December 10, 2002
Doublethink
So, the argument goes something like, "We have a right to carpet-bomb Afghanistan in retaliation for September 11."
Okay. Let's leave aside the inconvenient facts -- none of the perpetrators were Afghan nationals, the Taliban offered to extradite bin Laden, the Security Council wasn't consulted, innocent civilians were wantonly killed, etc. -- for now, and just presume that it's a sensible position.
If the U.S. has such a right, does Nicaragua have a right to invade the United States? Does Haiti? Does the Sudan? Does Iraq? Does Vietnam? Does El Salvador? Does Korea? Does Guatemala? Does Japan? Does Greece? Does Libya? Does Panama? Does East Timor? For these countries, along with others almost too numerous to count, have all suffered terrorist atrocities either directly at the hands of the United States, or indirectly through U.S.-sent weaponry. Atrocities that, given the relative wealth and infrastructure levels of these (ahem, "dark-skinned") countries, caused far greater damage to their societies.
This seems such an obvious truth that it's almost embarrassing to even mention it. Yet, I can't count the number of times that bringing up this point has resulted in the cessation of an e-mail exchange. Is it that I'm supposed to automatically presume that we "don't count niggers" when speaking of the rights of human beings? But even if so, why couldn't just one person e-mail me back saying, "Hey, you seemed to have forgotten that we don't count niggers."? At least then I'd be up-to-speed, yeah?
Posted by Eddie Tews at December 10, 2002 09:58 PM
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