by Kelly Clark

Created on: March 26, 2008

It has been very clear to me for quite some time that not only are we no longer winning the "War on Terror," we long ago lost it. I feel that this is a point that I cannot possibly emphasize strongly enough, and yet I recognize that for those who do not understand my point based solely on the title of this post, I could never possibly explain. I feel that it is likely futile to try again, but sometimes I just feel so overwhelmed with the power of my conviction that what we are doing is wrong that I have to try just one more time, and tonight is one of those times.

The War on Terror is lost. It was lost before we went to Iraq. It was lost before we went to Afghanistan. It was lost long before Shock and Awe, before anyone had ever heard the phrase "Stay the Course," before anyone thought to suggest that we "Cut and Run." The War on Terror was lost the day that it was decided that the War on Terror would be fought with missiles and guns and cluster bombs. Terrorism is not a country. Terrorism is not a dictator. Terrorism is not Osama Bin Laden. Terrorism is not an Iraqi villager or an Al Jahzeera broadcast tower or an oil field. Terrorism is an idea, a movement, with roots that sink deep below the surface of envelopes full of anthrax and suicide bombers. Dropping bombs on Iraq or Afghanistan or really, anywhere, will never put a stop to terrorism. It's like trying to kill those yucky little trees that grow up next to fences and building foundations by cutting them down. They may look like they are gone - but they will always grow back.

Terrorism exists, in a nutshell, because of repression. Any cognizant being that is forced to live in a manner that they feel is unsuitable, whether it be because they do not have the freedom to practice their fundamental religious beliefs or because they do not have the freedom to keep a pet bunny in their apartment, will eventually lash out at their oppressor. Islam is not the problem. I understand that that Koran contains many verses that reference Jihad. I understand that in today's society (at least in the United States) it is considered more or less socially acceptable to believe that Islam is a religion that is based and thrives upon acts of terrorism. What I do not understand is how it can be that so, so many people forget that many of the bloodiest terrorist actions in history were not perpetrated by Muslims, but Christians - who also believed wholeheartedly that they were acting in the name of God. I do not understand how

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