cannabisnews.com: They Can't See Why They Are Hated
They Can't See Why They Are Hated
Posted by FoM on September 13, 2001 at 00:03:35 PT
By Seumas Milne
Source: Guardian Unlimited
Nearly two days after the horrific suicide attacks on civilian workers in New York and Washington, it has become painfully clear that most Americans simply don't get it. From the president to passersby on the streets, the message seems to be the same: this is an inexplicable assault on freedom and democracy, which must be answered with overwhelming force - just as soon as someone can construct a credible account of who was actually responsible.
Shock, rage and grief there has been aplenty. But any glimmer of recognition of why people might have been driven to carry out such atrocities, sacrificing their own lives in the process - or why the United States is hated with such bitterness, not only in Arab and Muslim countries, but across the developing world - seems almost entirely absent. Perhaps it is too much to hope that, as rescue workers struggle to pull firefighters from the rubble, any but a small minority might make the connection between what has been visited upon them and what their government has visited upon large parts of the world. But make that connection they must, if such tragedies are not to be repeated, potentially with even more devastating consequences. US political leaders are doing their people no favours by reinforcing popular ignorance with self-referential rhetoric. And the echoing chorus of Tony Blair, whose determination to bind Britain ever closer to US foreign policy ratchets up the threat to our own cities, will only fuel anti-western sentiment. So will calls for the defence of "civilisation", with its overtones of Samuel Huntington's poisonous theories of post-cold war confrontation between the west and Islam, heightening perceptions of racism and hypocrisy. As Mahatma Gandhi famously remarked when asked his opinion of western civilisation, it would be a good idea. Since George Bush's father inaugurated his new world order a decade ago, the US, supported by its British ally, bestrides the world like a colossus. Unconstrained by any superpower rival or system of global governance, the US giant has rewritten the global financial and trading system in its own interest; ripped up a string of treaties it finds inconvenient; sent troops to every corner of the globe; bombed Afghanistan, Sudan, Yugoslavia and Iraq without troubling the United Nations; maintained a string of murderous embargos against recalcitrant regimes; and recklessly thrown its weight behind Israel's 34-year illegal military occupation of the West Bank and Gaza as the Palestinian intifada rages. If, as yesterday's Wall Street Journal insisted, the east coast carnage was the fruit of the Clinton administration's Munich-like appeasement of the Palestinians, the mind boggles as to what US Republicans imagine to be a Churchillian response. It is this record of unabashed national egotism and arrogance that drives anti-Americanism among swaths of the world's population, for whom there is little democracy in the current distribution of global wealth and power. If it turns out that Tuesday's attacks were the work of Osama bin Laden's supporters, the sense that the Americans are once again reaping a dragons' teeth harvest they themselves sowed will be overwhelming. It was the Americans, after all, who poured resources into the 1980s war against the Soviet-backed regime in Kabul, at a time when girls could go to school and women to work. Bin Laden and his mojahedin were armed and trained by the CIA and MI6, as Afghanistan was turned into a wasteland and its communist leader Najibullah left hanging from a Kabul lamp post with his genitals stuffed in his mouth. But by then Bin Laden had turned against his American sponsors, while US-sponsored Pakistani intelligence had spawned the grotesque Taliban now protecting him. To punish its wayward Afghan offspring, the US subsequently forced through a sanctions regime which has helped push 4m to the brink of starvation, according to the latest UN figures, while Afghan refugees fan out across the world. All this must doubtless seem remote to Americans desperately searching the debris of what is expected to be the largest-ever massacre on US soil - as must the killings of yet more Palestinians in the West Bank yesterday, or even the 2m estimated to have died in Congo's wars since the overthrow of the US-backed Mobutu regime. "What could some political thing have to do with blowing up office buildings during working hours?" one bewildered New Yorker asked yesterday. Already, the Bush administration is assembling an international coalition for an Israeli-style war against terrorism, as if such counter-productive acts of outrage had an existence separate from the social conditions out of which they arise. But for every "terror network" that is rooted out, another will emerge - until the injustices and inequalities that produce them are addressed. Note: Americans cannot ignore what their government does abroad.Newshawk: puff_tuff Source: Guardian Unlimited, The (UK)Author: Seumas MilnePublished: Thursday, September 13, 2001Copyright: 2001 Guardian Newspapers LimitedContact: letters guardian.co.ukWebsite: http://www.guardian.co.uk/Related Articles:Special Report: Terrorism in The U.S.http://www.guardian.co.uk/wtccrashU.S. Lines Up Support for Strike http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread10898.shtmlWho’s The Mastermind? http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread10897.shtmlPowell Flies Home After Terrible, Terrible Tragedyhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread10896.shtml
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Comment #32 posted by kaptinemo on September 14, 2001 at 08:27:34 PT:
Old 'news', my friend
This was taken from the mid-1970's when America bashing after Viet Nam was a popular sport amongst many nations of the world. A lot's changed since then. It's one thing to stand up and defend one's honor in dangerous neighborhood; it's another when you've had a very large hand in making that dangerous neighborhood.So many evil things have been done and continue to be done in the name of Americans, by their highly secretive and conspiratorial 'leadership'. Too many to catalog here. Suffice to say, American foreign policy now reflects a paraphrasing of an old saying:"What's good for General Motors is good for The Planet".A corporately-controlled leadership whose agendas have nothing to do with the original vision of America as delineated by Washington, Franklin, Jefferson, Madison, Paine, and the other Founders; fallible men, all, with plenty of 'warts', but they would recoil in horror at seeing what they fought so hard for us to perverted as it has been. Yes, I love my country...but I am not blind to it's excesses. Being a cannabis consumer, I have no choice but to look at them with a sharp, if jaundiced, eye.
