FLAIT

Published: July 2005

Last weeks terrorist attacks in London gave President Bush another opportunity to raise fears by linking 9/11 and terrorism to Iraq. He also riled up the Republican base by using code words like "resolve," "freedom," and "democracy." But with al-Qaeda reforming globally and the Taliban making a comeback in Afghanistan, that's all his tough words are designed to do.

Yesterday the President continued with his rhetoric by saying, "We will continue to take this fight to the enemy and we will fight until this enemy is defeated."

But how will we know when they're "defeated?" When there hasn't been a single terrorist attack worldwide for two, five, ten years?

Contrary to the Presidents tough talk, this war will never be "won" with laser-guided bombs and the 82nd Airborne alone. It'll take a sagacious President who is geopolitically enlightened and willing to engage the Arab world in a serious and honest dialog.

While our military actions were going on in Afghanistan, imagine if the President capitalized on the worlds sympathy and support after 9/11 by holding town hall meetings all across the Mid-East. Instead of going off on a wild goose chase in Iraq, imagine if the President appeared on Al Jazzera TV having constructive, insightful and empathic conversations with young Muslims, a population that is exploding (in more ways then one). And imagine if the President, his cabinet, House and Senate members, religious leaders, business leaders, authors and historians continued to hold these meetings on a regular basis.

If we reached an understanding and rapport with these teenagers - before al-Qaeda did - not only would it have pushed the Israeli-Palestinian peace process along, it may have forced Arab nations to open their societies to the 21st century economy where goods and services are traded and tourism flourishes.

Having a financial stake in the globalized world would give young Muslims a reason to live, not to die (see Indonesia). And that would do more to make us safer over the long run then any "smart bomb."

Unfortunately, President Bush has not prevented a single Muslim from becoming a terrorist. In fact, his senseless war in Iraq has actually INCREASED terrorist recruitment and fundraising (great going, Mr. President).

Of course shortsighted Republicans will roll their eyes at getting to the "root cause" of terrorism. But as long as Mr. Bush continues to fight this "war on terror" with arrogant incompetence - a broken "stick," and no "carrot" - not only will we be looking over our shoulders for the rest of our lives expecting the next attack, but we'll be sending troops on dangerous missions to the Mid-East and Asia for decades.

Is that a practical way to go after al-Qaeda? Of course not. But fighting an endless war with a continuous/permanent military presence in those parts of the world - and the fear President Bush brings with it - is exactly what he and the Republican party have in mind because it gives them additional opportunities to rile up their base with more tough talk.

And if that doesn't show you where the priorities of this White House lie, then nothing will.