I'm an Englishman living in New York, who before 9/11 identified with the left. After 9/11 I was appalled by the response of much of the left, seeking the noblest motivations possible for terrorism, in contrast to its clearly stated objectives. Injustice is never a sufficient explanation for terrorism and frequently not even necessary. A fanatical and evil ideology is always necessary, and frequently sufficient. It must be opposed everywhere, and the line must be drawn where apologists are most vocal. If terrorism is explained sympathetically in Israel or Iraq, condemnation of events in London or New York means nothing. This is a defining issue, far more so than the Iraq war. Events there have gone more according to my fears than my hopes, and I backed Kerry, but understand that if Iraq is the reason for an attack, it is not because of what we have got wrong, but because we are an obstacle to the evil Al Qaeda seeks to achieve there. Let the left reject the terrorist apologists, and let the right respect the decent left. Unite! |
