Thomas Friedman's presentation yesterday at St. Michael's College at the Vermont Global Symposium "The Global Economy and U.S. Foreign Policy after September 11." was riveting and I concur with most of it. His analysis is mostly correct, but I think he fails to grasp the full power of the spiritual dimension underlying radical Islam's passion against Judaism and Christianity as represented by Israel and America.
He is right on the mark in saying that autocratic, non-consensus political states are responsible for the grinding poverty and lack of hope for so much of the Islamic world. The mix of Islamic fundamentalism and radical elements spawned in the cauldron of poverty, and the persistent catalyst of political and economic repression produces a deadly brew.
He is also correct that globalization cannot be stopped and perhaps not even managed well. The rapid spread of ideas and culture via electronic communications, particularly the interactive Internet, along with global commerce is where the real power resides...and no one is in control, therefore the best ideas may win in the secular sense, but the deep spiritual conflict between good and evil will condition the the process and outcome. Do we believe that God has a plan for this world or not? Do we think we are in full control of our destiny??
Sue Robinson in the BFP todayquotes an American radical: "This guy preaches killing and violence as a way of solving the world's problems," said Steve Ekberg of the Burlington Anti-War Coalition, an anti-globalization and pacifist organization. Another student is quoted: "Isn't everyone entitled to their ideas?" St. Michael College senior Becky Bean asked. "I suppose there is a line at which ideals can cross between O.K. and not O.K. Osama crossed it. I guess I just wouldn't have said it quite like that.". Wake up, Becky!!
When, oh when, will the political correctness syndrome end. I applaud Friedman for his bluntness. He obviously has no truck with the garbage of political correctness . He used the right approach with this audience, blunt, forceful backed by analysis from his exhaustive travel and discussions with people in the Islamic world. While still opinions, he's done his homework. Students and the rest of us need to hear things clearly...without the fog of PC.
Where are Robinson's quotes from people who agree with Friedman's analysis? C'mon Freep, you can do better than this!
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