Posted on 08/02/2006 9:19:03 AM PDT by Gelato
A time for war
Posted: August 2, 2006 1:00 a.m. Eastern
By Alan Keyes
The battle against Hezbollah threatens to expose the hollow reality of the Bush administration's conduct of the war against terrorism. In the wake of 9-11, Bush boldly and properly identified the enemy as terrorism itself. He boldly and properly challenged the nations of the world to understand the deadly threat it represents to any semblance of international order and community. He boldly and properly excluded the possibility of neutrality, making it clear that every nation would have to choose which side it was on: for or against the forces of terror.
"We will starve terrorists of funding, turn them one against another, drive them from place to place, until there is no refuge or no rest. And we will pursue nations that provide aid or safe haven to terrorism. Every nation, in every region, now has a decision to make. Either you are with us, or you are with the terrorists. From this day forward, any nation that continues to harbor or support terrorism will be regarded by the United States as a hostile regime. … This is not, however, just America's fight. And what is at stake is not just America's freedom. This is the world's fight. This is civilization's fight." (President George W. Bush, Address to a Joint Session of Congress and the American People, Sept. 20, 2001)
Until now, one of the problems with the war on terror has been the quite understandable reluctance of governments openly to declare their complicity with the terrorist menace. Though states like Iran and Syria provide key support for terrorist entities, including safe havens, weapons and other facilities, they have taken care to maintain some semblance of deniability, however implausible.
Now, Hezbollah's terrorist war making has erupted into full-scale battle. Hezbollah is an entity that the U.S. government has always and unequivocally included as an active and dangerous element of the global infrastructure of terror. The U.S. has also recognized that Iran and Syria are its key backers. But with no open declaration on their part to this effect, Hezbollah's terror war did not formally implicate these governments.
In reaction to the present battle, however, both Syria and Iran are bringing their support into the open. Iran is encouraging its people to provide material support to Hezbollah. Syria is rattling its sabers and declaring its determination to join the battle on Hezbollah's side. If Syria acts upon this declaration, it will openly commit itself to the defense of a terrorist group. It will openly choose the side of terror. It would be the first state to do so since the war against terror began after 9-11.
If the anti-terror war is more than hollow rhetoric, the logical and necessary response of the Bush administration will be a message to Capitol Hill requesting that, on account of the overt Syrian alliance with a terrorist entity, Congress formally declare the state of war that would then undeniably exist between the United States and Syria. If the statement that terrorism threatens the world is more than empty posturing, the logical and necessary response of the Bush administration will be a demand that the members of the United Nations join us in uniting for peace against a state whose open alliance with terror threatens the very concept of humanity that makes the quest for peace the common cause of all.
No other course would be consistent with the premise that, after 9-11 the U.S. was not at war just with al-Qaida and those directly involved in the attacks, but with terrorism and all those who practice it; that we were not just responding to a threat to the United States, but to one that in principle menaced the peace and security of the entire world. Given this premise, every act of terror against any people anywhere is an act of war, which engages our interest and ought to engage the interest of all nations, against the perpetrators. Any state that fights in open alliance with a terrorist entity is therefore, like that entity, at war with us and with all the world.
Do Syria and Iran dare now to strut their heinous support for terrorism because they do not remember, or never believed, the president's stirring declarations? Why have they stealthily all these years spit in the face of American resolve and counted on the craven cowardice or disunity of the international so-called community? The answer lies in one word – Israel. This name is their license to trample with impunity on the law of war that brands them outcasts from the community of nations, and ought to be the text of a general call to battle against their bloody imposition of terror. Whatever the logic of the Bush administration's stated principles, its actions and those of other supposedly decent nations have been and are constrained by one simple fact – Hezbollah's terror war is against the state of Israel. Already, headlines and news reports trumpet the tide of sympathy for Hezbollah in the Arab world. Already the diplocrats are hoarse who loudly decry the need for a cease-fire that will give reprieve and respite to the harried forces of terror.
If Syria and Iran succeed in openly exploiting hatred against Israel to bring their support for terror out of the shadows, they will make a mockery of the war against terror and of every life that we have thus far sacrificed in the quest to drive it from our world. Hands dripping with blood, these terrorist states and entities will plant themselves, directly or by proxy, at the tables of international discussion, ready to negotiate the terms on which the world abandons its fragile commitment to humanity and delivers victory to a criminal element whose only real strength lies in the exploitation of hate.
