No. We are getting into the problem where when people debate wars they tend to focus on one, or even two key issues, when in reality wars are very complex. The Phillipeans is an issue of al Qaedas naked agression, supported by friendly islamic bases somewhat nearby. It is interesting to note that Islam usually goes after weak targets. Their going after us was somewhat unusual.
And by the way, we were helping the Afghans to win their independence, so if anything there should have been gratitude.
There also should have been gratitude for our helping the muslims in Kosovo.. but there wasn't. There also should have been gratitude for helping the muslims in Afghanistan when we helped them against the Soviets... but there wasn't. It should be quite clear that you can't make friends with them by doing them favors.
Should the Spanish leave Spain to please al Qaeda?
No. I am not saying that you should please your enemies whatever their demands.. but that doesn't mean you shouldn't be aware of what their demands are. For example, if the reason Japan attacked Pearl Harbor was because we had troops on the Japanese mainland, then I might have considered their grievences.
Yes, al Qaeda has motives, but we should not change our policies to please them as Ron Paul would.
Well, I actually don't think we should either, but that doesn't mean we should ignore that 50 years of messing around in the middle east has only brought us hatred.
Just don't forget that we required the oil in the region to win WW1, WW2, and the Cold War. For WW2, it was also a matter of keeping others from getting access to it.
Also, don't forget that we made the mistake of enabling the primitive locals to get wealthy off the mineral rights. Also, don't forget that we were acting in reasonable faith while making this mistake. Had we not shared the wealth, they'd still be camel and goat herders instead of worldwide mosque builders.
And as an aside, don't forget that Jerusalem was pretty much a waste when the returning Jews started putting it back into livable shape. So when quoting the "50 years," don't forget the defining wars of the twentieth century.
Now regarding blowback, isn't it easy to imagine the massive egos that could emerge out of getting the Soviets to retreat from Afghanistan? But let's think about that for a minute: we armed the Mujahadin. Without us, they would have just been... rock throwing mountaineers.
And finally, don't forget that we went to Saudi Arabia to save the carpet riders from Saddam, which is what truly pushed Mr. bin Laden over the edge.
The real question is how much we want to protect this tangled mass of humanity breeding over there from itself, and from our need to live in peace. That's all for now...