Post Scripts: Terrorism — why they hate us so much

Once again Americans face what Washington D.C. calls a war. The attacks in New York City, and at the Pentagon in our nation’s capital, targeted symbols of American prestige and power. The carnage is unacceptable and it remains to be seen how effectively President Bush and the Congress respond to this attack on American soil.

New York City is not just another metropolitan area. It is one of the richest cities in the world, taking in more money each year than all but the world’s most advanced societies. In 1998, the city’s budget exceeded that of several major countries, including Russia. It is the financial capital of the world’s largest economy. For a time after the attack New York City was cut off from the rest of the world. That action set off secondary tremors in stock and financial markets worldwide. New York is not just another city!

Television is to be complimented for its great coverage. What was particularly disturbing were the televised scenes from the Middle East where Palestinians cheered, laughed and fired weapons and fireworks, rejoicing in the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. These images of joy and extreme happiness have provoked the big question: "Why do they hate us so much?" There are numerous answers.

The primary sin of the United States in the Arab world is our support of Israel, a solid ally of ours, and the only Western style Democracy in the region. The U.S. provides $3 billion a year in aid; sells them weapons — from F-16 fighters to Apache helicopters and missiles — that the Jewish state has used to battle the Palestinian Intifada and assassinate its leaders. Almost everybody knows Israel does the dirty work for us in this region.

That’s not all that causes the hate. For 11 years we have been the driving force behind UN sanctions against Saddam Hussein. American aircraft continue to enforce no-fly zones over Iraq. There is lingering animosity in south Asia and North Africa over U.S. attacks — cruise missile strikes in Afghanistan and Sudan after bin Laden’s forces attacked U.S. interests — bombing embassies in East Africa in 1998.

The situation is inflamed by religious fanaticism, pure envy, and resentment toward the richest nation, our superpower status and superior culture. That’s why they hate us. They truly enjoy the shedding of American blood but that will hopefully subside when they finally realize their terrorism campaign came at a high price — to them!

My favorite U.S. Senator, John McCain, said last week: "Americans know that we are at war, and will make the necessary sacrifices. I say to our enemies: "We are coming. God may show you mercy, but we will not." President Dwight Eisenhower once said: "If a problem cannot be solved, enlarge it." Perhaps that may be what we seem to be doing. Only time will tell and we must understand there is never a guarantee of success in war.

President Bush must be careful. He came to the White House with as little preparation in international affairs as any modern president. I am not suggesting he cannot rise to the occasion, but the nation will be watching him with nervous apprehension. To lead, he must convince the nation his decisions are wise and principled. We must remember also that no nation has ever penetrated bin Laden’s organization. America faces a tough assignment.