The Bush administration has come to a moment of truth. So have we all. War is not a word to be lightly used. After so much talk of the war against terror we come now to the moment when we must choose to confront its reality with courage, or quietly surrender to the forces of hateful terror simply because their victim and excuse is Israel. To everything, there is a season. On Sept. 11, 2001, our brief season of peace came to an end. It can come again only if we have the courage to accept what others force upon us and fight this war to victory. This is a time for war. Terrorism, against us, against Israel, against anyone, must be battled without reprieve until it is once more driven into the dark shadows where hatred sups only upon itself.
I would love to see an open declaration of war be made against Syria and Iran!
With this column Keyes confirms his status as a nut case.
When a person calls names it means he lacks a counter to the argument, or he lacks the skill to even comprehend the issue. Which is it?
He's simply invoking the Bush Doctrine.
Why is that nutty?
In the case of The Lumbster, which incidentally rhymes with The Dumpster, I think it's both.
Keyes is right. I am surprised that he can state it so succinctly though.
Except: The war is against Islamofascists who employ a weapon of terrorism, among many others. You cannot defeat a tactic, you can only defeat a defined human enemy.
Alan Keyes: This man is consistently brilliant and right on.
It would appear that MNJohnny is not the only Freeper that would be disparaging of Alan Keyes, whom most regard as being a rather staunch and rather intelligent conservative.
I can"t figure out if they are anti-Bush-bashers (defined as anyone who would dare question the actions or words of George W.)or merely anti-conservative.
Why is that nutty?
Because Keyes is always in the business of one-upping everybody else. The fool wants to insert the United States into a situation currently involving Israel and Hezbollah.
Where do we get the manpower to support such a venture, since we'd likely have to go it alone?
Thank God Almighty this guy is reduced to establishing phony front organizations to handle Minuteman money.
Include me in that group.
Any Senatorial candidate who would advocate reparations for blacks, as Keyes did in 2004, is neither conservative nor intelligent.
John Kerry, is that you?
Do you agree that Keyes' call for black reparations was "brilliant"?
But don't ask him what time it is. Oh,he'll tell you the time but will also tell you how to build a watch.
Stuff the ad hominems and answer the question.
The Bush administration has come to a moment of truth. So have we all.
Absolutely brilliant.
I really like Keys, but he blew his credibility when he became a "carpetbagger" like Hillary. That was one of the all-time worst moves of desperation by the GOP.
"I would love to see an open declaration of war be made against Syria and Iran!"
Would you, really? Seems a stupid move to me. We don't even have one in the case of Iraq. We didn't have one in Vietnam, nor in Korea.
Right now, Israel seems to be holding its own quite nicely against Hizbullah. I don't really expect that to change. Iran and Syria are doing what used be called on the street, "talking trash." Yes, they're supplying arms and support to Hizbullah. They've been doing that for years.
A declaration of war? I don't think so. In the first place, we do not have the manpower or resources on hand to carry out that war. I doubt that this country is willing to commit such resources.
No, there will be no declaration of war. We will stand by, watchfully, ready to aid Israel, if necessary. I doubt it will be necessary.
Still, if you of an age eligble for military service, I encourage you to join at once. You can serve your nation's military in the battles currently going on. If you have already served, thank you for your service.
If America has a just war to fight, she has the resources to do so. To suggest otherwise is to sound exactly like John Kerry or John Murtha.
Sorry, this country doesn't need the UN or the "world community" to defend itself, its friends or its interests.
Oh, I believe that. But screaming for a declaration of war against Syria and Iran at this point is way premature.
Screaming is something Keyes does best, however, so this is no surprise.
Here's a worrisome note:
The folks who regularly act here as Bush mouthpieces, using the latest talking points, seem to think "we don't have the resources or the manpower" to crush Iran and Syria if necessary.
Echoes of State Department weenies and leftover Clinton appointees in the Pentagon and our security services...
Scary.
Practice what you preach.
LOL!! Guess that drubbing you took on those Minuteman threads left you kinda sore.
I am tired of hearing that "terrorism" is the enemy. Terorism is a tactic used by our enemy. The enemy of western civilization is Islam. The enemy of western civilization is Islam. The enemy of western civilization is Islam. (needs to be repeated)
Now, Hezbollah's terrorist war making has erupted into full-scale battle. Hezbollah is an entity that the U.S. government has always and unequivocally included as an active and dangerous element of the global infrastructure of terror. The U.S. has also recognized that Iran and Syria are its key backers. But with no open declaration on their part to this effect, Hezbollah's terror war did not formally implicate these governments.
