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 - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom