[Winona Online Democracy]
Message
I want to admit a bias at the outset of
this post: when someone uses the term "kicked some butt" I almost
immediately turn off to whatever they are saying. My prejudices paint
them as unable to engage in rational discourse, resorting instead to
reflexive, lug-nut, brute force. From previous discussion in this
forum, however, I know this does not apply to Paul Double, who has
presented many articulate, eloquent, rational points of view, even if I
disagree with him. So I will forgive him this lapse in lexicon, and
look forward to more lively exchanges of ideas.
Perhaps this is at the heart of the war
issue, however: the lunge to a quick, violent show of retribution - as
espoused by our current administration in Washington - vs. a careful,
reasoned response, in concert with friends, allies, and a slow but
effective system of justice. I can imagine President Bush using the
term "kick some butt" in referring to the "war on terrorism". My view
is that that war is not very effective at the moment - about as
effective as using gasoline to put out a fire.
Perhaps if we strut a little less and do
our homework a little more we could be effective in hunting down
these(terrorist) animals and bringing them to justice, not simply
lashing out to destroy them. But that would mean putting away the
slogans and actually planning for a new type of war against a new type
of enemy, not just resurrecting John Wayne and Clint Eastwood.
Phil Carlson, Mpls
Phil
and others
No
I am not suggesting we set aside the rule of law but the focus on a few
bad solders serves only to take the heat off those who continue to
commit far greater acts against humanity and civil society. We will,
by our nature and the rule of law, deal with our own. But where are
the days and days of repeated media coverage devoted to the real scum
of the world. Where are the daily stories of the lives we
are improving and the economic rebuilding progress to their country.
Why do we focused on the body bag and not the person in it who believed
in their cause and walked the walk? And why don't the reporters tell
the bio of the killer (s) who they report to and their agenda? We love
to beat up on ourselves while allowing the enemy to be hidden from the
daily media assault on page one. There comes a time when some would
turn the other cheek or run but some would prefer we stood or ground,
kicked some butt because we believe there are those in the world who
have no respect for life or the rule of law and to not stand up is to
allow them to win or to defer the battle to another day or generation.
Paul
Double
(my
message seems to have had a problem showing up - let me try again)
To Paul's comments on Dwayne's
comments on Ruth's comments:
Paul, the reason we have developed
our sophisticated justice system is precisely because our Founding
Fathers knew how easy it is to accuse, try, and punish people in an
emotional outburst, rather than after calm and reasoned deliberation.
It is understandable to all us the urge to simply "hunt down and
destroy" the "animals" who commit horrific acts. But what sets us apart
as a civilized society under the rule of law is that we take the
accused carefully and methodically (and humanely) through the process,
THEN we punish them. Are you seriously suggesting that we set aside
this process in favor something more immediately delicious to our
savage side? The Americans who were dragged through the streets of
Mogadishu and the four who were burned and hung up on the bridge in
Falluja were the result of just this kind of emotional justice. There
are enough people and governments in the world clamoring to be the
lowest in the gutter. Let's please not go there.
Phil Carlson, Mpls
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