Your point of distinguishing Americans from their government is a good one.

However, I think you’re being overly optimistic when you suggest that radical Muslims, left to their own devices, will restrict themselves to killing each other (rather than us). As long as the US and other developed countries continue to do business in Middle Eastern countries (as it is our right to do so), the ‘western’ world will continue to be despised (precisely because of its wealth) by impoverished populations living under theocracies.

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The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan can justifiably seen as pre-emptive self-defense on America’s part. It’s unfortunate that America tries to justify these wars on ‘humanitarian’ grounds, pretending that their military presence has some sort of beneficial effect on enemy populations. What it needs to do is forsake ‘just war’ policy and simply incapicitate countries that make war, or threaten to make war on America. It needs to pursue unequivocal surrenders, such as those made by the Nazis and imperial Japan in the second world war.

Terrorism is a means of war. There can be no such thing as a ‘war on terrorism.’ Nor should there be. There are very real ideologies in the world today (and more disturbingly, governments respresentative of these ideologies) that threaten countries where individual freedoms remain paramount. These ideologies and countries are the real enemy, and we shouldn’t hesitate to name them so, in the name of cultural relativism, tolerance, or any other moral grayness.

I’ve said it before – the war in Iraq is a strategic mistake, but not a moral one. Our justification for being there is too ‘left.’ We need to challenge this idea that the purpose of war is to ‘help’ our enemies (or their compliant populations).

And, no, the ‘war’ on AIDS, cancer, poverty, and famines should not be the priority (at least not of government). Private charities and organizations can focus their resources in these areas, and you with these agencies (should these be your priorities as well). Beyond protecting our individual rights, and the country (from force), there are no moral functions of government.

More at: http://www.discovervancouver.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=166928