Public Relations & Terrorism

Submitted by Margaret Doocey (United States), Apr 9, 2003 at 12:47

Dear Dr. Pipes:
I happily join so many of your readers with my own thanks for your perseverance towards truth and for the wise observations so eloquently expressed in your writing.

Mr. Traux's (President Mubarak May Have Forgotten Some Things) comments about the big-money factor that, of necessity, supports terrorist activities was both well made and well taken. However, a point may be justifiably added, I think. I contend that Mr. Mubarack, along with so many other Mid-East top dogs, have spent HUGH amounts of money on the Terrorist Public Relations firm run by Mr. Arafat and friends. In my opinion, Chairman Arafat has pocketed billions in trade for images that depict "terrorist" Israelies attacking defensless Palestinians. Mr. Arafat's methods, obviously, do nothing to help the Palestinian people he so willingly sacrifices for his profit. Perhaps he considers the murdered Israelies collateral damage, or the cost of doing business?

At any rate, the power of the images and related propaganda made by The Arafat/Hamas Public Relations Machine clearly most benefits the (increasingly insecure) thugs who run most of the Arab world's policies. The horrific propaganda serves to divert a throughly unsatisfied populace away from the true source of their troubles -- which leads us right back to the thuggery running operations in the Arab world. And the thugs-that-rule seem willing to spend lots to keep the good PR going. Their self-interested spending will not be as effective as new, more powerful images of liberated Iraqis/Afghanis begin to replace the false propaganda. Maybe we can help move that process along.

It would be wrong to think that Mr. Arafat holds the only Public Relations firm working for the Arab world powers that be. There are many others. One such organization that seems to be doing well right here in the USA is CAIR (The Council on American (Arab?) Islamic (Islamist?) Relations. I suggest that along with simply waiting for the humane results as legitimate images/stories of liberated peoples break through (layers of supression) to still occupied Mid-East populations, perhaps letter campaigns to organizations like CAIR, would be helpful. I'm aware this readership will not do anything based upon limited information ... so go ahead to their website (CAIR will get you there) and read their slant on the war news and see what you think. Then send them e-mails. And, not to overly extend my point, but how about some letters to what increasing appears to have the joined the ranks of PR firms already mentioned -- the BBC?

Thanks for this forum and the opportunities it affords.
Yours, Ms. Margaret Doocey, New York

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