Has anyone else read this? Not trying to start a war/anti-war debate, just curious to hear people's responses

[JACXR71]

Posted: 10/31/05 at 9:24pm

Being a college student at a relatively liberal school, I get political emails all the time from friends/fellow students who are extremely politically active. They're usually the typical e-mail forwards you see, sometimes Bush-bashing, sometimes statistics people aren't aware of, etc.

Today, I got an email with a link to this website:
http://usaattacked.com/us_navy_captain_phil_ouimette.htm

which is basically another pro-war email, but it seemed like a relatively new argument, or rather a new basis for support, at least to me.

This has nothing to do with my personal views, and I really hope that this thread doesn't turn ugly, because I know this is a sensitive subject - But, I'm just really curious to hear people's responses to this - both pro-war and anti-war. I really enjoy hearing people who are passionate about their beliefs on any topic, whether they concur or differ from my own, and after reading this article I'm sure that people from both sides will have a lot to say.

Again, please don't let this turn ugly or bashing, but if this is a topic that is important to you, I'd love to hear your thoughts on it.

[YouWantitWhen????]

Posted: 10/31/05 at 10:16pm

I think the argument is not whether we are in a war on terror, because, clearly we are.

The issue to me is how to you win a war that is not based upon traditional armies and clearly designated borders. Do you win by force alone, or do you win by some other means.

This is only my opinion.

Bush, and the author of this piece, believe you can win by force alone. I think this is a foolhardy theory clearl proven false by our experiences in Vietnam as well as Israel's experience with the PLO.

This is not a war of might, it is a war of ideas. And by using force to impose our will on others, we are fighing a losing battle in the war of ideas. One needs to get to the source of the problem - what is the cause of the terror, and find ways to address that issue, if possible.

The areas where the "terror" is the strongest are those areas where our commerical interests, and our support for regimes that are unpopular with the populations is common. There usually is great disparity between the haves and the have nots. We have placed our economic and geopolitical interests first and foremost, and by doing so, have created friends with the ruling parties, and enemies among the masses they rule.

There is also the issue of Israel. Which, as an American who happens to be Jewish - I am very conflicted. No one seems to remember that Israel always wanted a two-state solution, but the Arab world objected, and set out to destroy Israel. Israelis fear the Palestinians, because a small minority have unleashed tremendous damage on the Israeli population. Palestinians live in deplorable conditions that are only further exacerbated by its corrupt leadership, and Arab countries that only care about destroying Israel, and not truly helping the Palestinians. All the while, Israelis and Palestinians only learn to hate each other more and more. This is the model of our future if we only try to solve this problem by force.


There are no easy answers when fighthing the war on terror. Brute force is the easiet one of all, which is why it will not work.

[MrMidwest]

Posted: 11/2/05 at 8:34pm

Interesting thoughts Youwantit. I pretty much concur with you.