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Comment #31 posted by J.R. Bob Dobbs on September 14, 2001 at 08:05:11 PT
Our foreign policy isn't ALL bad
In times like these, with the discussion of how the US Foreign Policy is to blame, it's wise to stop and remember that we're not TOTALLY evil. The following article makes the point very well.++++++++++TRIBUTE TO THE UNITED STATES by Gordon Sinclair, Canadian commentatorThis, from a Canadian newspaper, is worth sharing:America: The Good Neighbor. Widespread but only partial news coverage was given recently to a remarkable editorial broadcast from Toronto by Gordon Sinclair, a Canadian television commentator. What follows is the full text of his trenchant remarks as printed in the Congressional Record:"This Canadian thinks it is time to speak up for the Americans as the most generous and possibly the least appreciated people on all the earth. Germany, Japan and, to a lesser extent, Britain and Italy were lifted out of the debris of war by the Americans who poured in billions of dollars and forgave other billions in debts. None of these countries is today paying even the interest on its remaining debts to the United States.When France was in danger of collapsing in 1956, it was the Americans who propped it up, and their reward was to be insulted and swindled on the streets of Paris. I was there. I saw it.When earthquakes hit distant cities, it is the United States that hurries in to help. This spring, 59 American communities were flattened by tornadoes. Nobody helped.The Marshall Plan and the Truman Policy pumped billions of dollars into discouraged countries. Now newspapers in those countries are writing about the decadent, war-mongering Americans.I'd like to see just one of those countries that is gloating over the erosion of the United States dollar build its own airplane. Does any other country in the world have a plane to equal the Boeing Jumbo Jet, the Lockheed Tri-Star, or the Douglas DC10? If so, why don't they fly them? Why do all the International lines except Russia fly American Planes?Why does no other land on earth even consider putting a man or woman on the moon? You talk about Japanese technocracy, and you get radios. You talk about German technocracy, and you get automobiles. You talk about American technocracy, and you find men on the moon-not once, but several times-and safely home again.You talk about scandals, and the Americans put theirs right in the store window for everybody to look at. Even their draft-dodgers are not pursued and hounded. They are here on our streets, and most of them, unless they are breaking Canadian laws, are getting American dollars from ma and pa at home to spend here.When the railways of France, Germany and India were breaking down through age, it was the Americans who rebuilt them. When the Pennsylvania Railroad and the New York Central went broke, nobody loaned them an old caboose. Both are still broke.I can name you 5000 times when the Americans raced to the help of other people in trouble. Can you name me even one time when someone else raced to the Americans in trouble? I don't think there was outside help even during the San Francisco earthquake.Our neighbors have faced it alone, and I'm one Canadian who is damned tired of hearing them get kicked around. They will come out of this thing with their flag high. And when they do, they are entitled to thumb their nose at the lands that are gloating over their present troubles. I hope Canada is not one of those."=====
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Comment #30 posted by kaptinemo on September 14, 2001 at 05:27:10 PT:
The 5th Surah of the Holy Q'ran says it all
"In the name of God...he who saves the life of one man, it shall be as if he has saved the lives of all men."Poor transposing on my part, but you get the drift.We can no more blame the true adherents to Islam for this that we can the true adherents to Judaism or Christianity for the atrocities committed by fanatics of those religions, either. (The Muslims have long memories of what supposedly 'Christian' crusaders did in the Holy Land, hundreds of years ago; it was that bad.)But, in every country, in every religion, there's always some jerks who will try. God save us all from yahoos.
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Comment #29 posted by Rambler on September 14, 2001 at 01:08:28 PT
What does god have to say about this?
For the answer,let's see what gods supposed ambassadors to the US have to say: Partial transcript of comments from the Thursday, September 13, 2001 edition of the "700 Club" JERRY FALWELL: And I agree totally with you that the Lord has protected us so wonderfully these 225 years. And since 1812, this is the first time that we've been attacked on our soil and by far the worst results. And I fear, as Donald Rumsfeld, the Secretary of Defense, said yesterday, that this is only the beginning. And with biological warfare available to these monsters - the Husseins, the Bin Ladens, the Arafats - what we saw on Tuesday, as terrible as it is, could be miniscule if, in fact - if, in fact - God continues to lift the curtain and allow the enemies of America to give us probably what we deserve. PAT ROBERTSON: Jerry, that's my feeling. I think we've just seen the antechamber to terror. We haven't even begun to see what they can do to the major population. JERRY FALWELL: The ACLU's got to take a lot of blame for this. PAT ROBERTSON: Well, yes. JERRY FALWELL: And, I know that I'll hear from them for this. But, throwing God out successfully with the help of the federal court system, throwing God out of the public square, out of the schools. The abortionists have got to bear some burden for this because God will not be mocked. And when we destroy 40 million little innocent babies, we make God mad. I really believe that the pagans,and the abortionists, and the feminists, and the gays and the lesbians who are actively trying to make that an alternative lifestyle,the ACLU, People For the American Way - all of them who have tried to secularize America - I point the finger in their face and say "you helped this happen." PAT ROBERTSON: Well, I totally concur, and the problem is we have adopted that agenda at the highest levels of our government.And so we're responsible as a free society for what the top people do. And, the top people, of course, is the court system. JERRY FALWELL: Pat, did you notice yesterday the ACLU, and all the Christ-haters, People For the American Way, NOW, etc. were totally disregarded by the Democrats and the Republicans in both houses of Congress as they went out on the steps and called out on to God in prayer and sang "God Bless America" and said "let the ACLU be hanged"? In other words, when the nation is on its knees, the only normal and natural and spiritual thing to do is what we ought to be doing all the time - calling upon God. PAT ROBERTSON: Amen _______________________________________________So who are the religious zealots?Who are the radical factions who are fanatical extremists that would justify atrocities in the name of defending their own concepts of who GOD is,and what he would want people to do,or how he would want them to think?The name of God is being used to justify everything,as it has been throughout history.The 700 club,is more like the 666 club!These people are just as disallusioned as their counterparts in the Moslem,and Islamic faiths.People who know God,know that they know God,and it's between them and God,not between themselves,and other people who say they know God better.If someone tries to tell you what God thinks,then you know they are not to be trusted,because God is the only one who knows what God thinks,and no human brain can fathom that,or know it.
