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  1. #1
    Moderator idesign's Avatar
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    Default European (and other) Perspectives

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    Whipping boy Bush

    Five years after 9/11, philosopher Andre Glucksmann looks at

    the logic of the new Chicago, asking how we will face today's world of extended gang warfare.


    The

    attack on the World Trade Center is never-ending. The horrors of September 11 still set hearts and minds aquiver.

    Increasing numbers of Americans (79 percent compared with 72 percent a year ago) and Europeans (66 percent, up from

    58 percent in 2005) consider international terrorism a "massive threat" (according to a

    survey conducted by the German Marshall Fund and the Italian San

    Paolo society).

    snip

    In the media, the commemoration of the fifth anniversary of the attacks on New York and

    Washington often turned into an exorcism seance with George Bush as the perfect whipping boy. When attacks

    and threats increase, he is to blame. When terrorists here and at the other end of the world engage in unscrupulous

    murderers, this is his sorry legacy. When in Iraq the faith war swells, when Muslims in Morocco, Algeria,

    Afghanistan and Indonesia slaughter each other, when Iran builds nuclear weapons, then they don't look for those

    responsible, it is Bush and Bush again.

    snip

    In the past, people used to stick dolls with pins to ward off bad

    luck and kill evil spirits. In our day we apostrophise the supposed master of the world, accusing him of abusing his

    "superpowers". He is the cause of all our evils. If he disappeared, universal harmony would be

    re-established. Our magical behaviour wins on two counts. While our finger points to the cause of world chaos, our

    angelic smile assures that once the evil power has been paralysed, everything – the dove and the snake, the lion and

    the lamb – will coexist in harmony. Five years ago, public opinion was riveted on the mastermind of the largest

    terrorist attack in the history of the world. Now, however, on September 11, 2006, all eyes are on the abominable

    Bush and the lunatic America. The bloody instigators of the massacre fade from memory, to the point that they

    desperately attempt to get back into the limelight with video cassettes drawing attention to their presence.

    But

    let's be serious. Whatever his trials and whatever his errors, Bush did not invent the planetary extension of a

    terrorism that existed well before he came to power, and will continue no matter who succeeds him. The Cold War

    stopped with the fall of the Soviet empire, but the cold warriors have been there all along.

    The

    article originally appeared in German on

    Perlentaucher on September 21, 2006


    http://www.signandsight.com/features/964.html


  2. #2
    Moderator idesign's Avatar
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    Default Khaleej Times

    Aijaz Zaka Syed,

    opinion editor of the Khaleej Times in Dubai

    despairs about the situation in Mumbai. He is sick

    and tired of terrorists claiming to be acting in the name of Islam. "It's all very well for us to say Islam

    has nothing to do with extremism and terrorism. We can go on deluding ourselves that these psychopaths do not

    represent us. However, the world finds it hard to accept this line of argument because it sees extremists

    increasingly assert themselves and take centre-stage while mainstream Islam remains silent. The great

    religion that preaches and celebrates universal brotherhood, equality and peace and justice for all has been

    hijacked by a demented, minuscule minority. And, as my friend says, only Muslims can solve this problem. Only

    Muslims can confront these anarchists in their midst. Only they can get their faith freed from the clutches of

    extremism. This is no time to hide. It's time to stand up and speak out. For the terrorists will continue to speak

    on our behalf, until we do. This is no time for silence. Enough is

    enough
    !"

    http://www.signandsight.com/features/1802.html


  3. #3
    Moderator idesign's Avatar
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    Default

    Spiegel Online

    "One didn't have

    to be a cadet on Tuesday to feel a bit of nausea upon hearing

    Obama's speech. It was the least

    truthful address that he has ever held. He spoke of responsibility, but almost every sentence smelled of party

    tactics. He demanded sacrifice, but he was unable to say what it was for exactly.

    The American president doesn't

    need any opponents at the moment. He's already got himself.
    "


  4. #4
    Moderator belgareth's Avatar
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    Default

    I think Obama's sacrifices are

    directed at large tax increases to pay for his programs. With a little luck and a large dose of good sense, Obama's

    health care will fail. At that point, he loses a lot of his remaining credibility and it gets a lot harder for him

    to pass any further programs. It also could lead to a large shift to a more conservative congress in 2010, which

    would make him a lame duck.

    One can hope.
    To compel a man to subsidize with his taxes the propagation of ideas which he disbelieves and abhors is sinful and tyrannical.

    Thomas Jefferson

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