How I Love The War On Terror
I love the War on Terror. Let’s face it, without it, what would I really have to write about on a daily basis? The world has been plunged into the most ambiguous event in modern history, placing those on all sides – and there is certainly more than one – in positions of ensuring their survival at any price. In that regard, even the perpetuation of the ‘war’ itself represents the survival of radical ideologies, be they those engineered in Washington or in the mountains of southern Afghanistan. Ironically, both existed long before the World Trade Center fell.
Since 9/11, that tragedy has been used to justify actions that, in truth, no sane society would ever permit unless something of that magnitude existed to provide manipulation. Then again, the people of the United States have been kept in the dark for so long with regards to the covert actions of their own country as to render them little more than four-year robots, required to help facilitate the democratic façade. When the DOD and the CIA have both operated outside of the Constitution since their inception without that fact being seriously debated or challenged, what other conclusion is there to reach?
Usury and indoctrination are not solely the tools of religious radicals. In truth, the technique was gleaned from far more experienced employers of that mechanism. And that is not to say that the United States, or even the Soviets, wrote the book on it, as it’s a text that spans centuries. Just that they simply added a chapter or two.
The beauty of the War on Terror it that it is a conflict without sides precisely so that they don’t have to be taken. Sure, the common perception of it is that it’s a war against terrorism, but that is such an impossibly grandiose statement that, were it true, it would require action to be taken all over the world, not just in those nations in which radical Islam exists. In truth, it would also require that action even be taken against those that instituted the War on Terror in the first place.
For those that, following the end of the Cold War, waited patiently for a chance to unleash an imperialistic US foreign policy doctrine steeped in the arrogance of a one world power, and all the benefits that come with it, the War on Terror is tantamount to Christmas 365 days a year. It is a war without rules, without defined goals, without a conclusion. It is a war in which those that are prosecuted by it can also be used as facilitators for its objectives. Take, for example, US relations with Sudan.
As some of you might be aware, the United States officially classified what has taken place in Darfur as genocide. Of course, when one examines what has, and continues to, take place there, there is no question that Khartoum aided the Janjiweed militias that have been largely responsible for what has transpired in Darfur. Khartoum has denied any connection, of course, despite the fact that last year much of the Janjiweed was absorbed into the Sudanese Armed Forces, primarily the Popular Defense Forces and Border Guards.
So what does that have to do with the War on Terror and the United States?
Well, even though the Bush administration has condemned what is taking place in Darfur as genocide, and even gone so far as to impose sanctions against Sudan, they have also been working with the government in Khartoum on initiatives to do with the war in Iraq, primarily focused on infiltrating Salafi Jihadi groups. The sanctions, while real, are soft, and thus meant to placate a world view that is decidedly critical of the Sudanese government’s complicity in Darfur while maintaining its ‘extensive intelligence collaboration with Sudan’ – as the Los Angeles times put it in June of this year…
“The relationship underscores the complex realities of the post-Sept. 11 world, in which the United States has relied heavily on intelligence and military cooperation from countries, including Sudan and Uzbekistan, that are considered pariah states for their records on human rights.
“Intelligence cooperation takes place for a whole lot of reasons,” said a U.S. intelligence official, who like others spoke on condition of anonymity when discussing intelligence assessments. “It’s not always between people who love each other deeply.”
Sudan has become increasingly valuable to the United States since the Sept. 11 attacks because the Sunni Arab nation is a crossroads for Islamic militants making their way to Iraq and Pakistan.
That steady flow of foreign fighters has provided cover for Sudan’s Mukhabarat intelligence service to insert spies into Iraq, officials said.
“If you’ve got jihadists traveling via Sudan to get into Iraq, there’s a pattern there in and of itself that would not raise suspicion,” said a former high-ranking CIA official familiar with Sudan’s cooperation with the agency. “It creates an opportunity to send Sudanese into that pipeline.”
So, in short, you condemn the government of Sudan for being complicit in what you have termed genocide and yet you willingly conduct intelligence operations with them.
