Socrates' Poison

Have we learned anything from the 9/11 report?

2004-07-22T22:34:00.001-07:00

More terrorist attacks are on there way.

"We do believe we are safer today than we were on 9/11," the commission's chairman, former New Jersey Republican Gov. Thomas Kean, said. "But we are not safe." 9-11 Commission's Web site

What should be the nation's next step? My opinions are slowing solidifying into convictions. Why are we still not safe? I believe it has something to do with Israeli settlements in the West Bank.

The United States has supported Israeli settlements in the Occupied Territory for a long time. Last December, the general assembly of the United Nations drafted a resolution concerning those settlements. Resolution A/58/98, "Reiterates its demand for the complete cessation of all Israeli settlement activities in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and in the occupied Syrian Golan" These words got approval with an overwhelming international vote of 156 to 6. The loudest vote of disapproval, from that small party of six, was from my country America. Why?

Either way, this ardent support has brought the Settlers eradict enemies to our door. As reported byTerry McDermont in the LA Times just last July 23rd, "Khalid Shaikh Mohammed, the man who conceived and directed the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, was motivated by his strong disagreement with American support for Israel, according to the final report of the Sept. 11 commission."

I'm afraid this is the main issue. American opinion is supporting the Jewish settlements (by silence or shouts) and is by default infuriating the Arab extremists.

Last June 14th Tom Brokaw was discussing this very idea with King Abdullah of Jordan. King Abdullah was talking about many issues, mostly Iraq, when he explained outrightly, "And none of us have any hope for the — a true future in the Middle East or the rest of the world for that matter if we don't solve this critical core issue of the Middle East. I don't think people understand how emotional the Israeli/Palestinian issue is in our region . . . If we don't solve this problem then the future is not gonna be a bright one for any of us." (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5210771/.)

Why would "they" keep attacking us? What is the next step? If what King Abdullah says is the case, then Americans may not be safe until they demand that their Representatives, Senators, and President explain, with satisfaction, why the U.S. supports Israeli expansion into occupied territory.

We need to seriously discuss the complex issues because, in the meanwhile, America's support for Israel is bolstering an Islamic cry for Palestinian injustice, and extremist like Khalid Shaikh Mohammed will be heard by any means possible . . . more suicide attacks on American soil.

But why did the terrorists attack?

2004-07-22T22:34:00.000-07:00

I am praising the 9/11 Commission and all their hard work. It was the responsible path in case of another attack, and I believe America needs a better self-defense from an enemy who knows no negotiation.

But, in all the coverage so far, and in all their work I fail to see an examination of a critical question . . . why did the terrorists attack? What motivated their hate?

The 9/11 Commission doesn't address this question, but shouldn't somebody?

Our Congress could bolster intel and communication with airport metal detectors. They could create the best world class American shield, but if we could only understand our enemies, and understand why they attack in the first place maybe those strong, vigilant, and wonderful bureaucracies wouldn't have to work so hard. Am I wrong?

I need your Worldview!

2004-05-24T13:28:00.000-07:00

I'm a Worldview High School teacher up here in the Seattle area and I need your comment

I had a college professor who claimed that there was five main questions, if answered honestly, could bring to surface a person's actual worldview.

As a teacher, I'm curious if this is true!

These are the before mentioned questions

Where can I find the truth?
Where did I come from?
What is God like?
What is mankind's hope for dealing with a messed up world?
What happens to me at death?

I invite comments, brutally honest ones, on one or more of these questions. Thanks.