioning future generations of “Bin Ladens” growing up in Afghanastan right now. Royally pissed off that their houses were bombed, their towns were destroyed, or their parents were killed by our “holy” war on terrorism. Ultimately, our policy on terrirism is producing terrorists, not stopping them.

The current policy changes (e.g., the Patriot Act) and security implementations may afford some additional “homeland security” in the short-term. But as long as we are harming innocent people and, thus, causing them to hate our country, we will always be a target for terrorists. We need to reverse the anti-US sentiment that is at the heart of terrorism. And I’m not just talking about changing appearances with PR compaigns. I’m talking about a radical change to the way our country participates in the world. Who wants to terrorize a country that donates money to poor countries and provides fair aid to those in need? What about a country that supports sound, moral principles, not corrupt and unjust regimes that will further its economic interests (e.g., Iraq during Iran-Iraq war, modern-day Israel and Saudi Arabia)? None I can think of. But, there are a lot of people who would terrorize arrogant countries who think they have the right to impose their will on the world. President Bush is not acting like the compassionate Christian he likes to portray himself as. Christians embrace peace and look for ways to help people. They don’t drop bombs in the name of their cause.

Democratic candidates have spent $21 million on TV ads in Iowa alone. Conversely, there are people in this country who can’t afford healthcare or even food. You don’t have to think too hard to figure out why I’m not a big fan of our political system. Wasting millions of dollars on televised mud-slinging is one central reason. Consequently, I haven’t really participated in elections in the past. However, I’m getting VERY close to snapping on a political pin and supporting one of the challengers in this year’s Presidential election. I wish there were less Democrats and more liberals in the field, but I’ll support just about anyone left of center in order to help our country change course. We need to do something. As Howard Zinn said, let’s become a “humanitarian superpower” instead of a “military superpower.” Let’s get Bush out of office.

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