<HTML>But what you've just written is just a step away from Imperialism
-----------
It isn't just a step away - it *is* Imperialism.
Robert, I have ENOURMOUS respect for you. I recognize that what I say may endanger my own reputation in your eyes. There are hawks and doves in this world and often they disagree. It is unfortunate however that the consequences of each of our positions are almost unfathomable.
The things we are discussing have enourmous effects upon human lives. I realize that what I advocate is *horrendous* - but I insist that the alternative is far far worse.
One day, a nuclear bomb will detonate in Washington or new York. Perhaps it will be four bombs in four seperate cities. The person who will deliver those bombs is perhaps a boy of twelve today, living in Syria, or Jordan, or Egypt.
That boy has to be stopped.
The leadership of these and other countries must be made an offer they cannot refuse. Many of them are terrified by their own people: terrified that if they show support for the US or Israel, their governments will be toppled.
The west must stiffen the resolve of these leaders by making it clear to them that, should they fail to cooperate, they will be removed from power in a violent fashion - without exception (I suspect something like this is allready occuring in the case of Pakistan).
Conversely, aid - enourmous amounts of aid - should be offered freely to those countries that agree to our terms.
This aid will cost the west billions upon billions of dollars and I hope also will involve the movement of thousands of volunteers from every vocation - volunteers who will spend years training citizens of these countries in various technologies and help to educate them in the principles of capitalism by which they can improve their economies.
Most importantly however, childhood education must come under scrutiny as a condition of this aid. No more can it be permitted to teach children to hate.
Yes. This is Imperialism. But of the kind we saw in Japan after World War two. It is an Imperialism that is designed to modernize and civilize a society and leave it *greater* and more full of pride than it was before.
When MacArthur left Japan, two hundren thousand Japanese lined the streets in gratitude for what he and the United States had done for their country. If only we could do the same for Afganistan or other Middle Eastern countries.
I want to stress that military takeover is not necissary to accomplish these goals. Only that clear and unabiguous threat - combined with real, dependable offers of protection and assistance to states and governments that cooperate and change their ways.
ISHMAEL</HTML>
