Know your enemy, and know yourself.
You really, really need to read this article in the Louisville Courrier-Journal, adapted from a speech by photojournalist Molly Bingham. (H.T. Attaturk at Eschaton)
To me, it seems self-evident that if we want the so-called insurgents in Iraq to stop the attacks and bombings, it would be very helpful for us to have at least some understanding of their motivation*. This is hardly a new idea; it's been floating around since at least the days of Sun Tzu. What corner have we painted ourselves into, that we would shy away from the desire to understand (just to understand, mind you, not to agree with) the thinking of the other side for fear of being labeled "un-American"?
* I'm sorry, but "They hate freedom!" just doesn't cut it in this regard.
To me, it seems self-evident that if we want the so-called insurgents in Iraq to stop the attacks and bombings, it would be very helpful for us to have at least some understanding of their motivation*. This is hardly a new idea; it's been floating around since at least the days of Sun Tzu. What corner have we painted ourselves into, that we would shy away from the desire to understand (just to understand, mind you, not to agree with) the thinking of the other side for fear of being labeled "un-American"?
* I'm sorry, but "They hate freedom!" just doesn't cut it in this regard.
posted by Alex S. at 10:50 AM
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