If We Don't Keep the Territory, Why Fight?

self ^ | self

[farmer18th]

When the Children of Israel moved into Jericho, did they walk away after the walls fell down? When William the Conqueror landed at Hastings, did he mop up and then head back to Normandy? When American settlers pushed back savage Indians, did they settle for a few surgical strikes with their Kentucky rifles and then go back home?

If a culture is incapable of sustaining western style representative government, why would we think that replacing a Hussein or eliminating a Bin Laden will solve our long term problems? If a culture is known to produce one charismatic tyrant after another, each with his own version of "America, the Great Satan" rhetoric, why would we think that the war on terrorism could be over, ever?

Isn't it time for a new century of enlightened imperialism? Shouldn't we go over, occupy, and then declare a new homestead act? When Washington fought the French and Indians, his men were promised lands in the Ohio. Shouldn't we promise our boys an oil field or two?

I'm serious. Absolutely serious. Your comments.

[2sheep]

See #39 above.

[chemicalman]

[Neanderthal]

"When American settlers pushed back savage Indians, did they settle for a few surgical strikes with their Kentucky rifles and then go back home?"

I think you're on to something . . .

[dgehrke]

To #39. The islamists hate China and Russia only a tiny bit less. I can definitely see that there is a risk of one of the two getting involved separately, but they know that sooner or later they will have to go after them. Russia is fighting islamic extremists thoughout its southern borders. They can ally with Iran or Iraq because those are states, and will act in their own interests. The extremists have but one goal to kill all non moslems. They prefer Americans or Jews, but only by a little bit.

[karlamayne]

Just a question. Do the Islamic fundamentalists kill a million and a half of their own babies in the womb each year?

[DreamWeaver]

Don't step in the trap. I am not saying don't step, just don't step in the trap. Get your hearts right before God, so your eyes will be fully open.

A very enlightening and thought provoking post, thank you American In Israel.

[DreamWeaver]

these are indeed perilous times.

Yes, indeed they are.

[Non-Sequitur]

By all means invade and conquor any part of Afganistan or Iraq or Saudi Arabia or wherever. After all, look at all the enjoyment that Israel has gotten out of the West Bank and Gaza. Why should they have all the fun?

[Lion's Cub]

Thank you for a thought-provoking post. I will reread those passages you suggested today.

[farmer18th]

In an elliptical way, you and I are saying the same things. I don't think the war is against either Afghanistan, the Taliban, or even terrorism. It's against that set of cultural condtions throughout the Arab world that perpetually spawns radical, unaccountable assaults on America and the west. To win, we need to occupy and rule. I don't really care what Arab culture says about protecting guests. I want to make sure, if we fight, that culture will never have the power to act on its more pernicious impulses. They need to be humbled--and then Christianized.

[farmer18th]

No. And I think if we are to win, we need to make our sins public and forsake them. GWB, instead of talking exclusively about the hearty firefighters (who, of course, deserve praise), should have done what Falwell and Robertson did. When we fought the American Revolution, John Hancock himself, in his capacity as head of the Continental Congress, signed the prayer and fasting proclamation that included a lamentation about our collective sins.

Having said that, the Muslims need to be held to account for their brutal gang-raping of Christian girls in the Sudan, their enslaving of non-Muslims in that country, and their brutality in general.

[Thinkin' Gal]

Outstanding post. And good to know our 'friends', too. The Sauds are in Mecca because they evicted the Hashemites, who ruled there for some 700 years. If people understood who was installed where [by the British, namely the Hashemites] and why, they would realize that that there's a lot of fuel for the fire over there. Surely the Hashemites would just love to have the Hejaz back, along with the rest of Arabia, as well as Iraq and Damascus. And the West would appreciate a 'friendly' puppet controlling the oil spigots. Abdullah 'King of the Arabs', dreaming of Greater Syria, act II.

"So long as the Arabs fight tribe against tribe
So long will the be a little people, a silly people,
greedy, barbarous and cruel, as you are."

~ T.E. Lawrence to Ali in the movie Lawrence of Arabia

[Lent]

I happen to think a lot of European colonialism was good. No doubt there were abuses but British and French colonialism not too bad. Indeed, it was European colonialism which freed many dhimmized Jews and Christians and made their lot tolerable in Arab Islamic lands. It also forced change on the Ottoman Empire from its repressive Islamic laws.

[Lent]

Good comments.

[Prodigal Daughter]

I agree with everything you both said. This danger we are facing was predictable because we didn't take precautions. We have many enemies and they are all united against us. Now we better not get myopic and just concentrate on bin Laden.

[Rome2000]

Is that a Templar up there?

Yes it is.

A ghost warrior.

[Anonymous2]

yes, new 'land-alliances' and mineral/fossil fuel allocations would prevent having to drill anymore here! we'll just get some new oil-rich real estate, forfeited by terrorist nations! i love it! iraq, iran, saudi arabia; can all donate to our new residence in the neighborhood! i'd like some nice new ports to vacation!

[Anonymous2]

yech! give it to palestenians minus their terrorists, and make it a rich-middle class reward for warriors against terrorism!