This conflict attracts bad opinions like static electricity. I find it amazing to see the kind of respect Arab nationalism and the Arab League are getting these days. The one that I simply cannot tolerate is the Baby Bin Laden theory.
Dershowitz wrote several months ago about how it was that world opinion has come to accept the terrorism of the Palestinian cause. But let me just separate the two and say Hamas. Hamas has somehow become a legitimatized organization because of the the politics of the region. I think people have become so distanced from the idea of a fight that they can hardly imagine that there is meaning in a fair fight. Which suggests that all fighting is equally horrible and to hell with the methods, let loose the foaming rabid canines of war. The only kind of empathy Arabs and Muslims seem to merit these days by those against "Bush's War" is as enraged, desparate suicidal revenge killers. I've heard this all my life: "If I was black, I'd kill every white person around." This is not empathy, this is foolishness.
The cause of nationalism is still valid even as globalism procedes. As global ways and means of power transform us in the first world, the necessities of the nations in the second world still count. Simply because America has become a superpower does not mean that the code of conduct for nations who are not superpowers should deviate from what nations have been. Every state with a grudge against the US does not retain the right to become a rogue state. Hence Arab nationalism, even Islamic nationalism, have no new rights to generate nations forged in the cauldron of hate. Most importantly, those who claim to be on moral course have no right to excuse.
I am unabashedly for an American empire. I believe we are capable, at our best and learning the lessons of history, to make transformative changes for the better in this world. I believe that what we have learned as a nation can and should help other nations. I accept that we are about to fulfill our purpose successfully in Iraq and I am moving on from that. Today there are countries on this planet that employ child soldiers. Something should be done. We should do it.
If and when we do, I should expect those who argue against our engagement to repeat the same faulty logic. We will only create more child soldiers. Think about what you are saying.