We Are Not The Cause

NRO: When Will Americans Stop Blaming Themselves?

(National Review Online)  This column was written by Mark Goldblatt.

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According to a National Intelligence Estimate composed last February but released just this week by the Bush administration, "The Iraq conflict has become the 'cause celebre' for jihadists, breeding a deep resentment of U.S. involvement in the Muslim world and cultivating supporters for the global jihadist movement." Because of the war, "new jihadist networks and cells, with anti-American agendas, are increasingly likely to emerge." On the other hand, the report finds that if the "jihadists leaving Iraq perceive themselves, and [are] perceived, to have failed . . . fewer fighters will be inspired to carry on the fight."

None of this is conclusive, or even news, but the NIE's suggestion that the war in Iraq has become a recruitment tool for Islamic terrorists was immediately seized upon by Democrats to argue, yet again, that President Bush's decision to oust the regime of Saddam Hussein was a tactical blunder and that the effort to establish a liberal democracy in its stead has turned into an unmitigated fiasco.

The judgment of history on Bush's Iraq strategy is still decades away. Remember, Ronald Reagan's decision to aid the mujahedeen of Afghanistan in their fight against the Russians during the 1980s looked pretty smart after the collapse of the Soviet Union — . except the mujahedeen mutated into the Taliban, re-focused their hatred on America, trained a generation of terrorists and sheltered Osama bin Laden in the months leading up to September 11, 2001.

That decision doesn't seem quite so smart nowadays.

Nevertheless, to argue that the war in Iraq was ill-conceived because it might serve as a recruitment tool for al Qaeda is absurd. If America hadn't invaded Iraq, the United Nations would presumably still be enforcing sanctions against Saddam's regime — sanctions which were killing thousands of Iraqi children each month and which were specifically cited by Osama in 2002 as a justification for the 9/11 attacks. In other words, the situation in Iraq before the war was viewed by al Qaeda as a rationale for violence against America.

Then again, America's support for Israel was also cited by Osama to justify his terrorist jihad. Should we therefore end that support? What about our tolerance of, in Osama's words, "immoral acts of fornication, homosexuality, intoxicants, gambling's [sic], and trading with interest"? If our "immorality" is being utilized by al Qaeda to recruit terrorists, should we therefore crack down on Snoop Dogg, "Will and Grace," Budweiser, Las Vegas, and Citibank? And what of our stubborn refusal to convert to Islam — in Osama's eyes, perhaps the greatest provocation of all? Should we therefore renounce our Judeo-Christian heritage, abandon the separation of church and state and adopt sharia law to escape the wrath of al Qaeda?

If America is ever to triumph in its war against Islamic terrorism, we must get past the idea that we are its root cause. Specifically, we must get past the idea that a suicide bomber is just a peace-loving Muslim who, if we hadn't set him off, would be growing figs and building sand castles. Strapping explosives to your torso, marching yourself into a crowded marketplace and blowing yourself up in order to slaughter as many civilians, including women and children, as you can is a profoundly demented act, an act which undoes a dozen or so millennia in the moral evolution of the human species.

Such an act is not triggered by America's sociopolitical landscape or by its foreign policy. Rather, it is nurtured by an intellectually degenerate culture, sponsored by sleazy kleptocratic regimes and authorized by a once-honorable religious tradition perverted to serve the pipedreams of an apocalyptic death cult.

It's Muslim civilization, not America, that must change in order for Islamic terrorism to cease.


Mark Goldblatt is author of "Africa Speaks," a satire of black urban culture.

[jeff776]

I agreee mr. Goldblatt that America isn't nessicarily the cause but to say,

"It's Muslim civilization, not America, that must change in order for Islamic terrorism to cease."

well its only half true. America needs to look at what it can do also and this is not caving into the terrorism it is prevenative measures with respect towards other cultures and most importantly human lives. Seek the bad ones out and do what we can to assist but leveling countries to anarchy sure doesn't help prevent future problems.

[iloveusa-2009]

He's right that Isreal is the cause of most of our problems in this regard. We chose them over a democratic Iran and have been paying for it ever since.

[minang1]

No wonder the conclusion. Goldblatt sounds jewish. And he always supports Israel, regardless whether Israel killed thousands of innocent people. So...just take his conclusion and opinion as a joke.

