How long will the "War on Terror" last ?

[kentuck]

Will it last longer than the Cold War ? Is it a legitimate war? Are you prepared for it to last 100 years, as I have heard some prognosticators predict? Just how powerful are these enemies that we must spend half-trillion dollars each year of our national treasure to defeat? What type of weaponry are we fighting? Or is it all one big scam? Just an excuse to perpetuate the bureaucracy of the military-industrial complex? Is it really necessary for us to live the rest of our lives in fear? Are you prepared for that future?

Because that is the "reality" that is being created by the propagandists in the corporate media, the very ones that stand to profit from the long-range "war on terror"? It is in the process of being accepted by the leaders of both major political Parties. America is in the process of accepting their premise of the necessity of such a war. It is becoming America's reality.

However, should it be our "reality"? Is this really the best way to fight those few religious radicals that hate our country and will do whatever they can to attack us? We are not talking about a country or even a large proportion of any country. We are talking about small groups, perhaps thousands - at best tens of thousands of these enemies - that actually are willing to fight and die against America. What is the logical and rational way to fight such a war? Are George W Bush and John Kerry, Republicans and Democrats, fighting this war the wrong way and for the wrong reasons?

[skooooo]

1. Think of it this way...

"At this moment...Oceania was at war with Eurasia and in alliance with Eastasia. In no public or private utterance was it ever admitted that the three powers had at any time been grouped along different lines. Actually, as Winston well knew, it was only four years since Oceania had been at war with Eastasia and in alliance with Eurasia. But that was merely a piece of furtive knowledge which he happened to possess because his memory was not satisfactorily under control. Officially the change of partners had never happened. Oceania was at war with Eurasia: therefore Oceania had always been at war with Eurasia. The enemy of the moment always represented absolute evil, and it followed that any past or future agreement with him was impossible."

Orwell, "1984"

[ikojo]

2. As soon as * is no longer running for election

the war on terror will be declared a victory or else he and his media pals will say it's not so much a war but a continuing battle.

[jackieforthedems]

3. Beyond Our Lifetime

is what I thought they said.