Those Fragile Feelings of the Guy Trying to Kill You
I am not one who is often prone to sentimentalism; in writing, anyway. I am not commonly moved to tears by political speeches or even events in the country. When I see a horrific scene of murder or tragedy, I do not feel good about it, but neither do I allow myself to dwell on it. I may lapse into moments of depression - or have my day ruined - as I find myself losing hope for the future of this country; this happened a few months ago when our local OWS movement tried to stage a comeback by protesting at the doors of our local Bank of America branch. That did ruin my day. Seeing real people out there behaving so foolishly, so obviously self-involved and short sighted, and not intelligent enough to grasp the difference between a local bank and "Wall Street." That is a depression more along the lines of what a person feels in the 7th inning when his team is not hitting, his pitchers are missing their marks, and his fielders are committing silly errors. It is the depression that stems from the realization that this team is never going to win if it continues doing what it is doing. It is, admittedly, a bit deeper than that, as if there are members of the team who are actively trying to sabotage victory.
A few days ago, I found myself in one of those moods that I would more rightly describe as sentimentalism, when mobs of angry villains descended upon our foreign embassies, murdering American citizens. I refer to them as villains because nothing that they were doing deserves the cognitive dissonance required to label them "protesters." A protester, rightly or wrongly, stands in protest against some sort of behavior or activity. One does not protest the existence of another group of people, as many Muslims object to America and Americans. To refer to them as protesters somehow legitimizes their actions, and I therefore refer to them as villains.
My immediate reaction was similar to a reaction that I had this morning as I assisted an inmate who was accused of malicious mischief. He had broken into a car and taken two things: the registration, and a garage door opener. Neither judge nor prosecutor seemed to notice, as this young adult sat smugly in his chair, what I noticed, which was that this crime was committed with the express purpose of enabling another (far more serious) crime. The registration was to provide an address, and the garage door opener was to provide access for a residential burglary or car theft. I represented this person (as is my job) competently, giving him sound advice and assisting him in achieving the "best outcome". But the non-attorney who lives underneath the suit was filled with anger, thinking of my family, envisioning the 16 gauge that would be pointed at this person's head if he ever stepped into my home with a stolen key.
This is the feeling that I got when I heard about the mob in Egypt that murdered our ambassador and drug his dead body through the streets. My immediate reaction was the thought that we, as a country, need to finally say enough, already, and squash the mob. My reaction upon reading a statement released by our own government was one that leads me to that emotionalism that typically finds no home in my little essays:
The Embassy of the United States in Cairo condemns the continuing efforts by misguided individuals to hurt the religious feelings of Muslims -- as we condemn efforts to offend believers of all religions. Today, the 11th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States, Americans are honoring our patriots and those who serve our nation as the fitting response to the enemies of democracy. Respect for religious beliefs is a cornerstone of American democracy. We firmly reject the actions by those who abuse the universal right of free speech to hurt the religious beliefs of others.
Right now, I feel a bit more like the guy sitting on his porch with a shotgun. This isn't a matter of hurting people's feelings or being nice or taking responsibility for creating a situation where some people hate us. It isn't a matter of cracking down on our own freedom of speech in order to silence anyone who would say something that might spark a riot. It is a matter of getting the message through that we will not tolerate that riot, for any reason. I am far more inclined to suggest that we send that message in the same way we told the Japanese that they needed to be finished with World War II. September 11 becomes far less symbolic for them when September 12 is the day that we wiped out an entire capital city in retaliation. I am not, obviously, suggesting that we drop a nuclear bomb on some Middle East capital in order to send a message. However, what we have done is precisely the opposite. We have given them exactly what they want. We have responded to unprovoked violence by promising to make an effort to dismantle the system that they don't like. We have sent a message. That message: "Keep doing this. It is working."
- Comment (21)
- · Quote
- · UnfollowFollow (6)
- Pages:
- 1
- 2
Comments:
Jul '11
Re: Those Fragile Feelings of the Guy Trying to Kill You
We should all be fighting mad. 16 gauge mad is not a bad feeling if properly controlled.
It would seem that we continually reward poor behavior. That never works out when parenting so why should it with these extremists?
May '11
Re: Those Fragile Feelings of the Guy Trying to Kill You
Exactly. I almost made that analogy. But it seemed like another whole essay - I would call it a trend. Why do you think we have this generation of entitled 25-30 y/o children? You say that it doesn't work out with parenting, and I think there are many of us who agree, but it's those who disagree (and who end up with kids like the ones this country is currently having to deal) who seem to think that terrorists ought to be treated the same way. Are those the folks who we should send over as ambassadors? Until we run out of them....
Feb '11
Re: Those Fragile Feelings of the Guy Trying to Kill You
Nice essay. Reading it I thought of a book called "The Fourth Turning".
