Comment on: How would you assess the American response to Terror?

Bigthink — Sat, 19 Jan 2008 23:03:16 +0100

My greatest frustration is that the public face of the US response to the threat of international terrorism presents the US as the blameless victim and the courageous defender of freedom. Any suggestion that some action on the part of US government or corporate interest might have been excessive, ill-timed or inappropriate is immediately labelled as an attempt to "blame America first". There is big difference, in my mind, between blaming the US first, and refusing to hold the US blameless.

My current perception is that the US government position would read as "We're not doing anything wrong, and we won't change anything we're doing, except to better defend ourselves against attack. And if the best defense is a good offense, we will attack preemptively." This may create a temporary greater sense of security at home, but I fear that it only erodes an already shredded goodwill abroad.

I hope, and faintly believe, that there may be some back-channel negotiation taking place, where potential adjustments in US policy and practice are discussed. My further hope is that this activity can increase and soon see the light of day. It is the only way to rebuild trust and goodwill.

Bigthink - Idea Comments Feed

Comment on: How would you assess the American response to Terror?