Re: Chomsky

I believe Richard is to be commended for speaking out and for reminding the rest
of us that it is possible to do this even in a difficult time. I will try to do
as well.

Paul

Richard N Hutchinson wrote:

> On Fri, 14 Sep 2001, David Wolsk wrote:
>
> > I feel it's important to develop widespread global support for an
> > alternative to "war" against the perpetrators: e.g., an ultimatum to
> > Afganistan: turn over Bin Laden for trial before the Hague world court, or
> > face the consequences.
>
> What's your alternative?  An ultimatum implies an "or else," so you
> end up with war anyway since I'm sure Bin Laden is not waiting around in
> Afhghanistan for the U.S. troops.
>
> *** *** *** *** ***
>
> The NY slogans are good:  Islam is Not the Enemy, War is Not the Solution.
> (Work for peace and justice is less good, though correct.)
>
> I just finished speaking out against the impending war for the first time
> here in conservative Utah, both in my classes and in a campus-wide open
> forum, and I feel like it was an important contribution.
>
> Whatever your personal beliefs, pragmatically speaking I think one of the
> best approaches in a largely Christian society is to contrast the Old
> Testament "eye for an eye" doctrine to the New Testament's "do unto
> others" and "love your neighbor."  Beyond that, pointing out the futility
> of military attacks or war as a solution to the problem of terrorist
> networks did not meet any serious logical counterarguments.
>
> My colleagues seem hesitant, with good reason, but I am still planning on
> holding an educational event soon on the background of the recent tragedy,
> ie a history of U.S. policy in the Middle East/SW Asia, who trained Osama
> bin Laden, the nature of Islam, and so forth.
>
> RH
>