a "different" perspective?

I got this in an e-mail this morning. I'm sure some people see this as idealistic *crap*. Some people probably see this as a nice, but unrealistic thought. I see it as truth. Okay, the laptop thing is a bit too much, but this approximates what I've been thinking for the last few days.


> Bomb them with butter, bribe them with hope
>
> A military response, particularly an attack on
> Afghanistan, is exactly what the terrorists want. It
> will strengthen and swell their small but fanatical
> ranks.
>
> Instead, bomb Afghanistan with butter, with rice,
> bread, clothing and medicine. It will cost less than
> conventional arms, poses no threat of US casualties
> and just might get the populace thinking that maybe the
> Taliban doesn't have the answers. After three years of
> drought and with starvation looming, let's offer the
> Afghani people the vision of a new future. One that
> includes full stomachs.
>
> Bomb them with information. Video players and
> cassettes of world leaders, particularly Islamic
> leaders, condemning terrorism. Carpet the country
> with magazines and newspapers showing the horror of
> terrorism committed by their "guest". Blitz them
> with laptop computers and DVD players filled with a
> perspective that is denied them by their
> government. Saturation bombing with hope will mean
> that some of it gets through. Send so much that the
> Taliban can't collect and hide it all.
>
> The Taliban are telling their people to prepare for
> Jihad. Instead, let's give the Afghani people their
> first good meal in years. Seeing your family fully
> fed and the prospect of stability in terms of food and
> a future is a powerful deterrent to martyrdom.
>
> All we ask in return is that they, as a people, agree
> to enter the civilized world. That includes handing
> over terrorists in their midst.
>
> In responding to terrorism we need to do something
> different. Something unexpected... something that
> addresses the root of the problem. We need to take
> away the well of despair, ignorance and brutality from
> which the Osama bin Ladens of the world water their
> gardens of terror.

Another Vietnam?

A friend told me how closely the U.S.'s reaction parallels it's involvement in Vietnam. What scares me is that the activities are scaled down in time on a factor of years to days.

((((you))))

You may have noticed that I post very little besides thoughts about the current events. Although I do wish there were more people concerned about it, I do not think any less of anyone for not getting into it and/or getting back to their lives. In fact, I prefer to see that people are still living their lives.

Schpedoinkal

pass it on

vocal minority

I know that there are racist people in my nice little town, but sometimes I think it is not so bad. This gas station is about a block from my home:

Terrorists are the enemy, not Arabs and Muslims

In united stand, community rallies around gas station owner


I'm glad of the support our people have shown this man.

first things first

[Poll #5200]

Thank you to all who took the time to give your opinions in my last poll. It didn't turn out particularly well (the questions, not the answers), so I'm giving it another shot. I may take your votes here as nominations for my next poll.