If we are teaching them a lesson they are also teaching one to us. That lesson is that there is no point in appeasing their demands or striving to make their lives better or giving them money.
They will always come back with new demands and new threats. Lather, rinse, repeat.
One of the juicy bits I recall from that book is how generational cycles terminate- in a complete and total war, without quarter. So the Civil War entailed such hi tech as repeating rifles, ironclad warships, and even balloons- and World War II of course ended with nukes.
So my take on events is that slowly and surely the islamists are scrubbing away any warm feeling the American people have towards them and their version of their religion. We're learning, in other words.
Eventually, the islamists will hit us here and do real damage- and expect the same sniveling response Barry has given them now.
They will be rewarded by a nation that attempts to scrub them off the face of the Earth, using any means available.
Got popcorn? And potassium iodide pills?
Jul '11
Re: Those Fragile Feelings of the Guy Trying to Kill You
"Got popcorn? And potassium iodide pills?"
As a matter of fact I have both.
Jun '10
Re: Those Fragile Feelings of the Guy Trying to Kill You
I'm sad to say that you've described the situation perfectly. It's enough to make a grown man cry.
Jun '12
Re: Those Fragile Feelings of the Guy Trying to Kill You
Ryan only you can make depression so interesting to read. I have always wondered how defense attorneys feel inside, if they have any feelings at all? do they numb themselves out? Thanks for confirming that you guys are still human.
May '11
Re: Those Fragile Feelings of the Guy Trying to Kill You
Well, I cannot speak for all defense attorneys, as I am a fairly reluctant one myself. I will say, however, that I am far more often motivated by my libertarian side, which seeks to hold prosecutors/police in check and limit state power. I am very rarely motivated by an actual desire to get my client off, so to speak, nor do I often believe that my client is wholly innocent. Every now and then, you get people who you really feel have gotten the short end of the stick. But admittedly, it isn't often. There are also the occasional clients who I really want to see found guilty, but I have to do my best to defend. That can be tough. Ultimately, I am almost always able to find something in my client that I can empathize with, but sometimes it isn't much.
Feb '12
Re: Those Fragile Feelings of the Guy Trying to Kill You
It just may be that a certain coptic Christian movie producer (?) may be looking for representation in the near future. I may be misreading the "in between the lines" portions of news stories relating to the FBI investigating this guy, but it sure seems that our government is determined to stifle some speech and bring down the hammer.
Jun '12
Re: Those Fragile Feelings of the Guy Trying to Kill You
From fairness doctrine to sanctioning Islamic Blasphemy laws. Criticism of Islam would soon be a crime.
Dec '10
Re: Those Fragile Feelings of the Guy Trying to Kill You
God bless you, Ryan M. Great post.
Jun '12
Re: Those Fragile Feelings of the Guy Trying to Kill You
Ryan M
Well, I cannot speak for all defense attorneys, as I am a fairly reluctant one myself. I will say, however, that I am far more often motivated by my libertarian side, which seeks to hold prosecutors/police in check and limit state power. I am very rarely motivated by an actual desire to get my client off, so to speak, nor do I often believe that my client is wholly innocent.
I am, quite happily most days, a former attorney. I did a little procecuting early on, then many more years of general practice, including defense. This is exactly how I viewed my role. Making the state play by the rules. Until one day I just could not stomach it any more, and had to quit.
As to your point, I firmly believe it will come to a massive shooting war between Islomofascist radicals and the US. And with the infiltration of Europe, I suspect that will be the battleground for the next World War, extending into the Middle East as it progresses. I don't welcome it, but like Nazism, it will not be content to leave the world alone.
May '11
Re: Those Fragile Feelings of the Guy Trying to Kill You
I assume "Allah Akbar!" is Arabic for "What the hell do I have to do to convince these idiot Americans that there are Muslims who really, really want to kill them?" Here in America (or, as our Muslim brothers like to call it, "The Great Satan"), we are expected to shut our mouths while high school drop outs grope our kids' genitals at the local airport, but God forbid (pardon me, Allah forbid) that our Muslim brothers might get the impression that anyone suspects THEM of any questionable intentions. It would be, you know, insensitive.
May '10
Re: Those Fragile Feelings of the Guy Trying to Kill You
But here's the thing Ryan. We tried that and it didn't work. We invaded two Middle Eastern countries and demonstrated that we don't have the stomach for the cost either in treasure or in blood. There have been mobs in Tunisia, Morocco, Egypt, Benghazi and soon (I'm sure) Tripoli. We can't send in the Army to rule over all these mobs. And our electorate lacks the resolve to carpet bomb them, much less withstand what that would do to world oil prices. I fear that in the future we are going to function more and more like Israel, regardless of who is president.
