If U.S. helps Africa, will the terrorism stop?
Okay, I don't normally watch Oprah, but given the holiday schedule, I tuned in yesterday.
Mostly because Bono (U2) was the guest.
His assertion was that if the U.S. were to be more helpful and sympathetic to causes around the world, much of the hatred towards them would cease.
He cited helping the millions of Africans dying of AIDS, the third world debt as examples where Americans could help. This in turn would show America as not the superpower solely interested in themselves but a nation that cares for all people. Bono also asserts that much of the terrorism would also stop.
Hmmm...is this seems a bit overly optimistic.
Mostly because Bono (U2) was the guest.
His assertion was that if the U.S. were to be more helpful and sympathetic to causes around the world, much of the hatred towards them would cease.
He cited helping the millions of Africans dying of AIDS, the third world debt as examples where Americans could help. This in turn would show America as not the superpower solely interested in themselves but a nation that cares for all people. Bono also asserts that much of the terrorism would also stop.
Hmmm...is this seems a bit overly optimistic.
Comments
==> Terrorism will not stop if US helps Africa.
Why isn't North Korea helping us? Why isn't Iraq helping us?
It pretty much breaks down to the idea that you don't bite the hand that feeds you. Go read the four page article in Salon that's Bill Clinton's recent speech. He covers this topic in a round about way and his view in the speech is correct.
If we were more outgoing, more helpful and less selfish, the world would respond to us even better than it has. "Will the terrorism stop?" Never, because like the assassination of Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin in Israel in 1995 proved, there are crazies everywhere.
But I think your general question, would the hate towards the US subside, especially in Islamic countries, and the answer to that is yes.
[ 12-27-2002: Message edited by: ShawnPatrickJoyce ]</p>
If the US were to do more to end AIDS in Africa, help educate and industrialize various countries, etc. It would indeed improve how we are perceived in that region of the world. However, that in no way means the those who have/are targeting the US will suddenly stop. We're talking about a relatively small band of people here - a few thousand perhaps - who have been indoctrinated to detest America and its allies. They will find plenty of excuses to keep right on attacking / plotting for the forseeable future.
It's not our lack of charity or debt relief these people hate us for - it's our culture. Our many religions, our entertainment industry, our clothes - all of it. We're not "the Great Satan" because we don't send more AIDS relief money to Africa, IOW. Not in these people's minds. We could funnel all the money in the world to Africa and they'd still find reasons to hate us / want us dead.
[ 12-28-2002: Message edited by: Moogs ]</p>
Give us ur money or we'll shoot.
<strong>I like tha idea. We could be on to somethin. .
Give us ur money or we'll shoot.</strong><hr></blockquote>
Eh?
Given that terrorism directed against the US is rarely perpetrated by Africans and that those actually involved in terrorism against the US care very little about Africa; I'd say it won't.
Of course, help from the US to Africa would be commendable on its own merit.
Other than that, if your reaction to violence against you, is asking ?what are these guys' grievances and how can I satisfy them??, then those whose grivance is getting your money might be encouraged to resort to such violence.
<strong>Bono is a pretty astute observer as rock stars go and I dig his music, BUT... He's getting his causes and effects mixed up.
If the US were to do more to end AIDS in Africa, help educate and industrialize various countries, etc. It would indeed improve how we are perceived in that region of the world. However, that in no way means the those who have/are targeting the US will suddenly stop. We're talking about a relatively small band of people here - a few thousand perhaps - who have been indoctrinated to detest America and its allies. They will find plenty of excuses to keep right on attacking / plotting for the forseeable future.
It's not our lack of charity or debt relief these people hate us for - it's our culture. Our many religions, our entertainment industry, our clothes - all of it. We're not "the Great Satan" because we don't send more AIDS relief money to Africa, IOW. Not in these people's minds. We could funnel all the money in the world to Africa and they'd still find reasons to hate us / want us dead.
[ 12-28-2002: Message edited by: Moogs ]</strong><hr></blockquote>
I think Moogs has articulated this very well.
It is our way of life and our freedoms some hate about us.
We live in a pluralistic society and some believe Islam can not blend. I contend it can and does here in America and other countries in the world. When people believe that they must convert or kill others who do not adopt their views that is a real problem.
I believe we must live and let live.
Real maturity is to allow people to make their own choices....
With respect,
Fellowship
<strong>America could do a lot to make the world as a whole like us more, but most of our image problems have been caused by Bush and his hard edge and "right-wing" views, which clash with the "leftist" views that seem popular in Europe and other places.</strong><hr></blockquote>
You're joking right?
Let's see, the bombing of the U.S.S. Cole was during which presidency? Hmmmm, could it be.....Clinton?
Bombing of 2 U.S. embassies? Clinton administration again?
Let's see, hostages taken in Iran. Jimmy Carter?
It's not a Republican/Democrat thing.
<strong>America could do a lot to make the world as a whole like us more, but most of our image problems have been caused by Bush and his hard edge and "right-wing" views, which clash with the "leftist" views that seem popular in Europe and other places. Helping Africa would be a good thing but would not help us. What would help us is dealing with the Palestinian problems in a meaningful way. However, as Moogs said the Islamists would still hate us, but they would lose the tacit support of moderate Muslims that they enjoy now.</strong><hr></blockquote>
Clinton tried dealing with the "Palestinian problems" in a meaningful say. It failed. And not because of the US or even Bush.
<strong>
Clinton tried dealing with the "Palestinian problems" in a meaningful say. It failed. And not because of the US or even Bush.</strong><hr></blockquote>
Just curious but, what's the point of this statement?
I mean, true or not, it doesn't have any apparent connection to the topic. You say Clinton tried and failed, but does that mean if he succeeded it would or wouldn't have helped the overall threat of terrorism in or against the United States?
Or does it just mean (as can be implied by your wording) that you feel the United States should stop trying to help solve the Israeli/Palestinian conflict? And if so, what does that have to do with the topic?
There are a lot of Muslims in Africa so helping Africa would ultimately help reduce the terrorist threats. A huge majority of the world's Muslims don't wish any harm against you [plural] or I, but also have no reason to stick their neck out to help us. Give them a reason and the number of terrorists would go down, and the places they would be safe would also dry up.
The US tried very hard and it didn't work because Arafat is a jew hating terrorist and the arab muslim world loves terror against the jews. That's not our fault and there's not much we can do to stop it.
Oooops I'm sorry. Are we allowed to post the truth outside of FSC?
[ 01-01-2003: Message edited by: Scott ]</p>
<strong>
Oooops I'm sorry. Are we allowed to post the truth outside of FSC? </strong><hr></blockquote>
SHHHHH!!!!