Undoubtedly these are contributory events, but the underlying hatred of the USA is based on that most useful (to Democratic and other demogogue politicians) of all emotions - ENVY. The Islamic fundamentalists hate us because they envy us. If we never intervened in any other country they would still hate us because they hate wealth. They hate accomplishment. They hate seeing success. Their hatred is based on the envy felt by the self-made loser for the self-made success. This is shown by the fact that their primary and most deadly attack was on the most visible symbol of accomplishment in the USA - the WTC. In this regard they are exactly the same as the supporters of Al Sharpton, Maxine Waters, David Dinkins, Yassir Arafat, the Clintons etc. These Democratic tyrants are marginally more subtime in their attack on success and accomplishment in that they want to destroy it via taxes rather than fire, but the emothion is the same.
Now as to whether the fundamentalists would hate us enough to kill 10000 innocents and kill themselves in the process is another story. My guess that without the constant stirring like Slick Willie's "wag the dog" attack on the Sudan, and our constant politically motivated (Jewish vote) support of Israel they may not have been motived to commit Tuesday's atrocity, but they would still hate us because we are what they are not We don't live in squalor. We have a few freedoms that the fed hasn't gotten away to abrogating (yet). Those who live in poverty because of their own stupidity and lack of ambition hate those who work to get ahead. You see it when you see who elects Democrats that promise wealth redistribution. You see it when you see who supports "reparations." Islamic fundamentalists are human. Their hate filled politicians manipulate the same base nature of humanity that the race-baiters and socialists use in this country to get and keep power.
I don't extend trust easily. But this is really not a matter of trust. The firepower that the government can bring to bear is now our only hope to preserve what freedoms we have left.
On that basis, I don't think that Rob Moody has much of a point, and I expressed that view to Lew Rockwell himself several days ago, before this thread appeared. Here was our e-mail exchange:
To Mr. Rockwell:
I'm ashamed to call myself a "small l" libertarian this week.
Yes, I know the U.S. has long poked its nose into situations where it had no business, but nothing justified what happened on September 11th.
The string of subsequent articles on your site collectively accusing the United States of "deserving it" are an abomination.
Is it coincidence that when libertarians act this way, they can be rightfully referred to as a "collective?"
Sir, rightly or wrongly, our nation is AT WAR. Our way of life is at stake, which would include the First Amendment that allows LRC to exist in the first place. What the hell are you and your columnists trying to do?
His Reply:
Sorry, Mr. xxxxxxx, but it is at times of war that telling the truth against the State and its media is most important.
Look at Lincoln's war, Wilson's, and FDR's. This is the one time when a few Americans need to be able to think outside of the State-media approved boundaries, and speak outside of them.
As to owing free speech to the government, that's nonsense. It wants us to have no freedoms, except to agree.
Freepers, I'll give Rockwell credit for some sound ideas in the past, but he's twisting his own philosophy here. None of us OWES free speech to the government, nor did I make that statement as you can read above. Freedom of expression is a natural (God-given, if you'd rather) right that others (such as fanatical Islamists) would love to obliterate.
Only a strong government (such as ours) has a chance of preserving such rights, and stopping such madmen in their tracks. And as annoyed, frustrated and enraged as I've become over the U.S. government chipping away at our individual freedoms, I'll support to the bitter end its right to kick some serious Islamic ass, and hang the collateral damage.
This pacifistic alternative of self-flagellation is too horrible to contemplate.