On Tue, May 07, 2002 at 09:29:32PM -0400, Gordon Fitch wrote:
>
> Let us assume that Palestinians are as smart as we are. Then
> that must be the desired effect. Certainly, suicidal terror
> bombing cannot be expected to give its targets the impression
> that their enemies can be dealt with on a basis of reason and
> compromise. Nor are such acts aimed against the substantial
> military force or economy of the target. As asymmetrical war,
> their aim has to be to destroy the enemy spiritually, by
> provoking the enemy to act in such a way that they and their
> friends cease to believe good of themselves, their actions,
> and their future. Even the atrociousness of the acts of the
> suicide bombers will begin to taint them: "This is what you
> made of us." And Israel is especially vulnerable to this kind
> of attack because of the ideological way it was constituted.
> This is one war I think they are losing, and it is hard to see
> how they can get out of the trap.
>
>
> -- Gordon
-- Michael Perelman Economics Department California State University Chico, CA 95929
Tel. 530-898-5321 E-Mail michael at ecst.csuchico.edu