From: Technotranscendence (neptune@mars.superlink.net)
Date: Thu Sep 13 2001 - 09:17:10 MDT
On Thursday, September 13, 2001 1:46 AM Anders Sandberg asa@nada.kth.se
wrote:
> Well, there have been a few terrorist deeds. But most of them have been
> aimed at other nations, such as the murder of the Yugoslaw ambassador
> or the destruction of the German embassy in the 70's. Of course, the
> assassination of prime minister Olof Palme might have been a serious
> terrorist deed.
In recent years, the number of attacks on the US has increased from Beruit
to this Tuesday's attacks. I don't think this disproves the
US-foreign-policy-is-a-causative-factor thesis, but renforces. However,
this cause does not act alone. This Tuesday's attacks needed more than that
to come about, such as a level of training, coordination, and dedication
that takes a long time to put together.
> There is another reason for such attacks on the US, and that is
> antiamericanism. It might appear absurd to many on this list, but there
> are plenty of people who are deeply suspicious and prejudiced against
> the US worldwide - including highly educated intellectuals.
This is true and many of them are educated here in the US!
It's disgusting, too, to see many intellectuals in other countries spouting
violent rhetoric. You would hope that people whose life is of the mind
would think more along the lines of reason not force.
> course envy. Another part is the western sympathy for David versus
> Goliath - the underdog is always the hero, the giant is never the hero:
> since the US is a giant, it can't be good. All these things combine to
> make prejudices against americans acceptable like no other prejudices
> and biases the media - which reinforces the antiamericanism.
The Davy vs. Goliath pattern here is very pereceptive. I've read elsewhere
that some of the double agents in America -- CIA spies who are actually
aiding a rival power -- often justify their work when caught by some notion
of fairness.
> While an isolationist policy might earn the US a few brownie points in
> many eyes, it wouldn't be enough. Especially if you factor in people who
> have long memories and still want a revenge for what happened to their
> forefathers.
But those people will find it harder and harder to recruit the youth. Plus,
the US could then focus on defending itself -- concentrating its forces on
its own defense -- not having troops in Bosnia, South Korea, Okinawa,
Kosovo, Saudi Arabia, Germany, and soon Colombia.
Later!
Daniel Ust
http://uweb.superlink.net/neptune/
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