"Terrorism" -- There's No Quick Fix

"Terrorism" is a mode of governing (by officialdom or those opposing government), using intimidation through a systematic threat or use of violence. Terrorism is two-sided: state vs. out-group violence.

Who are labeled "terrorists?" Premier Begin of Israel was a member of the terrorist Stern Gang opposed to the British when he was a young man. Once he became Premier he was deemed a "statesman." Palestinians who kill innocent Israelis with bombs in buses are called "terrorists," but not those who conduct aerial bombings of Palestinian refugee villages.

In Labeling theory, the capacity to designate groups or individuals "terroristic" enables those in power to use the media to make the label stick on groups out of power, often those greatly disadvantaged.

Those with less power (e.g., slaves vs. masters, employees vs. employers, women vs. men, etc.) must avoid costly direct confrontations. The weaker resort often to indirect means to achieve goals. Sometimes those out of power resort to terrorism after the powers that be have used state-sponsored intimidation and violence.

Ignoring those out of power can radicalize them, for example when the pro-apartheid government of South Africa refused to talk with the ANC, when the British government wouldn't talk with the IRA, and when Israeli leaders refused discussions with the PLO, and President Bush refused to confer with "opponents!"

Those called "terrorists" are not crazy. They risk their lives for reasons, their own good reasons. They can be annihilated by governments in power, but if their grievances go unrecognized, violence continues. Their demands may or may not be valid, but they deserve humane consideration.

Why are Americans often the targets of "terrorism?" Why are so many US embassies built like fortresses, unlike those of Scandinavian countries? In our mirrors we see ourselves as benevolent; why do so many of the world's oppressed see something else?

The US is powerful enough to rule the world. With our military bases in 130 countries, over the globe we appear to have that intent. But we cannot prevent specific terroristic acts. Ron Steel (New Republic) contends that "what we think is an embrace is seen by others as a stranglehold." Puzzled by their reactions, we consider them irrational.

The US is capable of terrorism. Occasional violent Native American uprisings in US history have been called "terroristic" but not the official genocidal policies that provoked them. Slave revolts were considered "terrorism" against masters, but the horrors of slavery were not given that label.

US foreign policies have supported many terroristic dictators (Batista of Cuba, Somoza of Nicaragua .. and the Contras, Marcos of the Philippines, Pinochet of Chile, Noriega of Panama, etc.). Our own CIA has undertaken numerous nefarious covert actions, directly or indirectly. Our School of the Americas has trained thousands of Latin American military personnel in oppressive tactics.

Much of the world is now protesting the "legislation against terrorism" by which America tries to impose laws on other countries. Current domestic "anti-terrorism" legislation deals with symptoms, not causes. Increased government surveillance and more police diminish our liberties without addressing the conditions that foster terrorism.

Personally, I oppose violence by anyone against others for any reason. But it is understandable that desperate people will turn to such methods. Why are so many people despairing and persuaded to become "terrorists?" We need to act on the answers!

The article originally appeared in the September, 1996 issue of the North Country Peace Builder, a publication of the Minnesota Fellowship of Reconciliation.

For Better or Worse -- Part Two

More changes for the better ...

• In the US there is a move increasingly against capital punishment for minors, "handicapped", cases of likely racial/ethnic/political discrimination, due to numerous cases proved innocent via DNA and other new tests.

• The US, Canada and European countries are returning artifacts and physical remains to indigenous groups (or from sites of classical civilizations -- Greek, Roman, etc.) for their possession and ceremonial receptions.

• Pressures increasing for the USA to "rejoin the world" regarding commitment to treaties, removal of military bases, reversal of "imperial" policies.

• Developments in Latin America to create their own continental media, trade agreements, inter-national commitments of diverse natures, vs. USA dominance.

• Tobacco smoking has decreased remarkably in USA (though commercially "pushed" in Third World countries), due mainly to education and working on the "demand" side, not the supply side.

• Environmental movement is beginning to alter our behavior and those of other peoples, some of which are "way ahead of us" in making changes.

• The International Criminal Court (ICC), Truth Commissions, and domestic tribunals are arising to bring violators of "human rights" to accountability.

• The USA Interior Department is being forced to recognize the maltreatment of Native Americans re: lands, culture, languages, religion, millions of $$ never paid them for timber, mining, and other royalties due them.

• The number of American students "studying abroad" has been rising, or language fluency more often expected, and "Third World" being involved.

• Japan recently changed its policy so that women can "ascend to the throne"!

• Women have increasingly held top political positions (Presidents, Premiers) in other nations; and in the USA women have increased their representation in Congress and legislatures, as Judges and Governors, and in Cabinet offices in recent times.

• Under President Chorea, Ecuador has included in its new Constitution, wording that recognizes environment being in care of its citizens, to be protected, preserved. (Though corporations have a way of pressuring "citizens" to agree to projects that will violate their environments.)

Versions of this article have previously appeared in the North Country Peace Builder (November, 2008) and the newsletter of the Twin Cities Friends Meeting (January, 2009).

