| |||||||||
Posted December 6, 2001
Supporting Terrorism
As seen in an article in the Guardian published on December 2, 2001 concerning a "secret" plan that Bush and his administration have fashioned to take care of the "Iraq problem":
"America intends to depose Saddam Hussein by giving armed support to Iraqi opposition forces across the country, The Observer has learnt. President George W. Bush has ordered the CIA and his senior military commanders to draw up detailed plans for a military operation that could begin within months. The plan is to work with a combination of three political forces: Kurdish rebels in the north of Iraq, radical Sunni Muslim groups in and around Baghdad, and, most controversially, the Shia opposition in the south."
Excuse me, but didn't President Bush say that we will not tolerate anyone harboring, assisting or supporting terrorism and terrorists anywhere, at any time? We may not care for Iraq, its leader, its policies and just about anything else about it, but does that give us carte blanc to engage in the very activities that we have promised to punish relentlessly?
Slippery Slope
Justin's column [of December 3, "Ashcroft's Reign of Terror"], and mention of the "slippery slope" reminds me of the statement by Protestant minister Martin Niemoller. I know everyone has read it before, but good things bear repeating. If you like, substitute "Arabs" for "Jews," "foreigners" for "Catholics," and "antiwar terrorists" for "trade unionists."
"When Hitler attacked the Jews I was not a Jew, therefore I was not concerned. And when Hitler attacked the Catholics, I was not a Catholic, and therefore, I was not concerned. And when Hitler attacked the unions and the industrialists, I was not a member of the unions and I was not concerned. Then Hitler attacked me and the Protestant church -- and there was nobody left to be concerned."
Seeking Collaborators
I am seeking collaborators in researching correlation between intelligence and war-support. My research so far tends toward the hypothesis that the more stupid (or stupefied) one is, the greater the likelihood of support for war against the Afghans, Iraqis, etc. And conversely. Another correlation is that between credence toward authority/religiosity and stupidity.
Antiwar Forum
May I suggest that you open up a Forum so we can discuss these issues and articles.
~ John S.
The "Backtalk" editor replies:
The Antiwar Forum can be found here, or by using the drop-down menu on the main page.
Yelling at Yasser
Everyone is yelling at Yasser, Israel is launching missile attacks on his headquarters and George W. is saying that they can. For sure they are using American equipment. At the end of one of the articles that I read it stated that in the last 14 months 781 Palestinians have been killed and 213 of Israel's citizens have died. Look at these numbers and think about who is getting yelled at. Strange isn't it?
American Taliban
In your antiwar efforts you have neglected to post the most significant recent story concerning the American Taliban who was just captured. He seems to represent the most antiwar sentiment of any in recent memory as he was willing to lay his flea-bitten hide on the line for his ideals.
The "Backtalk" editor replies:
Antiwar.com did post that story, along with the follow-up story of the two other "American Taliban."
Betsy
Ross 
[Regarding Justin Raimondo's column of November 26, "It Can Happen Here":]
In addition to your suggestion of flying the Gadsen flag I would also suggest flying the 13 stars "Betsy Ross" flag. I no longer fly the 50 stars American flag, I fly the Betsy Ross outside my home. At the place where I work I fly the Culpeper Minutemen's version of the Gadsen flag that in addition to "Don't Tread On Me" it also says "Liberty Or Death." It is a really cool flag and is a conversation piece for people who walk through my area at work. The CEO of my company is an unabashed anarcho-capitalist and he loves the Culpeper flag.
On another topic, I want to thank you for turning me on to Garret Garret's People's Pottage. It is an excellent book, and a quick read and exposes the terrible truth about that dictator FDR. I have also found a used copy of Ron Radosh's book Prophets On The Right and look forward to reading it in the new year. Keep up the good work, love your website!
~ Shawn S., Christian libertarian