Jordan River Forum

Negotiating not a sign of weakness I'm not sure anybody will read this or care, but I recently made myself a promise that given that all I can do about the current military response to Sept. 11 is tell people I disagree with it, I should tell people as often as possible. Reading the letters of the last few days has made me realize I need to at least say something. There is a misconception being perpetrated by the government and the media, namely that military action against the Taliban is the same as seeking justice for the events of Sept. 11. This is false. First, the Taliban has offered to talk on numerous occasions, and Bush has refused, point blank. Negotiation is not actually a sign of weakness, George, but a recognition that you are in a position of strength. Second, the military action so far has been directed against the Taliban. While I am not all that thrilled by the Taliban's past and present actions, whether we agree with their way of life is not the point. Changing the government in Afghanistan is not addressing the real cause of Sept. 11, namely American foreign policy. This brings me to a crucial point that I want as many people as possible to know. Admitting that Sept. 11 was a response to American foreign policy is NOT admitting that America somehow deserved the bombings. No one deserves anything like this -- they were wrong and horrible. Admitting America's role, however, allows recognition of the actual underlying cause and therefore means that appropriate action can be taken. Bombing Afghanistan does not change America's overseas reputation, it merely reinforces it. It does NOT achieve anything resembling justice -- at worst the bombing will kill bin Laden and he will become a martyr, against whom you cannot fight. Justice will come when bin Laden and others stand before a world court and are found guilty of crimes against all people. America needs to realize that it has a solemn responsibility to attain that justice and that flexing military muscles does not achieve it.

IDS editorial board leftist I'm concerned about the obvious bias of the IDS opinion staff and its implications on the state of IU and Bloomington as a whole. The paper on Oct. 17 had no hint of problem solving to go along with the extreme opinions of the staff. First, I'd like to point out Mr. Damon Freeman, who has effectively done nothing but complain in every column he has written. His expression is indignant and hostile toward those whom he sees as his oppressors. I find it amusing that he doesn't realize the implications of his actions. I give the example of David Horowitz, who wrote the book "Hating Whitey and Other Progressive Causes," which relates a history of racism, demagoguery, hatred and hypocrisy by the political left, including but not limited to the Black Panthers and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. Perhaps Mr. Freeman should think of positive ways to solve his problems rather than just complaining about them. If he wants more diversity, he should step up and work toward that goal rather than let it continue. Second, to those who complain about patriotism, it isn't necessarily zealotry. Having a belief is a fundamental right of this nation. Another fundamental concept is the ability to agree or disagree. Everyone has the right to think his or her own way. This will, however, involve people taking offense to certain beliefs -- which is also a right. Allow everyone a right and stop printing complaints about people being who they are. I doubt that the IDS would print opinions against the wearing of denim, the belief in Buddha, the eating of cheese, and/or the benefit of recycling. God knows that an argument can be made to stop recycling so that we know where to mine for scrap metal in future generations once we run out of these non-renewable resources. (Note the sarcasm.) The opinion page should be for that -- opinions. Running of one person's personal tragedy time and time again with only minor differences and the intolerance of the far left is not what this page is for. Do yourselves a favor and hire some conservatives to write. If you can't find any applicants, I'll volunteer myself, and I'll do if for free.