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Comment #28 posted by freedom fighter on September 13, 2001 at 23:11:51 PT
idbsne1
I admire you my friendYes, I am a christian who respect anyone's religion as long they do not do harm. You have said the best. I want to be your friend.I would gladly die for you. So do not be afraid. You are among a family that care and love just the way people are as long one does not cause sufferings.I am glad that you posted your posting. You are one mightly cool muslim!There are two different classes of americans..Amer-I-can= typical folk who will help just about anyone..Amer-I-kan= typical folk who love to hate and make war...I choose to be an Amer-I-can for I love human beings. My heart cries out when one of Amer-I-kan thought they were better than anyone else. I only can try to pour hot coals of kindness in hope that one of Amer-I-kan would change into Amer-I-can.God bless you idbsne1!ff
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Comment #27 posted by Rambler on September 13, 2001 at 21:04:47 PT
another good article
Edward S. HermanOne of the most durable features of the U.S. culture is the inability orrefusal to recognize U.S. crimes. The media have long been calling forthe Japanese and Germans to admit guilt, apologize, and pay reparations.But the idea that this country has committed huge crimes, and thatcurrent events such as the World Trade Center and Pentagon attacks maybe rooted in responses to those crimes, is close to inadmissible.Editorializing on the recent attacks ("The National Defense," Sept. 12),the New York Times does give a bit of weight to the end of the Cold Warand consequent "resurgent of ethnic hatreds," but that the United Statesand other NATO powers contributed to that resurgence by their ownactions (e.g., helping dismantle the Soviet Union and pressing Russian"reform"; positively encouraging Slovenian and Croatian exit fromYugoslavia and the breakup of that state, and without dealing with theproblem of stranded minorities, etc.) is completely unrecognized.The Times then goes on to blame terrorism on "religious fanaticism...theanger among those left behind by globalization," and the "distaste ofWestern civilization and cultural values" among the global dispossessed.The blinders and self-deception in such a statement are trulymind-boggling. As if corporate globalization, pushed by the U.S.government and its closest allies, with the help of the World TradeOrganization, World Bank and IMF, had not unleashed a tremendousimmiseration process on the Third World, with budget cuts and importdevastation of artisans and small farmers. Many of these hundreds ofmillions of losers are quite aware of the role of the United States inthis process. It is the U.S. public who by and large have been kept inthe dark. Vast numbers have also suffered from U.S. policies of supportingrightwing rule and state terrorism, in the interest of combating"nationalistic regimes maintained in large part by appeals to themasses" and threatening to respond to "an increasing popular demand forimmediate improvement in the low living standards of the masses," asfearfully expressed in a 1954 National Security Council report, whosecontents were never found to be "news fit to print." In connection withsuch policies, in the U.S. sphere of influence a dozen National SecurityStates came into existence in the 1960s and 1970s, and as Noam Chomskyand I reported back in 1979, of 35 countries using torture on anadministrative basis in the late 1970s, 26 were clients of the UnitedStates. The idea that many of those torture victims and their families,and the families of the thousands of "disappeared" in Latin America inthe 1960s through the 1980s, may have harbored some ill-feelings towardthe United States remains unthinkable to U.S. commentators.During the Vietnam war the United States used its enormous militarypower to try to install in South Vietnam a minority government of U.S.choice, with its military operations based on the knowledge that thepeople there were the enemy. This country killed millions and leftVietnam (and the rest of Indochina) devastated. A Wall Street Journalreport in 1997 estimated that perhaps 500,000 children in Vietnam sufferfrom serious birth defects resulting from the U.S. use of chemicalweapons there. Here again there could be a great many people withwell-grounded hostile feelings toward the United States.The same is true of millions in southern Africa, where the United Statessupported Savimbi in Angola and carried out a policy of "constructiveengagement" with apartheid South Africa as it carried out a hugecross-border terroristic operation against the frontline states in the1970s and 1980s, with enormous casualties. U.S. support of "our kind ofguy" Suharto as he killed and stole at home and in East Timor, and itslong warm relation with Philippine dictator Ferdinand Marcos, also mayhave generated a great deal of hostility toward this country among thenumerous victims.Iranians may remember that the United States installed the Shah as anamenable dictator in 1953, trained his secret services in "methods ofinterrogation," and lauded him as he ran his regime of torture; and theysurely remember that the United States supported Saddam Hussein allthrough the 1980s as he carried out his war with them, and turned ablind eye to his use of chemical weapons against the enemy state. Theircivilian airliner 655 that was destroyed in 1988, killing 290 people,was downed by a U.S. warship engaged in helping Saddam Hussein fight hiswar with Iran. Many Iranians may know that the commander of that shipwas given a Legion of Merit award in 1990 for his "outstanding service"(but readers of the New York Times would not know this as the paper hasnever mentioned this high level commendation).The unbending U.S. backing for Israel as that country has carried out along-term policy of expropriating Palestinian land in a major ethniccleansing process, has produced two intifadas-- uprisings reflecting thedesperation of an oppressed people. But these uprisings and this fightfor elementary rights have had no constructive consequences because theUnited States gives the ethnic cleanser arms, diplomatic protection, andcarte blanche as regards policy.All of these victims may well have a distaste for "Western civilizationand cultural values," but that is because they recognize that theseinclude the ruthless imposition of a neoliberal regime that servesWestern transnational corporate interests, along with a willingness touse unlimited force to achieve Western ends. This is genuineimperialism, sometimes using economic coercion alone, sometimessupplementing it with violence, but with many millions--perhaps evenbillions--of people "unworthy victims." The Times editors do notrecognize this, or at least do not admit it, because they arespokespersons for an imperialism that is riding high and whoseprincipals are unprepared to change its policies. This bodes ill for thefuture. But it is of great importance right now to stress the fact thatimperial terrorism inevitably produces retail terrorist responses; thatthe urgent need is the curbing of the causal force, which is therampaging empire.________...Edward S. Herman
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Comment #26 posted by JSM on September 13, 2001 at 18:04:35 PT
War and Freedom....
My oldest son is stock broker and, of course, we were discussing the horrors of this week. Some interesting points - what freedoms will we sacrifice to feel safe? He mentioned that the government has the ability to ease drop on every phone conversation as well as all communication over the net. Naturally, he felt that if this was necessary, then the government should do so. It is scary is to think that citizens feel this way.Freedom is not free. But it is stupid to throw freedom away for the illusion of safety. People have and will die for freedom, but nobody wants to die for a coporate empire. This is want we have become and if we continue to sacrifice our rights in the futile search for a world without risks, then nothing worth dying for will be left.
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Comment #25 posted by The Offspring on September 13, 2001 at 16:27:46 PT
America and the World.
