An Enlightened defense

London. Madrid. Bali. Amman. Mumbai.\nThey don't have much in common, except for the fact that all have been victims of terrorist attacks against civilians since Sept. 11. The list doesn't even include places where terrorist plots have been foiled recently, like Chicago and Canada. Some are rich, some are poor. Some East, some West. Some pro-United States, some anti-United States.\nWhat this tells me is that terrorism today isn't as much about religion and ideology as we think -- or, as the terrorists would like us to believe. Religion and ideology play a role, but the violence is as much about desperation and the struggle to make a comfortable place for yourself and your family in a globalizing, uncertain world. These are the same challenges that people everywhere deal with -- even here in Indiana.\nThe difference between the two sides in this battle is not religion or ideology, but in how they pursue their goals. One group (and it's not only Western or wealthy) tries to operate according to Enlightenment values and the rule of law. The other rejects the Enlightenment's call to respect all lives equally, and accepts any level of violence in pursuit of their goals. \nThat's why the U.S. Supreme Court's decision that military tribunals for detainees at Guantanamo Bay are unconstitutional is such an important victory for all Americans. The decision isn't just about how the United States prosecutes alleged terrorists, it's about something more fundamental. The Supreme Court decision is one step toward keeping us on the side of the Enlightenment. (The "good guys," if you will -- or, as George W. Bush might say.) \nThe worst thing that could happen in the "War on Terror" is for pro-Enlightenment forces to behave like the terrorists themselves. What makes us different is that we believe that all men are created equal and that everyone has certain inalienable rights. (Both of which are also Muslim values.) Another key difference is the belief that a democratic political process can meet the needs of everyone in society. These aren't Western or Christian values. There are plenty of Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists and Shintos on the "good" side. Just because we are Western doesn't guarantee that we'll stay on the good side, either.\nThe only way we can hope to win this fight is by constantly embodying the ideals we're fighting for. This is why overthrowing Salvador Allende's democratically elected government was wrong during the Cold War -- and why imprisoning people without due process, and ignoring elections in places like Palestine, is wrong today. If we can only win by becoming like our enemy, we haven't really won at all.\nThe Supreme Court's decision is a step toward forcing the Bush administration to find ways to protect American lives that also protect American ideals. Behaving in accordance with our values won't guarantee our safety. In the past year, terrorists have targeted Canada and Denmark -- two of the least offensive nations on earth. But ignoring our values guarantees that we will end up on the wrong side of this battle.