It is wonderful to see that at least on this blog the election is decided by rational civil discourse. I was going to let it rest but Aimee insists. Here are a few thoughts.

Can we think that the words those terrorists fed to the media (Bush helps us, etc...) are any less subversive and manipulative than the bombing in Madrid? What is the outcome they hope their rhetoric will have and why do they desire that outcome? The fact that the terrorists are speaking in ways that will hurt Bush before the election shows the outcome they desire (Can we doubt it?) and suggests what outcome we should prefer.

It is interesting that you should mention Bush’s framing of this war, but I disagree with your characterization. Bush has actually embraced moderate Muslims like the leaders of Pakistan, Jordan and Turkey. He has gone so far as to tell the Muslim world that he prays to their God. However aggravating his drawl and swagger are to Western liberals, it is not enough to cause one of our fellow youths to kill themselves and others. Real reasons are the poverty of many Muslims and the oppression of Palestinians (which Kerry favors as much as Bush). Actually, if Mecca has a Carthage, it is Paris. There anxious secularists are openly attacking the Muslim faith; here our president praises its god.

In Beowulf, King Hrothgar is unable to stop the murderous attacks of a terrible new foe; it is only when one man dares to take the battle to its lair that the kingdom is safe. His courage is also called on to battle Swedish army and slay a dragon. The Beowulf poet’s genius was his prophetic anticipation of the Promethean threats we face in the war on terror. At times it will require law enforcement, at others, regime change. What remains constant is their remedy: the dynamic, proactive, and adaptable courage. Kerry hopes to limit our options to policing and trying (really hard!) to keep them out of the country. One can draw many lesson from Beowulf but the greatest is the necessity to be willing to do whatever it takes (even regime change, as it seemed to) to fight terror. Bush, like Beowulf, is willing to take the fight to them and out of them by fighting the agents and causes (see my last post) of terror abroad.

I’d like to steal your words, John, and say that all you Democratic Taspers are the citizens we need, willing to challenge and change. There are some great reasons to vote for Kerry. Yesterday Kerry promised to hold a rural summit and implement a host of reforms that would help rural America. This move alone makes me think he may well deserve my vote, even though I disagree with him on free trade, the Mexico City Policy, stem-cell research, etc. ad infinitum… Still, even casting aside all the rhetoric I spewed about the war on terror, I am convinced that Bush will do a better job of moving us from an age of terror to a time of peace. This consideration trumps all others, even the issue closest to my heart.

posted by Matthew Schmitz   [3:26 PM]

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