Political Theater
H/t Justin Gardner for this one.
What Rudy and others seem to be missing in this ongoing conflagration is that Dr. Paul is not excusing the 9/11 attacks. He's simply saying that, when people feel they are under attack, they tend to strike back, and certain Muslims clearly feel they have been under attack ... for years, well before 9/11.
Again, that does not excuse what the 9/11 co-conspirators did. However, the lessons we learn from this line of questioning might just possibly help us set a more productive future course, whereas squelching or misrepresenting this line of questioning will blind us to a potentially broader understanding of where we go next.
It's not unlike the Hatfields and McCoys, the legendary feuding families who can never see beyond the narrow veil of their own hatred; who are convinced they are each always in the right, and the other always in the wrong.
Granted, I think we're a hell of a lot more innocent in all this than al Qaeda. But as a global superpower that has bullied our way around for decades, we simply cannot sit here and claim our hands our totally without blood.
Don't get me wrong. I don't agree with much of what Dr. Paul recommends and I certainly don't like his isolationist tendencies. I think those tendencies are just as naive and doomed to fail as current policy. All I'm saying is this: Let's approach the debate like adults ... not like politicians. Let's consider every angle, not just the soundbite-convenient ones. Let's try to understand the big picture without excusing crimes against humanity. I think we're capable of that.
What Rudy and others seem to be missing in this ongoing conflagration is that Dr. Paul is not excusing the 9/11 attacks. He's simply saying that, when people feel they are under attack, they tend to strike back, and certain Muslims clearly feel they have been under attack ... for years, well before 9/11.
Again, that does not excuse what the 9/11 co-conspirators did. However, the lessons we learn from this line of questioning might just possibly help us set a more productive future course, whereas squelching or misrepresenting this line of questioning will blind us to a potentially broader understanding of where we go next.
It's not unlike the Hatfields and McCoys, the legendary feuding families who can never see beyond the narrow veil of their own hatred; who are convinced they are each always in the right, and the other always in the wrong.
Granted, I think we're a hell of a lot more innocent in all this than al Qaeda. But as a global superpower that has bullied our way around for decades, we simply cannot sit here and claim our hands our totally without blood.
Don't get me wrong. I don't agree with much of what Dr. Paul recommends and I certainly don't like his isolationist tendencies. I think those tendencies are just as naive and doomed to fail as current policy. All I'm saying is this: Let's approach the debate like adults ... not like politicians. Let's consider every angle, not just the soundbite-convenient ones. Let's try to understand the big picture without excusing crimes against humanity. I think we're capable of that.
1 comments:
What I find amazing is that journalists repeat the talking point that Paul said that the US invited the attack. He didn't say that, that's how Giuliani interpreted Paul's words. Then Paul explained himself again and clearly explained that the US is not to blame for 9/11, but that certain policies do create hostility and that one has to understand that when talking about foreign policy.
I wouldn't support Paul, he's too libertarian (and isolationist) for me, but he does have a good point.
America has ignored the world for several years. "America alone" and all that. What was the result? Right, America was alone and couldn't do what she wanted to do / believed should be done. America alone is America weakened. That's the truth.
Even George W. Bush understands that now and has reached out to the international community in the last couple of years.
To have another type of Bush I in the White House in 08, isn't something foreigners like me are looking forward to.
Giuliani should moderate his foreign policy tone a bit.
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