Regarding Ana's missive, including the comments of Chomsky, I am curious
what she would actually view as a proper U.S. response to the acts of 9/11.
Those on the left must carefully search their minds and hearts at this
juncture, and examine their own knee-jerk reactions, which have been amply
on view in this discussion. We are all too aware of the right's own jerk of
the knee; this is hardly news. The American left, for one, before and at the
start of U.S. involvement in World War 2, was deeply divided between
pacifists and anti-fascists, some of whom had already gone to war years
earlier in Spain alongside the Republicans. I'm quite sure that such a
division will emerge now, between pacifists who view any and all military
action as improper, and those who view force as the only possible reponse to
what has now become the most universally condemned act by any group since
the Holocaust itself. As one humble voice, Ana, I firmly stand with the
latter position. Mr. Chomsky's argument seems to me unexamined and
illustrative of the knee-jerk I referred to earlier.
And as one truly non-violent expression of support and acknowledgment of
the tragedy of this week, let's all join in calls for such symbolic gestures
as driving with headlights on, and holding candlelights at 7 p.m. this
evening (wherever you may be in the world). See you, I hope, next week....
Robert Koehler
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