Pubdate: Sat, 06 Oct 2001
Source: Salt Lake Tribune (UT)
Copyright: 2001 The Salt Lake Tribune
Contact:  http://www.sltrib.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/383

SIMPLISTIC METAPHOR

War can be even worse as a metaphor than as reality: a state of open, armed 
conflict. The metaphor of war misleads by simplifying and demonizing 
complex social problems, making them even more difficult to address 
effectively. The war on poverty did not end poverty. The war on drugs did 
not end drug abuse. The war on terrorism will not end this evil and 
obscures its real roots in poverty, powerlessness, despair and injustice 
and leads us away from solutions that are consistent with our beliefs and 
values as Americans.

The strategy of dealing with terrorism by military action, as if it were 
war, has been well tested by Israel. Israel's military action, in spite of 
Israel's unchallenged military superiority, has only nurtured terrorist 
organizations by insuring a growing reservoir of poverty, powerlessness, 
despair and injustice in the Palestinian world.

We must deal with terrorists as we would with any mass murderers and their 
accomplices; with a ruthless and relentless pursuit based on the rule of 
law, justice and accountability. We must re-examine our role in the world 
to insure that we are exporting prosperity, democratic empowerment, hope 
and justice. It is only in this manner that we can both dry up the 
reservoir of terrorism and strengthen our great democracy.

ROBERT GREENBERG Moab
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom