Current stance, after a few weeks of contemplation. was Re: Why Do They Hate Us?

[Jeff Bone]

Gary Lawrence Murphy wrote:

> >>>>> "J" == Jeff Bone <jbone@jump.net> writes:
>
>     J> ... the Taliban (and, more generally, the "extremist" or maybe
>     J> really the mainstream man-on-the-street fundamentalist Middle
>     J> Eastern Islamists) endorse is fundamentally incompatible with
>     J> the things we hold as fundamental and dear principles in the
>     J> West.
>
> So ... now endorsement of a contrary way of life is punishable by
> death without trial.

Did I say that?  I didn't describe any particular means by which we should
correct the situation.  Indeed, if you squint a bit, you can see that I'm
pretty skeptical that a military solution is practical at all.  I think
the course to follow is a diplomatic / economic one.  As in:

Withdraw diplomatic recognition from all non-secular states.
Sever all trade ties and commerce with all non-secular states.
Cease all forms of aid to non-secular states.
Our borders are closed to their citizens.
Our ports are closed to their companies.
Our markets are closed to their financiers.
Apply this principle transitively to any nation that fails to do likewise.

TRULY marginalize any nation which would be a breeding ground of religious
fanaticism.

>     J> We are engaging militarily in order to discredit / defeat /
>     J> destroy --- however impractical this may be --- a way of life
>     J> and set of memes that poses a fundamental threat to "our"
>     J> (i.e. our culture's) own continued existence.
>
> And CrimeThink is now a legitimate charge!  Oh precious day.

If a particular thought system has as a core, irrevocable principle "X
must suffer / die," then X has not only the right but the *obligation* to
eliminate the agency of that thought system.

jb