Ray McGovern: Not Explaining the Why of Terrorism

[marmar]

from Consortium News:



Not Explaining the Why of Terrorism
May 2, 2012

Exclusive: President Obama signed a U.S.-Afghan strategic agreement on May 1, committing U.S. combat forces to withdraw by the end of 2014 while leaving behind U.S. counter-terrorism teams for another decade. But Obama and his aides still duck a full debate over the causes of terrorism, writes ex-CIA analyst Ray McGovern.

By Ray McGovern


John Brennan, President Obama’s chief adviser on counter-terrorism, has again put on public display two unfortunate facts: (1) that the White House has no clue as to how to counter terrorism; and (2) (in Brennan’s words) “the unfortunate fact that to save many innocent lives we are sometimes obliged to take lives.”

In a speech on April 30, Brennan did share one profound insight: “Countries typically don’t want foreign soldiers in their cities and towns.” His answer to that? “The precision of targeted [drone] strikes.” Does he really mean to suggest that local populations are more accepting of unmanned drones buzzing overhead and firing missiles on the push of a button by a “pilot” halfway around the world?

Beneath Brennan’s Orwellian rhetoric lies the reality that he remains unable (or unwilling) to deal with, the $64 question former White House correspondent Helen Thomas asked him repeatedly on Jan. 8, 2010, about why terrorists do the things they do:

Brennan: “Al Qaeda is just determined to carry out attacks here against the homeland.” .................(more)

The complete piece is at: http://consortiumnews.com/2012/05/02/not-explaining-the-why-of-terrorism/

[Mnemosyne]

1. Never a mention...

[The Stranger]

2. But you're not supposed to ask why some asymmetrical warfare is "terrorism" and other asymmetrical

warfare is "resistance" or "fighting for independence."

Because that exposes the Big Lie and the ideological underpinnings of the massive, murderous response.

[sad sally]

3. When America engages in violent acts (terrorist attacks) against non-American countries and people,

it can be justified as something other than evil - perhaps a mental or emotional reason, or even an act of patriotism.

When a non-American or defective American engages in violent acts (terrorist attacks) against America, we believe the opposite is true - that it's evil and hate that causes the act, and the thought of considering anything else (like the acceptable terrorist attacks carried out by America) is swept under the rug.