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I am sorry, but... | by scheuri | 2001-09-13 00:44:58 |
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Think about this. | by Fnord_Hero | 2001-09-13 05:52:22 |
| World justice, not private vengeace |
by Schol-R-LEA;2 |
2001-09-13 10:34:16 |
To begin with, I am sorry if what I have to say now sounds callous or meanspirited. I am the sort of person who retreats into intellectualization when catastrophe strikes. I am aware that my reason is clouded; if I saying things that are foolish or irrational, as I did the day the attacks occurred, please bear with me.
First, you must understand that even now, I cannot really identify with the US, or any other nation. The whole 'ink excretions on a map' thing never made sense to me. Rallying around the flag is something that doesn't even occur to me to do.
I do, however, identify with the human race as a whole, very intensely. Pardon me for saying this, but I think in some ways, I have been more offended and shocked by this than the patriots, not less; where they see an attack on their territorial imperatives, I see a wound in the world, and evidence that my worst fears about our fate as species are true.
In other words, it makes me doubt that we will ever mature as a species, and even makes me question whether life is worth living.
On the question of punishment: it is my experience that retribution, especially against fanatics, only inspires more violence. If it is Osama bin Laden, then he and his group are very probably hoping for as irrational and vindictive a response as possible, all the while protesting their innocence (they've issued at least one denial of responsibility, and if they do prove to be the one's behind it, they may intend to keep it in hopes of making any US retaliation look like scapegoating).
On the other hand, those who have already proven that they cannot co-exist with others must be removed from the society, with all due care and due process, but in as final a way as possible. The solution is to proceed methodically, and ruthlessly, but not vindictively; wanton destruction and casual slaughter only plays into the hands of the fanatical. It would actually be in the US's favor to show restraint, yet, still make sure that those responsible are prevented from further violence.
This is a fine line to tread, and it goes against many human instincts. All the more reason to proceed with deliberately and inexorablely, in the manner of the proverbial Mill of the Gods.
The goal, the only reasonable goal to my way of thinking, is to lessen the likelihood of some thing like this happening again. If it means *not* pursuing them, then let it be done. Conversely, if it means public torture and execution of those responsible, or even imposing a Carthaginian treaty on an entire nation for supporting or condoning this horror, then let it be done. Neither would be satisfying solutions, I think; the latter would be monsterous, while the former would be maddening. I doubt either are warranted or necessary. Yet, if one or the other proves to be the *correct* move, then let it be done.
Lastly, I think that any action taken should not be done by the US alone in a spirit of vengence, but by the world community acting to police itself. I'd even go so far as to say it should be taken out of America's hand entirely, for the same reason that police does not let the family members of a murder victim join the manhunt. Let the guilty be tried in the Hague, let the whole world join together in seeking justice, and let it be clear to all that this will not be tolerated by anyone, anywhere, ever again.
Otherwise, there will be no be justice,
and this whole cycle of insanity will roll on and on. |
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