To profile or not – absurdities abound
The Israelis have refined profiling to such an extent as to successfully foil 95% of attempted suicide bombings. When the Germans or the Egyptians search passengers I assure you that Middle Eastern males get prime billing. It has not gone unnoticed by both Arabs and Europeans alike, that modern day suicide bombings and terrorism is the almost exclusive preserve of male Muslims of Middle Eastern extraction. This reality is not our wish or desire but a sad fact of our increasingly tenuous global world.
Yet in America, the Land of the Free, the Brave and the ACLU, we have recreated our own Alice in Wonderland smoke & mirrors. We would rather search, at our airports and trains, 10 children, old women and 6.5 foot blue-eyed Swedes to every 1 Middle Easterner. Yet the Russians and the Saudis, the Turks and the Lebanese, no strangers to terrorism, would do the reverse.
Why do we allow the ACLU to define our arithmetic? For what suicidal absurdity do we allow political correctness to prevail over practical necessity? What is the fantasy that addles our brain so much so that we imagine we can regain total security in the face of this implacable onslaught with no loss of freedom and no inconvenience? How come the delicate sensibilities of those who would be profiled (rationally, understandably) outweigh our desire for survival and the longevity of our freedoms?
I now note at our New York subways, selective searches can be refused, allowing would-be bombers to vacate those premises with sensitivities intact, only to try another station or location until luck or chance allows their entry. Are we merely play acting? Don’t we realize that it is only a matter of time until the first radioactive “dirty bomb” or other WMD is tested on the naïve majority?
The ACLU confuses itself with Abraham, imagining that by offering ourselves as a sacrificial lamb we could appease those believers and their God in their crusade against us, the infidels, the unbelievers. But they are not Abraham, but Chamberlain.
Ultimately, we will have to choose between the ACLU and their acolytes and our very survival, between our perceived freedom for the next ten minutes and our freedom for our children and our children’s children.
The choice is ours, not theirs.
Saturday, July 30, 2005
Saturday, July 16, 2005
Pussy-footing (July 16, 2005)
Re: July 15 interview by Ron Reagan & Monica Crowley of MSNBC with two American Muslim spokesmen
Best wishes.
I enjoyed your presentations, however, in this instance you “pussy-footed” around with deft but copious amounts of political correctness. You would not have been so delicate with Sharon or Barak. A great pity. Unless you treat all parties with the same skepticism you are merely going to be used as a propaganda platform.
a) Validly you questioned moderate Muslims’ fears to be “outed.” For your American guest to claim fearlessness and suggest the same goes in the Middle East is absurd as many political murders there attest.
b) For your guests to suggest that all the Arab governments decried London, New York, Madrid, etc. bombings is totally incorrect. Crowds in Gaza and elsewhere were celebrating after 9/11, all with full public visibility and support.
c) For your guests to claim that Jihad in the Arab world never supports killing the innocent is obnoxious considering the hundreds of old women and young children and babies and Arab Israelis alike blown apart in Israel by the suicide bombers. Why not call these lies for what they are?
I admire your general presentations. Please don’t pander to those who believe that deception of the infidel is a laudable goal in their Jihad of domination and destruction.
Best wishes.
I enjoyed your presentations, however, in this instance you “pussy-footed” around with deft but copious amounts of political correctness. You would not have been so delicate with Sharon or Barak. A great pity. Unless you treat all parties with the same skepticism you are merely going to be used as a propaganda platform.
a) Validly you questioned moderate Muslims’ fears to be “outed.” For your American guest to claim fearlessness and suggest the same goes in the Middle East is absurd as many political murders there attest.
b) For your guests to suggest that all the Arab governments decried London, New York, Madrid, etc. bombings is totally incorrect. Crowds in Gaza and elsewhere were celebrating after 9/11, all with full public visibility and support.
c) For your guests to claim that Jihad in the Arab world never supports killing the innocent is obnoxious considering the hundreds of old women and young children and babies and Arab Israelis alike blown apart in Israel by the suicide bombers. Why not call these lies for what they are?
I admire your general presentations. Please don’t pander to those who believe that deception of the infidel is a laudable goal in their Jihad of domination and destruction.
