IP: Re Two points of View from Down Under -- one pro, one con

[David Farber <dave () farber net>]

> te: Tue, 23 Oct 2001 07:59:53 -0500
> From: Steve Cohen <stevecoh1 () home com>
>
> Interesting.  I had found the author's gratuitous left-bashing annoying, 
> unnecessary to the theme of his article - and yet I still feel he may be 
> on to something.  I am not sure what the outcome of all this will be, but 
> it is possible that the tactical brilliance of the Sept 11 attacks is 
> hiding their strategic stupidity.
>
> It's a pretty hard act to follow - we are ready for airliner attacks, and 
> if nothing else stops them, it looks like the passengers will.  What do 
> they do for an encore?  This anthrax is driving us a bit nuts, but it 
> doesn't seem to be having any effects that would please bin Laden.  As has 
> been pointed out, the media and political celebrities don't open their own 
> mail.  Is killing a few postal workers a strategy?  The possibility exists 
> that bin Laden succeeded on Sept 11 beyond his wildest dreams, now what 
> does he do for an encore?
>
> Consider this: for at least eight years, Islamic militants seem to have 
> had an obsession about the World Trade Center.  Why?  Did they think that 
> by destroying it, they would be landing a mortal blow not only to the 
> people who worked there but to America itself?  If so, they certainly did 
> misunderstand their enemy.
>
> Yes, the bin Ladenists are dangerous and must be stopped, but is it 
> possible that we are crediting them with genius they do not, in fact, possess?
>
> When all is said and done, these forms of terrorism never seem to 
> accomplish anything but strengthening the hand of the forces the 
> terrorists oppose.  For example, even though the Weathermen operated in a 
> sea of hostility to the government and its war in Vietnam, who in the end 
> actually followed their crazy lead?


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