War on Terrorism

[spainlads]

George W Bush is all out for his "War on Terrorism" yet the USA held fund raising events for the IRA. Why isn't he bombing himself??

[WaldoMcFroog]

You misunderstand the way in which the word 'Terrorism' is used in this context. 'Terrorism' is not a blanket term meaning any act of terror against a state, but a specific word meaning an act of terror aimed against the interests of the United States (or of its allies, should it be prudent for the US to think so).

The US is, of course, the single largest supporter of terrorism in the world, both directly through arms sales to places such as Indonesia (genocidal policies against East Timor (UK also very guilty of supporting this), Israel (far too many vetos of UN resolutions aimed at bring about a peace settlement, massive arms supplies, brokering of arms deals to outlawed states (i.e. South Africa under apartide recieved US arms via Israel), Nicaragua (support of the contras) and also has directly carried out military strikes against civillian targets such as mosques etc in Saudi Arabia, deliberate targetting of civilian targets in Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia etc etc (the list is depressingly long).

In this light, since the IRA poses no threat to any US interests, and indeed since there are many more Irish in the US than there are in Ireland, and it is politically expedient to do so, it is regrettably inevitable that Bush wouldn't count this as terrorism.

Moreover, the IRA has been virtually inactive during Bush's presidency. Additionally, it should be noted that the US policy of supporting terrorism is not one started by Bush by any stretch of the imagination. Indeed, it is merely US policy.

[slimjim]

The Americans turn up late for all wars. A couple of years too late for the world wars and about 30 years too late for the war on terrorism. Its all about personal interests. And to give Tony his dues, he was doing a pretty good job on the NI peace process (at least until he naively asked the NI politicians to have a go at working together). Come the War on Terrorism(TM), he just kowtows to Dubya. As an aside, I remember being asked to 'give to the good cause' in a number of Boston bars back in the 80s. The IRA were genuinely seen as brave freedom fighters. Given the average American's knowledge of world affairs, it was no surprise that the IRA did so well over there.

[thewillow]

Indeed, many Americans have a romantic view of Ireland. The IRA are murderous scum. Sinn Fein are hypocritical, ex-murderous scum.

[paulie]

he probably tried and hit his next door neighbour....who was probably british

[wrighty1980]

Wow, we're not fond of the USA here are we?! I think all nations act in a self interested way (including us!), its just more noticable with America because they're the only superpower left and the impact of their decisions is bigger. The answer, I suppose is that one person's terrorist is another person's freedom fighter. Not very satisfactory, I know, but cycles of hatred are difficult to dispel.

[WoWo]

No wrighty1980, I don't think we are anti-American but I think people take a dim view of hypocrisy. I don't think its just a simple coincidence that IRA or any group on either side has been active during recent years and the introduction of the wat on Terrorism. I certainly don't have a problem with America defending itself or its interest but by the same token they have gone around the world looking for support for their WOT under the ideal that its a war on all Terrorism which it simply isn't.