Posted on 07/09/2005 8:49:55 AM PDT by Nicholas Conradin
Within a day of the horrific multiple bombings in London, the G8 announced a $3B grant to the Palestinian Authority. The symbolism of this connection may be lost on some Westerners, but it clearly sent a powerful message to terrorists and potential terrorists: namely, that terrorism works.
There were no grants announced to the Tibetans, who have been occupied more brutally and for a longer period of time than the Palestinians. The Tibetans, however, have never resorted to terrorism.
The Palestinian Authority, and its leaders, are the godfathers of international terrorism. They developed airplane hijacking into a high art. They invented the high-profile murder of athletes and other prominent public figures. Were it not for their employment of terrorism, the Palestinian cause would today be regarded as the fifth-rate human rights issue that it rightfully is. 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.
The primary cause of terrorism is not occupation, humiliation, or desperation. If it were, the Tibetans would be the greatest terrorists. The primary cause of terrorism is that it works. And it works because the craven international community gives into it and rewards it.
It also works because too many Islamic leaders praise it and too few condemn it. Terrorism will continue as long as potential terrorists believe they will benefit from using that tactic.
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.
The Khmer Rouge were not Buddists, they were Maoists.
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
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.
not aetheist
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.
Agree and I couldn't have said it as well.
My neighbor, Dearth-O-Witz SPIT
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?
We are giving 3 billion to Palestinian terrorists while our own people lack health care. I think that this is NOT funny.
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?
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.
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.
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.
I hate to admit it, but I can never keep Dershowitz and Horowitz straight. I'm not sure which one is in FIRE.
Dershowitz is on the side of the angels on this one.
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.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.