Klarinet Archive - Posting 000425.txt from 2001/09
From: "Lacy, Edwin" <el2@-----.edu> Subj: RE: [kl] Barbarian Terrorists Date: Wed, 12 Sep 2001 17:37:05 -0400
<<<While everyone else was celebrating, he simply said, 'I am afraid all we
have done is to awaken a sleeping giant.'>>>
There is a series of television programs, on the History Channel I think,
called "History's Greatest Military Blunders." Just recently, I watched an
episode which listed the attack on Pearl Harbor as one of those great
military blunder. It may be that the terrorist attacks of yesterday will
come to be considered in the same light.
<<<Let us hope that we can facilitate the entrance into "Heaven" of at least
twice the number of these barbarians as the casualties that they have
inflicted on us.>>>
But, I can't endorse this approach to the problem. That's the very old
story - an eye for an eye, etc. My religious beliefs don't permit that
possibility. Can we undo the evil that was committed by that course of
action, or bring back those who have been killed? Certainly, it would be
fairly easy for the United States to kill any given number of any ethnic
group we choose to. But, what would that solve, except to make those of us
in a more vengeful frame of mind to feel better for a short time? No doubt
such an action would result in further terrorist attacks on us, which would
result in more retaliation from the US, which would result, etc., etc., ad
infinitum.
Just as in the case of the conflict between the Jews and the Arabs in the
middle east, and the one between the Catholics and Protestants in Northern
Ireland, and the one between the Muslims, Christians and Hindus in Pakistan,
and all the ones between other ethnic, racial and religious groups in other
parts of the world, this would be a war that could never be won by either
side. Neither side in such a conflict can kill enough of the other side to
be able to declare victory without going down in history alongside the most
evil civilizations ever to exist. I feel sure that Americans do not want to
be judged by history in that light.
Before we choose a course of action for ourselves, let's consider what
actions we would recommend to try to resolve other conflicts around the
world. If we don't think that more killing is the solutionin those
instances, then what other possibilities are there? Coming up with an
answer to that question is much more difficult, and requires more wisdom and
courage, than responding in kind to violence committed against us. I hope
the leaders of our country will consider these questions. Unfortunately,
such decisions are ultimately going to be made by politicians, politicians
who will take essentially any action to gain votes, and those who demand
retribution will be the most vociferous among us. That causes me as much
concern as the events of the past few days.
Ed Lacy
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Dr. Edwin Lacy, Eades Distinguished Professor of Music
University of Evansville
1800 Lincoln Avenue
Evansville, IN 47722
telephone (812)479-2252; e-mail: EL2@-----.edu
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