Originally posted by batdog:
I totaly fail to see how we could of "earned" this. Our actions through out history show a habit of doing what is right to the best of our ablity. We certainly have made mistakes and have had dark moments BUT we are far from the "evil empire" these terrorists scream about. ...
xBAT
[ 09-12-2001: Message edited by: batdog ]
Yes, I think you and I and probably MOST Americans would agree with and believe in your statement.
However, right here on this BBS, in this small society, a quick search of some other threads will show that a few or perhaps several American posters would disagree with the above statement.
I think there is ample evidence that more than "several" non-US posters would also disagree with it. These are people that for the most part come from "allied" or at least "friendly" countries with respect to the US.
Therefore, it's clear that not everyone agrees with this view of the US as a benevolent power. Further, it's now clear that there are entities that SERIOUSLY disagree with your sentiment.
It's not a case of sticking our heads in the sand. The US can and will be defended. It's a question more of keeping our noses out of other people's business.
A prime example of this is the US-led, NATO authorized airstrikes on Bosnia. Yes, the Serbs, Croats, Muslims, et al were acting like Barbarians. They ARE Barbarians. That does not give the US authorization to attack them.
There was NO UN MANDATE or AUTHORIZATION for those attacks. There was no "world opinion", no "justification" for that attack.
Despite that irrefutable fact, the US led a massive air attack against a sovereign nation. The fact that other NATO countries joined in doesn't excuse it either. We were ALL wrong.
Had a nation or group of nation's attacked the US because they felt atrocities were being committed here, we'd have been outraged.
This gets back to the thread dealing with US entry into WW2. Like it or not, one Sovereign nation cannot simply attack another without justification under International Law/Law of War and "Just War".
This is the basic underlying truth that caused the United Nations to be formed in the first place. The idea is that we, the countries of the world, must AGREE that force is required and its use authorized by the world community BEFORE any one nation commits warlike acts against another.
The US, "knowing" it is "good" and "right" and "acting in the interests of peace" has all too often acted UNILATERALLY with military force.
Obviously, not everyone agrees that the US is always "good" or "right", etc. The result is retribution by terrorism, their only possibly response against such a huge superpower.
If the US keeps sticking its nose into other nations sovereign affairs, WITHOUT THE EXPRESS DIRECTION OF THE ENTIRE UN and without major participation by numerous other "non-aligned" countries, this terrorism will go on and on. So, we had all better get used to a new and more dangerous way of life.
By "non-aligned" countries, I mean the ones that are not viewed as the "normal" US allies, ones that seldom if ever get involved in International firefights.
For example, I'd think it a significant step forward if the Scandanavian countries handle the next major problem. Sure the US would suppport the operation logistically and monetarily. However, the "bad guys" of the world need to finally see that EVERYONE stands united against them... not just the US.
Otherwise, it's time we just defended our own borders, welcomed the refugees from the Barbarism and waited for the Barbarians to finally kill each other off entirely.
