Bob Hebert: Aiding Our Enemies

[gristy]

"Fanaticism consists in redoubling your effort when you have forgotten your aim."

— George Santayana

Here we go again.

I wonder if Americans will continue to fall for the political exploitation of their fears of terrorism, or if voters will begin to show some awareness of the fact that they have been cynically manipulated, and that our current policies have been disastrously counterproductive.

The disrupted plot to blow up as many as 10 passenger jets bound for the United States was a reminder, as if we needed a reminder, that the threat of terror remains both real and imminent. And it was a reminder that the greatest danger to Americans here at home continues to be an attack by a group affiliated with, or inspired by, Al Qaeda.

That being the case, what in the world are we doing in Iraq?

The rest is good/scary too, but you gotta be a subscriber...

http://select.nytimes.com/2006/08/14/opinion/14herbert.html

[Sherman A1]

1. What are we doing in Iraq?

Is the fundamental question? One that comes with many, many excuses and no good answer.

[thepurpose]

2. NYT: Tear down this wall.