War on Terror

[When speaking about the Middle East "War on Terror" I am referring to the whole area from Israel to Iran and from Arabia to Turkey. I am referring to the radical/fanatical elements among the people over there. My views about the Iraq war in particular are discussed elsewhere on this website. Go to Index 2 and click on the "Iraq War" button. You may also want to click on the "Middle East" button for more views and information.]

I think that this whole "War on Terror" needs to be reevaluated. It has been a constant thorn in the side of the American people for the last decade and I think that the majority of the American Taxpayers are sick and tired of it. I think that the American Taxpayers want it settled for good. It's taken up too much time and effort and tax money. And what have we accomplished? The whole Muslim world now hates us. Is that what we were after?

I wonder if the "War on Terror" couldn't be settled in a different manner than the way we are going about it. What are we going to do, kill every male in the Middle East and nuke the border between Afghanistan and Pakistan? This whole thing, which revolves around the actions of radical Muslim elements, now affects all of the moderate Muslim people over there. Our list of enemies is growing daily. I've got a different way to settle this (than our current leadership). Let's try communicating and getting to the root cause of why we are in this perpetual war. Maybe we can then come up with a different solution. I think it's worth a try.

Who started this thing anyway? We know that this Muslim "terrorist" problem goes back to the 1970's and even back to the 50's and 60's with Yasser Arafat, but what and who actually started it? I honestly don't know. I don't remember why this all began. We know that the Jews have had problems with the Muslims in the area ever since they went back to reclaim their land. But how did we get involved?

Did we start it by helping Israel and/or by putting our military on their "holy land"? Or did they start it? We do know that they have never been over here harassing us with a Muslim military build up. We've always been over there. Was 9/11 an attack by a Muslim nation looking to start a real war with us (like Japan and Pearl Harbor) or was it a response to U.S. Middle East policy by those who are tired of us pushing them around?

Is it possible that we are responsible for all of this? Is it possible that we have been completely insensitive to the Middle East cultures, which has caused this backlash? After all, it sure seems like we've been over there on their "holy land" with our troops and our ships since the 1970's. This whole "war" seems like a response by the Muslims to our intrusion on their territory. It is quite evident that they don't want "infidels" on their holy land. But it seems like we are telling them that they do.

Could it be that they have been trying to tell us that they don't want us in their face? We do know one thing - they sure haven't been over here needling us with their troops. We've been over there. Maybe that's a clue to the root problem behind all of this. I'm not saying that we are responsible, but we very well could be. Could this be over the oil in the region? I doubt it - especially since they love our money as much as we love their oil. I personally think that it goes deeper than that. I believe that the Muslim belief system and the holy land mentality has a lot to do with it. Not to mention the various cultures that are completely foreign to our way of thinking.

I'm sure that this is a complex problem that few really understand, even though many may pretend to. But I think that fully understanding it's root cause(s) is essential to deciding a different strategy than the war strategy. The war strategy may be the only one, but in case you haven't noticed it's making things worse. And it's costing a lot of lives and tax money. I also might want to make mention of all of the innocent Muslim children that are losing their lives while the "war" drags on. So it would be wise of us to rethink the path that our leaders have taken us down. Maybe there is a different solution.

Coming up with a different solution will require that we see things as they really are and forget about all of the rhetoric and retaliatory measures. We need to fully understand why the Muslims are so adamant about American "infidels" being on their territory. I don't think that oil is the problem since they don't seem to want to withhold it from us. At (what they consider) the right price they'll sell us as much as we need. So does all of this really go back to the Muslim belief system and the "holy land" mentality? If that's the case then let's get off of their "holy" land altogether. Why do we need to be there if they are willing to sell us oil?

Since I do not fully understand why all of this started and why it got out of hand I must reserve the right to change my mind about what I disclose here. I'm going to give you what I think is a new approach to a permanent solution, but keep in mind that this is based on an incomplete understanding of the root causes. Fair enough? I do think that we can come to an understanding of the root of this problem by talking to our "enemies". That will be step one to determining a new approach - understanding why and how this all started.

