I wasn't a flag waver before hand and I wasn't one afterwards.
Same here. But I learned to keep my mouth shut to avoid being treated like I'm the one who flew the planes. It's amazing how defensive people can be over this country when it's convenient.
i know how you feel dude. just because i'm not patriotic people think i like death, but i dont.
its a shame that 3,000 people had to die. it sucks. its sad.
but hey, why are we dwelling, and most of all, what the hell gives us the right to go and attatk afghanistans innocent people? a life IS a life. no matter WHAT.
Anillennium wrote:but hey, why are we dwelling, and most of all, what the hell gives us the right to go and attatk afghanistans innocent people? a life IS a life. no matter WHAT.
In the official white house newsletter about "patriot day", the president says in paragraph 3:
"And our Armed Forces have pursued the war against terrorism in Afghanistan and else-where with valor and skill."
then goes on to say *in the next sentence*:
"Americans also have fought back against terror by choosing to overcome evil with good."
...
I'm certainly not going to defend GWB's use of the English language, but I think its time we recapped recent events. What follows, is a very brief sketch of what is happening and why:
Once upon a time, Afghanistan had a very loose tribally based government where local warlords took turns in office. When it came time for the Taliban to be in charge, they refused to relinquish control at the end of their term.
The Taliban were an oppressive regime, and were particularly harsh on women, denying them an education and executing them not just for surprisingly minor crimes, but even for surprisingly minor lapses in protocol. The Taliban held power in large part due to the support of Osama bin Ladin and his merry band of terrorists, and they returned the favor by protecting him.
11-Sept is not just a date which marks great tragedy, but one which marks great hope as well. The shock which was felt all over the world realigned old enemies and instilled in them a new resolve to see things in each others eyes and to dedicate those resources needed to help make sure nothing like that will ever happen again.
This is not a war against Afghanistan or Islam. This is was war against evil, hateful, envious, greedy people who wish to bring us down to their level instead of making the effort to work with us to improve their own condition, mostly because the latter would involve courage and fortitude that they don't have.
No one is going around intentionally targeting civilians in bombing attacks, as was done in World War II. Civilian casualties are always regrettable, and are due to a number of causes, including simple error or even misinformation supplied by rival tribes out to settle an old score. It does not help at all that the enemy we are dealing with is downright scary. They have a warped faith in God which puts you lot to shame, and will not only die for their cause, but even look forward to the opportunity. I keep referring back to something that Tony Blair once said, in that "they have no moral limits." That sums it up perfectly, and I find the implications of that statement to be particularly frightening.
Throughout all of this, it is important to understand that this is not about Islam, but Islamic Fundamentalism (Islamism). The latter is a form of Fascism, and was born in the past century, about the same time as the other "isms". Islam is a respectable peace-loving religion, which was been around for thousands of years and for the longest time was the most advanced system for living one's life on the planet. The Islamists use Islam for their own gain, and brainwash the less fortunate into doing their dirty work for them.
This is not going to be finished this year. We'll be lucky if this is finished in this decade. Throughout it all, it is important to remember what is happening and why, lest the job be abandoned before it is finished. Too often, a larger nation has stopped to help a smaller one, usually because of some internal conflict, only to turn their backs on them when the news media became bored with the story and the general public lost interest. It is our job to make sure that Afghanistan and the 30+ other terror-infested nations of the world are not forgotten, and they receive the help they need to make their own homes a better place.
I hope that about covers it. Like I said, I'm only scratching the surface. I am not speaking for any one nation. As one who has traveled the world extensively, and experienced many different cultures, and met many different people, I tend to think of myself as a global citizen. There is always a place for pacifism, but you must understand that there are those who view pacifism as weakness. Sometimes, and I know it's a shame, you have to get the guns out, but only for the greater good. This could be our last chance to make amends.
We Americans have a tendency to sleep; to just lumber and slumber along almost completely oblivious to the world outside our borders.
And something happens that stirs us from that slumber. Awakens us from our sleep.
Over sixty years ago, that something was an attack on Pearl Harbor in Japan. Admiral Yamamoto new before the attack what would happen, he even warned his superiors of the consequences of their actions.
History shows what happened thereafter.
History is still being written about what happened a year ago.
There is, most assuredly, one difference between the instigators of this historical event and Admiral Yamamoto; they severely underestimated their opponents as well as a basic fact about human nature.
I'm very certain that a large number of the survivors of the attacks had little thought beyond their own safety and I will not fault them for that. But there have been several documented cases where people helped others to safety as the buildings burned and threatened to collapse. People who saved lives at the expense of their own. Yes, many were police and firefighters; people trained to help and protect; but there were others who were simply that most uncommon of things.
A common man.
It transends religious views and political idealisms, the willingness to risk one's own life for the welfare of others.
I'd be willing to bet that any of us will do quite a bit to help people who we consider to be friends or family; possibily up to the forfiture of our own lives if necessary. There are far fewer who can and will do so for a complete stranger.
And it is that small group that holds the hope for us all because they show us what we can become. They are the antithesis of the people who created, directed and carried out the attack.
I don't know what the future holds for us all or how the war that has come upon us will end. I can only hope that wisdom and compassion can guide the hands of those who fight and those who lead.
Rowan Llwellyn
Who, deep in her heart, really is a good squirrel.
