Anti-americans everywhere

[Arne Herl�v Petersen]

> It's so easy to point out the problems, I see it every day, on this very
> list not least of all.  But what is the solution?  What is the solution that
> prevents another 9/11 on 10/11 and then again on 12/11, and so on?  I want
> all the smart guys who point out all the problems to tell me, what's the
> solution??? 



There is probably no solution that can prevent future terrorist attacks.
When people try to find a final solution - an Endlösung - to the
problems, the results usually are disastrous.
It is very easy to *think* of a solution to almost all problems. We
could for example eradicate venereal diseases completely if everyone in
the world with the disease abstained sexually until they were cured.
But in the real world one has to be content with keeping the disease
somewhat under control.
If we carpetbomb Afghanistan, we shall radicalize millions of Muslims,
assuring many more future terrorist acts. If we go out there to kill
everyone who might conceivably turn against us, we are headed for
Armageddon.
In the current situation there are many things that can be done, which
will make the future risk somewhat smaller than doing nothing or waging
total war.
Here and now - cooperating with the Northern Alliance and perhaps
renegade elements inside the Taliban movement on a coalition, possibly
involving the ex-king (but knowing that any coalition will fall apart
very soon after the Talibans are toppled from power), helping to
strengthen the resulting central government (knowing that life goes on
as before in the villages and that people in the countryside only obey
the tribal or clan leaders), taking the kind of steps against laundering
money for terrorists the US government has initiated...
in the longer run realizing that we live in a small interdependent world
and that worldwide problems must be solved internationally - for example
by revitalizing the UN - it simply does not do to declare: Either you do
as we tell you, or we beat the hell out of you...
and of course going to the roots of the problems, working to eradicate
poverty and ignorance, working to assure all peoples the right to live
in a safe environment, listening to people's legitimate aspirations etc.
The list goes on... But there is a reason that fewer well-fed Europeans
and North Americans become terrorists (even though we have a few
lunatics, even in our own countries)...
So,
- if you want an answer that will make the world safe from terrorism
here and now and forever, guaranteed one hundred percent - the only
answer would be: Find another world to join. This one just isn't safe.
...
We are in for the long haul