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Submitted by Paul Mason (United States), Feb 7, 2006 at 10:59

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As for the attached column, I agree with it but am concerned over shoot from the hip statements from George W. Bush. We cannot afford cowardice. Yet terrorists have demonstrated well their ability to respond; not unlike U.S. opponents in Vietnam four decades ago; if not in style in effectiveness. Need weneedless tempt or inflame them? We already have two current Asian Wars, neither of which we seem to control. Do we need a worse conflagration between Islam and the West, with Russia and China observing with interest from the sidelines?

The problem suggests choices faced in London, Paris (and Moscow) in early autumn 1938 regarding Hitler. Appeasement did not work then; although in view of coming horrors, and when what became the Allies were so unprepared for war at that point, and with such fresh memories of "the Great War" -- were those futile efforts of Chamberlain so outrageous?

Freedom to publish? Of course! Yet considering swirling crowds in the Mideast and opponents who view suicide bombing as strategy, philosophical debate suggests utilizing the Socratic approach when facing a enraged tiger. What we need are valid and effective solutions and answers.

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