A check into history may reveal that we did not intially enter the middle east by force because they were “raising rattlesnakes.” OTOH, if another country came over here to establish their way of government in place of ours, and we attacked their interests in response, would you say they are right in attacking us further since we are, by their terms, “rattlesnakes?”
I hate the notion of blame America first as much as the next guy, but we cannot afford to be so ignorant as to pursue foreign policy without regard to consequences. Our neighbors internationally indulge practices wholly alien to ours. They may even do things that are self-destructive and inimical to individual freedoms. I have personal neighbors whose lives would be improved if I went into their home and ran it for a while. Do you think they would welcome the offer? Would it make sense to force my way in when they say, “No thank you” from the get go.
There is no question other countries have invited us to do business, but business done at the point of the gun? That’s not business. That’s extortion.
“OTOH, if another country came over here to establish their way of government in place of ours, and we attacked their interests in response, would you say they are right in attacking us further since we are, by their terms, “rattlesnakes?””
We have never entered another country just because they had a different culture or way of life.
The troops are pointing their guns at al-qaeda.
That’s a good thing.