I can name a few instances where the U.S. is ignorant of other countries. 1)Jamaica is in the process of legalizing Marijuana, the U.S. Government threatened them by withdrawing aid. 2)The U.S. sponsered spraying of Coca crops in Colombia which may be harming people and other crops. 3) The U.S. is backing out of the Kyoto treaty which may countries worked so hard to complete. 4) The U.S. is developing a missile defence system which other countries are weary of(imagine China or Iraq developing one) and also may be in violation of a treaty which I'm not sure of the name. 5) Canada is going towards Drug reform but the U.S. is opposed to any Country thinking for its self. 6) The U.S. slapped a duty on Canadian lumber which will make it more expensive for Americans to build and buy homes(Whatever happened to free trade). 7) The U.S. is basically sponsering Israels mudering of Palestinians(And Americans wonder why some of the Palestinians were celebrating). I could name some more but I don't have the time. All I'mm trying to say is if your Government wants these attacks to stop they have to change their foreign policy. I don't want to see anymore death and destruction. I want Peace in the World. The World is praying.
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Comment #24 posted by bill marko on September 13, 2001 at 15:09:47 PT
chaos
people can't group the american people to the US government's actions. The majority of the american people just want to live in peace, much like other contries. Another part of the american public know about what the US does to other contries, and are mad as well, but we are just as helpless and also being suppressed ourselfs by our insane government officals, and being stupified by our media. And the US's innocent people are being killed and terrified because of the wrong choices that the US Government makes. God help us all.
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Comment #23 posted by sam adams on September 13, 2001 at 14:58:54 PT
wow,
interesting discussion everyone. I hadn't really thought about it, but yes of course we must restrain the knee-jerk reaction of hatred and vengeance. But I don't think any of things we've done abroad justify what happened Tuesday. This is just such a complete bummer. More Americans will die in the ensuing war that we now face. People will die who had nothing to do with it. We'll never be morally perfect as a nation, but we could sure improve a lot. I think we all have to refrain from seeing things black and white. There is a lot of good in our country to go with the bad. And unfortunately, sometimes it's necessary to use our forces to go to war...who would deny that Hussein needed to be stopped? We had the right idea...but the wrong reason...oil and money instead of helping people. He wiped out a million Kurds after we left. Talk about generating bad karma.
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Comment #22 posted by Dan B on September 13, 2001 at 13:33:41 PT:
Perhaps, this will clarify my position
"I love my country, but I hate what it has become."That is what I said a week ago to students in my composition class. Yesterday, we discussed Tuesdays attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, and in doing so I brought up the very relevant issue of why this happened. Only a handful of people would even acknowledge that America fosters this kind of hate with its own policies toward other countries. I was sickened by the response of many students when I suggested that it was wrong to withold federal aid to foreign countries if those countries do not uphold U.S. policies against their own good consciences, and the arrogance of forcing countries to have American military installations built on their soil if we give them any type of aid--money which they often need simply to be able to feed and house their people.My students were shocked that I would suggest these things are wrong. "Well, we should get something in return!" they said. I pointed out, then, the example of "Plan Colombia," in which we are sending hundreds of millions of dollars to prop up the Colombian military, known to work hand-in-hand with the paramilitaries who commit literally untold atrocities at a rate three times greater than anything done by the FARC. I told them that our money is being used to force Colombia to spray poisons on large sections of the rain forest, and that this is being done against the will of the Colombian people. Still, they cannot see why America is not loved by one and all.How brainwashed must these kids be? Yet, the violence continues.As I have said in previous posts, I believe that it is right to hunt down and punish those who are truly responsible for these actions. But, in doing so we must be certain that we are truly punishing the guilty and not the innocent. While there are many good reasons for hating America, there is nothing that can justify mass murdering 5000 people, mostly civilians. Having said that, we have plenty of mass murderers in power today in America, and we have plenty who continue to thrive in this country behind the scenes of power. Pick a large corporation, and there you will find mass murderers. Pick a government building, and there you will find mass murderers. These are facts, and they must be dealt with.I understand that some American corporations have moved their operations overseas, to places like Indonesia, so that they can take advantage of cheap labor there. How cheap? One report is that people are making as little as 18 cents a month!!! This is not "cheap labor;" this is slave labor. Now, think of it this way: how long could you sustain your life at 18 cents per month? Not long. So, in effect, these are not just policies of cheap labor, not just policies of slavery--these are policies of murder.For those who said to me that I "don't get it" in previous posts, rest assured that I do. You may believe differently than me about what to do about this, but I resent the arrogance implicit in the assumption that just because I don't express my opinion the way you do, I somehow "don't get it." While I am fully behind actions to root out the people who are responsible for these actions, I also recognize that the primary responsibility in this country right now should be to identify those things that have caused the rest of the world to hate us so much and change them! We must stop the careless disregard for human life.We must end our hatred of people based on the color of their skin, the manner of their dress, or the way in which they worship.We must understand that maybe fifty people carried out this attack, but many, many more than that--U.S. policy makers, corporate abusers of humanity, and yes, the Taliban government--are responsible for it. We must hold accountable everyone responsible for these attacks. One more thing: there can be no escaping that while the nature of these attacks was political, and that these attacks were aimed at sending a message to the U.S. government, it would be completely irresponsible to disregard the rights of those who lost friends and family to their anger and their need to see some form of punishment for these acts. While it is correct to say that we should not compound the tragedy with more tragedy, I believe that we should seek out those responsible and bring them to justice. And if you haven't yet figured out what I mean by "those responsible," I suggest that you read the above one more time.Apology accepted, Lehder.Dan B
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Comment #21 posted by bruce42 on September 13, 2001 at 13:07:19 PT
thoughts
