A number of analysts have observed that although bin Laden was finally killed, he won some major successes in his war against the U.S. "He repeatedly asserted that the only way to drive the U.S. from the Muslim world and defeat its satraps was by drawing Americans into a series of small but expensive wars that would ultimately bankrupt them," Eric Margolis writes. 'Bleeding the U.S.,' in his words." The United States, first under George W. Bush and then Barack Obama, rushed right into bin Laden’s trap... Grotesquely overblown military outlays and debt addiction... may be the most pernicious legacy of the man who thought he could defeat the United States” -- particularly when the debt is being cynically exploited by the far right, with the collusion of the Democrat establishment, to undermine what remains of social programs, public education, unions, and, in general, remaining barriers to corporate tyranny.
from Noam Chomsky's reflections on Osama Bin Laden and the anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, Was There An Alternative?
may I copy this? it's stunning to contemplate.
ReplyDeleteHuh. Interesting, indeed. And it makes a lot of sense.
ReplyDeleteSome time after we sent troops to Afghanistan, I heard someone on NPR, a Quaker, I believe, speculating on what might have happened if Bush had offered to meet with Bin Laden and talk about why Al Queda attacked. I'm pretty sure there was an alternative. But it's hard to contemplate how we might not have lost all those lives to the wars we are fighting without becoming nauseated, I think.
ReplyDeleteOn NPR yesterday I hear two authors speak about the "economic" decline of our country and the decision to chase after terrorism rather than focus on our lack of porductivity and how that decision has bankrupted us... similar themes.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if humans will ever evolve to the point where we choose to beat out swords into plowshares. To learn to reach out instead of lash out.
ReplyDeleteMaybe this is our true purpose on this earth- to finally learn that lesson. I don't know.
I think the majority of political decisions are driven by emotion ( including mine). The discussions are held in the realm of logic, but I think the political decisions rarely are. I don't know exactly where to go with that thought, but I must say I am mesmerized by the photo. It is looks like Judy Garland, if she had landed in a 1950's kitchen instead of he Land of OZ.
ReplyDeleteScarily, eerily true and we only wander farther away from where we need to be. On the list of things I wish weren't so...
ReplyDeleteBudget deficits always hit the people with no voice, no power...but we still maintain billions in subsidies to oil companies....
ReplyDeleteI wish more people in power would take Chomsky's words to heart (all of them, not just on this particular subject).
ReplyDeletesigh.