[Dean's World] Dave Schuler: Assertion for the day: swatting flies

[notify at powerblogs.com]

Posted by Dave Schuler:
Assertion for the day:  swatting flies
http://www.deanesmay.com/posts/1182361637.shtml


   Right now there are four different schools of thought on dealing with
   the problem of violent radical Islamist terrorism. Using a metaphor of
   dealing with the terrorists as "swatting flies" (Rev. Donald Sensing
   in a similar vein has characterized it as "hunting alligators"), these
   alternatives are:
    1. Ignore them.
    2. Swat the flies.
    3. Drain the swamps where they breed.
    4. Use a howitzer.

   Over time only some version of #3 can succeed. Although it's been
   castigated as #4, the invasion of Iraq is actually a clumsy attempt at
   #3 and the situation in Iraq has cast #3 into disrepute. The Europeans
   are committed to #2.