Why do terrorists hate us?
When Faisal Shahzad pleaded guilty this week to plotting to blow up Times Square, he "warned more such attacks would come unless the U.S. leaves Muslim countries."1
George W. Bush frequently said that terrorists hate our freedom, which never made sense to me. In Shahzad, we have a terrorist telling us in his own words exactly what they hate.
Ironically, the U.S. has a military presence in Muslim countries (Turkey and Saudi Arabia, for instance) only because of the need to defend ourselves from terrorists who are angry with us due to that presence.
I don't advocate that we negotiate with terrorists, but I think it's worth examining our options at stopping terrorism and whether it is more effective to do so with metal detectors and quart-sized PVC bags or reduced military presence in Muslim countries.
1This quote comes from reporter Donna Leinwand of USA Today.
George W. Bush frequently said that terrorists hate our freedom, which never made sense to me. In Shahzad, we have a terrorist telling us in his own words exactly what they hate.
Ironically, the U.S. has a military presence in Muslim countries (Turkey and Saudi Arabia, for instance) only because of the need to defend ourselves from terrorists who are angry with us due to that presence.
I don't advocate that we negotiate with terrorists, but I think it's worth examining our options at stopping terrorism and whether it is more effective to do so with metal detectors and quart-sized PVC bags or reduced military presence in Muslim countries.
1This quote comes from reporter Donna Leinwand of USA Today.