The events of the past few days have wrenched at our most base emotions: fear, anger, sadness, and hope. I must thank C News for providing this forum for so many of us to express our thoughts and feelings. Living as we do in a society that often condemns truly free speech, it is refreshing to have a way to communicate to fellow human beings without the fear of being silenced or ignored by those who would rather ensure that the world is presented to the public as a series of well orchestrated sound bites.I can't possibly begin to imagine the horrors faced by the brave men and women cleaning up the carnage left by the Tuesday attacks on New York and Washington and the plane crash near Pittsburgh. I hope I never have to face such a thing. I have beeen reading everyone's comments and have decided to express my own thoughts. Personally, I am not suprised the attacks occured nor am I angry that they happened. I felt that such an attack was inevitable- we should know better than to simply assume that because we are Americans, we are safe from the nasties of the world. Sooner or later, the government's destructive policies would generate a response on a scale approaching those of the many illegal actions the American government has pursued. I cannot be angry. At what or whom am I to be angry? Shouldn't I be angry that a dozen or more men that with the conviction of their zealous devotion to their beliefs took their own lives and the lives of thousands? And I answer, why? Why am I to be angry at something that was inevitable? This was going to happen. When was the only question, and that has been answered. To deny this fact is to deny the truth that hatred exists in this world and much of it is directed towards America. I can understand why friends and family of the victims of the attack are angry, but, however difficult it may be, they must not allow their anger to overshadow reason. They must realize that no good can come of retaliation or revenge- in the end it will destroy them. Instead they must grieve their lost friends and family and apply the energies of their emotions to rebuilding their lives and their environment. I understand it is easier said than done, but the truth is the truth. We can kill whoever we want, but what good will it do? How do you kill a thought or an idea? As I see it, worldwide extermination of the human race is the only way to do that. Many of us have asked, "How can we let this go unpunished?, How can we let these people walk all over us?" Who do we punish? The men who died? The men who promote the ideas of hatred? Well then, if we are so bent on controlling thought, then we need to reconsider our position on the Drug War. How hypocritical, how like the government we are. We want freedom of thought but only when it suits us. However, I do agree that anyone who knowingly, directly supports terrorism with funding, training, arming, and law is guilty of the act of terrorism. As of yet though, I have seen no proof of this support for these recent attacks, yet. When the proof comes I will support action, but only under the guarantee that no "collateral damage" is done. On this note, I think we need to seriously consider our own government. We have ample proof that they have supported terrorism and therefore I support action against the U.S. government, but only under the guarantee no "collateral damage" is done. That is why we have a court system. Justice is required, not random acts of violence. If we take action against terrorists, then it must be the action of submitting them to judgement under a court of law and reason. I will never support killing for the sake of killing. I think we agree that punishment for a crime against society should fit that crime. That is why I resist the Drug War. People are punished and killed for pursuing their rights to life, liberty, and happiness. There is no reason behind the Drug War. It is simply hate for the sake of hate; killing for the sake of killing.But why do these acts of terrorism happen? The hatred towards America and Americans is generated by the policies of our government and the perceived attitudes of the public. We must remember that America is presented to the rest of the world through the eyes of the media much as the world is presented to us. We must not allow ourselves to be ruled by the images and sounds spewed forth by a corrupt media. We now live in a world where the attitudes of people and policies of governments are shaped by the appearance of those attitudes and policies in the media- not by reason and thought. In retaliation of the hatred expressed against us, the American government has declared war on hatred, on terrorism, on a faceless enemy. The American people allow this to happen because the people have allowed themselves to be ruled by emotion and the media. Many are angry and sad and do not understand the hatred that was expressed so violently on Tuesday morning. WE are the source of it, and WE are the target of it. Yes, America has done many good things, and yes America is a relatively great place to live, but we have done many bad things and this can be a very bad country to live in. We cannot ignore the fact that America's deeds have simply come back to haunt her, and as long as we commit bad deeds we will not be free of acts of hatred.When all is said and done though, what I do feel is sadness. My heart is heavy with the knowledge that men whose hearts are full of hatred and righteous zeal can, have, and will kill to make their beliefs known and to ensure that hatred will continue to flourish in the hearts and minds of their followers and their victims. My heart is heavy with the knowledge that we have allowed hatred to fill our hearts and minds and to guide our hands to wield destructive and deadly force against fellow humans. If you do not believe this then realize that muslims are being threatended and beaten in cities across America right now. My heart is heavy with the knowledge that in this country that was founded on the ideas of freedom and justice, the government of the people, by the people, and for the people sees fit to ignore and enslave the people.We cannot allow the powers that be to ignore the rights of American citezins to pursue life, liberty, and happiness any longer. We canot allow them to promote and enforce policies of hatred and ignorance. We cannot allow our fellow citizens to take away our rights to life, liberty, and happiness. And we cannot allow ourselves to succumb to base emotion and the propoganda of evil displayed before us on our TV's. Our voices must be heard and our thoughts must be known.Please consider my words, consider your emotions, consider your rights, consider the rights of your brothers and sisters, consider your actions, and strive to understand them. Without reason and understandng and without consideration of our fellow beings, we can never achieve peace. Never.The great experiment of Democracy has failed. It must be reborn. Push hatred out of your hearts and minds. Focus the terrible enrgies of destruction into energies of creation- grow a plant, write a letter, say a prayer, paint a picture, speak your peace- let the government know that you will no longer stand for their policies of hatred. It is time we remade the goverment by, for, and of the people.If my words have upset you and you feel compelled to respond, then please consider that I have had no joy in writing this, and I doubt it has given you joy to read my words. I feel no hatred, for I have not felt hatred for a long time. I pushed it out of my heart a long time ago. It was a long and difficult journey on a path I did not see until I realized I was at the end. Explaining it is difficult so I leave it for you to ponder; all I know is that the hole it left has been filled with the sadness of this world. But please, whatever you do, do not give in to your emotions, do not allow the media to rule your thoughts. We are capable of thinking for ourselves, understanding our emotions, and acting on reason.I hope I have made some sense. I hope we all realize that we can NOT destroy hatred with hatred. I hope the world can change. We live in dangerous times. Have faith in your mind and your abilities.I am going to away for a while to listen and think. Thank you all for listening and speaking your minds. This has been hard for all of us. I hope someday my heart can be free of its burden of sadness; I hope all our hearts can.
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Comment #20 posted by Cannabis Dave on September 13, 2001 at 12:47:00 PT
Terror can't be stopped if they're willing to die.
