Spring Break
Seeds of hate
By: Wes Kimbell
Issue date: 10/3/07 Section: Opinion
Since then, America has had difficult relations with Iran, especially after Bush declared Iran as part of the "Axis of Evil" and after the fears of a nuclear program made the news. This is only one example of the effects of blowback and how American foreign policy is encouraging hatred.
But the fact is, terrorism is a problem that has to be dealt with now. For this reason, Bush and other neocons need to realize that America should focus its efforts on the threat of violent Islamic fundamentalists, such as al-Qaida, who killed so many Americans on Sept. 11. It's no coincidence that intelligence reports are saying al-Qaida is regrouping in Afghanistan, its original headquarters and where it planned the attacks of Sept. 11. America's occupation in Iraq is only fueling the Middle East's hatred. It is strategically aiding terrorists like al-Qaida who are only now entering Iraq after our occupation. The terrorists are building in solidarity against the U.S while receiving fighting practice against American troops.
The purpose of military intervention was just in the case of Afghanistan and when U.S. territory, sovereignty or liberty was at risk. This was not the case in Iran in 1957, the first Gulf War or the present war in Iraq. The United States needs to befriend other Islamic states in the Arabian Peninsula and the Persian Gulf and encourage the nonviolent Muslim community to be on its side instead of ostracizing them and labeling them as part of the "Axis of Evil."
Hating America because it is free is a cop-out. It's an answer Bush and other neocons give because they don't want to swallow the truth that America's debunked foreign policy needs a drastic change. If we want to protect our nation, we need to realize that the "hating us because we are free" theory is hurting America. The people need a war on foreign policy, not on "potential threats" in the Middle East, like Iran. America does not need unjustified pre-emptive warfare and more occupation in the Middle East that would only create more blowblack and encourage more attacks on American soil.
Paul warned at the end of the debate that "if we think we can do whatever we want around the world and not incite hatred, then we have a problem." America would be wise to take this advice seriously.
But the fact is, terrorism is a problem that has to be dealt with now. For this reason, Bush and other neocons need to realize that America should focus its efforts on the threat of violent Islamic fundamentalists, such as al-Qaida, who killed so many Americans on Sept. 11. It's no coincidence that intelligence reports are saying al-Qaida is regrouping in Afghanistan, its original headquarters and where it planned the attacks of Sept. 11. America's occupation in Iraq is only fueling the Middle East's hatred. It is strategically aiding terrorists like al-Qaida who are only now entering Iraq after our occupation. The terrorists are building in solidarity against the U.S while receiving fighting practice against American troops.
The purpose of military intervention was just in the case of Afghanistan and when U.S. territory, sovereignty or liberty was at risk. This was not the case in Iran in 1957, the first Gulf War or the present war in Iraq. The United States needs to befriend other Islamic states in the Arabian Peninsula and the Persian Gulf and encourage the nonviolent Muslim community to be on its side instead of ostracizing them and labeling them as part of the "Axis of Evil."
Hating America because it is free is a cop-out. It's an answer Bush and other neocons give because they don't want to swallow the truth that America's debunked foreign policy needs a drastic change. If we want to protect our nation, we need to realize that the "hating us because we are free" theory is hurting America. The people need a war on foreign policy, not on "potential threats" in the Middle East, like Iran. America does not need unjustified pre-emptive warfare and more occupation in the Middle East that would only create more blowblack and encourage more attacks on American soil.
Paul warned at the end of the debate that "if we think we can do whatever we want around the world and not incite hatred, then we have a problem." America would be wise to take this advice seriously.
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