While we were fighting our imaginary "War on Terror," U.S. violent crime rates increased significantly in the past two years: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070309/ap_on_re_us/crime_cities
2007-03-09 03:02:06 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Politics
P.S. (1) "Yahoo News" is from the AP - the Associated Press - the main news source of most news outlets across the country. Yahoo doesn't invent its own special Yahoo news stories.
(2) To use the term "War on Terror" is to declare war on an abstract and many-sided entity. How do you "fight" an abstract entity? How is inner-city crime less "terrifying" than Muslim extremists half a world away?
(3) We are indeed fighting this something that exists in many countries - we listed just a few - Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan. Why are we currently fighting in only one of the above-listed countries (and one not even affiliated with our original goal - to find Osama)? Why is it difficult to rename our war the War on Radical Islam or the War on Most of the Middle East? (It is both of those things, generally, I would say.)
(4) I'm a graduate student and plan to join the Peace Corps when I'm finished. No, I don't sit in my apartment blindfolded.
2007-03-09 03:31:14 · update #1
Yes, Yes, YES!!! Finally, someone that has something intelligent to say!!! Yes, there are real terrorist "over there" somewhere, but by us being there, we are only pissing them off more. Now, the world hates America. Yet, I was sitting in my room watching TV the other night hearing gunshots from a couple of blocks away. Why don't we spend more time fighting the crime HERE and the crack-epidemic that is fueling the crime?
2007-03-09 03:07:16 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 2⤋
I disagree that this is an imaginary war on terror. It is quite real. Unfortunately we have aggrivated more than we have stopped. We are seen as infidels on the sacred lands of Islam. As long as we have a presence there we will need to confront radical Muslims as terrorists there and possibly over here. Once we are gone and stay gone they will settle things their way as they have for thousands of years.
The violent crime rate has increased over the last 6 years and continues to do so. Federal mandates for cities and states with regard to homeland security and the increase in law enforcement and firefighters required has not been funded or has been underfunded by the federal government. The emphasis is not on local but overseas, you are right on that point.
In some cities more beat cops are hitting the streets and some neighborhoods have set up neighborhood watch programs that go beyond the old methods. More needs to be done.
2007-03-09 11:12:53 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
How is the war on terror imaginary?
I challenge you to travel to Baghdad, Pakistan, Saudi, Afghanistan or any place similar and come home telling us it is an illusion.
Ever been outside your comfort zone? Ever been shot at or have your life threatened by somebody else? I am guessing you have not. You have enjoyed this luxury because you are protected by the very thing you hate.
To be clear and fair, I don't agree with the methods we are currently using to fight the war and I think Bush has done a great job of screwing this all up. But the threat is very real.
- My words are spoken as a former Marine with friends in country, I doubt that you can say the same.
2007-03-09 11:09:13 · answer #3 · answered by Snap 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
We have been at war with radical Islam since Iran took our embassy people hostage during the Carter administration. We chose to ignore this disease known as international terrorism for decades. We finally realized that we are at war after the attack on 9/11. The only reason it ended up in Iraq right now is Saddam overplayed his hand. He would still be in power if he had cooperated with the UN inspectors. He liked making everyone believe he had horrible weapons. After 9/11 we could not take the chance that he did and might provide the technology to terrorists. Since we were still at war with Iraq since Dessert Storm, we took the opportunity to take out his perceived threat.
The terror supporting countries in the region realize the threat to them that a Free Iraq would pose, have been supporting the insurgency with money and sophisticated weapons. The disease of fundamentalist Islam tyranny cannot abide the cure that liberty brings to the long suffering people of the Middle East.
2007-03-09 12:05:07 · answer #4 · answered by Jacob W 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Interesting statement, and considering the stat.s that I saw reported yesterday I would say homocide in the states is in on a significant up tick.
What the GWB admin has done is created an illusion that doesn't have to brought to justice. It is importnat for him and cronies to maintain this illusion in the eyes of the American public lest he brought to justice for his very real crimes against humanity.
38. Senator Bob Graham also said: "High officials in [the Saudi Arabian] government, who I assume were not just rogue officials acting on their own, made substantial contributions to the support and wellbeing of two of these terrorists and facilitated their ability to plan, practise and then execute the tragedy of September 11." These investigations remain blocked, classified, covered-up and unresolved to this day by the Bush administration's clear Obstruction of Justice.
39. Senator and 9/11 Commissioner Max Cleland resigned, saying: "This is the most serious independent investigation since the Warren Commission. And after watching History Channel shows on the Warren Commission last night, the Warren Commission blew it. I'm not going to be part of that. I'm not going to be part of looking at information only partially. I'm not going to be part of just coming to quick conclusions. I'm not going to be part of political pressure to do this or not do that. I'm not going to be part of that. This is serious."
http://kucinich.us/node/2896
2007-03-09 11:14:07 · answer #5 · answered by andy r 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No, the whole point of news channels flashing violent crime stories across your t.v. screen is to keep you scared and distracted from the real issues.
Should you be afraid of terrorists- no, not really, should you be concerned about crime or becoming a victim in your area, I wouldn't worry. Your more likely to be involved in auto accident on your way to work than being a victim of crime or terrorism.
2007-03-09 11:10:05 · answer #6 · answered by evil_paul 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, we absolutely should.
The problem is that Bush exploited our fear, and many people succumbed to it. So he was able to accomplish his own personal agenda by hiding it behind the mask of a "war on terror," while ignoring many really important domestic issues.
What good is fighting terrorism and "protecting our freedom" if the country is falling apart internally?
2007-03-09 11:08:11 · answer #7 · answered by Bush Invented the Google 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
You are going to quote Yahoo news? yea there is a credible source. Crime has remained the same and in most places dropped.
2007-03-09 11:12:58 · answer #8 · answered by bildymooner 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
without their war on terror, they can't funnel money to their friends who are building the equipment and supposedly reconstructing iraq.
2007-03-09 11:06:06 · answer #9 · answered by valleybrook515 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I saw planes fly into the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. Thousands of lives were lost thanks to terrorists. This is not an illusion unless you were in a coma that day.
2007-03-09 11:05:37 · answer #10 · answered by TRUE PATRIOT 6 · 2⤊ 4⤋