It will be my responsibility as your next president to come up with some knowledgeable people who actually know the history and the root cause behind all of this conflict. I also think that it will be my responsibility to bring these people before the American Taxpayers and have them explain the root cause of why all of this is going on. This will include Americans who have worked in the CIA, the FBI, and military leaders (active and retired). But it will also include those who understand the Middle East mindset and culture. This will include people from the Middle East who are willing to explain their views of why this is not being settled.

Getting informed by varying views from American and foreign sources will help us better understand the conflict that we are in. We are not looking for "yes" men. We will be looking for the truth. We even need to hear from those who oppose us. Once we all have a clear understanding of the history of this "war", why we are in it, and why it's continuing, I think it will be much easier for us to decide a new approach to ending it. Any conflict is easier to settle when the communication lines are open. My approach will be to include the American Taxpayers in the "communication lines".

Pending information and advise given by the experts (and by those who consider themselves on the opposing side), please allow me to give you what I believe is the proper way of dealing with this situation. I believe this to be quite reasonable and will prove to the Muslims in the Middle East that we don't want to take over their land or their religion. It will also show them that the American people are willing to show them the proper respect that all human beings deserve, no matter if they are Christian, Muslim, or Jew.

My plans for dealing with the "War on Terror" issue revolve around the "Meet and Vote" program so that the American Taxpayers can be completely involved in the decision making process - since it is their tax money being wasted and their children being sent over to the Middle East to die. This seems only fair and right. Our nation's leaders have gotten us in this mess and I believe the American Taxpayers should have the opportunity to get us out of it. Once they get properly informed they will tell their leaders what they want done.

As you know the "Meet and Vote" program involves choosing a hot issue to discuss. In this case it's the "War on Terror". [The "War on Terror" and the "Iraq war" will be the first issues that we get out of the way in 2008, if they are still an ongoing problem.] The nation will "Meet" via nationally televised meetings. These meetings will be held in the evenings and rerun throughout the night so that all American Taxpayers will have the chance to watch them.

Present at these meetings will always be a large live audience of American Taxpayers who will be given the opportunity to interact with questions and their statements. Viewers at home will also be allowed to ask questions over the telephone and the internet. We want everyone involved who wants to be involved.

Your elected representatives will be there (or at least some will, depending on their schedules). Other national leaders will also be there including the vice president. Some of the Supreme Court Justices may be in attendance from time to time as may some Justices from Inferior Courts. Cabinet members may also be present. Experts on the topic at hand will be there to address and educate the American Taxpayers on the issue. Some national leaders will be given the chance to address the electorate after the featured speakers have "educated" the American Taxpayers.

Remember, these meetings are for the benefit of the electorate, to inform you because you will be voting to decide the course of our nation pertaining to the issue to be discussed. The "War on Terror" issue will be no exception. So it is of the utmost importance that you are properly informed. [The "Meet and Vote" program is a response to the faulty decision making that our leaders have been good at lately. It's time to return that power back to the highest authority in the land - the people.]

Of course I, as your president, will be at all of the meetings. My role will be as the host and moderator, and to keep order. It is important that these meetings are kept respectful and done fairly. This puts me in a neutral position. Both sides of each issue will be equally represented by the Democrats and Republicans. This may not mean much on the "War on Terror" issue, but for issues that polarize the two parties it may be a different story. It will be important to keep those meetings running fair, equally, and smoothly. That will be my responsibility.

This issue will be handled a little different than most since it is not a domestic issue. On domestic issues the Democrats and Republicans will decide who will speak to the people to represent their views. How their side of the issue is represented will be completely up to them. They can speak for themselves or they can call experts in a certain field to speak for them.

This issue will be different. On this non-domestic issue I will decide who speaks to the people. Not only will experts mentioned above be asked to address the people (FBI, CIA, etc.) but I will also be calling the heads of the Muslim nations in the Middle East to address the American Taxpayers directly. This will include their religious leaders if they so choose. Who else could better give us some ideas on how to end this conflict?