We need to address the reasons America and its allies (the "West") are hated in muslim countries and much of the third world in general. The policies that spawned the WTO protests are what need to be addressed - we can't let our government continue to dodge their responsibility. Our government caused this tragedy by attracting hatred with their immoral colonialist policies abroad. No matter how much money is spent, or how careful the security measures used are, terror can't be stopped if people are willing to die while attacking us. As Israel keeps finding out, suicidal terrorists can't usually be stopped. The current tragedy was the result of a few terrorists working together in concert, but the weapons used to carry-out the acts were very low-tech, and steering an airborne plane into a target is very easy to do. Frankly, I'm surprised it didn't happen sooner: ever since I read about a terrorist flying a fully fueled commercial jet into the capitol building at the end of one of his books, I've wondered why it hasn't really happen - now it finally has! As a country we need to carefully consider what we do next, because going to war against Afganistan would be a big mistake. The terrorist organizations are in dozens of different countries, so we need to use intelligence networks and special forces to root them out. Unfortunately, Bush feels a need for some drastic action to appease Americans, so he'll probably walk right into the trap and will lead us into a disasterous war in Afganistan. I pray the I am wrong, but that is the way things look right now. The terrorist knew we would react like that - they have a plan, and it is far from over yet. They want to drag us into a war on their side of the world, because they know that is the only way they can defeat us. I pray that we don't get involved in a counter-productive war over there, but that is the way things are headed...
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Comment #19 posted by Toker00 on September 13, 2001 at 12:16:26 PT
Now they know.
I don't think the government quite knew just what it feels like to be terrorized by their jack boot stormtroopers. I don't think they understood what they are doing to the American people is no different than what they are doing worldwide to gain control of the world. But this terrible incident shows them what is like to be surprised and jackbooted. Victims of the War on Drugs have known this feeling for decades, now. A lot of Americans are showing their support for our fascist govenment, but I think they are doing it blindly. This wasn't just some great idea a fanatic had to get his message across. This is turning the spoon filled with American sponsored terrorism medicine around and forcing it back into the mouth of the dispensor. Don't like the taste of it, huh FEDS?Before you flame me, hear me first. I am a veteran of war. Vietnam era. I am a patriot whose patriotism has been smashed by the arrogant practices of fascism. Call it Corporatism, it's all the same. I agreed to defend til death the CONSTITUTION of the UNITED STATES. That document has been rendered null and void by the fascist government in control. But I still defend it. And will fight to the death to have it re-established along with the bill of rights. The terrorist attack on the WTC is no different than the terrorist attacks that have been going on in this country for decades against it's own citizenry. Seems a bit of their own medicine has been forcibly injested. Now that they know how bitter it is, will they continue to dispense it to the people who are only excersizing their constitutional rights?There are two wars going on in this country. One against the citizens, and now one against those people of the world who see the evil empire for what it really is. The American people will be the ones who suffer most. But the American people will be the ones who will end BOTH these wars. Vote out fascism and vote in REAL democracy. Change world policy so that we don't have to ever worry about these kinds of attacks on America. FACE THE FACTS, YOU FASCIST FEDERAL PIGS!! Give America back it's freedom, and leave the world the fuck alone!! (Sorry FoM)Peace. Realize, then Legalize.
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Comment #18 posted by Ethan Russo, MD on September 13, 2001 at 11:48:34 PT:
Hate Builds Upon Itself
idbsne1, I really appreciate your thoughts. I wish I could shake your hand in person as a one Jew to one Muslim. Our world will find a way out of this quagmire only if we are willing to look past prejudices and judge individuals by their actions, not by their color, religion, beliefs, or drug of recreational choice.
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Comment #17 posted by Patrick on September 13, 2001 at 10:06:23 PT
HATE SUCKS
First of all, this highly visible act of terror has me doing a lot of self-examination. So my comments here are currently more of an emotional response than a rational response. The news and talk on CNN etc. of the taking away of more freedoms to insure more security is just as terrifying as seeing those planes fly into the WTC. Those of us that have been arrested and jailed for smoking pot distinctly understand oppression for our lifestyle and beliefs. It makes us more aware of the authority, laws, uniforms and side arms, shot guns, gas masks etc. I value my police force but I also fear it. Some may wonder why I fear my police? Watch COPS and for one moment in your life, put yourselves in the shoes of the recipient of a no knock raid. Can you not see the terror? People at work challenged me that this would not happen if you obeyed the law. And I reminded them the law also says drive the speed limit. Did you obey the law on the way here today? NO, was the reply. I love the principles for which America was founded upon. I do not love the twisted corrupt system it has become. America will survive. The current government powers will pass. We have to fight and wave the Constitution every chance we get. If our country had been following the principles of this document more closely, it can be argued we would be more loved around the world.I personally know how our system of drug laws can be used to cage others and myself for engaging an activity harming no one. Locked up for smoking marijuana! This is why I have remained detached and very secretive for 20 years about my recreational use of cannabis. The less people that know my habit, the less chance I would ever get thrown in jail again. I recently decided to quit hiding and remaining silent about the non-harm of marijuana. Twenty years of use and I am healthier, happier, than I have ever been in my life. I found this website recently and instantly realized others like myself put themselves out there on the front lines of the effort to end prohibition and I became ashamed for my silence. Then the Rainbow Farm Tragedy struck and our voices, our collective shock was silenced everywhere in the mainstream media. I then realized that comments about the "corporate media" were not the ranting of idiots but the TRUTH. The American media is censored at the highest level. Have you seen the video images of this latest terror act on Mexican TV? The horror they showed over and over of so many bodies falling was "conveniently" edited out for the american masses. We have been witnessing homegrown terror and hate for cannabis users for a long time. I am glad I have found camaraderie here at cannabisnews.com. Those of us that have actually lived outside of the US for any amount of time have a unique perspective on global affairs. I have lived with people who see the Americans as the foreigners. This is a perspective many Americans do not have. So I can understand why american people living for years and years only obtaining american media perspectives do not understand why America is hated. They do not see the dirty deeds people from this country commit on other nations. It is "national security," it is hush hush. But other countries see it. And when they "feel" that they are backed into a corner, they lash out with all their HATE for America. I don't condone this act by any means but I think I understand its motivation.Traveling to a foreign land for vacation is not gonna give the average "rich" american a foreign viewpoint. So I can also understand americans when they collectively say and ask, America only helps the world. "Why do they hate us? If we want to prove to the world how good a nation we are? Then we will seek out only those responsible for this act of terror and only punish them. We will not carpet bomb innocent people. We will not look at Arabs as evil people. We will reexamine our priorities and our laws. We will stop playing with foreign governments like it is a chemistry experiment. We will not harbor HATE in our collective heart. I am deeply saddened by the loss of life from this attack. I believe the war on drugs is finally over because of this incident. We just need to finish up the paperwork and make it official.
