Market Farming

["Jill Taylor Bussiere" <jdt AT itol.com>]

Hi Jay,
    Thanks for continuing the conversation.....

> We can not end terrorism against us by dropping bombs and inflicting more
> destruction on Arab countries.  That in fact, plays into the desires of
> those who would love nothing more than to see a "Holy War" - this includes
> some fanatic Moslems as well as fanatic Christians - fanatics on both
sides
> of the ocean are hoping and pushing for this.
> <<<<
>
> Terrorism is a technique by which political institutions wage guerilla
war.
> A U.S. led "intervention" into Afghanistan is ill-advised because it will
> not be successful and will carry a very high real price tag, excluding the
> loss of human life.  I am not advocating conventional warfare methods.

So, what do you advocate instead of conventional warfare methods?


>
> The trial and incarceration of the bombers of Pan Am 103, and the World
> Trade Center in 1992 has done nothing to slow the spread or scale of
> terrorist acts.

Yes, I know.  And bringing bin Laden to trial would not end terrorism
either.  I didn't put it forth as a means to end terrorism, but rather to
initiate a way to justice.  Nor would bombing, invading, nuking, etc end
terrorism - in fact they would only increase the incidences of terrorism by
increasing enmity and desperation.

> There is no need to bomb civilians unnecessarily.  But terrorists tend
> to be civilians by definition.  Those who follow or support terrorist
> training camps are not innocent, they are complicit.

We must look at ourselves here in the same light.  The US funded, armed,
trained Contras - which are also terrorists - and we have not yet been
brought to account for it - only because we are so powerful and refuse to be
accountable.  The US is currently funding/arming/perhaps training terrorists
in Columbia.  I am not advocating terrorism by mentioning this, but rather
advocating equal rules/justice for all world participants.  If Afghanis who
support terrorist training camps are complicit, then those of us who
supported Contras, or who support the activities in Columbia are complicit
as well.  What is abominable when done by others is abominable when done by
us as well.


> The United States needs to clean it own house and get it's act in order.
> But it does not need to be apologetic for its success.  It does need to
> be less arrogant and more neutral, allowing the zealots in other parts of
> the world to kill each other when they choose to, without sticking our
> necks out for contrived political reasons.

And here is where we differ greatly.  Our success is due to repression
around the world - and that does indeed deserve an apology.  If the US can
not bear to apologize, then at least it can change its policies so as to end
its leechlike behavior.

> One hundred years ago the U.S. was a beacon of freedom to the
> world.  We need to be more of an example and let freedom spread
> by choice, where other people want it and are willing to die to get it.
> Only then do they appreciate it.

Jay, many have died attempting to gain freedom - and we have been
instrumental in their deaths.  I find your statement above objectionable.

There are good people in the US - many good people.  But most people are not
aware - and are therefore complicit in many many things.

> Jill,
>
> I share your aspirations for a better world, but my studies of history and
> behavioral science lead me to believe that to save the house from a fire,
> one starts by extinguishing the fire.  After the fire is out one acts to
> prevent the next fire, and lastly investigates the causes of the fire just
> extinguished.

How would you extinguish the fire, and what do you think are the causes of
it?

                                        Jill