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War & Foreign Policy

There are a number of negative, unintended consequences of the U.S. Government's foreign policy. These consequences, known by the CIA as "blowback", manifest themselves as hatred toward Americans by many in other countries. As a result, not only is the view of the United States dwindling in the eyes of foreigners, but we are also becoming subject to terrorist attacks. The foreign policy of interventionism to impose the government's will on others and "fight terrorism" actually creates more terrorism.

Michael Scheuer, former head of the CIA's bin Laden unit, had this to say when asked if we were safer or more vulnerable to terrorism, "In the long run, we're not safer because we're still operating on the assumption that we're hated because of our freedoms, when in fact we're hated because of our actions in the Islamic world. There's our military presence in Islamic countries, the perception that we control the Muslim world's oil production, our support for Israel and for countries that oppress Muslims such as China, Russia, and India, and our own support for Arab tyrannies. ... Publicly promoting democracy while supporting tyranny may be the most damaging thing we do."

In fact, Osama bin Laden himself has been very clear about the reasons they attack the U.S. Certainly terrorist attacks are not justified. But just as the motive is sought after in a homicide case, so too must we understand why we are attacked if we have any hope of becoming safer.

We must take the following actions:

• Remove our military presence from Islamic countries, as quickly and safely as possible, to eliminate the incentive for al Qaeda to recruit new members.
• Discontinue foreign aid to other countries, especially to those that would have a negative effect on our safety. Welfare to countries has no more of a positive effect than does welfare to individuals.
• Use a tool provided in the Constitution known as "Letters of Marque and Reprisal" to legally and effectively go after those responsible for the attacks of 9/11. We must fight terrorists, not terrorism.

It is believed by some that this is a "blame America" position.  But it should be clear to anyone reading this that it is the US Government's policy that is to blame, not the American people.  Don't confuse our country and our people with our government.