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Comment #16 posted by FoM on September 13, 2001 at 10:06:16 PT
idbsne1 you just made me cry
Be safe and thank you!
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Comment #15 posted by idbsne1 on September 13, 2001 at 10:02:16 PT
I am proud of the people here!!
I am a muslim. I am an American. Die hard for both.I am so comforted by this article AND the words you have all written. Yesterday I was on ABC.com and read MANY of the IGNORANT words on the bulletin board. I was disheartened. I was afraid.I am a patriot through and through, and to see the words that alot of these people were posting, angered me... pure prejudice. I am proud to be a toker. Our oppression is not so different.I am horrified by the events of Tuesday, and offer my condolences to the families and friends... my prayers are with you. Many of my friends live in Manhattan, and I still don't know for sure their whereabouts. This article speaks THE TRUTH. Americans are disliked throughout the world strictly for our ignorance and bullying. We have our hands places that would make our forefathers choke. Sam Adams.... the Arabs are NOT the same as the Middle East... are NOT the same as Pakastanis...but in our ignorance, we just lump them together. The muslims in that part of the country don't really give a sh*t about the oil, man. Most of them never see it considering they are dirt poor. THE reason we are not liked is because of our affiliation with Israel... the fact that we BACK them, no matter how HORRIBLE their atrocities are against muslims. Even when Israel is WRONG. This is the reason. America plays big brother... only when we can benefit, however; when innocent people are being killed (muslims), they turn their back. Karma works in mysterious ways.... I WILL give praise to the US for stepping in on Milosevic... this action was NOBLE and necessary. The US gained a lot of respect in the East for this action.As a sociologist professor said... the people who know MORE about LIFE and SOCIETY and the way it works... are oppressed people... the old, the fat, the poor, the female, the non-white, the homosexual, the weed smoker, etc....they have their eyes open; they have to. Americans (in general)are ignorant... complacent....content. Many of the countries today, especially in the East, live with this death and destruction EVERYDAY. To hear a New Yorker ask how they could do this during working hours? Pure Ignorance.I love you all. I am renewed with a positive sense after this article and your words. I was so torn earlier between my anger for ignorant Americans and my love for this country. Now, I am optimistic. FoM, thank you for ALL your posts.Anyone else reading this... please remember:THEY WERE NOT MUSLIMS... THEY WERE MURDERERS.idbsne1
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Comment #14 posted by Sudaca on September 13, 2001 at 09:41:18 PT
chipping in
in reality most people I've spoken to are of a similar mindframe. All shocked and perturbed at the actions, all willing to help , all angry and afraid at the extreme irrational violence that this demonstrates. And some have been touched in the core of their patriotism and their love of country.Forget the reasons, those of you who are sickened at this moment of hearing criticism against the US. Think about the consequences of what this country can and may end up doing. Right now, those of you who are crying out with the need to hurt someone BEWARE. This reaction is just about the only sure prediction you could make based on the attack on 9/11. Do you think the masterminds would for a moment believe that killing tens of thousands of civilians would result in a withdrawal from US foreign policy? ... I can't believe anyone would be that stupid.So what are the effects of the attack? Normally peaceful people are now willing to suspend their reason in order to vent the pain and anger on someone else.Will you feel better if the US nukes Palestine, Afghanistan, Pakistan? Will killion millions of people salve your heartache? Will bombing (excuse my fr) the FUCK out of every towelhead you can see (again excuse me but this is the language of hatred I'm seeing) restore the lives of the people in NY?This has been a massive red flag waved over the eyes of the most dangerous country in the world. And like a cow, its starting to stampede in some direction.. STOP and think. These acts should not be left unpunished but before the shit hits the fan make DAMN sure that you're hitting the right target. I come from a country that was lied to for 30 years, and enough people swallowed the lies that the country cooperated with the perpetrators and ended up harboring and defending those who are now known as Criminals agains Humanity.I don't think we here on this forum have any control of the events that will happen, but open your eyes look, and don't legitimize more violence and terror into this world.
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Comment #13 posted by ekim on September 13, 2001 at 09:37:17 PT:
Question to Mr.Woosley today on Diane Ream NPR
The show ended before Mr.Woosley had a chance to reply. I am just posting this so we can exchange ideas of what we can offer in this time of need and reason.Mr.Woosley as the top hemp lobbyist do you think it is time to allow thefarmers of the USA the right to grow Hemp for fuel. Mr. Nader has said wecan produce many billions of gallons of this fuel. Is there currently agroup of lawmakers that support the idea of the USA being moreself-sustaining. In World war 2 Hemp for Victory was put into effect,allowing our farmers to grow Hemp should we do this again. Thank you Mike
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Comment #12 posted by Doug on September 13, 2001 at 09:02:42 PT
This seems so familar
A sudden horrible event...Pressure to go to war...Voices of dissent unheard or considered unpatriotic.I'm very worried about what could happen; I can even see the possiblity of a nuclear event in the near future. The quatrain from Nostradamus seems freightenly suggestive. And certain more police state at home is in the offing.So the question becomes, will we be able to pull out of this rush into the pits, or is it too late to stop the deadly momentum?FoM -- I certainly don't consider this article "anti-American", but it is the truth. I'm glad you posted it. I read it earlier today on the Guardian Web site, and it is one of the better things I've seen.
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Comment #11 posted by New Mexican on September 13, 2001 at 08:58:14 PT
You're the best!