Thursday, July 7, 2005
London Bombings: A simple solution, and very politically incorrect (July 7, 2005)
England as well as the USA and other western democracies are all open societies. It is impossible to defend these free societies against this and other forms of terrorism. We can never check every train, bus, plane, restaurant, or public facility, worldwide, all the time.
Perhaps Bush had it right in the particular instance of “taking the war to the enemy.” Perhaps the Israelis were ‘spot-on’ in preemptive assassinations of terrorist leaderships. The fervor for suicide bombings amongst the cadres of the initiators would be considerably dampened (even eliminated) if these puppeteers of death were convinced of the fact that they would be next in line for elimination after the next terrorist event, wherever they may be hiding (usually amongst family, schools, or hospitals – their locations of choice).
I earnestly suggest we stop wasting time and money at our airports. I recommend we take a fraction of the tens of billions spent on amorphous homeland security and initiate a new project – call it “realistic cost-effective preemption.” We invite to participate ex-Marines and survivors of terrorist activities worldwide. There are many thousands of Lebanese, Russian and Jordanian citizens, Indians, Kuwaitis, Iranians, Kurds – the list is long – who for many reasons may harbor hate for the terrorist groups, may have lost family or friends. Let us train them and pay them to be the most effective anti-terrorist killing machines possible, and the most well-paid. (A million dollars each would not dent the budget). Then let us send out 10,000 of these largely Arabic-speaking and Middle East-looking agents and focus them like a laser on the top leadership of Al Qaeda and their myriad associations around the world, to preemptively decimate the core of these groups that so intend to destroy our society as we know it.
We have really a simple choice: do we wait for the first nuclear catastrophe in one of our capitols, or do we preempt (in a relatively inexpensive, focused, practical and entirely politically incorrect manner) those committed to our annihilation. Perhaps the writing is finally on the wall.
Perhaps Bush had it right in the particular instance of “taking the war to the enemy.” Perhaps the Israelis were ‘spot-on’ in preemptive assassinations of terrorist leaderships. The fervor for suicide bombings amongst the cadres of the initiators would be considerably dampened (even eliminated) if these puppeteers of death were convinced of the fact that they would be next in line for elimination after the next terrorist event, wherever they may be hiding (usually amongst family, schools, or hospitals – their locations of choice).
I earnestly suggest we stop wasting time and money at our airports. I recommend we take a fraction of the tens of billions spent on amorphous homeland security and initiate a new project – call it “realistic cost-effective preemption.” We invite to participate ex-Marines and survivors of terrorist activities worldwide. There are many thousands of Lebanese, Russian and Jordanian citizens, Indians, Kuwaitis, Iranians, Kurds – the list is long – who for many reasons may harbor hate for the terrorist groups, may have lost family or friends. Let us train them and pay them to be the most effective anti-terrorist killing machines possible, and the most well-paid. (A million dollars each would not dent the budget). Then let us send out 10,000 of these largely Arabic-speaking and Middle East-looking agents and focus them like a laser on the top leadership of Al Qaeda and their myriad associations around the world, to preemptively decimate the core of these groups that so intend to destroy our society as we know it.
We have really a simple choice: do we wait for the first nuclear catastrophe in one of our capitols, or do we preempt (in a relatively inexpensive, focused, practical and entirely politically incorrect manner) those committed to our annihilation. Perhaps the writing is finally on the wall.
Monday, September 20, 2004
Re: Sept. 20, 2004 Op-Ed by Dr. Abd Al-Hamid Al-Ansari
The abovementioned is a remarkable article, a rare acknowledgment— my compliments and sincerest congratulations.
Only when large swathes of the Middle East, when the majority of your brethren like you look fate and reality squarely in the eye, when truth becomes the essence of your vision rather than the misguided victim of the current agendas, only then can Arabs, Jews and Christians sit down, break bread and openly share disagreements whilst reasonably working towards common goals, acknowledging differences without motivating for mutual destruction.
Two points however. Firstly, are Jews cowards because they do not have a death wish? If so, I love this form of cowardice—as a Jew, I love life, for me & for you, for us all.
Secondly, I commend you for acknowledging that old canard, confirming as a forgery the Protocols of the Elders of Zion. You have indeed both courage and truth and I have no doubt, that our commonalities are greater than our differences.
