So, we have 15th century tribal fuedalism, mixing in a warped religious perspective (Wahabism) square against modern 21st century progressive liberalism. Yes, progressive liberalism in the form of statism; look around, America and most Western countries and even some upgraded 3rd worlders in Central and South America are socialist states, which is what modern liberalism is all about. Libertine statist societies.
America is the primary target because we have most successfully displayed this seeming contradiction. But at the same time, America is guilt ridden because of it. The guilt is formulated in our schools and with our music, literature and the drive by media. The terrorists are fanning this guilt by driving wedges between us and our slowly diminishing allies around the world. They are doing this by pointing out our wealth and at the same time commiting acts of violence every where but America. They say "See, if it were not for those Americans, this would not be happening to you." And our duped media and intellectual literati reinforce this message by instilling even more guilt by saying to us that we ARE at fault. Divide and conquer; an old but effective tactic. Lincoln said it best. "A house divided will not stand."
They are formenting envy and guilt in the West because they see this increasing envy and guilt, coupled with the slaughter of women and children (for whom they have no regard whatsoever) that they incite by the way, as a long term blow to the economies of the West. That is how they bring us down. Divide us, take away our bread and games. The barbarians have succeeded in doing that in the past. History has a troubling habit of confirming that.
The only solution to the problem of terrorism is to turn their methodology back upon them. America, and the West, need to marginalize the economic stranglehold Wahabist societies in the Middle East hold. The only way out of this is to take away their money and invest the folks they have in thrall to throw off their yoke. How do we do that? Well, first there needs to be a will to proceed. I wonder if we have that? Milton Freidman said that when we brought down Saddam in Iraq, we should have given equal shares in their oil riches to every manjack in the country; Shia, Turk and Sunni. If the people equally owned the oil, rather than the gooberment, there would be no reason to squabble amongst themselves and they'd very rapidly use their own methodolgies to boot out or kill the foreign terrorists. A'stan, I'm sure, has resources of their own that should be vested in the people.
We need to seriously ramp up the exploitation of old and new energy resources anywhere there is no Islamofascist foothold. Use up what we have while encouraging new sources. Money talks and bullshit walks. Technology today gives us the opportunity to be Green as well as exploitive. The Western Hemisphere needs to become energy independent and promote the progress of the Western Hemishphere by convincing those in the West that our ways are superior and better for all. Teddy Roosevelt's comment, "Speak softly and carry a big stick" has implications far beyond the threat that his comment is customarily thought to mean. It bespeaks protection and a hand up as well. In other words to Venezuala for example, we need to softly say the stick is not for you, it is rather available to protect you and help you stand up and get to where you need to be. Let us trade and coexist. In the long run, dismantling the trade barriers in the Western Hemisphere is not only a good idea, it is absolutely necessary. We, as a nation, need to begin to think beyond our 4 year Jeep lease and have a vision for 100 years from now. Parochialism in the West is no longer viable. Too many people and too much information out there today. Your grandchildren may not find their fortune in Indiana, but carve it out of the jungles and fruited plaines of Mexico, Central and South America.
It is truly all about energy folks. We need to expend whatever energy is neccessary to make it so we can leave the Wahabists to their own just deserts; which is to marginalize and ignore them. Let them have what they want, isolation. If we make them cash poor, they won't stray far from the hut and goats. Those that wish to throw off the yoke of Wahabist Jihad, are welcome to join us.
On the one hand we destroy Wahabist Islam by killing millions or we marginalize them by destroying their wealth by using our vastly superior technologies and the engine of freedom.
That will take will, courage and progressive leaders that can move us forward together rather than further dividing us. I don't see any of that at the moment, unfortunately. Our institutions have cranked out too many potato heads. Maybe our future leaders should come from the world of reality rather than sycophantic products of our corrupted institutions of higher learning. We need some common folks with common sense, vision, bravery, and the will to do what is right and be able to communicate that. It ain't in Washington now, and the horizon is not crammed full of candidates.
Hell, I'll do it. Write me in in 2008.
