Topic: War On Terror
I Don't Deny Terrorists... ...when I speak out against the federal government's war on terror, this assumption by many is absurd yet wide-spread and understandable.by Gary Wood
(Conservative Libertarian)
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Today we are subjected to the verbal onslaught of such "patriotic" calls to our ears as the war on terror and the importance of our national security. Since the tragic events of 9/11 our leaders in Washington D.C. and others around this country have effectively rallied many citizens with these passionate words. To a point it has become evident many have closed their critical-thinking ability in blind faith their government is fighting against foreign enemies so that our children may be free from the fears of another such attack.
In many conversations I have encountered this blind allegiance to the worthy cause of our global war on terrorism. If there is any time in a conversation one dares speak out against the government's handling of this so-called war supporters mockingly suggest the person must also be denying the very existence of terrorists or enemies wishing to bring harm against our nation. Their ears and minds immediately close to any further discussion regarding the ways this war is being used to attack our individual freedoms and liberties. Labeling the one as a fool or, even worse a terrorist supporter, they pronounce with pride their support for the leadership's attempts. If there are freedoms that must be denied during this time of emergency so be it, they accept the fact for our national security may be weakened if we do not allow such infringements for a time.
Judge Andrew Napolitano, in his book "A Nation of Sheep," points out many of the violations of citizens' First and Fourth Amendment Rights as well as violations regarding the separation of powers and the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) to name a few. The information provided in his book can be verified by any willing to search for themselves to see if his is a fictional tale or one steeped in reality of what our federal leadership is doing to our freedoms. According to Judge Napolitano, "If our fear of terror makes us give up the rights that make us free, then the terrorists have won." This is a statement I fully agree with.
An assault on our liberty is nothing new in times of great challenges. History teaches us leaders often use national crises as a cover for removing freedom while directly violating the very Constitution they have sworn an oath to uphold. Today this history of abuse is accelerating at a break neck pace while many of our population unwittingly allow it, often with their cheers and support. Beyond the war on terror we need only review legislative bills before Congress to see minor changes that will create major denials of personal liberty moving forward.
Disguised within the safe sounding Clean Water Restoration Act of 2007 (H.R. 2421) is a move to take away all personal, local, and state rights to any water within the United States. This act, with 176 cosponsors so far, will forever change the definition of what constitutes the "Waters of the United States." From Section 4, (24), "WATERS OF THE UNITED STATES- The term `waters of the United States' means all waters subject to the ebb and flow of the tide, the territorial seas, and all interstate and intrastate waters and their tributaries, including lakes, rivers, streams (including intermittent streams), mudflats, sandflats, wetlands, sloughs, prairie potholes, wet meadows, playa lakes, natural ponds, and all impoundments of the foregoing, to the fullest extent that these waters, or activities affecting these waters, are subject to the legislative power of Congress under the Constitution." Section 5 strikes any previous definition of 'navigable waters of the United States' replacing it with 'waters of the United States.'
What does that have to do with the war on terror? Nothing beyond the fact it shows clearly how, under the sounds of good legislative action, our leaders are willing to slowly erode liberty and freedom. After all, who is against something as important as restoring clean water? And who is against protecting our national security by waging a war on terror?
The worst defense against those who sound the alarms of this assault is a very strategic offense. If a person is against the Patriot Act or is against the idea of the FBI being able to freely use National Security Letters to conduct warrant less searches against any and all citizens there must be an underlying reason. Perhaps these very opponents to unfettered power actually have something to hide. After all, the leadership of this nation would not ignore Constitutional rights unless it was necessary to defend our country so anyone opposed to these violations must also oppose security. It is the inherent argument President Bush laid out September 20th, 2001, "Either you are with us, or you are with the terrorists." Yet this is simply not true.
Those opposing the trampling of the Constitution are not in favor of a weaker nation, nor are they denying the existence of or supporting terrorism. Many of us are merely remembering our own oath when we raised our hands in the service of our great country and swore to defend the Constitution against enemies both foreign and domestic. We did not swear to defend our borders, though that is extremely important. We did not swear to defend our leaders, though we will support any and all who uphold their oath. The founders felt so strongly about the importance of maintaining our Constitution this was the paramount foundation in any oath of office for this is the document that strengthens our country above and beyond all others both in times of peace and in times of war.
Subtle changes here and there amount to major losses for the security of our children's future. Strong national defense and security from terrorist attacks can be obtained without the loss of liberty. Robert J. McCracken once said, "We on this continent should never forget that men first crossed the Atlantic not to find soil for their ploughs but to secure liberty for their souls." Ralph Waldo Emerson reminded us, "For what avail the plough or sail, or land or life, if freedom fail?"