I look forward to a day when we can all, as different nations and different religions, enjoy and share the Middle East—there really is enough for us all to share, for our children and our children’s’ children.
Only when large swathes of the Middle East, when the majority of your brethren like you look fate and reality squarely in the eye, when truth becomes the essence of your vision rather than the misguided victim of the current agendas, only then can Arabs, Jews and Christians sit down, break bread and openly share disagreements whilst reasonably working towards common goals, acknowledging differences without motivating for mutual destruction.
Two points however. Firstly, are Jews cowards because they do not have a death wish? If so, I love this form of cowardice—as a Jew, I love life, for me & for you, for us all.
Secondly, I commend you for acknowledging that old canard, confirming as a forgery the Protocols of the Elders of Zion. You have indeed both courage and truth and I have no doubt, that our commonalities are greater than our differences.
I look forward to a day when we can all, as different nations and different religions, enjoy and share the Middle East—there really is enough for us all to share, for our children and our children’s’ children.
Thursday, October 16, 2003
Discussion on the veracity of a $0.60 cent/gallon increase in taxes (Oct. 16, 2003)
Dear Michael Medved,
I support this 1000%. It’s the most honest, direct and elegant solution. It will and can result in one fell swoop (or in graduations over time) in the following:
a. Reducing the unnecessarily large gap between our gas prices and those of Europe and the Far East.
b. Unnecessary and frivolous driving will reduce thereby reducing gridlock on our highways and reducing traffic, enormous time and gas waste, as well as car maintenance costs; thereby saving Americans billions at the same time, perhaps, the only and efficient way of combating the incessant Los Angeles parking lots.
c. The fairest of all taxes, as one pays only for use. Less pollution and more sales of gas efficient cars. Everyone pays, whether legal or not, rich or poor. Gas and cars pollute- why not charge for use of highways directly?
d. Monies can be used to reduce pollution directly caused by gas and car use-thus we get to be responsible for our own actions. Money can similarly help improve education.
e. I would also further recommend a two-tiered priority system for our prisons:
1. Minimum services/food/entertainment/lodging for inmates refusing to work
2. Maximum of the above for inmates who are productive and work, thus spending a portion of profits earned in partnership with factories/the world of commerce, and the prison system thus uses balance of profits or salaries to finance the prisons- thus moving toward self-sufficiency.
I would be tougher on hard drugs; legalize marijuana, but tax it to the hilt to ensure minimum use, maximum taxes for rehab and to finance the policing of hard drugs.
Best wishes and good luck!
I support this 1000%. It’s the most honest, direct and elegant solution. It will and can result in one fell swoop (or in graduations over time) in the following:
a. Reducing the unnecessarily large gap between our gas prices and those of Europe and the Far East.
b. Unnecessary and frivolous driving will reduce thereby reducing gridlock on our highways and reducing traffic, enormous time and gas waste, as well as car maintenance costs; thereby saving Americans billions at the same time, perhaps, the only and efficient way of combating the incessant Los Angeles parking lots.
c. The fairest of all taxes, as one pays only for use. Less pollution and more sales of gas efficient cars. Everyone pays, whether legal or not, rich or poor. Gas and cars pollute- why not charge for use of highways directly?
d. Monies can be used to reduce pollution directly caused by gas and car use-thus we get to be responsible for our own actions. Money can similarly help improve education.
e. I would also further recommend a two-tiered priority system for our prisons:
1. Minimum services/food/entertainment/lodging for inmates refusing to work
2. Maximum of the above for inmates who are productive and work, thus spending a portion of profits earned in partnership with factories/the world of commerce, and the prison system thus uses balance of profits or salaries to finance the prisons- thus moving toward self-sufficiency.
I would be tougher on hard drugs; legalize marijuana, but tax it to the hilt to ensure minimum use, maximum taxes for rehab and to finance the policing of hard drugs.
Best wishes and good luck!
Saturday, March 1, 2003
Against the War? An Irrelevant Poll (March 1, 2003)
We are asked- Are we against the war? The majority, being against war, any war, as a general principal agrees. And why not? War is horrific and most civilized people are against it.
