Is the "War on Terror" wrong? Why?

by 2escaped lifers 125 Replies latest members adult

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  2escaped lifers

  Greetings all,

  I'm relatively new to the forum, so this will be the first "can of worms" for me to open up here on the forum. Simon, I apologize for opening one more thread on the "war", but I'm just trying to elicit opinions on one aspect of this big debate.

  I have read several of the recent "patriotism" and "nationalism" threads, and have been amazed at the broad range of opinions expressed, sometimes very heatedly. It is also good for those of us Americans to see and understand how folks from other backgrounds and other nations not only view us, but also our nation's policies and actions.

  So, my question is, as the subject above asks: Do you believe the "War on Terror" is right, or wrong? And, Why?

  Please, what I want here is good natured debate, not personal attacks! Please keep your responses coordial and considerate. Please explain the reasoning behind your answer, so that we all may consider each other's opinions with an open mind and a respect for the fact that each of us are looking at the same situation from different perspectives.

  Very eager to listen to everyone's opinion.

  Best regards,

  Brandon Bartlett
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  Hamas

  In my opinion, the war on terror is a complete farce.

  But trust me, its a waste of time expressing opinions here. I don't even know why I am attempting to do so. Its a huge catch 22, its fruitless.

  If you want me to tell you why its a farce, ask me in a PM ; i'd rather take two steps back from this one.

  Cue :

  Simon,

  Jayson,

  Yeru,

  Abaddon,

  et all...
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  Simon

  I believe that it's being done the wrong way.

  If, as I hope, the intention is to make the world a better and safer place to live then I don't think it will achive it's objectives. There are reports our in the UK for instance that showed that the intelligence view was that if WoMD did exist then going to war was risky as it could put them in the hands of terrorists. As bad as dictators are, they are not usually as dangerous as terrorists.

  I think the main thing would be to stop manufacturing and exporting weapons and having a more ethical foreign policy, particularly when it came to arms.

  Looking at the bigger picture, the inequality and oppression that breeds terrorism needs to be addressed with fairer trade etc ... There is a cause-and-effect link between things like "farm subsidies" and bombs going off round the world.

  There has been terrorism for a long time around the world - it's only lately that its started to directly affect us though.
• 

  Simon

  Hey, right on cue !!
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  Stacy Smith

  Speaking as one of the et all's I can say I approve of the war on terrorism. Clinton spoke of the same issues we've faced today except he did nothing about it. We can debate the right or wrong to death but if we don't fight the war on terror we lose the war on terror.

  Taking to foreign soil is just fine with me. I believe the hatred by the terrorists is so deep that the only response they will understand is pain and suffering. I am grateful we have a President with balls for a change.

  Go ahead flamers, tell me how young stupid and naive I am again. But my vote counts as much as yours does
• 

  Simon

  What do you think makes a terrorist? Why would someone chose to die in a suicide attack?

  These people do not wake up one day and decide "hey, I think I'll blow up some Yanks".

  They already know what pain and suffering is which is why I don't think that trying to cause more of it helps. It just creates more people with a grudge. The extremists with a religious message can then take advantage of them and channel their anger into action.

  The terrorist of today are the children of the oppressed of yesteryear and the action we take today will be making the terrorists for the future.

  I believe in tough action but we should not abandon ideals of justice in the persuit of security because if we do we will never reach it.

  Ask anyone who has travelled extensively in the regions around Iraq, Afghanistan and surrounding areas - they will tell you they are some of the most hospitable and friendly people on the planet.

  Now, consider how you would feel if you have been through things that they have, if your country had been 'meddled' with for all of living memory ...
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  Stacy Smith

  Now, consider how you would feel if you have been through things that they have, if your country had been 'meddled' with for all of living memory ...

  Lots of generalities there Simon. But they sound good. I would say that the middle east countries have been more meddled with by their own dictators than by America. We are currently fighting in Iraq and I do believe that the Iraqi people will have an average pay increase beyond their 3 dollars a month they earned under Saddem.

  I do not agree with what Israel does in a heartbeat but what are we to do about that now? One thing that all nations or groups know about Israel is that if you attack them they attack back even harder and hit you where it hurts the most. I would say that the groups who hate america are starting to believe that we aren't the same old pushovers we were under Clinton.

  What is your solution Simon? Give them money? Hugs? Turn our backs on whatever they do? Sanctions? What? Or do we continue to make every effort to cut off the heads of those that murder innocent people within our own borders?
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  ignorance is strength

  The "War on Terror" will end up like the "War on Drugs"; its destined to be ineffective.

  Now as Simon stated, most people aren't terrorist they are just fighting for what they believe in. A terrorist should be defined as one who needlessly kills civilians. Suicide bombers are terrorists but the gunmen who defend Palestinian refugee camps aren't; just like the PIRA aren't, they are simply fighting for their rights (however, the spinoff groups of the PIRA are definitely terrorists). I propose a new logically fallicy, the Terrorist Fallacy: calling any armed group a terrorist just because you don't agree with their policies or because they are your enemy.
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  Pleasuredome

  i think bin laden should stop his war on terrorism. one day those countries oppressed by britain, US and israel, will start to get their own back big time.
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  Jayson

  Hamas,

  I though you had a change of heart and don't have such strong views of terror related issues. Did you have another change of heart?

  Simon,

  As to doing it wrong, there are a lot of countries fighting terrorist issues. And I agree that mistakes have and are being made. But, I do think this is something that needs to happen.

  What makes a terrorist? Inequality, pathological jelousy, indoctrination.

  There are places where people are raised to hate and do want to die to kill. And sometimes it is supported by the State. Yes the there are kind "people" and, the Middle East hosts some of the most oppressive governments in existance.

  This site has a built in bias to not support the USA, capitalism, and especially GW Bush in the sites administration but that is IMO. If you want to understand what is going on there are several good books to read that will give a better understanding of the "why's."