A military response, particularly an attack on Afghanistan, is exactly
what the terrorists want. It will strengthen and swell their small but fanatical
ranks.
Instead, bomb Afghanistan with butter, with rice, bread, clothing and
medicine. It will cost less than conventional arms, poses no threat of US
casualties and just might get the populace thinking that maybe the Taliban don't
have the answers. After three years of drought and with starvation looming,
let's offer the Afghani people the vision of a new future. One that includes
full stomachs.
Bomb them with information. Video players and cassettes of world leaders,
particularly Islamic leaders, condemning terrorism. Carpet the country with
magazines and newspapers showing the horror of terrorism committed by their
"guest". Blitz them with laptop computers and DVD players filled with a
perspective that is denied them by their government. Saturation bombing with
hope will mean that some of it gets through. Send so much that the Taliban can't
collect and hide it all.
The Taliban are telling their people to prepare for Jihad. Instead, let's
give the Afghani people their first good meal in years. Seeing your family fully
fed and the prospect of stability in terms of food and a future is a powerful
deterrent to martyrdom. All we ask in return is that they, as a people, agree to
enter the civilized world. That includes handing over terrorists in their midst.
In responding to terrorism we need to do something different. Something
unexpected... something that addresses the root of the problem. We need to take
away the well of despair, ignorance and brutality from which the Osama bin
Laden's of the world water their gardens of terror.
(This article was forwarded to us by a friend. We share it with you as
a very positive alternative to what is being suggested by politicians and the
military.)
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