The Left And The Cold War Vs The War On Terror
By Warner Todd Huston (02/12/04)
I am struck with an interesting dichotomy when comparing reactions of the left to today's efforts against terrorism with yesterday's Cold War. In the 1950's, 60's and 70's the left in America was sure that we would be destroying the world any second with nuclear weapons. They were positive that the two or three major world powers were crazy enough to end it all. We even had a clock constantly counting down how close we were to doomsday based on the political climate in the world.
However, today that constant fear seems utterly forgotten. Those on the left seem to have no fear what so ever that such destruction could similarly befall us any minute in today's political climate. As if all parties have suddenly found cold logic and the "craziness" of the past has disappeared.
Yet today, it is easier than it ever was to create or even buy outright such destructive weapons. The Pakistanis have recently proven that any rogue scientist may supplement their income by selling such weapons or technologies on the black market. We are constantly reminded how easily bio weapons can be created and/or sold with the barest of means.
Yet, the left seems totally unmindful of these worries. We are told not to "profile' people. That militarily eliminating direct threats is somehow a bad thing. They do not even seem to realize the importance of the decision by Libya’s Colonel Gaddafi to open a dialog with the west over eliminating his own weapons of mass destruction.
When comparing the world of the Cold War to today's war on terrorism there is one factor that is constantly overlooked by the left. In the Cold War, we had a sort of club of the major world powers possessing nuclear capabilities who had at least one foot firmly on the ground when making their policies and plans. With the terrorists we fight today their logic is non-existent because these people are basing their decisions on a fanatical reading of the "word of God" making logic the last thing they care about.
Yet the left is acting as if logical, diplomatic discussion is our only option. That if only we "understoond" these maniacs' issues we can somehow make amends and they will suddenly, miraculously become our friends.
How is it that they trust today's fanatical, religious nuts more so than they did entire, long established countries during the Cold War? They seem not to fear people who have nothing to loose today, yet felt countries with much to loose then were somehow less trust worthy in those days gone by? In fact, the only approbation they heap upon religion is that which they throw at the religions in our own society.
At least the Left is consistent in their inconsistency, though. It wasn't too long ago that the returning soldiers from Vietnam were spat upon by leftists and called Baby killers. Now, with John Kerry's candidacy, Vietnam vets are suddenly heroes. Yes, the left is truly an enigma.
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