In a message dated 12/3/01 5:27:14 PM, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: << But assigning fault and blame is not likely to accomplish much. I prefer > to discuss possible actions to take. As far as finding a solution, I > think Israel is in a much stronger position than Palestine. They are > richer and much more powerful. Israel is not realistically in any danger > of being displaced, not with their military might and the full might > of the US behind them. They were in danger in the past, but Israel > demonstrated in 1947-48, and again, decisively in 1967, that they are > the force to be reckoned with in the region. >>
See if you follow and agree with my line of reasoning here: The primary purpose of a government of any country is to maintain order, sovereign borders and services to its population. Terrorist activity foments chaos. Terrorist activity foments anarchy. Terrorist activity foments fear in a country's population. Terrorist activity foments paranoia in a population. So: Terrorism interferes with any government's ability to maintain order. Terrorist activity foments an increased need for internal security. Terrorist activity foments an increased need for external security. So: Terrorist activity *may* affect a country's ability to maintain its sovereign borders. Terrorist activity foments a disruption in social services. So, to summarize: Terrorism disrupts a government's ability to govern, and should be considered a direct threat against that government. Therefore, terrorism must be considered an act of war because it is an attack on that country's ability to maintain itself cohesively. The only response a government can have to terrorism is to stop it at it's source. So, if its an act of war put forth by one individual, then that individual must be brought to justice to stop them. But if it's state sponsored, then that government must be stopped. Since terrorism is an act of war, then the government that is using terrorism as a tactic is warring against the other. This is how a democratic government defines terrorism, and this is why Israel and the United States are taking long-distance and short-distance steps at defending themselves. You may disagree with their tactics, and you may disagree with the killing of innocents but you should not fault them for acting to preserve themselves. Of course, that's just my opinion... :) Jon