[patriotic9]

Off coarse America is not the cause of terrorism.Cause of the problem is those enemies of United States who don't believe in the constitution of USA,which forbids the involvement of religion into politics by separating church from state.Who want to support the ILLEGITIMATE and UNJUSTIFIED existance of Israel on the cost of American money and American lives because Israel is a HOLY LAND whereas America which gives them everything is not,Those EUROPEAN INVADERS IN PALESTINE,who don't live in USA,don't pay tax to our govt.,cause HATRED,ANIMOSITY and 9/11 against our nation are GOD CHOOSEN whereas Americans are GOD NEGLECTED.If we Americans become the victim of terrorism because of our different moral standards,why 9/11 was not planned against those European countries where women are topless in public,*** marriage is legal,prostitution is openly practiced as a legal buisness and people drink alcohal even at work.We Americans need to do one thing.We should become loyal to USA,it's people and it's constitution which separates church from state and raise our voices against the RACIST,UNJUST and RADICAL IDEOLOGY which asks GOD NEGLECTED AMERICANS to sacrifice their lives and money for the GOD CHOOSEN EUROPEAN INVADERS IN PALESTINE.

[cjw3cma]

The author stated, "...if America hadn't invaded Iraq, the United Nations would presumably still be enforcing sanctions against Saddam's regime %u2014 sanctions which were killing thousands of Iraqi children each month..."

The why hasn't this administration invaded Dafur?

Your logic is flawed.

[pakaal]

"...to argue that the war in Iraq was ill-conceived because it might serve as a recruitment tool for al Qaeda is absurd."

True enough. What we can honestly say, however, is that the war in Iraq was ill-conceived, ill-planned and ill-timed, and that we had a legitimate war in Afghanistan that we were misled into retreating from, by shrieking about a faux threat in Iraq, resulting in a worldwide loss of faith that America had sincere, honorable intentions.

In addition, your argument that a single 2002 quote from Bin Laden encapsulates the breadth of grievances against the US is missing the fact that the WTC towers were first attacked in 1993, long before the quote you attribute as evidence. Bin-Laden has a plethora of reasons as to why he's attacking, you can't put a simple "this is why" to the situation because it doesn't stick.

Focus on Iraq as much as you want, the Taliban is growing in Afghanistan because we left the job half-done, and Al-Qaeda is growing in Iraq because Rumsfeld specifically told military leaders they'd be fired if they recommended a post-Saddam regime game plan:

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/archives/individual/2006_09/009469.php

You're right. Let's stop blaming ourselves, let's start putting the blame where it belongs - inept Bush administration actions backed by a Neocon agenda that is woefully ignorant of world reality.

[xfredmenzies]

Wow, these Republican talking points sure get dull after a while.

[patriotic9]

It seems like nobody has the answer to the points I raised which is a very clear evident proof that the main cause of all the problems and terrorism around the globe is not to considered human beings as equally created and the RADICAL,RACIST and UNJUST ideology of supporting ISRAEL on the cost of AMERICAN MONEY and AMERICAN LIVES becasue Americans are GOD NEGLECTED and the EUROPEAN INVADERS IN PALESTINE are GOD CHOOSEN.Somebody please tell me;
1)If we are really patriotic and loyal Americans and we care about the interest of american people which is based on oil,WHY SHOULD WE TAKE OIL IN CHEAPER PRICES FROM ARABS AND THEN SUPPORT THEIR THOSE ENEMIES WHO WERE BROUGHT IN THEIR LAND AFTER WWII TO COCUPY IT BY FORCE?
2)WHAT BENIFITS WE ENJOY BY CONSIDERING AMERICANS AS GOD NEGLECTED AND EUROPEAN INVADERS IN PALESTINE AS GOD CHOOSEN?

[siddin-2009]

patriotic9 we don't care to respond to you because we get tired of hearing the same talking points on every news station, radio station and now from you... we just don't care to hear it anymore.

[alanrobisch]

I see first anti-semitism. The Israeli existence is an affront to islam. According to Islam Jews are pigs literally and to be hated. Why because it says so in the Koran. Why my opinion is that because the Jews that occupied Israel for almost 1200 yrs dared to defend themselves against the onslaught of muslim arabs who eventually conquered all of the middle east. It wasn't done with diplomacy but armies. At one time christianiity was the dominant religious faith in the middle east buts its strength was destroyed by a militant Islam.

