Swamppundit

Dear Salam,

I am in a sour mood. Please permit me to vent a bit about the current politics of my country.

The Republicans/Conservatives/Right of my country are having a debate about what to do regarding your part of the world. On one side you have those who argue that: Evil exists. Implacable, violent, enemies exist. Peaceful co-existence with such enemies is not possible. Such enemies must either be restrained/contained by military force, or the credible threat of military force, or they must be defeated – the sooner the better. On the other side you have those who argue that: There are severe limits on the effectiveness of American military and diplomatic power. When dealing with lands and cultures we don’t understand, the use of American military force, even if well-intentioned and noble, can produce unintended consequences that make matters worse, not better.

This debate is civil and thoughtful. Both sides respect the individuals on the other side, and both sides essentially agree with the arguments on the other side. The argument is over how these two proper schools of thought should be applied to the particular, complex, partially understood, universe known as the Middle East.

The Democrats/Liberals/Left of my country are, unfortunately, not participating in the debate. Most of these folks are just silent and depressed on the subject of the Middle East. The ones who are not silent are also not debating. The ones who are not silent simply shout four-word slogans over and over. “No blood for Oil.” “Bush lies, people die.” “Cheney’s war for Halliburton.” “Rumsfeld is war criminal.” And the ever popular, and ever appropriate for any war at any time: “Bring troops home now.” If these non-debaters have any thoughts grounded in reality, they keep them to themselves.

As you know, Salam, I think the long-term solution to the problems of your region are for you, the people of the Middle East, to rethink your own situation and for all of you to realize what brings success in this world and what brings poverty and misery. This solution of mine is very difficult. It would be nice if my country could lead by example and show the world how a civilized country has a debate about important issues. At the moment, it appears much of my country is not up to the task.

Please accept my apologies.

Love,
Clarence

ps: Salam, I am afraid I have to add something. The Republicans are now combating four-word slogans with a one-word epithet: "Appeasers." Our non-debate now has balance, but even less substance. Again, I apologize.