Yeah, but WHY does Al Qaeda fight?
Helen Thomas finally asks a great question:
…and gets the same stupid answer we’ve always gotten.
Helen Thomas asked what they’ve been able to uncover (really? is it that secret?) about the motivation for the Christmas Eve attacks.
John Brennan, former chairman of the National Counterterrorism Center, basically ignores the question: “Al Qaeda is an organization that is dedicated to murder and slaughter of innocents…” blah blah blah…hijacked Islam, blah blah blah… All this is what they did, not why they do it.
Thomas: “So you’re saying it’s because of religion?”
Beat. Brennan is dumbfounded. Why, because they just want to kill us, obviously. “I’m saying it’s because Al Qaeda is an organization that uses the banner of religion in a very perverse and corrupt way.”
Thomas: “Why?” Why, oh expert on counterterrorism, do they do that?
Brennan: “This, uh, this is a, a long issue, but Al Qaeda is just determined to carry out attacks here against the homeland.”
No duh, slick. But you didn’t answer WHY they were determined.
There were two at least semi-reasonable answers he could have given, but both of them were avoided because of inviolable taboo.
1.Yes, Helen, it’s because of their religion. Islam is just all about killing everyone that’s not Muslim.
Now, I happen to think this is sheer nonsense. Muslims somehow practiced their religion for centuries without terrorizing the wealthy and powerful nations of the world. Sure, their religion (like Christianity) can be radicalized, but Islam is no more essentially characterized by terrorism than Christianity is by blowing up abortion clinics — or by staying in a perpetual war against the Muslim infidels. So yeah, I think this answer would have been wrong, but at least it’s an answer.
2. Because foreign nations (one in particular) with starkly differing cultures have been sitting there in their backyards and dictating their political and economic reality for decades upon decades.
Bingo. The imperialism of the West and our persistent determination (this administration is no exception) to keep our hands in their affairs has radicalized them. The religion merely gives them added fervor and moral justification to fight for the reversal of this injustice.
Can you imagine anyone associated with an active administration actually saying that?
It was embarrassing for sure.. and such a simple question. I was left thinking – “yeah why??”. But the politics of security and energy in the middle east is immensely complicated. Without plundering for oil – what would’ve happened to the strength and security of the US (and the West) in the 20th century? Europe would’ve been eaten by the Soviet Empire for sure, and who knows about the rest of Eurasia and Americas. There could be made the case for a lot more frightening scenarios than what we have today.. Not defending anything – merely paraphrasing Kissinger – with foreign policy as a “choice of lesser evils”..
Good point. Things are very different now. And I’ve got this uneasy feeling of fire spreading throughout region.
But nice blog – both commentary and about-page!
I appreciate the encouragement! I’m keeping an eye on your blog.
A little late here – but thanks! A couple of blog-buddies is super for inspiration and keeping the blog alive and thriving.
Stay in touch!