Bush: Is it Really a War?
Reader comment on item: In the Mideast, Bush dared to be different

Submitted by Dan Rusen (Canada), Oct 25, 2004 at 03:07

For three years we have accepted the Bush doctrine of "War On Terrorism" to be something realistic and solid. I disagree at least partially. The Bush actions are certainly to be lauded as far as they go, but they lack resolution if not conviction.

Back in the '40s America declared war on the last axis of evil - quickly taking up arms and vanquising Italy, and then concentrating on Germany and Japan. And what was done back at home while the boys were away? Profiling, that's what. All possible members of the German-American Bund were arrested and their families watched. And the Japanese were rounded up and interned without any hesitation. From radio to newspapers to movies the enemy was quickly identified and his negative images reinforced. THAT is how you take war seriously. Unless and until Bush - and for that matter ALL leaders of the west - get serious about this so-called war on terrorism, then there is no hope of stopping the world wide violence. From universities to TV religious broadcasts Islamists are spewing hate-filled rhetoric and fomenting Jihad against Israel and the west - especially the "Great Satan". Absolutely nothing is being done to deter this.

Putting a stop to Immigration from Islamic countries and muzzling the very identifiable enemy would go a much longer way to winning this war than any of the Bush/Ridge solutions. Until that day comes around, a lot of fine English and American youths will be sacrificed on the twin altars of liberalism and political correctness.

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