Date: Fri, 14 Sep 2001 12:08:30 +0000
From: "Larry W. Chappell" <larchap-AT-tecinfo.com>
Subject: Re: recent events


There is something odd about chastising "Americans" for arrogance and
then instructing us on how to conduct elections. No advice on elections
for Afghanistan? There is also something peculiarly arrogant about
thinking that the FIRST response to a vicious attack on civilians should
be to rethink foreign policy.

The distinction between state-sponsored and non-state sponsored terrorism
is porous. Surely a list where the distinction between private and public
decisions in capitalist societies is treated with skepticism should show
similar skepticism about terrorists who could not flourish without being
harbored by a host country.

Please note: I am offering no conclusions about how to think about
foreign policy -- just offering some comments about how to put policy in
context.

Clare O'Farrell wrote:

> Let me begin by emphasising how shocked and horrified I am  by the
> loss of life in the recent events.
>
> I really worry with Bush at the head of the US at present. Listening
> to him is like watching a bad right wing propaganda film from the
> 1950s. All this stuff about 'attacks on democracy' when it's really
> about attacks on US foreign policy. Neither is a question of an 'act
> of war' - it is a terrorist attack not an attack by another state. As
> one Arab leader said the US really needs to reexamine its foreign
> policy.
> The administration and government needs to examine why the US is
> generating so much hatred and do something about it. I think one of
> the things that annoys non Americans (not just the Arab world) most
> about the US is its insularity and lack of respect or even awareness
> of the rest of the world and the fact that it thinks it knows best
> how other nations should conduct their affairs. Bush has been pretty
> disastrous so far. I think the US would benefit from the introduction
> of compulsory voting at elections which might induce people to vote
> for someone sensible and educate themselves politically and about
> what is going on in the rest of the world!!
>
> What also really worries me is the hatred that this event will
> generate on both sides and that people will start thinking that all
> Arabs are inhuman terrorists. As Foucault says terrorism merely
> entrenches those attacked in the conviction of their rightness.
> Terror invokes terror and blind obedience. The state will use it as a
> means of bringing dissident voices into line. It must be said as well
> that Islamic fundamentalism is a major problem for everyone including
> for more moderate Islamic people.
>
> Can I recommend this excellent site by American journalists trying to
> speak out in opposition to the overwhelming media jingoism?
> http://www.workingforchange.com/
> --
> Clare
> ************************************************
> Clare  O'Farrell
> email: panopticon1-AT-iprimus.com.au
> website: http://home.iprimus.com.au/panopticon1/
> ************************************************