Half of America is sleeping, the other half is on guard

Reader Rachel brought this article to my attention: Interesting Times: Quiet, America is sleeping by Saul Singer, Jerusalem Post. Rachel says:

Singer lays out the perfect description of what is going on in this country. His initial assessment is what I have believed since 9-12-01: Bush has failed to to persuade Americans, let alone Europeans, that the West is at war. Can it be that easy, or that hard? He had his chance... now, Israel, (at least its editorial pages) believe what was written in the WaPo by Anne Applebaum that the West has entered a "post-post-9-11 era" If this is true, we have much work to do. Not only in our own sphere of influence, but throughout this nation.

Singer asks: Why the apathy? Why the silence? Why the resignation? ... this one sentence makes me angry... Yet, is it true? Are we resigned?

He concludes that we are psychologically not able to conceive of winning this war..blah blah blah..I disagree..the real reason, we were told to 'go about our business as usual'..to tell Americans to go shopping and not prepare for war was the biggest mistake Bush made... now we pay the price..

Hush, America is sleeping? --Rachel

Singer says: It is not so much that Westerners do not feel threatened, it is that they don't see how they can win."

Psychologically, it is natural to respond to a threat you think you can't do anything about by trying to ignore it. ... There is an element of defiance in ignoring terrorism, [snip]

On a global level and even in the Israeli case, however, it is not enough to defeat terrorism militarily. As we have seen, when suicide bombers became less effective they were replaced by missile attacks. Other countries have a much more difficult problem defeating terrorism because their societies are not protected the way almost every kindergarten, mall, movie theater and cafe still is in Israel.

Bush is right that the West is at war, that terrorism cannot be beaten with defensive measures, and that defeating terrorist regimes is the key to victory. (more)

Here's what I say:

The truth is that approximately one half of Americans are asleep, but the other half of us are wide awake and on guard. How does a nation do anything productive to protect herself when we are split down the middle? One half of Americans think everything bad that happens is America's fault, they forget about September 11, 2001 and accuse President George W. Bush of using September 11 as a scare tactic for everything he does.

The other half of Americans realize the threat is Islamic jihad, that nothing we have done caused America to be hated or attacked, and that we must be on both the offensive and defensive in EVERY aspect possible. We believe that terrorists ARE enemy combatants and should not be imprisoned or tried inside the United States. We believe that Islamic jihadists have a goal of extending a caliphate across the globe and they don't care who gets in their way, Americans, Russians, Chinese, Isralies, French, or whatever. Part of what Singer says is true, part of what Applebaum says is true.

Here's what Anne Applebaum actually said:

“it's not exaggerating at all to say that the events of the past week -- and the wildly divergent international news coverage that accompanied them -- illustrate a profound transformation that has taken place, slowly and quietly, over the past several years. Call it post-post-Sept. 11, or maybe just a return to status quo ante: Either way, it's pretty clear that that brief moment of consensus -- those very few years when the world's most powerful governments all believed that the world's worst problem was international terrorism -- has now passed.”

Terrance has this to say:

Here’s a reality check. If the US captured Osama bin Laden tomorrow, do you think there would be joy in the international community? Hardly.

How about in the US? Despite the trumpeting of Democrats that the Bush administration lost focus on the war on terror by going into Iraq instead of going after bin Laden, if he were captured tomorrow, would Demos be partying? I think not. There would be one fairly gigantic yawn.

... The problem is that no one cares about the victims anymore. [snip]

Shame on world opinion makers for not caring about the victims--and on Anne Applebaum for excusing them.

In her article, Anne Applebaum explains herself:

"I am exaggerating here to make a point.

Once again, everybody is on a different page: Some think the worst problem facing the world is climate change, [snip] The world's attention has wandered away from international terrorism -- and so, if I may say, has ours."

In that statement, Ms. Applebaum is correct. A truth that will cost us dearly in the future.

What do you say?

Other reading:

Time Punishes War: “Remember Me”, The HILL Chronicles
Tom Tancredo scores big against sanctuary cities, Tel-Chi Nation
FatherS DaY OpenTrackback Weekend, Woman Honor Thyself
123Beta, Right Truth Deserves a "Fatwa"

Offered for consideration and Trackposted to Outside the Beltway, The Virtuous Republic, Diary of the Mad Pigeon, Right Celebrity, Stageleft, Walls of the City, The Right Nation, Blue Star Chronicles, Webloggin, The Pink Flamingo, The Florida Masochist, Colloquium, and Jo's Cafe, thanks to Linkfest Haven Deluxe.

Comments

[bernie]

I recall rabbits in Watership Down who would close their minds as to why certain rabbits would mysteriously disappear.

If Muslims blew up Baltimore, Liberals would blame the explosion on Bush, saying it was some fear-mongering tactic to gain more power for himself, as if Bush was going to remain in power for life.

Blaming everyone else but Muslims because of PC. Worshiping appeasement because "War is not the Answer."

[i'm afraid of americans]

There are 2 types of Americans. Those who know the relevance of the Last Days of Mossadegh, and those who don't.

[Debbie]

Maggie, thanks. That means a great deal coming from you.

You are right, they don't see us. I wish we lived closer. If we filled the streets every day they might actually have to look at us and acknowledge us.

[Maggie M. Thornton]

Many of us are not at all apathetic. My friends and family...all on-top of the issues. The question is what more can we do, because we are clearly not doing enough to be heard.

If conservatives, like me, were marching on Capitol Hill, loudly and often...that would make a difference. First, those esteemed Hillers would be in a state of shock. Out "there" are well-dressed, well-mannered people of all economic backgrounds - just madder than hell. Wouldn't that be a site.

Oh, I forgot, if we were really smart we'd also be marching as close to the WH as possible.

They don't see us physically...they hear from us - but it's not the same as all those rowdy, stinky, do-nothing, non-workers (as opposed to unemployed) who show up, and then visit the soup kitchens after they paint a few public steps.

We threaten not another vote, but we must vote for someone, we threaten no more donations, but they get the money from someone.

We need conservatives living in Washington DC and the major capital cities to go protest for us, because our vacation time isn't nearly enough. Lots of protests on Wednesdays! That might work.

Very good piece, Debbie.

Maggie
Maggie's Notebook

[Debbie]

Thanks to you Trinity!!!

[Trinity]

Fantastic melding of points Debbie, as always. Unfortunately, we, the half who are awake, feel as if we are alone. I pray that one day all of this country awakens from there coma, before it is too late.

[Debbie]

Layla, thanks so much. Hubby has gone to band practice. They are getting really good. They even have gigs lined up. Not bad for a hobby.

The band "Show Time" will be the opening band for the Van Dells in September and also Confederate Railroad (supposedly very popular band, sold over 5 million records)... I'm married to a STAR!

hee hee

[Layla]

Great article. Excellent points and analysis.

I hope you and your dear one have a blessed Fathers day and you both can do something fun!!!