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We would have known, both of us, that all that was
mere fluff: in the end, for millions and millions of
people on the landmasses around us, the West meant only
this — science and tanks and guns and bombs.
Amitav Ghosh
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April 13, 2002
Since September 11, the dogs of war have been loosed upon
the world. Many people think it's inevitable, because we have to Do Something about "terrorism," and
that "something" has to be done with tanks and bombers and men with guns.
To the people on the receiving end of that ammo, I think
it must look a lot like "terrorism" aimed
at them; I imagine they feel they have to Do Something, too.
When Bush chose war in Afghanistan as his response to the Sept. 11 attacks and promised
to push that war worldwide wherever he could find terrorism, he sent the John Wayne
message around the world. It resonated in Israel, India, Columbia and other conflict
zones as well. Talks are cut off. Conflicts escalate.
Israel, sad Israel, is dominating the news. It even kept the dramatic Venezuelan
coup and its subsequent failure down on the middle of the LA Times front page. NPR
and Pacifica are full of learned and passionate voices analyzing and debating events.
What strikes me is the similarity between the pro-Palestinian and pro-Israeli voices,
all filled with justifications and determination, and with the righteous demands
of the injured for justice.
TO THESE PEOPLE, and on their behalf, and on behalf of the victims on both sides
of all conflicts (I heard the other day that every 22 minutes someone in the world
steps on a forgotten landmine), I ask: Why not war?
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