“We are all Terrorists”

I personally dislike these type of overarching comments. They diffuse focus and eliminate the concept of personal accountability.

Ther are those who are terrorists: Individuals and organizations that include terrorism as part of their tools for achieving their political ends: Some to greater degrees than others.

The Pre-peace accord Irish Republican Army was one organization that practiced terrorism as part of their methods. The Ulster Defense league also committed some acts of terrorism, but due to their control of the government of Northern Ireland, they were able to control the situation through the use of state security.

In the Muslim world, there are groups, such as al Qaeda, who practice terrorism to further their agenda. But their use of terrorism changed (with the exception of the September 11 attacks in the US and a few other events) was less when they were “part” of the Taliban government of Afghanistan (this is something of a personal view, used here more to make a point that describe them exactly).

My point is that “terrorism” is not an enemy, any more than a “bullet” is an enemy. It is a tactic.

Thus a “War on Terror” is nothing more than a recipe for a forever war, similar to that deswcribed by George Orwell in his book “1984″. And a tool of autocrats everywhere.

In terms of the War on al Qaeda, my evaluation is that the United States has gotten itself in a quagmire far removed from the control centers of al Qaeda in Afghanistan and pakistan, where the real enemy is safe and rebuilding. A total elimination of al Qaeda in Iraq, according to the US military’s own estimate, will remove no more than 10% of the insurgents who have killed or wounded Americans.

And broad ‘we are all terrorists” comments just takes this focus away from the individuals and groups who are our real enemies.

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“One pill makes you larger…..one pill makes you small”….

…..and another pill makes you an author at Huffpo-in-wonderland.

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