Ah, Joe, the "only" you note below was a mite sarcastic, designed to
contrast the resources we have and bin Laden has; and no, suggesting that
we have more isn't suggesting we get rid of it (although giving some of it
away to good causes might be useful); I'm implying that we have just as
much ability (and arguably some believe we do this) to be terrorists as
bin Laden.
I would feel much better about the U.S. in this situation if it
a) had worked to make the embassies less vulnerable before the attacks it
possibly knew about;
b) we didn't have newspaper/media coverage that broadcast "200 Kenyans
killed, only 12 Americans" (and all the solipsism that suggests);
c) we looked at some of the roots of fanaticism and our role in creating
it, "nurturing" it;
d) we first investigated THOROUGHLY before bombing and taking even one
innocent life;
e) thought about the irony of sending a million dollar (or more) bomb over
to a country whose per capita is probably under $200/year/family;
f) knowing of the existence of terrorists/fanaticism, worked in ADVANCE
with the country of origin & probable home, helping the people there,
creating a positive image of Americans helping;
g) worked on ways to punish those who deserved it, after properly
determining who they are, and not getting others in the "net" of justice
(i.e. our economic boycotts of many countries have served to injure
children, not the military might or will of those places, and further
inflamed everyday citizens against the U.S.); and
h) asked the resources here (the large Moslem population I mentioned) for
ways of dealing with what many of them label a fringe group.
and more...
but my hands are tired...
Surely the havoc we wreaked in Guatemala, Angola, etc. is testimony to our
military's ability to be catagorized as operating/supporting terrorist
activities.
Although I disagree with your reasoning, I have not cast the proverbial
aspersions on your character. Can you do the same?
Arlene Plevin
On Mon, 24 Aug 1998, Joe E. Dees wrote:
> >
> > On Mon, 24 Aug 1998, Joe E. Dees wrote:
> > >
> I suppose you'd feel better about us if we were poorer; right? And if
> you can use the word "only" to describe $250,000,000.00 (his
> family is worth 5 billion, BTW), you must be Bill Gates in disguise.
>
>