It would seem that some feel that we should allow Israel to be destroyed or at very least abandon them. We are sworn by treaty to support them and by ties cultural we are their brothers.

The present problems seem to represent from what I can see a resentment of western culture and the current success of that western culture. Our gulf war and the support of the taliban all helped to energize this resentment.

Our current invasion of Iraq helped, but did not create this resentment. An abandoment of our effort their would be harmful because we would leave an even less stable govt with the probability of an extended civil war resulting in a new probably Islamic dictatorship which would probably support continued terrorism.

[jpfrizz]

It always comes down to just a small list of problems with America: Our religious beliefs, our freedoms, and our success. These are the things that the majority of the Muslim world holds against us. Of course, they will find specific items to hold against us: Israel, World War II reapportionment,Iraq, and our economy that thrives on oil. Truth is, hatred cannot be appeased, regardless of the cloak it hides under. Our liberlism and lack of clarity threatens our continued existence. I am relatively sure that these jihadists would think of other reasons if these current ones did not exist. It is clear they are focused on the subjugation of the world to Islam, or more specifically, their view of Islam. Tolerance on the part of the Muslim community to opposing beliefs and lifestyles are truly the only way to achieve harmony. When the moderates become more critical of the extremists and begin to reinforce that to future generations, then terrorism will be on its deathbed.

[patriotic9]

siddin
You just don't care to respond,you just don't care to hear about an issue which is causing the deaths of Americans?You don't care about American money and American lives.Are you among one of those enemies of USA who don't care because Americans are GOD NEGLECTED.By the way,if you would not care to respond you would not have posted your message as a response.It is another clear evidence that the point I raised was valid and the main cause of all the problems of America and it's people the RADICAL,RACIST and UNJUST IDEOLOGY which consider us Americans as GOD NEGLECTED and the EUROPEAN INVADERS IN PALESTINE as GOD CHOSEN.Thanks for correcting my spelling mistake though.Just like I acknowledged my mistake,Evey loyal citizen,eventhough if they had been associated with this RACIST and UNJUST ANTI AMERICAN IDEOLOGY in past,should now becaome loyal Americans and raise their voices against this discrimination against the Americans.

[jumkey]

Shorter Mark Goldblatt:

Some would argue that if we invaded a country and killed thousands of their citizens for no apparent reason this might make them retaliate against us. We've simply got to ignore that and kill more of them.

[patriotic9]

Alanrobisch2
All the human beings living in this world are GOD NEGLECTED PEOPLE because of not being born in a race chosen by God and that's why've not been promised a single penny from God.Whereas those Europeans who've been brought into Palestine after WWII are GOD CHOSEN PEOPLE because of being born in a race chosen by God so they've been promised a land in the Middle East.Human beings not be treated on the basis of their actions but should be treated as GOD NEGLECTED or GOD CHOSEN on the basis of the race they are born in .This ideology is called RACISM and INJUSTICE.Anybody who is against this ideology is ANTI-RACISM.If some body believes that human beings've been created equal and they are not supposed to be treated differently because of their race,is ANTI-SEMATIC,then SIR THOMAS JEFFERSON was also ANTI-SEMATIC.

[mrandall7]

Mr. Goldblatt, the arguments presented in your editorial are so fundamentally flawed it bothers me that you actually have a job writing. First, in referencing the rise of the Taliban, anyone with a brain would realize that by withdrawing from Afghanistan soon after the Soviets did (once our interests were acheived), leaving their people in the lurch, it sowed the seeds for the kind of Anti-Americanism we are seeing today. How could it not? Obviously not the only reason, but to think that didn't have something (or a something major) to do with it is just naive. Glad that'll never happen again! Uh, wait.. Second, your pathetic attempt at the whole Al Queda/Iraq thing is just boring and sad at this point. Who gives a rat's behind what bin Laden thought of Hussein? I'm more interested in why we have a mere FRACTION of our military LOOKING for him! HE attacked us on 9/11. NOT Hussein. Period. I get it. They were both bad people. Saddam had "rape rooms" etc.. blech. It's a disgusting misuse of our brave soldiers -- many of whom enlisted BECAUSE of 9/11 -- to have them in Iraq setting up and protecting permanaent oil bases. Last -- bumper sticker time: terrorism CANNOT BE DEFEATED. EVER. To think so is just so stupid. Contained? Yes. Diminished? Absolutely. But defeated? Impossible. Ohwait there is one way to defeat terrorist: Bombs (and billions $) away!!! You are a hack.

