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Right on with your article, and I must say, very coherent. Acute understanding of the situation, and we must realize that Islam will never allow any further growth by Israel in the center of its being, without fighting to the end. Everyone of us should know this without having to be told. How best to handle it, is another thing that has us in a confusing dialog with think tank individuals who have a one sided thought process about how to get along with the world. Israel must defend itself and to survive at all costs. I think Sharon has a good handle on the thoughts of Arafat, and he will come to his own conclusions about how to deal with him. The only thing the PLO understands is force; who is the strongest is who will win.
- T. B. -1/0-/2001 |
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First, it is not irrational to undertake an effort that will not bear fruit in one's life time. Think of the fig tree, which bears fruit for the grandchild of the planter and not before.
Second, the author describes well the problems of applying a rationalist model on a faith-based society but offers no explanation or description of the society with which we must deal. And he offers no proposals to deal with these 'fanatics.' OK, they think differently then we do. Now what? Can we live with these people or do they demand the destruction of them or us?
-1/0-/2001 |
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The first problem has been well stated. The fact that Moslem extremists have attempted to return the world to the tenth century is well documented. The problem is that if it doesn't affect us it doesn't matter. The second half of the equation is to find a creditable method of removing this blight from our midst, both for the US and Israel. Mass destruction of a billion people is certainly problematic. For Israel, dare we risk losing limited support from Western Allies(the term is used loosely) by entering into a full-scale war that will remove any talk of a Palestinian state for the next fifty years. This is probably the only real solution, but, to steal a term from President Bush, requires great courage.
For the US the problem is that they still have not recognized who the enemy is. Do the people have a stomach for war. The enemy believes that we are too fat and secure and will forget quickly, once the stock market recovers. Do we dare tell those alleged moderate Arab states where to go if they do not eliminate terrorism in their own homelands. Do we dare battle these countries as well??
I think not!!
- H. D. -1/0-/2001 |
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The fact that the behavior of Islamic Radicals contains an essential irrational element is easy to see. What is more important is what actions can be taken that will be effective. I think that all religions have a dark side. For Judaism and Christianity I think this stage has been passed. that is the need to destroy whatever seems to refute the premises. There does not seem to be much of the Masada mentality or Kamikases in either Israel or Japan these days or Christians accepting death without resistance. You have to look to a religion that has not caught up yet.
- B. M. -1/0-/2001 |
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Dear Mr. Rosenblum,
This is the best explanation of our current dilemma. All people are basically spiritual beings, even if they are pagans. As the Japanese died for their Sun God leader, people have always died for something higher than themselves. Material success in the here and now means nothing to a third world Muslim fanatic. When the Moors invaded Spain, Christians were amazed at how Muslims wanted to die for their cause. Apparently, Muslims really believed in an Islamic paradise i.e. wine, women, and song.
We have another wake up call by way of the Taliban. Welcome to reality.
- C. B. -1/0-/2001 |
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It is so obvious that our leaders as rational people don't know what there dealing with...
I think you should be a Presidential advisor on terrorism..
- J. W. -1/0-/2001 |
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I believe that all the wars about religion need to stop. In general most religious people have the same values. Excluding Osama Bin Laden. His people stand behind a man who says he kills people for his religion. What is wrong with this picture? He saddens all humanity and He shames his allah....
- L. L. -1/0-/2001 |
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Totally agree. I have tried to drive this point home to everyone who will listen. The brainwashing is in full force in the Islamic masses, that they achieve "Nirvana" so to say, by dying, if they take infidels and/or Jews with them! Absolutely incomprehensible to the Gentiles and Jews.
- G. M. -1/0-/2001 |
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Well written! Israel and Jerusalem (in particular) stick in the Muslim throat. I hope recent events will convince American leaders that the creation of a Palestinian state will equivocate the creation of a terrorist state. To support a murderer like Arafat, while pursuing Bin Laden, is the ultimate hypocrisy. The USA has no friend in the middle east save Israel!
- R. H. -1/0-/2001 |
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Yes! You’ve masterfully put into words what I've always been frustrated by : my country’s insistent and incessant naivete; an absolute refusal to believe that some people are not what they seem---not honest, caring and basically good. It’s a Benefit-of-Doubtism taken to an absurd extreme. Like Children. Only worse, because they HAVE the capacity to think, yet refuse to believe the evidence before their eyes. Which is not unlike the situation in WWII, when so many refused to believe Hitler was actually doing what he was doing. But he (Hitler) was so cleverly aware of how child-like the West was, and took full advantage. Sound familiar? Arafat…Osama….
But really this shouldn’t surprise us. Remember, this is where Mickey Mouse was born. Where for years you never saw a movie that didn’t have a Happy Ending. Coincidence? I don’t think so. That kind of refusal to face a not-always-kind-world is a form of dangerous delusion.
So if we have anything to blame ourselves for in dealing with cultures that breed insanity, it is our insularity and REFUSAL to grasp/face the evidence before us.
The Japanese (among whom I lived many years) have a term for this, Dull Heart/Mind.
- T. A. -1/0-/2001 |
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As an American living in Israel for 30 years I can attest to the accuracy of your words. Honor to the Arab means more the life itself and the establishment of a Jewish State is inherently dishonorable to them as people. No ammount of negotitations can ever change that. Israel must remain firm in its determination to maintain that State viable in the face of all forms of violence.
- C. D. -1/0-/2001 |
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While I agree with much of what you say, I still believe the rationalist model is more or less correct. It is simply over simplified by those who embrace it.
Most people, IF ALLOWED, will pursue a better life for themselves and their family. Most of the mistakes people, who embrace rationalism, is to assume that one the people know how their life could impove and two their leaders would in fact benefit from liberal capitalist democracy.
The truth is that Arafat's power was born and continues to flow from a river of blood. He gains a better life for himself and his family through this river as do other Palestinian leaders. If Arafat could destroy Israel tommorrow he would surely hesitate and in fact would probably not do it. He profits by conflict not conquest.
Please do not think that I am advocating pacifism on the part of Israel. If Israel did not react, the terrorist would continue to attack and the attacks would grow is seriousness until there was a reaction--Exactly what Al Quaeda did.
- M. M. -1/0-/2001 |
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As a former soldier and student of my ENEMY i have for some time told my fellow americans that we must deal with our enemy as THEY would deal with us. in as much as the bottom line is what THEY believe.you are correct in stating that we ASSuME that THEY want what we want-peace and prosperity. it has allways appeared to me that THEY only want to rule over any and all. THEY do not wish to share. the same paradox exists elsewhere- ruwanda-sudan-northern irland. power and the will to sacrifice all for it is what is happening. this is not a religious war but a war of power.
ps..if peace were to break out where would that leave THEM.
-1/0-/2001 |
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Your point is well taken. I well remember the imposibility of Western thought to come to grips with the Japanese KamiKaze at the end of WWII. All the epithets "suicidal, fanatic, evil, blindly obedient," were never able to penetrate or illuminate the logic of the other.
I really wonder what the well educated Roman made of Masada.
- J. C. -1/0-/2001 |
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I understand that the driving force behind any action must come from the brain first.If the brain was trained by the truth of existence there would be no more trouble.If there was no more trouble then all 'work' would,of neccesity,stop.We have not even scatched the surface of why we are here so, how can we expect anything less than strife?The key meaning to life is to bring pleasure to 'our' creator.And, since He is a Man of war mighty in battle let's be American and kick those ignorant donkeys in the ditch!Where they belong.Not all Muslims,just those that are behind osama ben laden.Why is everyone affraid of the sword?
- R. D. -1/0-/2001 |
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