Why Terrorism Works By Alan M. Dershowitz

FrontPageMagazine.com ^ | July 8, 2005 | Alan M. Dershowitz

[Pessimist]

Cambodia was also primarily Buddhists, but that didn't make the Khmer rouge any nicer.

[Prodigal Son]

Before the Israelis would be able to do anything like that the United States would have to quit meddling in their affairs. We have one administration come along and push them to do one thing, another comes along and pushes them to do another. They have a hard time sticking to a policy when we interfere with their affairs so much.

[trek]

"Cambodia was also primarily Buddhists, but that didn't make the Khmer rouge any nicer."

The Khmer Rouge were not Buddists, they were Maoists.

[MarkL]

Yes and when they do catch those bombers, guess who will be the very first lawyer over there to make sure they get a fair trial.

Actually, Dershowitz has supported using torture in cases where a terrorist is held and is known to be holding back information that could save lives. He was roundly criticized for his statements on that topic by other liberals.

I'm no fan of his, but let's be honest here.

Mark

[munin]

This is one of the few times I agree with Allan Dershowitz,
terrorism works because we give in to them,the rest of your statement I agree with you, we must do something about the Imans that is recruiting and indoctrinating this idiots that carry out this acts

[lemura]

The West does not have the chonies to strike the countries that support terrorists hard enough so that they no longer consider it politically expedient to continue to support terrorists or their agenda.

This 'war' has been going on for 1,400 years. Even if the West loses this stage of the WOT, over the next 100 years, the remnants of those that advocate a stronger response will eventually take it to them. Within 100-200 years, if Islam doesn't reform, the Middle East will be nuked to oblivion.

[ClaireSolt]

not aetheist

[rbg81]

While AD is your typical amoral, liberal lawyer, he is 100% right in this case. As long as everyone kisses the PLO's a$$ (yes, PLO not PA), we send the wrong signal. Unfortuately, the Palestianian cause has become so PC, that no one "responsible" political leader will admit the truth (kind of like global warming).

WRT: AD, even a stopped clock is right twice a day.

[georgia peach]

Agree and I couldn't have said it as well.

[dhuffman@awod.com]

My neighbor, Dearth-O-Witz SPIT

[processing please hold]

Just because Bush said he would give the terrorist $3 billion dollars, can the senate say...I don't think so, and stop the money going to them?

[tessalu]

We are giving 3 billion to Palestinian terrorists while our own people lack health care. I think that this is NOT funny.

[MikeHu]

How many people were killed in the first half of the 20th century?

How many people were killed in the second half of the 20th century?

How many people have been killed in this century so far? It seems we're off to a promising start -- actually. The world is more peaceful than it ever has been but still there are no guarantees that something terrible might not happen. About the only people not acknowledging this are the usual suspects in the media and politics, trying to demagogue it for their self-advancement -- including all the experts.

Weren't over a hundred million killed in the first half of the 20th century?

[F16Fighter]

"Muslim terrorists attack London and the very next day the G8 rewards a terrorist state with billions of dollars without even extracting some public comments from the Palestinian leadership condemning the terrorist acts in London.

When you're right, you're right and Dershowitz here is absolutely right. "

Whereas I also abhor Dershowitz, right both you and he are.

The concepts of "leverage" and "timing" and "propriety" are beyond the G8's short-sighted comprehension.

[bboop]

I think 9/11 has impacted Dershowitz too. Isn't he involved with FIRE, that org that helps conservative students sue Free-Speech violations on campus? FIRE is a very very good organization that is getting great results. I say -- look at what he writes and judge accordingly.

[El Gato]

There is a really simple reason that terrorism "works". The reason is this. The West does not have the chonies to strike the countries that support terrorists hard enough so that they no longer consider it politically expedient to continue to support terrorists or their agenda.

Tell that to Saddam and Mullah Omar. We, and the Brits, certainly had the cojones to whack the snot out of them. Assad and the Ayatollah's turns are coming. Possibly sooner rather than later.

[A_perfect_lady]

I think 9/11 has impacted Dershowitz too. Isn't he involved with FIRE, that org that helps conservative students sue Free-Speech violations on campus?

I hate to admit it, but I can never keep Dershowitz and Horowitz straight. I'm not sure which one is in FIRE.

[beebuster2000]

i don't think the guys point is inconsistent w what you are saying. and I think he is right on. terrorism works because the "civilized" world is too chicken$hit to do anything about it, really.

[hershey]

Dershowitz is on the side of the angels on this one.

[jayhorn]

But because the Palestinian leadership has always used terrorism (from the 1920's on) as the tactic of first resort, their cause has received worldwide recognition.

Half true. The other half is the fact that the MSM has framed the issue as Palestinians = freedom fighters, Israelis = Nazis. And, coupled with the natural desire for media to cover explosions and splattered blood and the news consumer who can't pull them away from it, you have the impression that reigns among liberals today. The explosions grab the attention of the media, the media grabs the attention of the consumer, and the media deposits the slant that comes naturally to it in the mind of the gawking consumer. Not a conspiracy, just a perfect storm favoring the Palestinians.