[rbiggs6969]

We Are Not The Cause?
I am sorry, but what does that have to do with the question of whether or not Iraq was a tactical error or not? It is absurd. We have spent billions and billions of dollars in Iraq, sacraficed the lives of thousands of American soldiers, and killed tens of thousands of people. Is it so hard to imagine that with a little more *foresight*, a little more *planning* and a little more *listening* to our intelligence and military communities, we might have spent our resources in a more productive manner? Like actually killing terrorists instead insurgents? Or shutting down terrorist training camps around the world instead of creating a civil war? Or how about actually following the 9/11 commission's reccomendations to secure our airports? Remember, terrorists were able to pull off 9/11 not because our constitution forbids us to torture detainees. They pulled off 9/11 because we failed to check their *** passports and failed to properly screen them at the airport.

Bush predicted we would be greeted as liberators following an easy 30 day war that would spread hope and freedom across the middle east. All of which would pay for itself in oil.

Opponents of the war predicted that the invasion would create chaos and entagle our troops in a prolonged occupation that could very well lead to a civil war.

Who was right, and who was wrong? When are we going to stop listening to people who are consistantly and devistatingly wrong??

[clestes-2009]

If you look at the history of American foreign policy, you will find that we are the cause of many, if not all, of the grievences against us. For most of the 20th century, we have had a very bad habit of interfering in other countries politics. gw's invasion of Iraq was another case of interference.

We are now reaping the consequences of this meddling.

[Syndicate]

I suppose if we had stayed home during the 20th century the Soviets would have done the same. People seem to forget we were fighting a war up until the 1990's. Frankly this has little to do with our foriegn policy. Its more about nationalist arabs who want to restore their former glory and rule the world. This is a goal that is older than our country.

[random_radar]

Mr. Goldblatt's jingoist rhetoric bothered me a great deal. I wasn't sure what to make of it. So I went to Amazon.com to read reviews of his book "Africa Speaks." Very interesting. I think Mr. Goldblatt might be what is sometimes called an agent provocateur.

[bfroggy-2009]

while the author of this article makes a point that extremists will hate us for reasons we cannot mitigate, the fact is that our foreign policies are Far more incendiary than our lifestyle or our religon. Were it only for our morality and religon they would dislike us true - but what motivates them to go all the way to terrorist acts is our policies toward muslim states.

While we can not appease, we can start to do less incitement in ways that do not compromise our prosperity or security.

We should dismantle bases in islamic holy lands as a gesture of understanding, and focus our energies on a peaceful palestinian state. If we can ever bring real security and peace to Afghanistan and Palestine (particuliarly by pulling back some of our support for ISrael unless they make necessary peace steps like retreating to the 1967 borders and recognizing the palestinian state), then MOST extremists would lay down their arms (except those in iraq really). The iraq problem will go on for years but the fact is that it has made more problems than it will ever solve, the only way to achieve real regime change is internally. We should have simply supported the kurdish alliance enough to have Kurdistan break off and then Saddam would have a much more concentrated problem in the Shia vs his Sunni regime - we could have backed the Shia after the kurdish revolution. That is how you help people achieve freedom, not forcing it down their throat with shells and bombs.

[noloyalisti]

The author of this article is justifying bombing and killing hundreds of thousands of Iraqis to "save them" from sanctions.

He needs to recognize the basic premise he is arguing against. Our government lied us into war for the benefit of large American corporations that own the mainstream media.

Maybe he is trying to propagandize a report by ALL of our government intelligence agencies that further indicate this bush administration is a complete failure fighting their contrive and fraudulent war of terror.

Obvious despicable right wingery!

[shantwells]

Pure, unadulturated, 100% rasicim. The author, or should I say, perpetrator, needs to go direclty to Iraq, and be placed on the front lines. This is absolute twaddle.

[nativewoman]

We are no longer the good guys if we ever were.

