R -E-S-P-E-C-T

Here is a completely absurd editorial from Robert Wright in the NY Times today:

"Mr. Kerry rightly stressed how thoroughly Mr. Bush has lowered the world's opinion of the United States. In elaborating, he said that America can't fight a war on terrorism without allies. That's true, but it doesn't by itself underscore the penchant for complex thought that Mr. Kerry attributed to himself in his acceptance speech. Even Mr. Bush now seems to realize that antagonizing allies is a bad idea. In fact, since the dawn of recorded history, just about everyone has recognized this.

What is new, and uniquely challenging, about the war on terrorism is that hatred of America well beyond the bounds of its alliance now imperils national security. Fervent anti-Americanism among Muslims is the wellspring of terrorism, regardless of whether they live in countries whose governments cooperate with us. Yet this is a part of world opinion Mr. Kerry didn't talk about."

And later on he goes on to say:
"But, however steep the rhetorical challenge posed by the fact that real men don't need love, the Democrats have already gone a ways toward meeting it, and they've done so on the strength of a single word: respect. As anyone who tuned into the convention for more than a few minutes is probably aware, the Democrats want an America that is "respected in the world." " (emphasis mine)

The first question that must be asked is, "Who is it that doesn't like us?". There are several answers to that:
1) the old Europe
2) Middle East and Muslims in general
3) various and sudry totalitarian regimes around the world (e.g., Korea)

For the old Europe--my response is, "Who cares?" The new Europe likes us just fine and shares with us a closer affinity for freedom and individual rights. The old Europe is well on its way to becoming a socialist state and their interests and ours are slowly but surely diverging. Kerry claimed recently that Europe had a "vested interest" in our success in Iraq. Well, actually they don't--otherwise their behavior would be different. It is clear that their vested interests are in the status quo and in not rocking the boat. They were doing fine with Saddam as leader of Iraq;and only recently have we discovered the behind the scenes wheeling and dealing they had going with that thug. Give France and Germany a few more years and their opinions in most areas will be superfluous in the world, along with their economic clout. I would much prefer we tolerate their negative opinion of us, and begin to shift our priorities to Eastern Europe and the new countries that seem to appreciate what we have to offer in an alliance. Our tax money and our emotional involvement should be with those countries; not the ones who spurn our values and economic (capitalistic) success. A re-evaluation of all our"usual" alliances might not be a bad idea in this new century, especially post 9/11.

For the Middle East and Muslims in general--my response is: they have hated us since before George Bush was ever president. Remember the declaration of war in 1998 by Bin Laden? Remember Somalia? Remember the U.S.S. Cole and the 1st WTC bombing? How does Kerry plan to make us well-liked by people who are not open to reasonable, rational discussion? Who value death over life? Who cater to a "Arab street" that is unswayed by reality and deeply entrenched in their paranoid delusions. These people don't deserve our respect and we shouldn't grovel for theirs. What they do respect is strength, which we have for the most part been showing by our involvement in Afghanistan and Iraq. If we continue to mean what we say, and act accordingly, then we will slowly but surely gain their respect, if not their admiration. If we support freedom and individual rights, then we will at least give the next generation in that region a reason to change their opinion.

As far as the 3rd category- countries like North Korea understand only strength and consistence. We are in the situation with North Korea today because they tested our resolve during the Clinton years and discovered that they could get away with saying anything and then doing what they wanted. Like a toddler (imagine one with nuclear weapons), the North Korean dictator will push us to our limit just to see how we will react, so we have to be consistent and set appropriate limits. If they want our aid, they will have to do what we require. If they reneg, then there will be consequences. Again, respect will come when they completely understand that we mean it when we say something. (Remember the ice cream scene in Kramer vs. Kramer?)

So, what about "fervent anti-Americanism is the wellspring of terrorism" ? This is sick nonsense. The well-spring of terrorism is Islamic fundamentalism. People who believe that it is something that America has done to provoke this plague on the world are in total denial. This Islamic disease has grown in strength by by using the psychological mechanisms of displacement and denial. Instead of focusing on what is wrong within their own culture, they have sought to displace responsibility for the economic and social backwardness of most muslim societies and blame America (the same mechanism involved in Bush hatred--in fact, the Islamofascists psychologically have much in common with the Left in the U.S.). Their lot will not get better if they eliminate America or Israel. A transient boost in self-esteem by killing Americans will not improve their own societies. With or without Ameria, they are on a downward economic and social spiral (any culture that supresses 50% of its population--women--doesn't stand a chance of surviving except in caves). Unfortunately their irrationality does not preclude their appropriation of western technology (especially of the destructive type) to satisfy their convuluted paranoia. If they spent their money and energy investing in individuals and embracing democracy and individual rights (as we are trying to do in Afghanistan and Iraq), perhaps their people might have some hope.

Respect is earned when individuals and nations strive to live by their deepest values and do not make apologies for those values. Respect is earned when there is intellectual and emotional integrity--and integrity is not attained by ignoring reality, embracing savagery, or oppressing women's and individual rights. It is time for the countries and people who truly hate America and all it stands for to examine their motives and honestly appraise the origins of their hatred. While I do not believe that America is perfect by any means, it still shines brightly as a beacon of hope and freedom in the world.

I am truly proud, of my country's generosity and compassion (the amount that American's donate to charity is higher than all of the European countries put together); I am proud that our productivity and creativity is still the greatest in the world; and that our standard of living--even for the poorest members of our society--is far superior to most countries in the world. We do stand for the Good (and we make mistakes, but we are human, after all). We must expect that envy and resentment will be a common reaction to our success. But we cannot and must not base our foreign policy on how much we are loved in the world, or if others recognize our goodness. If our behavior is true to our values, we will at least be respected--and that is enough.

UPDATE: from Allah, a Quote of the Day - "The Democratic Party would have you believe that there is something wrong with having the whole world oppose you. But the Jews have long known that there is honor in it as long as you are right and they are wrong."