In reaction to the present battle, however, both Syria and Iran are bringing their support into the open. Iran is encouraging its people to provide material support to Hezbollah. Syria is rattling its sabers and declaring its determination to join the battle on Hezbollah's side. If Syria acts upon this declaration, it will openly commit itself to the defense of a terrorist group. It will openly choose the side of terror. It would be the first state to do so since the war against terror began after 9-11.
This is the tripwire moment, or else the President's clear words after 9-11 will have been shown to be empty in the end.
"Plausible deniability" will have evaporated.
No. I was simply pointing out that you're a hypocrite. You had already launched several ad hominem attacks before admonishing me not to do so. But, that's what you always do.
By the way, your earlier ad hominem about "phony front organizations" is another of your outright lies. Keyes' organizations are all registered properly with the federal government under the existing IRS and FEC regulations.
Just another attempt by you to divert the topic...
I'm having a hard time discerning whether you're spouting the WH or the DNC line today.
Seems to be some of both.
Screaming is something Keyes does best, however, so this is no surprise.
Care to explain how a well-reasoned, well-thought out, reality-based article by a former assistant Secretary of State...a protege of Jeane Kirkpatrick and one-time president of the Reagan alumni...amounts to "screaming"?
Or is that just outrageous and inaccurate hyperbole designed to denigrate the messenger?
Hypothetical question, of course, since everyone here knows the answer.
Have a good day.
You always insult and run. It's one of your trademarks.
But never fear, one of your alter egos will be along shortly to take up where you left off.
Answer a simple question:
Is open support for Hezbollah by Syria and Iran an open and shut case of state sponsorship of terror or not?
Ever heard of the draft?
For some of you nay sayers, does your favorite party line (first) approach person say and do what is best for America all the time. Does our awesome commander-in-chief?
All of us must learn to say what we mean and do what we say. Either the WOT is war or it's just mealy mouthed politik as usual.
Nowhere did I read Keyes wanted us to start a war with the Axis powers (Syria, Iran) just for fun. We need to well understand which side of the Hezie issue we stand on. If countries are opening supporting terrorism, they are our enemies, and we should engage them in a serious manner.
With a little luck, they'd re-instate the draft and hopefully you are A-1...
What is a "hollow reality" about the Bush doctrine?
Sounds like a pretty solid reality to me.
If only more Americans were able to appreciate our brilliant patriot Alan Keyes!! We certainly would not be in this mess!!!
" This is civilization's fight."
Emphasis needed!!
"Because Keyes is always in the business of one-upping everybody else. The fool wants to insert the United States into a situation currently involving Israel and Hezbollah.
Where do we get the manpower to support such a venture, since we'd likely have to go it alone?
Thank God Almighty this guy is reduced to establishing phony front organizations to handle Minuteman money."
Wow. I have to sharply disagree with you analysis and agree with Keyes here. We need to take on Iran and Syria and if we have to, do it alone. It is the will of the American people who have faltered in doing what must be done and we will pay a heavy price for that someday.
He argued blacks should be exempt from Federal Taxes.
I'd rather have that than an expanded Medicare program.
Your foul mouth is always open for business.
Yep. Without some provocation, the Congress would never approve of the reinstitution of the draft.
So, no draft.
Yes. Where do we get the 200,000 or more troops to undertake another full-front war?
If Israel could crush them, we certainly can!
Please don't concern us about petty details about such things as where are we going to get like another 100,000 troops. I am sure that Mr Keyes has gotten that all figured out. I suspect he will just put out a call through his renewamerican newsletter and like the Knights of old raise a division and lead it into battle in the Holy Land
Fine sentiment.
Which mission do we jettison in order to free up troops for a war with Hizbollah in Lebanon, plus ensure that Syria and Iran don't cause more trouble?
Do we pull out of Iraq?
Do we pull out of Afghanistan?
Those two are sure-fire losers--it would convince the terrorists that the golden road to victory is to engage in more terror.
Do we tell South Korea, Taiwan, and Japan, "Hey, guys, you're on your own as far as China and North Korea are concerned?" I don't think that's a good idea.
Maybe we pull out of NATO's command structure and suggest to Putin that we really don't care what happens to the Ukraine, Belarus, and Central Asia--that if he wants to reunify the Soviet empire, we're OK with that because Keyes wants us to jump into Lebanon. Another not-very-good idea.
Of course, we could always go back to the draft, which worked so well in Vietnam. Just think: we can conscript a bunch of 18-year-olds, half of whom would be predisposed to deserting at the first opportunity, and expect them to perform as well as the present crop of soldiers and Marines, who all volunteered to serve in the military during a war.
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