Posted on 11/05/2001 4:43:36 PM PST by Alissa
Edited on 04/23/2004 12:03:52 AM PDT by Jim Robinson. [history]
Amid the intense and reassuring outpouring of patriotism in the aftermath of September 11, the discordant notes on the political and cultural left were easy to discount. Polls showed 90%-plus support for the president; the numbers favoring sustained military response were nearly as high. The bipartisan backing of administration policy was unprecedented, and the public soberly understood the gravity of the challenge. Yet there's reason to worry that as the shock wears off and the costs of war mount, the voices of those who would deny America's moral authority to defend itself will grow more insistent and will confront us with a different kind of danger.
(Excerpt) Read more at opinionjournal.com ...
I'm rapidly coming to the conclusion that this war is nothing more than a clash between two fundamentalist societies, the Islamic fundamentalism of the Taliban, and the Multicultural fundamentalism of America. In both societies openly questioning the official orthodoxy can result in real consequences. The difference is that the Taliban actually kills dissenters, while dissenters in America only end up being harassed by government officials, and possibly losing their jobs. Sort of a "kinder, gentler" form of authoritarinism.
I wish the author would have elaborated on which of Mr. [Eric] Foner's (NO RELATION!:) books are required reading. Amazon lists 29 History, 23 Non-fiction and 3 Reference books under his name; none of which look very good once you get past the title.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.