So am I. But are we asked whether we support forcing Saddam Hussein to relinquish his weapons of mass destruction and desist from producing nuclear bombs and sharing such weapons with the terrorist organizations he covertly supports?
If we were asked such a question I'm sure the majority would, again, say yes, especially if the result of such intervention could include an end to sanctions and the attainment of freedom, democracy and women's rights for the Iraqi people, an increase in the oil supply (and resultant price drop) greater Middle East stability and a dampener on the ambitions of the
world's dictators avidly watching the outcome.
The consequences of no war can and will be more horrific; more costly in the long term than actionless appeasement. And negotiating, without the very real threat of overpowering force, has proven to be meaningless.
No one is for war "per se". The left does not have exclusivity on pity and morality. Responsibility often involves tough decisions, like parenting, like policing. Who will explain to our children that we gave up the high ground to zealots clamoring like barbarians at the gates of our unique civilization awaiting our destruction?
So am I. But are we asked whether we support forcing Saddam Hussein to relinquish his weapons of mass destruction and desist from producing nuclear bombs and sharing such weapons with the terrorist organizations he covertly supports?
If we were asked such a question I'm sure the majority would, again, say yes, especially if the result of such intervention could include an end to sanctions and the attainment of freedom, democracy and women's rights for the Iraqi people, an increase in the oil supply (and resultant price drop) greater Middle East stability and a dampener on the ambitions of the
world's dictators avidly watching the outcome.
The consequences of no war can and will be more horrific; more costly in the long term than actionless appeasement. And negotiating, without the very real threat of overpowering force, has proven to be meaningless.
No one is for war "per se". The left does not have exclusivity on pity and morality. Responsibility often involves tough decisions, like parenting, like policing. Who will explain to our children that we gave up the high ground to zealots clamoring like barbarians at the gates of our unique civilization awaiting our destruction?
Silver Lining in the Cloud (March 1, 2003
There is always a silver lining not always evident in the opaque world of international politics.
Perhaps, France’s current power hungry assertiveness and Germany’s self indulgent pacifism have made it easy, nay even pushed, the rest of Europe into the broad transatlantic alliance against Saddam Hussein and terrorist groups, Europeans that for decades have been both bullied and patronized by the so called self appointed super-powers of Europe: France and Germany.
Perhaps, within NATO and Europe this is the beginning of the final realignment into a new world democratic order of clarity, reality and international responsibility: The final dilution of the influence and power of those two primary participants of World War I and II.
Perhaps, the increasingly strident and autonomous voice of the millions of Islamic fundamentalists in France, seemingly determined to convert France into an outpost of an ascendant Arab world, will result in not only increasing Jewish emigration to Israel (France has the largest Jewish population in Europe), which the latter sorely needs, but it will result also in France finally, against the back drop of all its decades of appeasement politics, having to confront the extreme Muslim elements within its own society that seek the devolution of France into a primitive separation from the modern world. France will then be forced to reconnect with America and its allies confronting anti-Semitism, fascism, fundamentalism and terrorism. This will realign France from the web of both Arab dictators and terrorist groups to the moderate and democratic Arabs everywhere, removing crucial support for the former. Germany, too, has an irreconcilable Muslim volcano brewing in its midst.
Perhaps, Saddam Hussein and the Bin Ladens of the world would be far more dangerous if they did not show their hand, if they were more reasonable and realistic and less implacable and consumed by hatred. Hitler and Japan may have held on to more modest conquests had they not, fortunately for the world, pushed America into the war, thereby “biting off far more than they could chew”. The World Trade Tower mini-genocide (which it was as a work in progress) on September 11th brought the world’s only superpower into conclusive realignment with the most embattled, scapegoated nation in the world, that of the young, small and eminently democratic Israel that was becoming increasingly isolated by a hypocritical Europe riddled with anti-Semitism and by a United Nations world willing to let Israel sink beneath the wave of Pan Arabic politics of jealousy, hate and manipulation, a world that out of ignorance or an antipathy devoid if integrity chooses Libya, Syria and Iraq to head up their crucial committees of human rights, racism, etcetera, etcetera.
