After days of listening to reports on the recent terrorist attacks in NYC
and Washington DC, I?ve become appalled and frustrated by the continuing
absence of discussion from American leaders and media about the possibility
of peaceful resolution. I turned to the Internet to find like-minded
individuals and organizations who would also recognize this time as an
opportunity to address the possibility of a new course for the world's
habitual cycle of nationalism, religious separatism and violence. How sad
to then come to the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and read
Robert Kagan's article strongly advocating that war is our only option.
"Is this person's article in the Washington Post of September 12, 2001,
pg A31, supposed to be an indication of how your organization is attempting
to promote world peace? Please let me know since the article seems bent in the
opposite direction and at a time when cool heads should prevail."
"You people should be ashamed of this article. It contradicts your name,
doesn't it? How about asking why the US trained people like Bin Laden and suggesting
that it stop?"
"Mr. Robert Kagan and Mr. Joseph Cirincione: How dare you. What a disgusting
display of ridiculous, bullheaded patriotism. You dare to call yourselves an
Endowment for International Peace. What filth you spit from your horrible mouths,
calling for "justice". You say that "the only thing we now can do" is "go to
war with those who have launched this awful war against us." What hypocritical
nonsense. Worry about the people in our country: assist those injured by the
devastation, sand behind the doctors, firefighters, and others who are giving
their desperately needed services, and support those who have lost loved ones
in the attacks. Only a few short hours after the destruction, and already we
are pointing fingers, reverting to the vain and childish retort of "he hit me,
so I'll hit him back." Is this what our prized public education system is teaching
us? Is this the attitude and moral concept we pass to our children? Have we
learned nothing from the terrible suffering of those precious human beings whose
lives were lost on Tuesday? It is not justice to impose on others the same frightening
terrors that have been done to us: it makes one a low, dirty creature with no
sense of honor or human dignity. The Nazis thought they were doing a good thing
when the sacrificed thousands of human lives. Can't we learn from other's mistakes?
Or are we still the little children, uneducated, uncivilized, ignorant and cruel?
How dare you disgrace the precious concept of Peace. Obviously, nothing will
change the mindset of my chauvinistic, self-important fellow Americans. However,
perhaps I can plant a seed of truth that will, perhaps, blossom into a sense
of understanding for you. Either that or twist into a thorny vine of guilt as
you see the chaos and destruction that follows at War's side. "
"I believe the saying attributed to Davy Crockett applies to events of
this week. Be sure you are right, then go ahead. I believe the world was holding
its' collective breath Tuesday. The world does not want a nuclear war, either
by design or accident. There were events behind Pearl Habor. Political decisions
were made by FDR. Decisions proved to be the correct ones, and those being Europe
could not and would not win WWll without the US being involved. Today debates
arise as to whether FDR knew of Japans' pending attack on Pearl Habor. Facts
seem to point that he did. FDR sacrificed 2500 men in favor of two-hundred million
plus people and no world Nazi world rule. A tough call to make, but a call that
the big chair does and can call for. I ask you, did someone make that call this
week? I think someone did. The nations of the world have now the opportunity
to end the Palestine/Israel confict now, and put in place real protection against
terrorism. I hope and pray it is done, for all of us, but lets' be right first,
then go ahead."
Do I misunderstand your organization's mission? How does Robert Kagan's op-ed
fit with the goal of world peace?!?! If we "hunt down" and act out our own war
on people who may be responsible for yesterday's tragedy, more will replace
them and find ways to kill more people. It's similar to the saying - if we live
by "an eye for an eye," we'll all end up blind. I would expect your group to
have commentary more similar to what ran on The Nation, quoting Mario Cuomo.
taken from: http://www.thenation.com/thebeat/ In addition to responding to the
horrific tragedy of this moment, Cuomo said, America must move to counter the
ongoing "quiet tragedies" of poverty, inadequate health care and other unmet
basic needs around the world. That response to human need, Cuomo says, is a
vital tool in any realistic struggle against terrorism, since denial and disenfranchisement
can breed terrorism.
"The latest attack on U.S by terrorists has me proven right . During the
December 1999 hijacking I said that, in future, the terrorists will be using
robots. As in military, the aim will be to have maximum loss to enemy and minimum
loss to ourselves, and they will be using the humans for further research on
different fields like artificial intelligance, chemical, biological, nuclear
etc. They had taken first step towards that by giving training of commercial
pilot. That 's why the terrorists has disconnected the transponder. So that
the pilot is not able to give four digit code to Air Traffic Controller for
indicating hijacking. Therefore I earnestly solicit all the thinks tanks to
co-operate with India in this regard. During the visit of Gen.Henry Shelton,U.S.
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, he said there will be further
strengthening of Military Ties between U.S. and India. I hope so. With deep
condolences to the families, U.S. people and U.S.Government."
Carnegie does not take institutional positions on public policy issues; the views represented herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Carnegie, its staff, or its trustees.
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