Whose Security?
Reader comment on item: War as Social Work?

Submitted by Giulio Battiston (Spain), May 6, 2003 at 18:32

It would be interesting to define what security means to Americans, for if it means going about your daily life without fear of a terrorist attack, that is one thing, and as is evidenced by the efforts of Spain and Northern Ireland efforts to rid themselves of a determined foe, not an easy nor a winnable cause, in a democracy. Under other types of regimes where sectors of state machinery are not subject to legal, moral or ethical constraints, maybe, although Israel's punishing Palestinian terrorists' families casts even that into doubt. South Africa couldn't get rid of terrorism and look at it now. There is very little any state can do against someone armed only with righteous anger and it might be that this is just the weapon that America is now arming its victims with.

If security means going about your daily business without fear of repression then the battle is even harder, and what is currently happening in America under the various acts passed post 9-11 make oppression and repression a daily reality for an increasing number of, like it or not, Americans. The days of Americans being secure in their land are no longer. Was Bin Laden possibly right? Has 9-11 not spawned the very climate any terrorist organisation wishes to create without him needing to lift a finger ? And only through what in my opinion is a complete unwillingness on the part of America to see itself as part of the world.

Only if you can envision and act on peace can that come about. And peace is about sitting with your enemies and working out ways of making it work for all. America shows precious little of that ability. You now influence those who make the decisions and our descendants will live with the consequences. God give you wisdom.!!

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