Our government, which does NOT represent me, has voted for torture.

Our government, which does NOT represent me, has voted for neverending detainment of people even without charges, merely suspicion. It doesn't take much to create suspicion against each other in the climate of fear this administration has fostered.

Our government, which does NOT represent me, has killed many innocent civilian men, women and children.

Our government, which does NOT represent me, started this war. If, as the administration has stated, there were no 9/11 ties to Iraq, and this war is not about oil, and there was little if no Al Qaeda influence in Iraq before we got there, what exactly is this war about?

How can we possibly claim to be in the right? Why do some feel we are justified in killing and bombing while condemning others for the same thing?

[nativewoman]

Our government, which does NOT represent me, started this war. If, as the administration has stated, there were no 9/11 ties to Iraq, and this war is not about oil, and there was little if no Al Qaeda influence in Iraq before we got there, what exactly is this war about?

How can we possibly claim to be in the right? Why do some feel we are justified in killing and bombing while condemning others for the same thing?

Sir, are you at all familiar with the history of this nation and other Western nations in the area? It would reveal many errors and wrongs on our part, the cumulative effect of which would provide the basis for outrage and some rationale for outrageous acts against us (however much I decry them and all violence).

I doubt the rest of the world sees Americans as blaming themselves; in fact, it is America's perpetual claim of self-renewable innocence and self-cleansed purity that make it an appealing target for critics. Not only do we not blame ourselves, we make every effort to avoid taking responsibility. We are a nation which wears its patches on the back of its coat, out of its own sight, but sadly visible to the rest of the world.

It never ceases to amaze me, the power of self-absolution of which this Administration and some of its true believers seem capable. I suppose it's helped, made at all possible in fact, by an appalling ignorance of history.

Did we "deserve 9/11"? No...no nation deserves an assault of that sort. Have the Muslim nations been demeaned, exploited, and mistreated by the rest of us? Yes...and no nation deserves that either.

Between the "jingoism is a synonym for patriotism" witless citizens and the XianXrazyXrusaders, it's increasingly hard not to plummet head-first into the slough of desond.

[patriotic9]

stopneofatbs
After a busy day yesterday,I got chance to see your comment about me today.I am so grateful for your kindness that you practically accepted your defeat by not bringing up a single reason to prove that I was wrong.VERY CLEAR EVIDENT FACT that what ever I wrote was aboslutely right and that's why I had reasons to prove my points.You are asking people to ignore what I say because you know for fact that just like you,nobody among the enemies of USA like you has a single reason to prove that I am wrong and the RADICAL,RACIST and UNJUST ENEMIES of USA like you are right.I challenge you that if you think I am wrong bring reasons to prove that.I bet you'll never ever be able to do that.Otherwise,be a gentleman,accept your defeat(which you practically have)and stop your animosty against USA,it's people and it's constitution which forbids the involvement of religion into politics by separating church from state.

[patriotic9]

stopneofatbs
It was funny to see that you called me ANTI-AMERICAN.I love United States,so I am Anti-American and those who want to protect the illegitimate and unjustified existance of Israel on the cost of existance of USA because ISRAEL is a HOLY LAND whereas USA is not,are PRO-AMERICAN.I love and care about my fellow Americans so I am ANTI-AMERICAN whereas those who want Americans to die and waste their money for protecting the EUROPEAN INVADERS IN PALESTINE because Americans are GOD NEGLECTED and the EUROPEAN INVADERS IN PALESTINE are GOD CHOSEN are PRO-AMERICAN.I am ANTI-AMERICAN because I firmly believe in the constitution of my country which forbids the involvement of religion into politics by separating church from state whereas those who deny our constitution by making the policies of our country on the basis of bible which racially discriminate Americans by considering them as GOD NEGLECTED and considering NON-AMERICAN EUROPAN INVADERS IN PALESTINE as GOD CHOSEN,are PRO-AMERICAN.Islamonazis are not my friend.The person who built USAMA BIN LADEN from scratch by giving him money,weapons and military training was a RADICAL,RACIST and UNJUST CHRISTIAN from the REPUBLICAN PARTY named RONALD REAGAN.

