The "War" on terror

I have a friend who is remarkably intelligent but almost certainly crazy. He honestly believes that the CIA started the war on terror by making it look like there were two planes crashing into downtown buildings. They also hired Osama bin laden to do the follow up tapes...

I don't like to engage in any form of conspiracy theory, but I have convinced myself that I believe in a few absolute truths about the so called "war on terror."

Absolute Truth number 1: This is not a war on Terror- that is just spin. This is a war on America.

Even if you believe America didn't start the war, this is not a war against freedom, or democracy, or a way of life. This is a war on America hegemony in a part of the world where, quite frankly, they have no business being in the first place.

However, I think America started this war. They didn't invade Iraq (the first time) to protect the Kuwait, they did it to protect oil. Any other theory is absurd because they didn't make a habit of protecting democracy in Sub-saharan Africa.

In so doing, they build a completely unecessary air force base that further irritated the locals. Reagan Class aircraft carriers hold more planes than those bases do and have an effective range of continental Europe.

The British have turned it into the war on terror. It was how they turned Belfast into Belslow. It was a conveniant way for them to deal with the biggest problem they couldn't deal with- IRA fundraising in the American North East. September 12th was a long day for freedom fighter fundraisers.

Israel, Russia and even China had a lot to gain from a war on Terror. But not on a war against America. So did Spain, but they pulled out after they got bombed.

Absolute Truth number 2: Canada should not be involved in the "peace process" in the region

Since it isn't a war on terror or democracy, Canada's involvement as an ally of America is...what exactly? We didn't jump into Iraq as an ally, so why are we jumping into this? America stirs up a hornets nest in the WORST battlefield the planet has, and then leaves it to us to clean up and police? We didn't start the fire, it was always burning, since the world's been turning.

There is a particularly tasteless, yet apt, cartoon in the Hill Times last week about the support for the war being directly correlated to the number of caskets returning. Why should any Canadians die as a result of poor American Foreign Policy?

I understand the role for Canada as a safe middle power. I lament the horrors that the now-toppled regimes have committed against their own citizens. AND I feel for the victims of horrific acts of terrorism. Ultimately, its not our problem and there are several other world scenarios where Canada's investment could be far more valuable. We can only do so much, why can't we focus on where we can do the most good?

Some people think that is cowardly- which leads me directly to AT#3

Absolute Truth number 3: I am a dove

Jack Layton has been on the quasi-national political scene for almost three years. Until yesterday, he has said exactly zero things that I have ever agreed with. Yesterday, he broke the mold.

As best as I can tell, there is no direction for Canada's current mission. There is no measure for success. There is no end date. There are only casulties.

Our role is to spell American efforts in the Middle East so they can refortify and more effectively police Iraq. Suggesting Canada is not at war in Iraq is kind of like saying that the offensive line on a football team isn't trying to score points. While technically true, without the O-line, the Quartback would be killed before he could throw a pass. We are knowing accomplices. And for what? Does America even try to solve our trade issues? No. Does America recognize our claim to the North? No. Does America thank us for the help on September 11th? No. Some ally.

By engaging in this fools' errand, we are making ourselves a target of the would be terrorists. Sweden doesn't get bombed that much, and they certainly don't get bombed for American Oil.