Perhaps, it is the megalomaniacle Saddam Hussein who has pushed America, that sleeping giant before 9/11, into a confrontation it cannot win; a confrontation whose resolution will remake the realities of the Middle East in a way Israel on its own could not hope to achieve. Hussein’s departure will, in one fell swoop, reduce logistical, financial, military and spiritual support for Islamic fundamentalists and terror groups world wide, whether directly or indirectly. The message will be sent to all dictators and supporters of terrorist groups: “Your days are numbered- those who sleep with dogs will get up with fleas.”
A democratic Iraq- and historical Iraq was once the leading light in the Middle East- even if imperfect, evolving, learning, will show the way to the surrounding countries as never before. Iran, the powerhouse of the area will be catalyzed into an internal revolution by a people yearning for an end to despotism and a chance at a Western style democracy. The Iranians are more pro American than any other Middle Eastern nation. Like the old European Eastern Block, they appreciate all too well the dehumanizing deficiencies of a totalitarian system.
Jordan, it is clear, cannot wait for Iraq’s boot to be dislodged from off its back. Jordan knows that as a major trading partner with Iraq and with the vast economic benefits of a modest peace with Israel, it would finally achieve its rightful place amongst the democratic and successful nations of the world.
Lebanon, with reduced numbers of Syrian soldiers and Iran and Iraq no longer supporting Hezbollah and their ten thousand rockets aimed at Israel from Southern Lebanon, may also, with Israel’s help, sanitize the terrorist warrens on its southern border and reacquaint itself with its liberal tradition—it used to be the “Riviera” of the Middle East.
Turkey up north, the only reasonably secular and democratic Arab nation, with strong ties to America and its Eastern European allies and intimate involvement with the economic revival of Iraq, will join the democratic crescent sweeping the Middle East from Iran in the east to Lebanon and Israel in the west.
Only Baathist Syria, rooted in its isolation, a vicious and oppressive dictatorship, will be the last to changes. Perhaps the inexorable evolution of all its neighbors will ensure its transition or its self-destruction. Like a phoenix, the new Middle East will arise, and it will be more because of Hussein and Bin Laden than in spite of them.
Egypt, and Saudi Arabia will follow or not, as the case may be. The petty Princes of Arabia, having usurped the power of the people and bankrolled the aggressive expansion of Wahabi fundamentalism world wide, will find that they cannot straddle the fence much longer. They will either be taken over by the anarchic fundamentalism they feed, with explosive consequence, or they will choose to modernize, Westernize and democratize becoming a full partner in the new Middle East.
The Palestinians for their part and without their extreme elements being kept in power by every despot in the region will sue for peace- the moderates thus, will be emboldened, supported and empowered. As the most educated group in Arab Middle East, the Palestinians too, wedged between Israel and Jordan, will become the new entrepreneurs in the area achieving economically, far quicker and easier, what they could not achieve through their suicide bombers.
Perhaps, we should thank the French and Iraqis, the Germans and the Fundamentalists for being so driven and implacable, so unable to compromise and be part of the solution. As part of the problem they are all ensuring a New World Order, one based in Western democracy with, a capitalistic base and politics of integrity. Perhaps.
Perhaps, France’s current power hungry assertiveness and Germany’s self indulgent pacifism have made it easy, nay even pushed, the rest of Europe into the broad transatlantic alliance against Saddam Hussein and terrorist groups, Europeans that for decades have been both bullied and patronized by the so called self appointed super-powers of Europe: France and Germany.
Perhaps, within NATO and Europe this is the beginning of the final realignment into a new world democratic order of clarity, reality and international responsibility: The final dilution of the influence and power of those two primary participants of World War I and II.
Perhaps, the increasingly strident and autonomous voice of the millions of Islamic fundamentalists in France, seemingly determined to convert France into an outpost of an ascendant Arab world, will result in not only increasing Jewish emigration to Israel (France has the largest Jewish population in Europe), which the latter sorely needs, but it will result also in France finally, against the back drop of all its decades of appeasement politics, having to confront the extreme Muslim elements within its own society that seek the devolution of France into a primitive separation from the modern world. France will then be forced to reconnect with America and its allies confronting anti-Semitism, fascism, fundamentalism and terrorism. This will realign France from the web of both Arab dictators and terrorist groups to the moderate and democratic Arabs everywhere, removing crucial support for the former. Germany, too, has an irreconcilable Muslim volcano brewing in its midst.