I will ask the leaders of the nations of the Middle East (and their religious leaders) to come and speak to the American people using the "Meet and Vote" process. These particular meetings will be a peace summit of sorts. We will use the "Meet and Vote" procedure to govern the meetings so that the American Taxpayers are fully involved in the decision making, as previously mentioned.

First I will contact the king of Jordan, His Majesty King Hussein (Abdullah II bin al-Hussein), and ask him to lead the visiting delegation of foreign dignitaries. Though he has only ruled for about 8 years he has proven to be a good leader and a reasonable man. Somehow he has been able to maintain peace in a part of the world where there is little. Having been educated in the U.S. and in England he has the added advantage of understanding Western Culture. I have always liked him and have always thought that he was the key to negotiating peace in the region.

He is a direct descendent of the Prophet Mohammed, as I understand, so the Muslims of the Middle East should feel reasonably comfortable about their representation before the American Taxpayers. He won't allow us to push him around (which I respect) just because we are America, but he has proven that he does like America and the things our culture has to offer. Somehow he keeps a good balance between relations with the rest of the world and his own people. I think that he will do his best to do right by everybody involved in the negotiating process.

If our leaders are willing to listen to him, with a humble attitude, they may learn something. This will not be the time for American arrogance. We are not bringing these men here to scold them or let them know about our big bombs. Showing him and the other leaders the respect that they deserve will be important to getting their cooperation. I should add that it would be a good idea if we would also invite the leaders of the other nations that have an interest in the Middle East. If they see fit they will be more than welcome to attend this "summit".

People from around the world, including the Middle East, will also be "attending" our "Meet and Vote" sessions by watching via television if they so choose. I will encourage the visiting dignitaries to share their frustrations about American Middle East policy with the American Taxpayers. Everything will be out in the open for all to see. I will ask them what they want us to do so that we can have peaceful relations with their nations. I will assure them that the American Taxpayers do not want to be at war in the Middle East and do not want to see any more death and destruction over there.

I will explain to them that we do not understand the various cultures of the Middle East (which I'm sure they have figured out by now) nor do we really understand their religion and since that is the case we are not in the position to force our way of living (or our form of government). I will assure them that we are fully aware that we don't know what we are talking about when it comes to anything that has to do with the Muslims in the Middle East. This will just be a matter of telling the truth and admitting that we don't have all of the answers for all of the world's problems.

I will make it clear to them that the American Taxpayers are tired of spending millions and millions of tax dollars on American weaponry in the Middle East. I will tell them that the American Taxpayers would rather mind our own business than dabble in Middle East affairs and that we would rather concentrate on domestic problems for a while. I also will bring out the fact that the American Taxpayers would appreciate it if they would spend the time and money to control radical elements within their borders because the American Taxpayers don't want to repeat what has happened over the last 5 years.

Any of the foreign leaders who want to speak will be encouraged to. We need to hear what they're thinking. And I'm guessing that they will give us an ear full since they all warned us ahead of time about going into Iraq. The live audience of American Taxpayers will be given the opportunity to ask questions of the distinguished guests as will the viewers at home via the internet and the telephone. We will not rush these proceedings because of their importance to us and the people of the Middle East. This may require several evenings of televised meetings for everyone to express their views.

When everyone has had their say, and the voters have an idea of how this needs to be settled, the elected leaders of the American Taxpayers will give them a number of options to consider concerning the direction that Middle East policy should take. I will give these options the okay before they are presented to the people, making sure that they are in line with settling this problem. (I'm afraid that if I don't, we may end up back at square one.)

The day after the options are given to the American Taxpayers they will go to the polls and vote their conscience while all of this is fresh on their minds - and before the media has a chance to distort it. A day or two later the result of the voting will be broadcast to the American Taxpayers so that they can know what's going on. The majority will rule as always. Our leaders will immediately enact the will of the majority into law. This will become the new U.S. policy for the Middle East.

How do I expect this to come out? We can all be optimistic about the outcome even before it begins. I expect that mature and open communication between mature adults will yield results. I fully expect that humble, reasonable people meeting together will be able to settle this problem. I expect that the invited guests will be glad to attend such a summit because they know that we are serious about rectifying this problem. I also expect that the leaders who are visiting will graciously ask us to get our military off of their "holy" land and not concern ourselves with their internal affairs. I fully expect them to reassure us that they will continue to supply us with plenty of oil.

