George Bush's War On Terrorism Is A War On Freedom
Michael Butler
September 13, 2006
The events of September 11, 2001 were a dagger in the heart of American optimism, and a body blow to the United States Constitution — a shock from which the republic is still reeling, and may yet engrave the defeat of the American democratic experiment.
It is time to drop the rhetoric of the "War on Terror." Instead, we need to use language that helps us remember who we are fighting, what we are fighting for, and to understand the best and smartest ways to fight. We need to join together, as Americans and with other nations, in a "campaign against anti-democratic forces."
It is a military campaign only in very small part; but the abuse of military power is the most counterproductive tactic in our arsenal. Instead, we need to focus on diplomacy, to build a foreign policy that presents not America against the world, but America with the world and for the world. We need to emphasize police work, and the power of our economic, educational and social institutions to build bridges of intercultural dialogue and understanding. Above all, the power of our ideals can move mountains and make friends out of enemies; but only if we live up to those ideals.
Terrorism, whether practiced by al-Qaeda, Eric Rudolph, Timothy McVeigh or the IRA, is ultimately nothing more than the use of violence to achieve political goals. Whether those goals are just or unjust is a different matter; but we will build our best defenses by strengthening our own democratic system. We need to affirm the sense of national community that encourages all of us to take care of and look out for each other, so that we all participate in keeping our country and our communities safe. Resorting to tyranny, sanctioning torture, suspending the Constitution, imposing forms of martial law, violating the rights of our own citizens and inflicting widespread civilian casualties abroad weakens us morally, spiritually and politically, and will not bring victory in the end..
Listen to the podcast of this commentary as it was broadcast on NPR affiliate WBFO-FM in Buffalo, New York on September 12, 2006.
It is time to drop the rhetoric of the "War on Terror." Instead, we need to use language that helps us remember who we are fighting, what we are fighting for, and to understand the best and smartest ways to fight. We need to join together, as Americans and with other nations, in a "campaign against anti-democratic forces."
It is a military campaign only in very small part; but the abuse of military power is the most counterproductive tactic in our arsenal. Instead, we need to focus on diplomacy, to build a foreign policy that presents not America against the world, but America with the world and for the world. We need to emphasize police work, and the power of our economic, educational and social institutions to build bridges of intercultural dialogue and understanding. Above all, the power of our ideals can move mountains and make friends out of enemies; but only if we live up to those ideals.
Terrorism, whether practiced by al-Qaeda, Eric Rudolph, Timothy McVeigh or the IRA, is ultimately nothing more than the use of violence to achieve political goals. Whether those goals are just or unjust is a different matter; but we will build our best defenses by strengthening our own democratic system. We need to affirm the sense of national community that encourages all of us to take care of and look out for each other, so that we all participate in keeping our country and our communities safe. Resorting to tyranny, sanctioning torture, suspending the Constitution, imposing forms of martial law, violating the rights of our own citizens and inflicting widespread civilian casualties abroad weakens us morally, spiritually and politically, and will not bring victory in the end..
Listen to the podcast of this commentary as it was broadcast on NPR affiliate WBFO-FM in Buffalo, New York on September 12, 2006.
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