That, in a nutshell, defines the War on Terror. Right and wrong have no place in it primarily because no defined enemy has ever been established. At first it was Bin Laden’s al-Qaeda, which then grew into an ambiguous global network of terrorists, as Bin Laden’s capture became less likely – and, for all intents and purposes – less of a priority. Actions undertaken in various locations, such as in London, by individuals acting independently of any known or established terrorist group then filled the void, providing the war’s spin doctors the opportunity to place it in an improper context, that being that terrorism is alive and well and not, as in the case of the London attacks, based on racial or religious tensions within a specific society or something undertaken as a response to the US occupation of Iraq, among other things. In a sense, such occurrences are little more than blowback entirely respondent to a reckless and hypocritical US foreign policy doctrine, though they are never reported as such by much of the media. Instead, they remain vague in their purpose, with any door left open that infers a connection to a greater evil.
It is, in truth, difficult to find a historical comparison to the sweeping power provided by the ambiguity of the War on terror. Not even the National Socialists in Germany were gifted such an all-encompassing blank cheque with regards to indoctrination and public subversion. In truth, they would have probably marveled at the unprecedented, manipulative power that it has provided the United States and its allies. In their case, the restriction of civil liberties, etc, was overt, harsh, and decisive. Fear was employed on a much more basic and forceful level - nowhere nearly as subversively as it has been with regards to Western societies since 9/11. The crucial element, of course, is that public cooperation because of that fear has led to the acceptance of something that has not only been globally justified as both necessary and just, but completely open ended without limitation or a definition of finality.
If you do business with those guilty of genocide what does that say about you? There was a time when it would say very little, but given the ability to evoke the term ‘War on Terror’, the rules have changed. A world away, we view what has transpired in Darfur as a massive tragedy, but many, faced with the knowledge that the US government still has a relationship with the Sudanese government that is based on counter-terrorism initiatives, view the latter as being of equal importance. True, what has befallen those innocents in Darfur is horrific, but then again, so was 9/11. And that, when it comes to Western perceptions, is all that need be said. It doesn’t matter that the ratio of deaths is not even closely comparable, because, like it or not, admit it or not, we’re talking about the lives of foreigners in a part of the world that is wholly alien to us.
The War on Terror has amplified the need to ensure our security to a global level, enveloping the lives of others, allowing us to use who we will in attempt to ensure our ends no matter the transgressions of those that would aid us in doing so, or the innocent lives lost in the pursuit.
Like it or not, that truth alone renders the War on Terror already lost, though it will most probably take decades for most to come to terms with it.
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November 30th, 2007 at 1:58 pm
I sat in quiet contemplation after reading this, remembering a time in the not so distant past when I was a little year old girl in Tehran. My grandfather was a General in the Iranian government under the Shah, when Iran was a wonderful place to be for a Iranian woman, well to a extent. There was a quiet hush when my Grandfather walked in one day.. he grabbed my Grandmother, a Turkish born woman, and my aunt walked slowly to the yard and sat them on a bench. I watched my Grandmothers face changed from worried to paniced. She grabbed my Grandfathers face and kissed it over and over. All the while I sat there and wondered what was going on. My Aunt started to frantically gesture with her hands, her voiced raising, uncharistically so, and my beloved Grandfather-ever the stoic man-started to cry. Something was wrong. Us children were sent to the cinema, yes we had beautiful cinemas at the time, and when we came home.. all of our belongings were ready for transport. My father, a Student at the University came running in.. grabbed me and all the young children and ripped up the carpet that was under our floor, threw us inside and told us to be silent. I had never seen such a sight in my life, my father was a strong and silent man, one who lived beyond the scope of what was considered to be acceptable-as he had a daughter ( myself) with a American girl from Kansas, this was not my father I remember thinking. All was quiet in the house and then a loud crash sounded overhead.. screaming, woman screaming everywhere, my Grandfather pleading ” Please spare the women, they are innocent.” My Grandmother pleading ” In the name of Allah, this is sin.” A loud smack, someone had hit the floor. My Grandfather pleading for mercy..a gun shot sounded and blood started to seep into the cracks of the carpet overhead. I heard more angry words and my Aunts voices screaming.. My uncles scuffling overhead and yelling..then there was silence-except for the cries. I dont remember much after that excpet a soilder ripping the carpet up and opening the floor where us three children were at. I remember being pulled from the floor and made to look at what was before me. My beloved aunts naked, beaten and bruised.. Two had been killed, I knew all of them had been raped. This is what the soilders do when you are targeted. My Grandmother dead, my Grandfather dead, my two uncles dead and my father beaten cold.. he had passed out and I presume thought dead. The soilder ripped at my hair and made me look..He said to me with the most calmest voice “Remember this always.. I gave you your life.” Then they all left. One of my cousins ran to the neighbors and the rest is a blur..
