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From: franka@mmintl.UUCP (Frank Adams)
Newsgroups: net.followup,net.politics
Subject: Re: Re: Libyan Air Raid
Message-ID: <1395@mmintl.UUCP>
Date: Sat, 3-May-86 06:57:14 EDT
Article-I.D.: mmintl.1395
Posted: Sat May  3 06:57:14 1986
Date-Received: Thu, 8-May-86 03:00:32 EDT
References: <3614@sun.uucp>
Reply-To: franka@mmintl.UUCP (Frank Adams)
Distribution: net
Organization: Multimate International, E. Hartford, CT
Lines: 27
Xref: linus net.followup:5189 net.politics:14792

In article <3614@sun.uucp> rmarti@sun.UUCP writes:
>Polls show that most Americans (77% or so) back Reagan's decision to
>bomb Libya.  I would conclude that this is because they believe that
>it will stop or at least diminish terrorism.  There can't be any other
>reasons.  After all, the US is a civilized country, right!?  At the
>same time, the media abound with stories of how many Americans have
>canceled their trip to Europe, because they are scared of potential
>terrorist actions in Europe.  In other words, they don't seem to
>believe that the rate of terrorism is decreasing.  Seems a little
>paradox, doesn't it, unless of course all of the Americans who had planned
>a trip to Europe just happened to belong to the 23% who don't back their
>administration's actions.

One can believe that the raids represent a step in the best strategy for
fighting terrorism, without believing that the short term effect will be to
diminish terrorism.  In 1939, the best way to oppose German domination of
Europe was to go to war with it; this did not make European travel any safer
for the next few years.

I don't necessarily agree with this analysis of the raids, but (1) it is
much more reasonable than thinking that they will immediately end or
diminish terrorism, (2) it accords with the public statements of the U.S.
government, and (3) it accounts nicely for the behaviors noted above.  I
might add (4) it corresponds to the views I have heard people express.

Frank Adams                           ihnp4!philabs!pwa-b!mmintl!franka
Multimate International    52 Oakland Ave North    E. Hartford, CT 06108