I also expect that the American Taxpayers will jump at the chance to bring all of our military personnel home when the visiting dignitaries assure us that they will take care of the radical elements among them and that they want to live in peace as much as we do. As for the elected representatives of the American Taxpayers, I'm sure that they will come up with some options that the people will like so that this ongoing problem can be settled. But first things first. I've got to get into the White House before I can implement the "Meet and Vote" program. Who are you supporting in 2008? Do you really want change? Your support is appreciated.

[Having said what is written above I think that it is important to make something perfectly clear lest I be misunderstood. This is very, very important so please read it carefully. I figured that if I didn't add this section there would be those who consider my policy on the War on Terror to be too soft. I'm already starting to get that idea from those I've talked to. I do not want any American to think that I am willing to sacrifice any American stability or freedom in an effort to appease any enemy. This applies to any political or religious threat. That's not how I think. I would never sit by and watch an enemy get the upper hand on us.

The whole process mentioned above about meeting with the leaders of the Islamic countries is what I personally consider to be a final, deliberate effort to come to peaceful terms with the Muslim people of the Middle East, Iran, etc. We must attempt this because this whole mess is threatening to get out of hand big time in the next few years. I think that we all have that feeling. I have a great desire to settle this problem with them because I think that it is all based on an accumulation of misunderstandings and the corresponding retaliations.

Meeting in the manner expressed above will either confirm my belief about this or prove that we indeed have an enemy who is on the march to destroy us no matter what we say or do to attempt peace. If the latter is true, the whole ball game changes in my mind. If I become convinced in my mind that the Muslim nations in the Middle East are not interested in peace but that the general consensus among them is that America must be destroyed, I will have to react accordingly.

There are already those who are questioning my "soft" stand toward Iran because of my unwillingness to bomb their nuclear facilities. My thinking is that it would be a much better idea to sit down with the President of Iran and attempt to reason with him before we just go in there and start bombing. But right now nobody is communicating, so a confrontation marches on. I would much rather talk first because I know that many innocent people in Iran are at risk - none of whom I have anything against.

At this time I would have to say that I think we are partially at fault for this "war" because of our Middle East policies that have gotten off track since the 1970's. Therefore humbling ourselves as a nation and trying to settle this problem (which some are already calling World War III) by coming to the table and being open and honest with our "enemies" must be attempted for the sake of all of the innocent people on both sides who will be dying in the years to come. We must attempt to talk this out, for real, in the open, for the whole world to see.

It is my opinion at this time that the majority of Muslim people in the Middle East are not "Islamic Fascists" as President Bush calls them. I think that most of them want to live in peace and raise their families without interference by others. This includes American Christian Crusaders who are on their "holy" land. (Hey, that's how they see it.) The number of Muslim fanatics is relatively small (percentage wise) compared to the millions and millions of people in the Middle East.

I am not really sure what percentage of moderate Muslims secretly support what the radicals are trying to accomplish. From what I've seen on the television there are plenty of people giving to the cause of the radicals because the radicals are the ones who are trying to get the Americans off of Muslim "holy" land - not because they want to destroy America. And that's reasonable, if you put yourself in their shoes.

I am not stupid nor am I naive about world affairs - nor will I be played for a fool. My attempt to settle this problem between America (and Israel) and the Muslims in the Middle East by talking out our differences in an open forum must be attempted for the sake of innocent people throughout the world.

Dangerous times are ahead and as your next president I do not want to cause anymore death than what we have already seen over there. Therefore I have to be convinced in my own mind that the Muslim people in the Middle East do indeed have an agenda to destroy America. If I become convinced of that while in negotiations with them during the "Meet and Vote" process I will formulate a plan to respond and present it to the American people for their approval. Though I have a general idea of what that plan might consist of I would rather not put it in writing here. All peaceful efforts to settle this problem must be exhausted first before that is even discussed.]

INDEX 1 - AGENDA

INDEX 2 - ISSUES