“First, even during the minimal-government era of Thomas Jefferson we wound up at war with the Barbary Pirates (in many ways, the spiritual antecedents of today’s Islamic terrorists).”
Oh yes, those damn Barbary Pirates. How did we solve that horrible problem? We used Letters of Marque and Reprisal, which worked really well. Now, if it worked for their antecedents, why would we not want to use it on the current terrorist, as Ron Paul advocates. Oh, yes I forget, just arresting “evil dooers” is not as much fun as dropping bombs and physically rounding them up in the streets.
Toward the second point on why Ron Paul is weak on defense, Islamic objections to our culture have nothing to do with defense. Under a Paul administration, we would be friends with them, which would implicitly mean that we recognize them as relevant, legitimate, and important, which is something that they are very interested in. Second, nothing would require them to take in our culture, the Imams could still censor their people all day long, and we would say nothing about it. Lastly, friendship and openness is two way, and those in the Middle East are very interested in the fate of Muslims in America and on having their ideas heard in the US forum, which would be open to them only if we are friends.
Besides, people in the Middle East are, like everyone, interested in improving their standard of living. If the US had friendship with all the countries in the Middle East with no tariffs, we would provide a huge market for their goods, while allowing them cheaper access to the better aspects of our culture and economy. If your neighbor is making you richer and better off, why attack them?
As Ron has pointed out, if they hate the West just for not being Muslim and for our depraved culture, why are they then not attacking places like Switzerland, which holds all the world’s banking, money, and has arguably a more depraved culture, since they are not as prudish on nudity as we are. Easy, Switzerland stays neutral, has great chocolate, and provides them the same great banking services as the rest of the world. We would be wise to follow Switzerland’s example.
@Mary: nope, those ideas go great with Red Cool-Aid!
