General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Obama vs Hersh [View all]sabrina 1
(62,325 posts)might in itself be an interesting topic. Because there was a time, during the Bush years, when Bin Laden was a big topic of conversation on liberal forums.
As far as his choice to choose violence, true, that was his choice, and we used him back in the eighties to help fight the Russians. So while to say he is a creation of the US may not be accurate, he certainly was an ally against a common enemy.
Being such a violent nation ourselves, where force always seems to be the first option, I worry more about our involvement in the lower levels of human behavior, from our use of the military around the world, to the use of torture with no consequences, to our Civilian Police and Prison system, than I do about those who react to that violence.
We seem to have so many enemies. When an individual starts collecting enemies, and/or many of their friends are violent and cruel themselves, those who care about that individual would probably attempt to get some therapy for him/her.
Violence breeds violence. According to Diane Feinstein and her Republican colleague Rep Rogers, both on the Intel committee in Congress and the Senate, we are 'in more danger today than ever'.
So all that violence which was supposed to make us safe, apparently has done the opposite.
You are right to say that people who start holy wars, tend to die violently. I'm not sure who started it, the ME has long been victimized by Western Imperialism, Churchill eg, thought the best way to rid the world of Arabs was to eliminate them completely with chemical weapons. I guess it never occurred to him that people get pretty territorial when they land is invaded. But then, if you don't view people as human, it wouldn't occur to you.
All I know is that if violence and war were the answer, there should have been peace on at least since WW1.
And I still support openness wrt to how our government handles those it accuses of crimes against us, in a court of law, with all the facts laid out. That would end speculation to a great extent.
I don't believe in the 'just trust us' system.