This is was my introduction to the Ayatollah.
After a years time I was allowed to come to the US, as my mother had to prove parentage, and I began my life here.
I at times struggle with what my country, by my country I mean the US, does.. I served in the Army, faithfully, lost many friends during Operation Desert Storm and some in this war as well. The soilder in me says- Freedom is not free.. The little girl from Iran hiding under the floor boards as her aunts are raped and killed says: But at what cost does that freedom come to us? How much blood needs to shed? How many children are living in fear over seas?
I pray for guidance.. as I sometimes find myself that scared little girl from so long ago.. and then I remember, I came here to make a difference.. I never wanted to be apart of something that was so wrong.
This war, no matter how just it is in others minds, will ever take or make what others do not want to see or be..done or believed.
I once read somehwere.. Absolute power corupts absolutely. And in this case.. this is what I see. A power hungry man who may have at one time been noble in his thoughts, has taken a stance on something that can never be changed.. radicals are radicals.. always will be. But to think you can change what is indoctrinated into someones mind from early childhood is foolish.. and so is this war.
Sorry that this was so long.. but its something that I feel passionatly about.
November 30th, 2007 at 2:59 pm
I think you are alluding to the real reason for the intractability of the war on terror – the problems are grounded in the belief of moral absolutism and engendered in the administration’s millenarian thinking – bringing peace and justice to all corners of the world. And why not you say?
But this grounded belief does indeed absolve all participants of any success in this war as you rightly say – it is a war without end and something that inevitably must be loved as such -if one does take the stance of being the moral absolutist. Claiming to be in the right – to know the truth. And anyone on any side can make this claim.
It is a war without end – global guerillas – hidden detention and body bags. No parades, no real victories. Secrecy everywhere. Who is to know how this will play out in decades to come.
I do take a solace in the fact that this situation is intractable. It means ultimately the situation is unresolved. So why worr? I think it is only when we realize this that we can empathize with other people-truly. Stare in the face of impossibility and some how still laugh and laugh with others. Fuck ‘em if they can’t take a joke.
November 30th, 2007 at 3:04 pm
But we’ve always been at war with Eastasia.
The complicity of the press to support this war, almost unwaveringly, since before it’s inception is something else I’ve found disturbing. The public largely depends on them for their opinions; that so little investigative (or even honest) reporting has been conducted and so much lazy, spewing of talking points has replaced it frightens and angers me.
Considering the type of people who own media outlets these days, however, I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised.
November 30th, 2007 at 3:20 pm
And yet we argue about shallow and divisive issues like immigration, homosexuality, abortion, and public smoking in our forums. Issues of greater consequence like poverty, corporate imperialism, public education, and the environment remain fringe issues. Those that seek to discuss these issues are marginalized by the mainstream media and treated like loonies.
Thanks for taking time to write that post, Matt. Also, I enjoyed reading your comment hopeforchange. Remain strong.
November 30th, 2007 at 3:50 pm
WOW hopeforchange, that may look long but once you read it it seems so short, but absolutely touching. I wish all soldiers had the same humane/confused outlook on war. War is never some simple “us versus them” “kill all the bad guys and we win” deal. It always comes back to an eye for an eye and the whole world is blind, but we never learn.
