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Chomsky note...

 

Just got your message. Quick reaction.

 

Today's attacks were major atrocities. In terms of number of victims

they do not reach the level of many others, for example, Clinton's

bombing of the Sudan with no credible pretext, destroying half its

pharmaceutical supplies and probably killing tens of thousands of people

(no one knows, because the US blocked an inquiry at the UN and no one

cares to pursue it). Not to speak of much worse cases, which easily come

to mind. But that this was a horrendous crime is not in doubt. The

primary victims, as usual, were working people: janitors, secretaries,

firemen, etc. It is likely to prove to be a crushing blow to

Palestinians and other poor and oppressed people. It is also likely to

lead to harsh security controls, with many possible ramifications for

undermining civil liberties and internal freedom.

 

The events reveal, dramatically, the foolishness of ideas about " missile

defense. " As has been obvious all along, and pointed out repeatedly by

strategic analysts, if anyone wants to cause immense damage in the US,

including weapons of mass destruction, they are highly unlikely to

launch a missile attack, thus guaranteeing their immediate destruction.

There are innumerable easier ways that are basically unstoppable. But

today's events will, nonetheless, be used to increase the pressure to

develop these systems and put them into place. " Defense " is a thin cover

for plans for militarization of space, and with good PR, even the

flimsiest arguments will carry some weight among a frightened public.

In short, the crime is a gift to the hard jingoist right, those who hope

to use force to control their domains. That is even putting aside the

likely US actions, and what they will trigger -- possibly more attacks

like this one, or worse. The prospects ahead are even more ominous than

they appeared to be before the latest atrocities.

 

Noam Chomsky