Why terror has won the war on America, and not the other way around.

I’m temporarily breaking off my blog-hiatus to say this:

Although this is ordinarily a blog about the future, I today want to step out of that realm and use this forum to discuss a topic that is on everybody’s mind.

An unarmed man and his son were executed without a trial, on Monday. His house was invaded in the morning hours by men armed with automatic weapons. They killed the father and the son, and shot his wife, who was trying to protect her husband, in the leg. The armed men then left with the body and eventually dropped it into the ocean. Upon learning this news, a whole country joined in on an unbridled celebration.

Way to earn that Nobel Peace Prize, Obama.

The day America celebrated murder, was the day Bin Laden won. It took him more than a decade, and it cost him his life, but he did not mind that. Martyrdom was what he always wanted anyway. This guy lived to die.

Osama won. He never said he wanted to kill all Americans. He wanted America to bankrupt itself, which it has done, economically and morally.

The assassination, rather than capture and trial (as is customary in free countries ruled by law), combined with the ensuing gloat-fest on the streets of America, is an insult to the values this country pretends to defend.

In one sweeping motion, the US simultaneously infringed on Pakistan’s sovereignty, violated its own and international law, the human rights and a plethora of treaties and conventions to which the country subscribes.

Osama bin Laden should have received due process, not for his sake, but for America’s. Instead, the US is perpetuating a cycle of hate, and Americans are becoming what they claim to detest. Do you remember seeing Iranians on TV celebrating in the streets after 9/11? I bet that made you pretty angry.

How quickly we forget when the shoe is on the other foot.

The assassination was celebrated across the nation as the country’s proudest moment since 9/11. It’s not a good sign if America's greatest achievement in the last ten years is that it has shot someone in the head.

Everyone of course remembers the tragic events of September 11th. 10 years, trillions of tax dollars and 6,000 servicemen later, America killed one guy. Bravo.

So now what? Did we win the war on terror? Will they close Guantanamo? Will they leave Afghanistan? Will Al-Qaeda say “Well, I guess they won” and go home? Of course not. I'd be glad to celebrate the death of terrorism, but not the death of one man. It’s funny how America thinks it can measure its safety in corpses. It’s time the US asks itself what motivated all this terrorism in the first place.

Executing people without giving them a fair trial? I used to think that was a characteristic of despots like Saddam Hussein, Kim Jong Il and Stalin.

It doesn't matter how many times you say God bless America. Murder is still murder.

 

Comments

[mats]

Well put !

Trodde USA førte prosessuell rettssikkerhet, men tydeligvis ikje. Og kor mange erklæringer og konvensjoner har de egentligt brutt nå? Men blir sikkert ingen reaksjon fra någen.

[Szabolcs Kosa]

A much needed perspective.

[Daniel Shostak]

As a fellow futurist, I want to second your opinion and try to explore its implications for the future. Here are several observations:
-The world is not worse off with OBD neutralized.
-The 'celebrations' are disturbing, but telling. First, it indicates that our culture/society was more affected by 9/11 and the wars, than expected. Second, it indicates, again, the great divide(s) in America about values including justice. Third, and sadly, it reflects base, mean, hostile mood.

As for the future:

-The wars our eroding society. We need to change the American focus/mindset back to growing the economy and social justice.
-Someone has to figure out how to heal a PTSD society before it becomes too disfunctional.
-Hopefully, this last decade can lead to a more sophisticated dialogues about the nation's future and values.

Thanks for the opportunity to comment.

[Jawad Masood]

Well said. I appreciate your thinking

[waltinseattle]

Daniel, I don't know what you were expecting, but the current hatred and hostility came as no surprise to me, nor the depth of our being affected, by 9/11. Perhaps the time it took to build to the current fever did surprise me. And in the same vein, I'm not sure there is time for healing much of the PTSD Society. I just hope it quits spreading and that we can join a community of the world ... before we fall inward and stay there.

[Sandy]

WOW... If ever anyone needed a dose of reality it is you. Some people got it wrong but he chose to attack our nation. He boasted about killing Americans, he waged a war with us. Our leaders are sworn to protect us against enemies foreign and domestic. He more than qualifies.

I can honestly tell you that as a community member of the SEALS, not once did I see them brag or boast. IF you think these men take a life with reckless abandon then it is you know NOT of which you speak. Our extended family lost VERY good men, men who should be here now caring for their loved ones. Think strategically what would happen.

HONORING THOSE who DIED in WAR was what happened. Was it expressed poorly, yes. But it helped close a door to thousands of families who watched and waited. To thousands more who worried about the next attack.

And to me. I lost people on 9/11. I lost dozens more in the fighting that followed, by taking UBL out they allowed me slightly more peace. And as a side note, those who did not die, still suffer. There are NO unwounded in a WAR.

[vanishingpointe]

To the above poster, I understand your frustration and outrage at, what must seem like another shot at the men and women who risk their lives to protect civilians. However, I don't read this blog post as a condemnation of soldiers doing their job.

The author is drawing the back the veil of political "freedom" rhetoric that has been so heavily layered on the issue. He is directly criticizing politics and the fact that we have, as a country, compromised the principles (or at least the rhetoric attached to our foundational documents) that we purport to value. He clearly demonstrates through abstractions that, as a people, Americans are ignorant the hypocrisy of our actions and that our general citizenry and political leaders lack the perspective to analyze the message of our actions. The military has a difficult job to do and I don't think anyone doubts their bravery, but they also understand (and the citizenry understands) that they take orders. Soldiers are responsible for the fighting (and healing/relief aid), but they don't make decisions. Our leaders do.

Your quote was very well chosen; there -are- none who go unwounded in war. We have sacrificed our principles to gain a very thin illusion of protection and stability. But we verge on monstrous when we celebrate the death of other people, while mourning the loss of our own. All men are created equal, we would do well to remember that.

[Herve Leger]

Good stuff as per usual, thanks. I do hope this kind of thing gets more exposure.

[Herve Leger]

Well said. I appreciate your thinking

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I certainly enjoyed the way you explore your experience and knowledge of the subject! Keep up on it. Thanks for sharing the info.

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This is an argument that will go on and on both sides not wanting to see each others point of view i'm afraid.

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This is the same thing as "Germany lost WWII". Did they? Well Soviets lost 5~6 troops on 1 german trooper. How can you lose if you win?..

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Well, i agree that you can never win when to your enemy, dying means victory! Sucks when you are up against ppl like that.

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In one sweeping motion, the US simultaneously infringed on Pakistan’s sovereignty, violated its own and international law, the human rights and a plethora of treaties and conventions to which the country subscribes.

[Of the future]

Great article, we will never win the war on terror especially when capitalism still reigns in the hands of the American Government. I talk about this kind of stuff on my blog. Everything of the future. I'm always reading this blog, some interesting articles and opinions to look at while looking for inspiration for my writings. Another great post!

Ash @ Future goggle
http://futuregoggle.blogspot.com - Have a peak, not as good as this but a good start.

I look forward to seeing more posts.

Thank you

[The end of the USA]

The US is well on its way to becoming a fascist dictatorship. Its biggest achievement is hypocrisy...a very sad day, RIP USA.