The next time someone speaks out against the federal government's handling of the war on terror don't close your mind's eye through false assumption. If you believe the changes being made are subtle or of no real concern as we battle for national security against our foreign enemies remember the words of William O. Douglas, Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court for 36 years. "As nightfall does not come at once, neither does oppression. In both instances, there is a twilight when everything remains seemingly unchanged. And it is in such twilight that we all must be most aware of change in the air however slight lest we become unwitting victims of the darkness."
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The Imperial American Government should end the war against Islam in Iraq and Afghanistan. Thier CIA is imprisoning too many innocent Muslims. Why do the Americans hate Islam so much? Islam is a religion of peace and not terror. Why do the Americans try to destroy our holy faith? What has Islam ever done to America that was not in retaliation to the American Imperialism?
It's notthat Americans, as a whole, want to destroy Islam or Islamic nations. One thing thatcan not be forgotten about America is how diverse it really is.
This war has very little to do with Islam, and much to do with the Imperialistic movement within the hierarchy of the U.S.A. In order for the power of the country to grow, there needs to be an enemy. Something or someone to fear. That fear exploded with two airliners crashing into U.S. buildings.
I'm convinced an Iraq invasion would have happened regardless of 9-11. And war with iran is drawing nearer and nearer. Americans don't hate Islam...but fear is a powerful tool when rallying people against it.
You obviously have not seen the videos of Americans celebrating the Army of American Imperialism that destroys the Arab. They hate islam, making funny Alah and drawing indecent picture of the Prophet Muhammed (peace be upon him). You know what they call Muslim in America? Sand Nigger. Americans are the enemy of Islam. They kidnap the soldiers and followers of Islam and send them to Guantanamo Bay and beat them, they torture them, and they disgrace the Quran in front of them. Americans are the backers of the Jewish devils who steal Palestians land. Why you not talk bad about the Army who is abusing innocent Muslim?
I have never heard that slur in the United States. Of course, I live in a considerably "progressive" state, meaning that racisim in general isn't AS big of problem in California. But I have no doubt that you and other Arabs of different races have encountered racism and hatred in most parts of the world. I can not apologize for them, but I am sorry for you.
I would ask how do you know what happens in Guantanamo Bay? How do you know that Americans do all of those evil things? For the same reason that I don't believe every Arab is a terrorist, or that every Arab would like to see Jews and Americans wiped off the face of the universe, I don't believe in all of those terrible things.
As I said earlier, the fear instilled in both Americans towards Islam and Islam towards Americans, perpetuates the war. I don't demonize my nation's armed forces or yours. It's easy to lay blames on the other...but it becomes good only to make yourself angrier.
Blaming Jews for the hardship of Palestine accomplishes what? Blaming America for Islamic rascism will do not make you happier or stop the hatred. About 65 to 70 percent of Americans don't want to fight Islam, anymore. Some would say that's a product of lives lost, but I don't think so. I think it's just the nature of most Americans who 1. Don't want American Imperialism and 2. Believe in the sovereign right of religions and nations.
Asref...Hatred is contains the seeds of destruction, your hatred is no different than that of the Jews or any other people of the world. If your religion was, as you proclaim, a religion of peace, just as the christians and others proclaim theirs to be, then why show such hatred and contempt?
I doubt your religion because of your own words that witness a type of deep-seated hatred that can only come from worshipping a god of hate and contempt. It is said that a man becomes like the god he worships...how true that is, just look around you, look at the world that religion has created through its vile and contemptuous actions. Whether called by the name of Muslim, Christian or Jew...I see men, based upon their own actions, who must worship the god of death and destruction otherwise we would see a vastly different world then we do.
I hold Christians and Jews in no more respect than I hold Muslims for the simple reason that I see what their adherents do, what they say and what they advocate. You can cry peace, peace all you want to, just like christians cry love, love, but the fact of the matter is that in your heart you are no better than those who either occupy Palestine or those who use their religion to support the invasion and occupation of another nation and the subjugation of another people. The weak support of religious thought to either promote or uphold and, at times, excuse hatred under the cover of that religion is nothing but vileness. I have seen nothing that would cause me to "convert" to your religion or any other because they have not proved worthy of my logic or adherence. I judge your religion by you, just as I just all religions by those who speak for them. Thus far I have not been witness to a religion that comes close to anything more than vain hypocrisy, empty words and even emptier promises.
You want converts, then prove that your "god" is worthy by living the value of that worth. Your words betray the reality of your religion. Yours is no different than the others, your hatred is just as vile as those found within Jews or Christians.
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