No, the Patriot Act has stripped us of civil liberties and has not thwarted any terror attacks. There are several problems with the approach to fight terrorism.
(1) You cannot fight a war against terrorism any more than you could against lies, cheating or corruption. Terrorism is not an enemy but a tactic some enemy might use against us. Terrorism is and always has been a law enforcement problem and not a military one. To be successful, the military needs clarity about two things: who the enemy is (target) and what victory looks like (mission). The war on terrorism, just as the war on drugs, lacks both.
(2) One can only solve problems in the domain where they are created. Social problems cannot be solved with economic solutions, nor criminal problems with military ones. Having served in the USAF, I know that our military is supremely capable of dealing with all kinds of threats to our national security. It can put down regimes and armies representing such a threat, however, nation building is not a mission for the military.
(3) Terrorism is fostered when a real or perceived bully meddles in the affairs of others. As we think of solutions, let's do a "shoe on the other foot" test. How would the US react if some foreign power from the other side of the world decided to wage war on one of our neighbors to install a regime more in line with their religious or political views?
Since you've asked what I would suggest instead, I will offer my opinion. I would prefer if we did not bomb and drone countries on the far side of the world (or anywhere else) but instead would become an instrument of fostering education, commerce, technology, trade, healthcare and agriculture. I would prefer if we dealt with criminal acts using established law enforcement processes. I would prefer if we stopped creating refugees by the millions by destroying their homes, businesses and places of worship. I swore an oath to defend the US against all enemies, an oath I take very seriously to this day. The operative verb is defend.
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Trump’s First 100 Days: What’s Doable And What’s Not?
Yes, Gary. You are spot on. It is all theater. Sad but true and what saddens me the most is such great potential wasted on trivialities.
Trump’s First 100 Days: What’s Doable And What’s Not?
No, the Patriot Act has stripped us of civil liberties and has not thwarted any terror attacks. There are several problems with the approach to fight terrorism.
(1) You cannot fight a war against terrorism any more than you could against lies, cheating or corruption. Terrorism is not an enemy but a tactic some enemy might use against us. Terrorism is and always has been a law enforcement problem and not a military one. To be successful, the military needs clarity about two things: who the enemy is (target) and what victory looks like (mission). The war on terrorism, just as the war on drugs, lacks both.
(2) One can only solve problems in the domain where they are created. Social problems cannot be solved with economic solutions, nor criminal problems with military ones. Having served in the USAF, I know that our military is supremely capable of dealing with all kinds of threats to our national security. It can put down regimes and armies representing such a threat, however, nation building is not a mission for the military.
(3) Terrorism is fostered when a real or perceived bully meddles in the affairs of others. As we think of solutions, let's do a "shoe on the other foot" test. How would the US react if some foreign power from the other side of the world decided to wage war on one of our neighbors to install a regime more in line with their religious or political views?
Since you've asked what I would suggest instead, I will offer my opinion. I would prefer if we did not bomb and drone countries on the far side of the world (or anywhere else) but instead would become an instrument of fostering education, commerce, technology, trade, healthcare and agriculture. I would prefer if we dealt with criminal acts using established law enforcement processes. I would prefer if we stopped creating refugees by the millions by destroying their homes, businesses and places of worship. I swore an oath to defend the US against all enemies, an oath I take very seriously to this day. The operative verb is defend.
Trump’s First 100 Days: What’s Doable And What’s Not?
STOP the #Patriot Act -- repeal it, right along with corporate personhood.
Trump’s First 100 Days: What’s Doable And What’s Not?
the Patriot Act!