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Capture Bin Laden —Don’t Kill Him
- November 25th, 2008Killing Bin Laden Continues Disastrous Bush Policies
President-elect Obama stated on his recent 60 Minutes appearance that he was committed to “capturing or killing Bin Laden”. I agree that Bin Laden, and his second in command Al Zawahiri, should be captured, but they should not be killed. Killing them would be a continuation of the disastrous policies of the War on Terror which so isolated us from the rest of the world. It is a dangerous policy and one which the Obama administration should carefully re-examine.
Victims of Terrorism Not Just American
I have been studying the terrorism issue since 1998 when the U.S. embassies in Kenya and Tanzania were bombed by Al Qaeda. The victims of those bombings were overwhelmingly African citizens. Although the target was the U.S., the reaction of the U.S. was to personalize the attack and the African victims were virtually ignored. Although the attack of 9/11 were also on the United States, in fact the actual victims that day included people from many other countries.
Terrorism is a World Problem
The reaction of the Bush administration to the 9/11 attacks was to declare a War on Terror, which became a war on those who would attack the U.S. A “Wanted: Dead or Alive” policy prevailed. This led to the the Iraq War and the morally questionable actions at Abu Graib and Guantanamo and torture by Americans.
Terrorism is not and has never been solely an American problem. It is a world problem. People have been killed by terrorists in the past fifteen years in the following countries: Argentina, India, Israel, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Kenya, Tanzania, Yemen, USA, Indonesia, Russia, Phillipines, Pakistan, Iraq, Spain, Great Britain and Jordan. Not all these attacks were carried out by Al Qaeda, but many of them were.
Capture Him -Take Him to International Criminal Court
It makes more sense to capture Bin Laden and Al Zawahiri and bring them to trial at the International Criminal Court for crimes against humanity. They should be tried in a court, not executed by Americans acting alone. Many survivors want to be heard and a court of law is the appropriate place for a calling to account.
Killing Bin Laden Makes Him a Martyr
Let’s not be naïve. Just capturing Bin Laden and Al Zawahiri will not eliminate Al Qaeda and it will not stop terrorist attacks on the U.S. or elsewhere. Al Qaeda is now a worldwide network with only loose ties to the top. To kill Bin Laden would be to martyr him. Alienated Muslim youth around the world would be inspired by his death.
Let Us Hear Their Defense
Capturing Bin Laden and Zawahiri gives the entire world an opportunity to hear their defense. If they want to indict the U.S., let us hear that argument clearly and fully. Al Qaeda, it is said, wants to create a new caliphate. What progress have they made in creating it? What positive things have they done for those Muslims who dream of a better world for their children and grandchildren?
Start a Conversation with the Islamic World
It is time for the moderates of the Muslim world to have an open conversation about what they want for their future, the part their Islamic faith should play in that journey and how the rest of the world can be their partners as they travel this road. Bringing the heads of Al Qaeda to the International Criminal Court would be one way to start such a conversation.
Additional Reference:
What Terrorists Want by Louise Richardson. Random House: New York, 2006.
Have a thought about this blog? Please leave a comment and start a conversation!
November 26th, 2008 at 9:09 pm
The idea is stated so perfectly and stirs the fire for truth. In the case of a court of HEARING, it feels so much less condemning in the phrase above where the word JUSTICE has been substituted for the word Criminal. Let no man proclaim another to be a criminal unless it be proclaimed ultimately by humanity under the direction of morally Supreme guidelines. On the international scale where there are large variant concepts of what IS justifiable homicide and what is NOT justifiable behavior, the high court will under take due consideration the facts, thusly proclaim what IS criminal or justifiable leadership behavior.
The effect of what is good, exerts an irrefutable power over evil when what is considered good is used to expose the evil and flush it out from the dark corners of man’s thoughts. A “WORLD AS ONE” perspective is the necessary view, such that as it is promoted, will begin to form the growth of justice in the minds and thinking of HUMANS everywhere. The events sponsored by terrorists must be seen for the effects they produce. The mission of violence is to promote dominance and mastery over the masses. The cry for a peaceful world, the cry for rulership with justice simply for righteousness sake shall not stop at the doorway of our ears.
Many “would-be” world “saviors” want to be heard for their self-justification and a court of law is the appropriate place for a calling to account. Bringing Bin Ladin to the international courts would become the loudest outcry for truly “hearing” since Jesus of Nazareth proclaimed God’s justice for the entire world of man. In this instance as a modern-day case, it would be the “process” producing the miracles.
Ladinism should have its say for humans to judge how each one of us as individuals will desire and expect to conduct one’s own life. We would learn to expect and demand the exercise of living kindness on the world level only after it has arisen from the people.
Our governments, although acting as autonomous “tribes” will gradually learn the growth of human dignity and our capacity for earthly affairs. Mankind is not broken, we may simply just need some assembly. What better way than to have a world lesson more captivating than a USA presidential campaign.
A bold move by the powers of this earth, to capture and bring to the International sanctioned stage to extol their worldly virtues in the face of opposition. Such a trial would begin the greatest saga of self “Identity” on earth ever witnessed in these modern times. Usually only during moments in history of world wars has such opportunity presented itself. This could be the trial for a “WORLD” identity, associated with right principles towards one another – lets call it ONEINOTHER.
When reported by writers and authors the world over, it will have more impact on our world and reaffirm the value of human life. This possibility could be what is represented in your brilliant thought. Think about the appeal to Bin Ladin this approach would have creating an international audience to proclaim His cause. Why, it possibly might be an enticing invitation for Ladin to give himself up for this life time opportunity.
Evil wants to hide so as to create its dark power of fear. Truth desires to come to be the light of the world and hope for the human family, as did the ransom sacrifice of the profits of ancient days. They stood ready and willing to be put to death for their inspired knowledge. They are each perfect examples of the greatest witnesses the world has ever been given. The people, the rulers and Noblemen of the nations all need so desperately the truth of Terrorism and the light of justice to become written for healing of the nations of humans everywhere.