Perhaps, Saddam Hussein and the Bin Ladens of the world would be far more dangerous if they did not show their hand, if they were more reasonable and realistic and less implacable and consumed by hatred. Hitler and Japan may have held on to more modest conquests had they not, fortunately for the world, pushed America into the war, thereby “biting off far more than they could chew”. The World Trade Tower mini-genocide (which it was as a work in progress) on September 11th brought the world’s only superpower into conclusive realignment with the most embattled, scapegoated nation in the world, that of the young, small and eminently democratic Israel that was becoming increasingly isolated by a hypocritical Europe riddled with anti-Semitism and by a United Nations world willing to let Israel sink beneath the wave of Pan Arabic politics of jealousy, hate and manipulation, a world that out of ignorance or an antipathy devoid if integrity chooses Libya, Syria and Iraq to head up their crucial committees of human rights, racism, etcetera, etcetera.
Perhaps, it is the megalomaniacle Saddam Hussein who has pushed America, that sleeping giant before 9/11, into a confrontation it cannot win; a confrontation whose resolution will remake the realities of the Middle East in a way Israel on its own could not hope to achieve. Hussein’s departure will, in one fell swoop, reduce logistical, financial, military and spiritual support for Islamic fundamentalists and terror groups world wide, whether directly or indirectly. The message will be sent to all dictators and supporters of terrorist groups: “Your days are numbered- those who sleep with dogs will get up with fleas.”
A democratic Iraq- and historical Iraq was once the leading light in the Middle East- even if imperfect, evolving, learning, will show the way to the surrounding countries as never before. Iran, the powerhouse of the area will be catalyzed into an internal revolution by a people yearning for an end to despotism and a chance at a Western style democracy. The Iranians are more pro American than any other Middle Eastern nation. Like the old European Eastern Block, they appreciate all too well the dehumanizing deficiencies of a totalitarian system.
Jordan, it is clear, cannot wait for Iraq’s boot to be dislodged from off its back. Jordan knows that as a major trading partner with Iraq and with the vast economic benefits of a modest peace with Israel, it would finally achieve its rightful place amongst the democratic and successful nations of the world.
Lebanon, with reduced numbers of Syrian soldiers and Iran and Iraq no longer supporting Hezbollah and their ten thousand rockets aimed at Israel from Southern Lebanon, may also, with Israel’s help, sanitize the terrorist warrens on its southern border and reacquaint itself with its liberal tradition—it used to be the “Riviera” of the Middle East.
Turkey up north, the only reasonably secular and democratic Arab nation, with strong ties to America and its Eastern European allies and intimate involvement with the economic revival of Iraq, will join the democratic crescent sweeping the Middle East from Iran in the east to Lebanon and Israel in the west.
Only Baathist Syria, rooted in its isolation, a vicious and oppressive dictatorship, will be the last to changes. Perhaps the inexorable evolution of all its neighbors will ensure its transition or its self-destruction. Like a phoenix, the new Middle East will arise, and it will be more because of Hussein and Bin Laden than in spite of them.
Egypt, and Saudi Arabia will follow or not, as the case may be. The petty Princes of Arabia, having usurped the power of the people and bankrolled the aggressive expansion of Wahabi fundamentalism world wide, will find that they cannot straddle the fence much longer. They will either be taken over by the anarchic fundamentalism they feed, with explosive consequence, or they will choose to modernize, Westernize and democratize becoming a full partner in the new Middle East.
The Palestinians for their part and without their extreme elements being kept in power by every despot in the region will sue for peace- the moderates thus, will be emboldened, supported and empowered. As the most educated group in Arab Middle East, the Palestinians too, wedged between Israel and Jordan, will become the new entrepreneurs in the area achieving economically, far quicker and easier, what they could not achieve through their suicide bombers.
Perhaps, we should thank the French and Iraqis, the Germans and the Fundamentalists for being so driven and implacable, so unable to compromise and be part of the solution. As part of the problem they are all ensuring a New World Order, one based in Western democracy with, a capitalistic base and politics of integrity. Perhaps.
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