Explaining America

Since I'm one of only 3 American's at work, and one of a handful in Perth, I am often asked to explain America and especially America's motives, thoughts, reasons, and goals in this War in Afghanistan. Europeans who live here, and even some Australians are very leery of the US.

In general, I get two reactions to what the US is doing depending on if the person has ever been to the US. Those who have been there totally support the US's reaction to the terrorist attack, and those who have never been to the US condemn the actions of the US. It's odd. I can tell what their reaction is going to be by simply asking them if they have ever been to the States.

The reason is simple. Once they have been there, all the misconceptions that they grew up with are usually replaced with a genuine appreciation of the place. They do find it very overwhelming, but they like it. They feel that the US should not just stand there and do nothing while cowards like Bin Landen take pop shots at us. They see Australia being just as vulnerable. There should be consequences to the terrorist actions, and declaring war should be taken seriously. You can't go around declaring war then saying "Oh. I'm Sorry. I didn't really mean it" when a cruise missile is headed up your butt.

Those that stay here worry that the US is bulling it's way around like always and that American's will never understand the Middle East. They think that we don't have any evidence of the Taliban's involvement and that we should leave it to the UN to decide how to react.

Boy did that statement start an argument. I tried to explain to them that the US is not going to leave it to the UN to handle our problems. I tried to explain that it is far too late for that now and that nothing short of the destruction of the Taliban is the goal.

Funny, they are both right.

Speaking of the war in Afghanistan, I have an idea that would make it very easy to get it over with. We should go in there with B-52's full of old Playboy and Penthouse magazines and carpet bomb the countryside with them. These Tabliban fighters have been living with a bunch of smelly men with beards in caves for years and have never even seen a woman's ankle. What is going to happen when they pick up a porno mag? I guarantee you won't see a Taliban "
"Freedom Fighter" for month, leaving Afghanistan wide open for troops to run around looking for Bin Laden.