America the Terrorist

[Keeper of the Secrets]

“An eye for an eye”, a phrase which we are all familiar with, became the demand of the public when terrorists attacked our “homeland” on 9/11; innocent blood must be paid for with innocent blood, terrorism to combat terrorism. The cry of our nation rose out, the consensus was clear; revenge would be the only acceptable course of action. America’s bombs would once again fall upon innocent people and terrorists alike.
“We shall make no distinction between terrorist and countries that harbor terrorists”, President Bush made this proclamation after declaring a “war on terrorism” (Zinn, 2005, p. 678). He kept his word. Bombing of Afghanistan began immediately; even though the terrorists were from Saudi Arabia, it was believed that Osama bin Laden was hiding there. Afghanistan had nothing of value; its destruction would have no effect on our economy or industry, whereas Saudi Arabia held valuable oil. After five months of bombing, and an estimated 4000 Afghan civilians dead, Osama was still missing. The bombings would continue.
But how could we be attacked? Who would want to hurt our great nation? Why? Why? Why? Terrorism to combat terrorism, the events of 9/11 was the only acceptable course of action for so many peoples terrorized by the U.S. government. “Troops stationed in Saudi Arabia, site of the most holy of Moslem shrines; the ten years of sanctions against Iraq which had resulted in the deaths of hundreds of thousands of children; the continued support of Israel’s occupation in Palestinian land, including billions in military aid” (Zinn, 2005, p. 681). Innocent blood must be paid for with innocent blood; the cries of nations rose out, the consensus was clear; revenge against America would be the only acceptable course of action; “An eye for an eye.”
How long will we stand for America to continue using our money and risking the lives of our sisters and brothers to fulfill its greedy passion to control every valuable resource around the globe? How many innocent peoples must suffer for this power hungry cause?

 

[Jayhawker Soule]

And how often must we be treated to such turgid, adolescent hyperbole?

 

[Keeper of the Secrets]

And how often must we be treated to such turgid, adolescent hyperbole?

Are you calling Howard Zinn an adolescent?

 

[Kathryn]

 

[TheKnight]

”
How long will we stand for America to continue using our money and risking the lives of our sisters and brothers to fulfill its greedy passion to control every valuable resource around the globe? How many innocent peoples must suffer for this power hungry cause?

What exactly do you suggest to fix the problems you see? Because all I see is complaining and blame placing. What are you presenting as a solution? What is it you want to discuss in this thread?

 

[Guitar's Cry]

I certainly feel that killing innocent civilians--as in, those who don't actively seek armed combat--is a terrible way of conducting international business. War is hell. It's a part of the human race, though, that has to be dealt with. We're territorial critters with sharp fangs and teeth. How do we balance this with a civilized state of mind?

I think a good part of the American population does agree that this whole business was a terrible, inhuman waste.

 

[Keeper of the Secrets]

What exactly do you suggest to fix the problems you see? Because all I see is complaining and blame placing. What are you presenting as a solution? What is it you want to discuss in this thread?

How are these for starters?

1. Cut our military budget in half and spend that money on curing disease, famine, hunger and homelessness around the world
2. Pull all military aid and forces from every foreign country
3. End using third world countries as sweat shops for our goods
4. Make restitution to all innocent people killed in drone strikes

"Three years before the terrible events of Sept. 11, 2001, a former lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Air Force, Robert Bowman, who had flown 101 combat missions in Vietnam... commented on the terrorist bombings of the U.S. embassies in Kenya and Tanzania:
We are not hated because we practice democracy, value freedom, or uphold human rights. We are hated because our government denies these things to people in Third World countries whose resources are coveted by our multinational corporations... Instead of sending our sons and daughters around the world to kill Arabs so we can have the oil under their sand, we should send them to rebuild their infrastructure, supply clean water, and feed starving children... In short, we should do good instead of evil. Who would try to stop us? Who would hate us? Who would want to bomb us? That is the truth the American people need to hear."

 

[Adonis65]

Are you calling Howard Zinn an adolescent?

No, but he was a left-wing activist. That, in itself, is red flag enough for any good American patriot.

 

[Keeper of the Secrets]

No, but he was a left-wing activist. That, in itself, is red flag enough for any good American patriot.

If the true history of America was taught in high school, as you can read for yourself in Zinn's book The People's History of the United States, then the term American patriot would be nonexistant. But if this were the reality, how many "patriots" would freely join the cause to fight the corporations wars for them? Risking their lives to make these corporate devils all the richer? Free education in the U.S. is free only because the government and corporations need somewhere to spread their poison. The truth will never be allowed to enter the minds of our children. It is like the Matrix, once American's eyes are opened there would be no going back.