For Better or Worse -- Part One

Four years ago I enhanced my spirit by listing more than 40 ways in which behaviors had changed for the better -- personally, locally, nationally, and elsewhere in the world. As an "update," I present some more recent gains for our humanity and other living things!

• The use of less invasive surgery techniques is increasing.

• There is a growing sensitivity to the "feelings" in our treatment of / relationships with domestic and wild animals.

• There is a greater openness to speak about formerly "taboo" topics -- for ourselves and society -- suicide, alcoholism, therapy, rape, addictions, our age, cancer, Alzheimer's, abortion.

• A growing challenge in the USA to violations of international laws/treaties and bit-by-bit violations of civil rights and Constitutional provisions by Congress and our leadership.

• Our civic and international challenge to USA imperialism, censorship, torture.

• More accent on urban civic art -- fountains, grass, murals, park spaces by citizen action, construction regulations, community action, philanthropy.

• Increase in mass transit support and use, more biking, altered car usage.

• Wider training, acquaintance with, usage of nonviolent philosophy and methods to pressure for changes in social patterns, government changes, movements for social change; condemnation of violence as means to ends.

• Nobel prizes for peace being given to "activists" more often to aid their endeavors in timely ways -- Rigoberta Menchu, Jimmy Carter, Al Gore, etc. and to women change-agents -- Iranian attorney, Kenyan forest renewals.

• Diversity increasing in many Western countries, resulting from accepting refugees of former colonies; and as result of our wars -- Somalis, Hmong, Cambodians, Vietnamese, Latin Americans from wars we supported.

• Formal apologies by Australia and Canada to their indigenous peoples for the long mistreatment of them. (Not USA yet!)

• Formal apologies for slavery practice and conditions by Virginia and other southern states / communities.

• Gay-lesbian issues, same-sex marriage & related aspects are being recognized in the US on the basis of equal rights (Massachusetts, Connecticut, California).

• Nelson Mandela has been removed recently from the USA roster of "terrorists."

• Instant Runoff Voting is gaining recognition as a more democratic & economical way to secure "majority support" in contests with multiple candidates, when no one has secured 50% of the vote.

More recent changes for the better to follow in Part Two. Versions of this article have previously appeared in the North Country Peace Builder (November, 2008) and the newsletter of the Twin Cities Friends Meeting (January, 2009).

Turning Off the Gas

An interview of Terry Irish, Don's oldest daughter, by Ava Dale Johnson

A.D.: Terry, at near 90, your father still does more than any two of us. He’s so busy, I’m not asking him, but you, to tell us your take on what’s he’s doing to help the environment.

T: Well he has made some habit changes.

A.D.: What changes?

T : First off, he donated his car to nonprofit Newgate School. They’ll use it to train mechanics, then sell it to help their work.

A.D.: And I suppose he’ll not be buying any gas?

T.: Right, and instead of buying car insurance he’ll give that money to causes he cares most about.

A.D. : So, how does he get around?

T.: He takes the bus—combining errands for food, to visit the sick, go to Green Party meetings, TCFM, lectures. . . .

A.D. : Does he ever pool with someone else driving their car?

T.: Sometimes. He and I do something once a week anyhow, so now we may combine dinner out or a movie with a grocery store stop.

A.D. :He must have to do a lot of walking, to catch all the buses.

T.: Yes, but he has lots of energy and it’s good for his health. He’s alert and organizes. He studies all the schedules.

A.D. : How about the weather?

T.: He never complains, but his boots are about gone. The ones he’s wearing have been repaired, but won’t last another winter.

A.D.: Are you ever concerned?

T.: Well, our family would feel better if we always knew where he was going. We’ve talked about a cell phone but that’s tech, and costs. We know that he could have problems, but so could we.

A.D: What does Don tell you that he learns from riding the bus?

T.: He sees poor people. And as an extrovert, he’ll strike up conversations, even in Spanish. He always thanks the bus drivers.

A.D.: Have there been times when he forgot to carry his bus fare?

T.: No, and he avoids the rush hours. Only needs quarters. I encourage him to get a bus pass and told him where, but. . . .

A.D.: He carries his perennial brief case?

T.: Yep – I’ve seen him also manage two bags of groceries. He uses routes 21 (Lake St.), 14 (Bloomington Ave.), occasionally 84 (Snelling Ave.), l6 (University Ave), with no complaints, to see how many errands he can do on one transfer. I think he used 4 buses to get to Como Clinic.

A.D.: Does he count up how many gallons of gas he’s not burning?

T.: I think he has figured that. And he knows this is good for his health, (high cholesterol runs in our family.)

AD: You’re smiling. Is it fun for him?

T: Oh, yeah. A challenge. He gets a kick out of seeing how much he can get for 50 cents. (Note from Don: now 75 cents, non-rush hours. My total transportation expense locally for 2008 was $425.00. Walked, bussed, and biked also -- about 130-140 times on local errands each season.)

From the February, 2008 Newsletter of the Twin Cities Friends Meeting, St. Paul, Minnesota.