Western Restraint or Liberal Fear

Submitted by Josh Farst (United States), Jul 23, 2003 at 01:23

I agree 100% with Mr. Harris's assessment that the Western rule book needs to be set aside for those that play by no rules, but the article fails to recognize the critical factor (Although, his book may elaborate).

Jihadists ruthlessness is not the critical problem, but Western liberal fear seems to be the main obstacle in fighting terror. We can destroy our enemies if those that oppose our every step can be convinced of the worthiness of our cause and dissuaded in their fear. I believe that most who oppose our relentless pursuit of terrorists (not counting those sympathetic to the terrorists) are in opposition out of fear of the ruthlessness of our enemies. They see in themselves the unwillingness to do whatever it takes to win this battle so why even bat at the hornet's nest? To throw out the rule book will only invite greater degrees of depravity by our enemies and by appearing in opposition to our defense they believe in some internal sense that they have bought themselves immunity from the savage's brutality. To convince these tepid and cowardly Westerners is the most crucial aspect in the war on terror, in my opinion.

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