 

[Adonis65]

If the true history of America was taught in high school, as you can read for yourself in Zinn's book The People's History of the United States, then the term American patriot would be nonexistant. But if this were the reality, how many "patriots" would freely join the cause to fight the corporations wars for them? Risking their lives to make these corporate devils all the richer? Free education in the U.S. is free only because the government and corporations need somewhere to spread their poison. The truth will never be allowed to enter the minds of our children. It is like the Matrix, once American's eyes are opened there would be no going back.

Why would I ever want to read the filth that comes from a hater of American freedom? Rest assured, I will never read any of Zinn's works, for what's the incentive? I get enough liberal slant from the mass media and liars in Washington.

 

[Revoltingest]

If the true history of America was taught in high school, as you can read for yourself in Zinn's book The People's History of the United States, then the term American patriot would be nonexistant.

It's useful to see that there is no such thing as "true history". Different perspectives on history are all needed, for competition against each
other in an open intellectual marketplace of ideas. Zinn is a goofball who really drank the Kool-Aid, but he too has his place, as do all the others.
History is murky stuff. Things happen. Some are missed...some are observed...descriptions vary wildly....and diverse interpretations are
concocted to serve the interpreters agenda. Ultimately, one must decide for oneself which ideas have merit. But I urge caution against
certainty that one side has "the truth".

 

[Keeper of the Secrets]

". Different perspectives on history are all needed... But I urge caution against
certainty that one side has "the truth".

You are absolutely right that there are two sides to every story, but if only one side is ever heard how can anyone make that informed decision? The fact that only one side is ever taught in our government regulated schools really should make you wonder why? If this doesn't peak your interest than you really have conformed more than you care to admit. You of all people should see through this false reality of freedom and choice. "You must realize that you cannot bend the spoon, but that there is no spoon, what you are really bending is reality." I know, I know, you won't understand that quote either.

 

[Adonis65]

"You must realize that you cannot bend the spoon, but that there is no spoon, what you are really bending is reality." I know, I know, you won't understand that quote either.

I know I don't. Sounds like a quote from the Matrix. Are you sure you are really where you think you are, Keeper?

 

[Revoltingest]

You are absolutely right that there are two sides to every story, but if only one side is ever heard how can anyone make that informed decision? The fact that only one side is ever taught in our government regulated schools really should make you wonder why? If this doesn't peak your interest than you really have conformed more than you care to admit. You of all people should see through this false reality of freedom and choice. "You must realize that you cannot bend the spoon, but that there is no spoon, what you are really bending is reality." I know, I know, you won't understand that quote either.

You're quick to tell me that I don't understand,
Could it be that you make no sense?

 

[Keeper of the Secrets]

You're quick to tell me that I don't understand,
Could it be that you make no sense?

Nope, that's not it!

 

[Guitar's Cry]

Everyone makes sense to me.

I like the suggestion that military funds could be re-distributed to more humanitarian causes--especially the ailing world economy (through, of course, helping our own, though right now it is all intricately connected).

 

[Keeper of the Secrets]

I know I don't. Sounds like a quote from the Matrix. Are you sure you are really where you think you are, Keeper?

I know where I am, no longer plugged into their (the government) way of thinking. What I said was, the misconception which most of us live with is that we have a choice, the reality is that there is no choice, and that what you are doing by beleiving that you have a choice is simply trying to bend reality. The Matrix is actually a very profound movie, try watching it with an open mind and see what you find.

 

[YmirGF]

Are you calling Howard Zinn an adolescent?

Intellectually, for sure. Though he is likely to have an endless litany of left wing ideologues lining up to hump his leg, their parroting of distortions does little to further dialogue on these matters.

The Matrix is actually a very profound movie, try watching it with an open mind and see what you find.

Profound only to fairly superficial thinkers, would be my guess.

 

[Keeper of the Secrets]

Intellectually, for sure. Though he is likely to have an endless litany of left wing ideologues lining up to hump his leg, their parroting of distortions does little to further dialogue on these matters.

Leg humping does little to further dialogue as well .

 

[YmirGF]

Leg humping does little to further dialogue as well .

Indeed. One would think people would eventually learn.
But this whole distorted narrative isn't about learning, it is about trumpeting an agenda that has holes large enough to fly 767's through.