FOM: I think we all trust your judgement and applaud your choices of articles. Keep on keeping on. You set a great example for us all, by doing what you do, and doing it so well!Thanks from everybody here and all those who read but don't comment!Suggestion to all: Attend a prayer vigil, as this is where we can come together and make a difference. "These are the worst of times, these are the best of times." Dickens
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Comment #10 posted by sam adams on September 13, 2001 at 08:56:13 PT
wait a second here, Mr. English writer boy
This guy's got to get his story straight - are there legitimate reasons for the Arabs to hate us, or not? First they like us b/c we helped them fend off the Russians. Then we're bad because we bombed Yugoslavia and other areas where genocide of innocents was occurring. The only reason we've sided with Israel is because the rest of Europe didn't to a goddamn thing to help the Jews in the first half of the century, so guess who had to help them build a state where it's safe - that's right, the same arrogant bastards that bailed out the English in WWII.The real reason the Arabs hate us is because of the Gulf War - where we really fought to protect the oil supply, but we also saved half the Arab countries from being conquered by Hussein as well. I didn't see England complaining too much when our ground forces did all the dirty work. As I remember, the English air force took a beating in that war, if it wasn't for us, what would have happened in that war? There are a lot of valid reasons for Europe to resent us (environment, bullying drug policy, etc.) but I don't think Arab hatred of us is one. If we weren't the biggest target, they'd be picking on Europe instead........
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Comment #9 posted by FoM on September 13, 2001 at 08:36:10 PT
You all are the best
Hello Everyone,I am looking for news once again and am having a terrible time. Drug related news has just stopped. It is understandable though. I don't like posting anti american news articles but it is the truth. I am proud to be an American. I am sadden beyond belief. I am concerned that any anti american news could cause a negative reaction and I will be very cautious. I pray for the families, the fireman, policeman and volunteers that are helping to recover the bodies of those who are no longer on this earth. God Bless America.
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Comment #8 posted by michael on September 13, 2001 at 08:24:42 PT:
More of us than you think.
I think more of us understand why this happened than you think. Many Americans don't have a forum and or the verbal skills to be heard in public, but they are out there.
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Comment #7 posted by Dankhank on September 13, 2001 at 07:56:33 PT
applause
Applause for the commentors here that seem to be miles ahead of our leadership in understanding the impetus for the tragic events of recent days.While no one here would suggest that the air attacks are anything but gut-wrenching heartaches, I shake my head in admiration for the wealth of common sense shown here.Guess it takes persecution to understand persecution.In any case, my profound sympathy to those who have lost loved ones.I pray we can come out of this stronger and wiser, but I am not optimistic for our leadership.Peace and Love to ALL...
HEMP n STUFF
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Comment #6 posted by MikeEEEEE on September 13, 2001 at 06:12:10 PT
Anti-american?
But for every "terror network" that is rooted out, another will emerge - until the injustices and inequalities that produce them are addressed.This statement isn't anti-american, it's very rational. Any country should listen to decent, not walk away from conferences and treaties.
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Comment #5 posted by greenfox on September 13, 2001 at 05:59:11 PT
Cannabis, non-cannabis, etc.
hello everyone it's your favorite foxy again. Listen this is probably going to get me flamed right off the board, but please- :) I am only commenting.I don't know who did this or why, but this i DO know: the US LOVES it. (What? Are you f*cking crazy? get outta here gf!!!) Well, here's why I say that:More guns (as Jefferson Airplane said, "war's good business"More warsMore deathMore hatredAnd how ironic.. just in time for another recession (sp?)You know what really blows my mind? We MAY even go after Iraq. Does ANY of this seem familiar to ANYONE here?Jurrassic Park, JP IIDessret Storm, Desert Storm IIhmmm oh well Canada's looking nice.Sllllllllly in green and FOXY in KIND-gf (the one and only!)
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Comment #4 posted by Ethan Russo, MD on September 13, 2001 at 05:51:07 PT:
Essence of Democracy
The essence of democracy includes the right and necessity to listen to different voices, as exemplified by this article. It is not pretty, but the dissent from the conventional wisdom must be heard.At this juncture in history, our "leaders" must be reminded that:Arabs did not do this, but suicidal fanatics did.Egyptians did not do this, but suicidal fanatics did.Saudis did not do this, but suicidal fanatics did.Afghanis did not do this, but suicidal fanatics did.Muslims did not do this, but suicidal fanatics did.A nation did not do this, but suicidal fanatics did.Revenge is tempting, but wisdom must be cultivated.Any actions will provoke a corresponding reaction with ramifications far beyond the imagination of politicians who disregard history and human psychology.It is a good time to listen to the dissent, and genuinely attempt to understand it. Perhaps then a reasonable approach to the situation will come to mind, at least to the few creative and pensive leaders in the world. It is a shame that Gandhi and Martin Luther King are not here to guide us, but if I were Bush, I would be calling Nelson Mandela and the Dalai Lama right now.
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Comment #3 posted by The GCW on September 13, 2001 at 05:34:57 PT
Bulling the cannabis smokers,
makes us more aware of what has been happening. Perhaps more than other citizens are able to comprehend, since we have had to live with it in America.
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Comment #2 posted by tdm on September 13, 2001 at 05:21:59 PT
letter of thanks
This was so refreshing, I had to thank the writer. Herewith my letter:Thank you, thank you, thank you for your special report "They can't see why they are hated." There are a small minority of Americans who feel exactly the same. Unfortunately, our voices are drowned out by the "free press" here who are under the illusion, fed to them by our government as usual, that our country is a target because it represents the "beacon of freedom and democracy" in the world. Safeguarding freedom and democracy, after all, was George the First's justification for Operation Desert Storm. Was it 20,000 Iraqi civilians dead? The emperor has no clothes.The attackers' motive is dismissed here because it employs violence against innocents, while we ignore the deaths of millions wordlwide at our own hands, condoning our own violence because we are "protecting our interests." I'm not sure which is more despicable, killing scores of innocent people because you feel it's your religious duty, or propping up your economy on the backs of millions of corpses. At least religious zealots are honest about their motives.Thank you again.Peace,Tim DeMossTulsa, Oklahoma, Amerika
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Comment #1 posted by someone on September 13, 2001 at 04:00:59 PT
excellent article
Yes,it seems that most americans are naive on this one, they cant figure that their country has been pretty much bulling the world,but its happening,its been happening for ages. Even though the attacks were horrible,the US kind of needed this wake up call even though it was done completely wrong. All i know is that under the Dubya administration (oh yeah i remembered,he didnt win the election heh) everything will be back to normal after this,and the seeds of a even worse terrorist disaster will be sown due to our carelessnes ,ingnorance and arrogance.
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