November 30th, 2007 at 5:33 pm
phouse: I agree. Most ‘ethical’ dilemmas that people choose to debate seem so mickey mouse. Loss of life and liberty is an inherently more important topic than those you listed.
hopeforchange: Wow. I’m going to read every comment you post. You’ve touched my heart.
Matt: Another good post. Never stop with the milk, baby.
November 30th, 2007 at 5:42 pm
War is not useless at times.. at times its just. But what are the real reasons behind them? Fear? Justice? Who has the bigger Tonka Truck? Cause right now it seems that juvenile. When you have thousands dying and no end in sight, then you need to really readjust your spectacles and clean the rose colors off of em. This war started cause some sick radical thought it would amusing to fly planes into building and destroy two things, American Moral ( which he didnt do ) and the American Icon of Freedom.. the World Trade Center, where major corportion where headquartered.. major FINACIAL ones. President Bush got on that podium and cried.. and I believed him. I said Go after that Bastard! Kill that sonofabitch.. then almost 8 years later, the monster who killed thousands on that day has now become a Icon and worshipped and is probably sitting in some house somewhere sipping Grey Goose and laughing, thinking to himself: I have destroyed more then I have thought I could.. the American people are at complete odds over me and I have more to do.
Now, two things, I love my country.. but I dont have to love who runs it.. or the basis that he used to justify this war. I believe that Osama bin Douche bag deserves to die.. very much so. But what has Iraq have to do with bin Douche Bag? A supposed Al-Queida link? And to put these lives in Guantanamo Bay, guilty or not, they are HUMAN…do they have Civil Rights? Not by American Standards. But when did Bush become God and when did his Apostles,angels or saints ( you pick your diety) appoint MAJOR coroporations into their place? Every HUMAN deserves to be treated like a human.. every human that commits a crime deserves the right to be tried for those crimes.. every human has the right to live and fight for what they believe.. that is afterall what the American Dream is all about.. that is what the Fore Fathers of this country fought for. That is in no means a *pass* to the radicals out there.. I find no compassion for them.. they are the ones who can never be taught.. you can lead a horse to water.. you cant make it drink. And in this case, you cant teach a old dog new tricks.. this dog is older then any of us.. or these countries we choose covet or destroy.
And as vulgar as this may sound.. it comes down to this for me. America has become a joke.. what was once a country based on beautiful ideals has become a counry about domination and wealth. And that is why right now, or very freedoms that were fought for have become the blanket by which this Adminsitration abuses to justify their means.
I fought for this country.. have buried my friends who have died for this country…came to this country so my children, God willing, will never have to be tossed into a crawl space to survive. Its sad what we have become.. its very very very sad.
November 30th, 2007 at 5:58 pm
And for some reason this got lost..
ack!
TO be inserted after the third to last paragraph ( otherwise as I said *word vomit* )
**You cant fight with a belief. Its useless. Politics and Religion are the two things that are taboo to talk about. Why? You cant argue a thought or feelings.. it is what it is. So why are we pushing our belief pattern? Its the knowledge that in every person there lies a devil and angel. One has the right idea.. the other, the ego. When we try to change what we can not.. we attack. I dont think that this war is about oil ( well not all of it ) I dont think its really about the human lives that were violated daily.. I think its about FEAR. Fear that we, The American Government, are not as loved and coveted by all, as is told to ourselves from our media and ourselves. Abu Ghraib is a prime example of that fear.. destroy that which you fear the most.. God Forbid someone tries to learn…
December 1st, 2007 at 1:17 pm
Terrorism is a tactic. War is war is terrorism. It’s not even justified enough to declare a loser.
December 1st, 2007 at 1:40 pm
“Freedom is not free”
Thank you for sharing hopeforchange…
January 1st, 2008 at 3:04 pm
The rule of Robespierre and his contemporaries of the Committee for Public Safety during the French Revolution the “Reign of Terror”.
That name would much better suit the Bush Administration, in my humble opinion, though I would rather not plunder history and flatter Bush the Younger to use it.
When else in the history of ‘civilization’ did the concept of ‘humanity’ become so fluid as it is now?