a "different" perspective?

[low_delta]

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.

Comments

[msfledermaus.livejournal.com]

I think it's a *good* idea...Give the Afghans some incentive to give us Bin Ladin and show we're not monsters in the same fell swoop.

Too bad it's probaby not th option that's going to get chosen:(

[low-delta.livejournal.com]

Anti-American propaganda is fostered by the rulers of those countries. This is done so the people focus on an external enemy, instead of an internal one - the rulers. We need to counteract that propaganda. And the better off the living conditions of the people, the less inclined they are to look for an enemy in the first place.

[i.livejournal.com]

i'm sure it would work. how do we make it happen?

[low-delta.livejournal.com]

Good question.

[seamusd.livejournal.com]

the only way the united states can "win" this "war" is by building nations, not bombing them. President "Dead-or-Alove, Make-No-Mistake-About-It" doesn't have to foresight or the political will to do the right thing.