Received: by alpheratz.cpm.aca.mmu.ac.uk id OAA12279 (8.6.9/5.3[ref pg@gmsl.co.uk] for cpm.aca.mmu.ac.uk from fmb-bounces@mmu.ac.uk); Fri, 21 Sep 2001 14:45:21 +0100 From: "Lawrence DeBivort" <debivort@umd5.umd.edu> To: <memetics@mmu.ac.uk> Subject: RE: Time to lower the boom (was: Dawkins View) Date: Fri, 21 Sep 2001 09:45:22 -0400 Message-ID: <NEBBKOADILIOKGDJLPMAMEHBCGAA.debivort@umd5.umd.edu> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit X-Priority: 3 (Normal) X-MSMail-Priority: Normal X-Mailer: Microsoft Outlook IMO, Build 9.0.2416 (9.0.2910.0) In-Reply-To: <20010921124512.AAA863@camailp.harvard.edu@[128.103.125.215]> X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V5.00.2919.6600 Importance: Normal Sender: fmb-bounces@mmu.ac.uk Precedence: bulk Reply-To: memetics@mmu.ac.uk
The mood back here in Washington has been grim and people are preoccupied
with the Sept 11 aftermath. Saber-rattling by Bush has had everyone on edge,
though last night in his speech he seems to have deliberately avoided
painting himself into a military corner. The theme of patience was
emphasized by Bush and then repeated quite consciously by the Republican and
Democratic leadership -- it was obviously an important 'talking point' for
all. I was afraid the speech would be far more bellicose and dangerous.
There was enough vagueness in it to indicate that cooler heads may be
prevailing and the right questions may be beginning to surface, though we
must still worry about misuse of the military capacity that has been
dispatched toward the Middle East. And we can only hope that behind Bush's
dismissal of the importance of the Taliban's response on expelling Bin Laden
lies an appreciation that indeed this is a strong signal that the Taliban
will not protect his efforts. For those who are knowledgeable about Muslim
law, the action by the council of clerics and the way it was phrased will
hold a positive significance and provides a sound basis for a US-Taliban
negotiation about next steps. But the Bush admin. has shown little
comprehension about Muslim law and so the importance may be missed.
Now the country faces many needs, including undoing the extravagant and
pointless 'heightened security measures' that were implemented. But who will
say that the emperor is naked -- that these measures cannot be successful in
the face of determined terrorist action, and that the only true defense is
good relations with the people of the world?
Lawrence
> -----Original Message-----
> From: fmb-bounces@mmu.ac.uk [mailto:fmb-bounces@mmu.ac.uk]On Behalf Of
> Wade T.Smith
> Sent: Friday, September 21, 2001 8:45 AM
> To: memetics list
> Subject: RE: Time to lower the boom (was: Dawkins View)
>
>
> On 09/20/01 17:25, Lawrence DeBivort said this-
>
> >a fitting backdrop for the president's speech this evening.
>
> Ah, I was out last evening, and did not see or hear this speech. So, if
> we're at war, I don't know it.... But then, I tend to avoid all
> presidential announcements.
>
> I did have to jump over several firehoses with my bicycle this morning on
> the way to work. Good exercise. Big fire and rescue on Prospect Street.
> All the cars were routed to other, far more inconvenient, roads, while I
> was waved through.
>
> Only way to go.
>
> The day a president rides a bicycle to work, I'll listen to him.
>
> - Wade
>
> ===============================================================
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This was distributed via the memetics list associated with the
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For information about the journal and the list (e.g. unsubscribing)
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