From: hal@finney.org
Date: Fri Sep 14 2001 - 20:04:04 MDT
Someone named Greg Johnson wrote:
> Jason Walker is mistaken. I do not think that the United States should give
> one inch to terrorism WHEN OUR INTERESTS AND PRINCIPLES ARE AT STAKE. But
> America has no interest in being allied with Israel. Nor do we have a
> significant commonality of values. Israel is more like the hated Muslim
> countries than like the United States.
One of the biggest differences, of course, is that Israel is a democracy.
You may not like Sharon, Begin, Shamir, etc., but they were elected
by their people. There are multiple competing parties and legitimate
campaigns. Few if any of the arab countries can make the same claim.
Furthermore Israel does share a great many cultural values with the United
States and with the West in general. It was, after all, populated by
people who had lived in the West for centuries. If Israel has turned
to violence and harsh treatment of its enemies, it is a cultural trait
that we all share. Who thinks that the US will be any different, any
more humane, in our response to this terrorism?
Hal
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