[exusmcsgt]

The author expects that we in the west pay no price globally for backing Israel's horrific treatment of the Palestinians or our occupying sovereign Muslim countries. His perspective is obviously that the west can do as it pleases and that Muslims have to learn to just accept our ideology/hedgemony-driven foreign policy.

Everything comes at a price.

Were the U.S. to be invaded and occupied by another country, this former Marine would become one of the best terrorists out there against the occupiers, I can assure you.

[patriotic9]

An African American man dying in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina because of not getting support from the govt can be convinced that he deserves to die because according to RADICAL,RACIST and UNJUST Christianity he is a GOD NEGLECTED PERSON because of being born in a GOD NEGLECTED BLACK RACE,so he doesnt have any right on the American Tax payer's money eventhough he loves Jesus and believes that Jesus is the son of God.Whereas the EUROPEAN INVADERS IN PALESTINE who don't live in US,don't pay tax to our govt,cause HATRED,TERRORISM and 9/11 against our nation,have the right to snatch more then 3B$ from our tax payed money because of being born in a GOD CHOSEN WHITE RACE,eventhough they don't believe Jesus as a Christ,and don't beleives in his mother' virginity.So whatever people's actions are,it doesn't matter in this RACIST and UNJUST IDEOLOGY.I don't have any problem whatever anybody believes as long as they are loyal to US,it's people and it's constitution.We are paying the price for those people who want to impose their RADICAL,RACIST and UNJUST IDEOLOGY on those Arabs who give us oil in cheaper prices and think they must agree with what our religios beliefs say.

[exusmcsgt]

patriotic9-

I don't believe that stopneofatbs has to ask anyone not to read your comments. They all appear to me to be regurgitations of your all caps shouting about GOD NEGLECTED, GOD CHOSEN, and the like. I've read your last comment but not because of stopneofatbs.

[patriotic9]

exusmcsgt
I do agree with you about this regurgitation about the concept of GOD CHOSEN and GOD NEGLECTED.You know why?It's becuase this RACIST and UNJUST CONCEPT of human beings not being created as equal is hurting the humanity in general and our country and it's people specifically.I criticize this BACKWARD,RACIST and UNJUST IDEOLOGY because I don't find anything else hurting our country the most like this ideology.We have been isolated in the world because of those who don't believe in our constitution which separates church from state and make the policies of our country based on RACIST belief.We get oil in cheaper prices from Arabs and then support their enemies and think that Arabs should be nice with us.I have to repeat the same thing over and over again because nobody comes with reasons to oppose or favor my thinking with proper and scientific reasons.I've seen thousands of my fellow Americans dying on 9/11 because of thier tax money being spent on this RACIST,UNJUST ideology.I don't want to see more Americans die for being GOD NEGLECTED.

[exusmcsgt]

patriotic9-

Racism and hedgemony don't have anything to do with being GOD CHOSEN or not.........they are steeped in ignorance.

[exusmcsgt]

In addition patriotic9,

Our problems don't stem from others in the world not subscribing to our constitution, they stem from ideologues in this country who wish to see it become a theocracy devoid of human rights with blind obedience to their God. (Sounds like there is little difference between these ideologues and radical Muslims, don't you think?)

[patriotic9]

axusmcsgt
I highly appreciate your comments.Atleast somebody is getting involved in intellectual conversation.First thing I did after doin grocery for my mom is to check these comments.I don't mind who has what religious belief as long as they don't involve religion into politics.You are absolutely right about ideologues in our country and radical muslims.They both want to impose their religious views on other people.They always fight on the name of religions and whenever two persons fight on the name of religion there is some third person out there who takes advantage of the situation and gain financial benifits.One simple example is of India where Muslims and Hindus fight against each other,because in Hindu religion cow is their God and muslim eat cow.When muslims slaughter a cow,fight erupts which results in the death of hundreds of people from both sides.Does it make any sense at all that hundred of people should die on a *** cow.

[patriotic9]

Anyway,I still believe that considering people as GOD CHOSEN or GOD NEGLECTED on the basis of their race and to treat them accordingly is RACISM and the casue of major problems in the world.As long as people'll not be treated only on the basis of their actions,justice will not be prevailed.

[exusmcsgt]

patriotic9-

First of all, thanks for an answer that actually conveys something new. Secondly, believers most times feel that they are owners of the truth and everyone else is wrong. It's called being myopic.