May '10
Re: Those Fragile Feelings of the Guy Trying to Kill You
"September 11 becomes far less symbolic for them when September 12 is the day that we wiped out an entire capital city in retaliation. I am not, obviously, suggesting that we drop a nuclear bomb on some Middle East capital in order to send a message. "
This is the lesson we failed to learn after 9/11. Instead, we visited mosques and fretted about a phantom "backlash" against our Mohammedan neighbors. I'm going to risk letting my secretly felt but impolite inner cold-hearted thirst-for-revenge self show for a bit and say that if I had been the president on that fateful day... well, let's just say there would have been more rubble than less in certain parts of the middle east. Much more.
Apr '11
Re: Those Fragile Feelings of the Guy Trying to Kill You
I tried to remain polite this morning at a table of friends with whom I hadn't visited all summer. All highly educated. Two, very liberal. It was brutal.
Really. I thought we could skirt today's political morass. The leftist on my left railed against the evil super-rich and corporate greed. The inevitable slander against Jews who conspired to release the anti-Muslim video, floated forward from one of the more conservative women.
I tried deep-breathing and only offered the opinion - when asked how a militaristic country like Japan was able to transform so nicely to a democracy - that it was the bombs we dropped that convinced them that their cause was lost. Crickets and hard stares at my barbarism.
I tried to insert a few comments about self-interest as a driver for the personal initiative/hard work and risk-taking that creates prosperity for a society.
No, no. "Greed" is the great issue of the day.
Prior to this engagement I'd started to feel a bit more hopeful about the election.
Now. Not so much.
May '11
Re: Those Fragile Feelings of the Guy Trying to Kill You
Hubby and I talked about this last night. Here's my proposal:
1. Close the embassies and evacuate all US citizens from Libya and Egypt immediately. Use an expedition force if necessary.
2. Revoke passport authority for US citizens to travel to Libya and Egypt. Refuse entry to L/E citizens unless they are diplomats or can establish bona fides with first degree relatives who are willing to receive and support them for the duration of hostilities. Repatriate all others forthwith.
3. Cancel all foreign aid to these countries.
4. Freeze all L/E assets in the US.
5. Ban all trade with Libya and Egypt.
6. Prohibit all transfer of private funds to Libya and Egypt.
7. Keep these measures in place until the criminals who attacked our embassies are publicly tried and punished by their own governments. Afterwards loosen them only by degree as these governments prove their commitment to protect our diplomats and citizens.
Yes, this will harm innocent Libyans and Egyptians. It will harm some US citizens who trade with these countries, and who help out their families in the "old country". That part is sad but necessary.
Apr '11
Re: Those Fragile Feelings of the Guy Trying to Kill You
"September 11 becomes far less symbolic for them when September 12 is the day that we wiped out an entire capital city in retaliation."
Sad---possibly. But absolutely true. And less death and destruction in the long run.
Mar '11
Re: Those Fragile Feelings of the Guy Trying to Kill You
Mobs do not themselves initially inflame. There are ring leaders in this recent epidemic of violence, and if they are so inclined as to hoist the black flag in place of our own on our sovereign soil, I vote we should show them nothing but the black flag in deed in return.
The murder of an ambssador and the storming of US sovereign soil must not go unanswered, and I fear we've already waited too long.
Apr '12
Re: Those Fragile Feelings of the Guy Trying to Kill You
To really understand Islam and Muslims, all that is necessary is to read the following three book. Read the Qur'an from the point of view of a "believer" in this Holy Book. See if it gives you nightmares as it did me. I was waking up sweating, with Muslim warriors bearing down on me with swords flashing.
The best translation of the Qur'an is by N.J. Dawood, published by Penguin. It is available on Amazon for $7.75. I know it is tedious reading, but it is only just over 400 pages and is well-worth the effort. It makes it clear why the Jihad is still so much part of Islam.
Two quotes from the Qur'an:
"Believers, obey Allah and the Apostle when he calls you ... " Sura 8:18
"Make war on them until idolatry shall cease and Allah's religion shall reign supreme." Sura 8:40
Understanding Jihad by Dr. David Cook of Rice University, is also worth reading. Also available on Amazon, at the cost of $3.17 for a used paperback.
Islam & Terrorism by Dr. Mark A. Gabriel, is another good source of understanding. It too is available on Amazon.
Apr '12
Re: Those Fragile Feelings of the Guy Trying to Kill You
Why do Americans always seem to think that they have to put their enemies back on their feet? After the Second World War, I remember hearing in Scotland, people saying that it is better to be an enemy of America than an ally. America was pouring money and effort into Germany and Japan, meanwhile Britain was ruined financially and it took years to recover. In fact, the lend-lease debt to the USA was only finally paid off in 2006.
Americans are too kindly for their own good. Other people see it as weakness and don't appreciate it.