Terrorism To Fight Terrorism

Initially, I'd intended to write something else for my introductory post to Hands and Fists. But, I came across a piece I'd written years back, as U.S. troops were invading Iraq. I was, at first, afraid it might have lost its relevance. Reading through it again, however, I discovered it to be as fitting now as it was then ... as well as for any time, any place, or for any country. I hope you agree:

I do not understand why terror must be fought with terror. Why, in order to defeat terrorists, you must become a terrorist yourself. Does this stem from Old Testament justice of "an eye for an eye"? By escalating the amount of violence in the world, the world becomes a less safe place. What other result can we expect? Do we really believe that by flexing our might it will cause the world to quiver and acquiesce? On the contrary, it will cause an escalation of armaments and a militarization, out of fear for the security of all.

My America is an immature adolescent. It is rash and self-centered, with little consideration given to the community which is the earth. In hindsight, suppose we had responded differently to the 9-11 tragedy. In the moments following, receiving the empathy of the world for our losses, suppose we had instead announced that we would honor our own innocent civilian casualties by refraining from the killing of innocent civilians abroad.

That we would enlist the world to find, capture and prosecute those responsible for this heinous act, but that we would not pursue retribution at the expense of innocent lives abroad. We would remain firm, vigilant, and resolved to finding those responsible by utilizing all of the world's intelligence services, and with the determination of the world's community.

We would also reach out to those who harbor hateful intent towards us and ask them why. We would respect their needs and suffered injustices, and examine our own policies which could be responsible for so much hatred.

We would focus the world on a peaceful resolution of the Israeli/Palestinian conflict. We would focus the world on the plight of it's poorest and most devastated communities. We would call the world to focus, and then we would help lead.

We would help lead in the elimination of nuclear weapons. We would help lead towards a more inclusive community, with more responsive, fair and balanced economies. At the expense of greed, usury, and economic injustice. We would lead the world in a war on greed, on waste and corruption ..... even legalized corruption.

We would together work against hate and discrimination, embracing cultures and diversity, while learning to walk hand-in-hand as neighbors and members of the human community. Stressing that the highest ideal is the betterment of all of the worlds peoples ..... at the expense of the betterment of the few. We would work for a world where the wealthiest are, instead of being the epitome of life's offerings, instead looked upon as being a symptom of society's many ailments.

Suppose we had responded to the tragedy, and to the world, in even one of these ways. The capacity for love, even within one's enemies, is only sleeping. More soundly in some than in others, but truly the best way to eliminate those who may hate you is to eliminate their hate. Gandhi proved that by avoiding senseless retaliation you capture the hearts and minds of the world, including your enemies. Once you retaliate, it becomes a war, a conflict. By not taking up arms, acts committed against you become naked aggression. Very few in the world have the heart or the soul to support such a thing.

Even within the ranks of an enemy, it becomes difficult to command hearts and minds against an adversary who refuses to kill your fathers and mothers, sisters and brothers. While bearing your murder and aggression, and still offering you water when you thirst, food when you hunger.

Escalating the conflict with bombs and missiles is unfortunately the standard operating procedure. And it becomes obvious that there is a national insecurity, even an immaturity (or what I like to call "the little-dick syndrome"), when all that a nation can offer in response to evil is more evil. Terrorism to fight terrorism. Murder in response to murder.

Yes, America is still an adolescent in the world of history. And because of our leaders we are no longer a shining beacon to the world. Although we could be ..... we should be.