Totally inappropriate
They are still triage-ing the victims of the London terrorist attacks, but already I'm thinking. And, yes, maybe this discussion is totally inappropriate at this juncture, but I need to pose the questions anyway.
Tony Blair, staunch military ally that he is, gets a lot of crap from his electorate for the global war on terror and specifically the war in Iraq. If ever a man has stood firmly behind his beliefs, it is Tony Blair...at least in this respect. And you have to admit, that for a politician, this sort of conviction is courageous. I mean, it is most certainly the road-less-traveled for politicians.
Now, I have no doubt that had these coordinated attacks taken place in an American city, there would be a great hue and cry, calls for retribution, etc. When Americans are attacked, we tend to circle the wagons, come up with a plan, then go out and kick ass and sort the bodies later. It is part of our national identity. "Don't Tread On Me" is the national ingrained motto. We are not (usually) appeasers and apologists when our own blood is spilled. Which is not to say that we don't have our own subset group that would fall into this category, just that it takes a while for the pain to subside enough for this group's rhetoric to be loud enough to be heard.
My question is what this attack on the homeland will do to the British mindset. From what I understand, by and large, they side with the terrorists. So will victimization at the hands of terrorists send them the way of most Americans, or will they take a page out of Spain's book in the wake of the Madrid bombing?
I don't really know. I realize all of this conjecture is a bit in poor taste, but I'm curious. It could be very important.
>3 Comments:
At 1:39 PM,
said...
Whoa there. Please explain your comment: "British mindset...they side with terrorists". How do you get that?
At 2:13 PM,
Phoenix said...
Well first, you are splicing two sentences together.
I recognize that the second sentence, however, does display a sweeping generality. This statement is based on my impressions of the British mindset as portrayed by their own media and our own. I realize that the media rarely gets it right, and that there are a great many Brits dedicated to the fight (just as there are non-redneck, non-religious Republicans, and non-Islamic Extremist Republicans).
I should not have been so sweeping in my generalities and played to the media's tune. I apologize.
However, the fact remains that Tony Blair only narrowly won reelection and the reason most cited is his support of the USA, the Global War on Terror, the War in Iraq, and most damning, his support of President Bush.
My point, rather than drawing crude generalities and falsely stereotyping a very proud people with a heroic past, was to question the impact that this could have on public sentiment.
The impression I have is that the size of the war-dissenting Brits group is much larger, in percentages, than the size of the same group in the USA.
My fear is that those who support the war, but whose support is wavering, will only hear the cries of those who say "we got what we deserved." My impression is that there are too many appeasers on the other side of the pond, and that this can only lead to another Madrid-style defection.
My further concern is what this could mean to putting an end to terrorism permanently.
At 9:17 AM,
said...
Yes, I did splice, but to identify your group. A few thoughts: the English have had to deal with terrorism on their home soil for far longer than we have. I agree this was terrible, but have a hard time believing this will make them waiver on their opinions. The IRA doesn't get much sympathy....
The media in England shows a slant, but likes to take the "angelic" route of life preservation.
Lastly, the English have not had personal freedoms like us for so long they have a hard time understanding the full concept of freedom from tyranny. Their public has been disarmed for so long they don't know why any of us would want to carry a gun- concealed or not- unless we meant to harm someone. From my experience, they mainly look to Big Brother on the big issues...but they are a country different from ours where we have it written that it is us, as a People, to preserve and protect and change what isn't right.
In conclusion, those opposed will shout louder....those who believe in the cause will be ever more resolved. -I know Blair's election was close, but the same could be said for Dubya.... the quiet group for the war don't want to look like warmongers. You get picked on.
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