Replies; three different ones

[Terrance]

The Great Quail wrote:
> 
> In *my* opinion. *I* feel it is the proper and ethical solution; in
> other words, it is *a* proper and ethical solution. Doug, Barbara,
> yourself, and probably most of this list disagree, as is their right.

> 
> See, I have yet to hear any solutions to this problem that don't
> sound like appeasement, inaction, or wishful thinking. If you could
> tell me who we can force the Taliban and al-Qaeda from power, and
> fairly soon, without causing loss of innocents, I would be most happy
> to hear it. But so much opposition on this List cries out against
> what we are doing, but offers no serious solutions.


"The use of force is justifiable when it is ordered in accordance with
law by a neutral authority, in the general interest and not primarily in
the interest of one of the parties to the quarrel."

			--Betrand Russell

The United States should not bomb at all. The USA could have used 
money, influence, diplomacy, so on, to form a coalition of  States in
the Region. This coalition would have been a more neutral authority. An
International body, like the UN, would have been more neutral. 



 

George H. W. Bush spread a lot of money around to build his coalition
for the Gulf war. He forgave debt, he gave arms, he provided
technological 
know how and equipment. 

His Son is doing the same. This will only make some people in the  world
a bit safer for a few years. 

But Bush has done some good things: 

 Bush has Mobilized law enforcement agencies around the world to
investigate, apprehend, and bring to justice those responsible for
terrorist activities. 
All Nations have an interest in ridding the world of terror. 

However, bombing Iraq or Afghanistan is not a solution. 

Bush has moved to preserve and protect the civil liberties of
citizens   (particularly of vulnerable Muslim minorities in the USA) 
even as he
pushes tougher law and requests more police and investigative power.
Bush has tried to 
educate people about Islam. 

Bush is working closely with the UN. 

Bush is forming a diplomatic, political, and
economic coalition that is bringing pressure to bear against the
governing regimes of nations that give support or shelter
to terror networks.

Bush has responded with compassion and generous aid to the
suffering of the innocent peoples in Afghanistan, and Pakistan, and
other countries, even though these Nations support terror networks. 


Bush has intensified USA efforts to secure a just and lasting peace in
the
Israeli-Palestinian conflict, including talk of a Palestinian State. 

Last, and most important, Bush is addressing the economic recession in
the USA. 

Bush should lead the international community in cooperative efforts to
reduce stockpiles of chemical, biological, and nuclear weapons and
materials and 
support an international ban on the sale and transfer of weapons to
zones of conflict.

After 9/11 the USA and  Russia  both signed agreements to sell more arms
to the region.

Bush should admit that Terrorism will not be defeated. It's not a
defeatable enemy and  bombing Afghanistan is not a viable solution.