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Response to Anis Zuberi
Until now, I have not
replied to any posting from Anis Zuberi. The
reason for this is simple. In my life I have had many debates, spoken and
written, on all kinds of issues: religion, politics, education, sexuality,
even art and movies. In that time, I have naturally encountered some people
who disagreed with me vehemently, including some Christians who expressed
an expectation and fervent wish that I should gently sizzle in hell for
eternity. However, until now I have never heard or read anyone whose reaction
to my views contained such misunderstanding and misrepresentation that, if
my name had not been mentioned, I simply would have no idea that I was the
opponent he was responding to. To properly put all his misconceptions to
rest would simply have taken so long that I would have to type for weeks
without sleep, and be fed intravenously.
Nevertheless, against
my better judgment, I have decided to respond this time. The reason is
partly that I have decided to end these postings anyway, since they seem to
serve little purpose, and partly that Mr Zuberi’s opinions are more concise this time, so
perhaps I can shed a little light.
“ultra-rightist and
neo-con”
These are buzz-words.
Very well, people may call me an ultra-rightist or a neo-con if they wish.
I am not offended. But buzz-words like these are easy, glib classifications
that conceal an inability to get to grips with facts and nuances. Earlier I
asked what caring people could do about Afghanistan, for example. Not
every kind of intervention can be called “neocon”.
No one has yet answered my question about what the west can actually do to
help Afghans. Is there anyone home there at FOTH who can escape the tired,
trite responses that seem to be your trademark?
“it is a failed policy
that has bankrupted the country”
Yes, the Iraq war, in particular, has cost the US a lot of
money. No question. But let us look at the full implications of that.
Anyone who accepts this must reject Khalid’s earlier assertion that the US has a
“war economy” that benefits from warfare. So which is it to be – is warfare
a fiscal credit or debit? It cannot be both.
“America has
a God given right”
Of course it
hasn’t….and I am an atheist, so I could hardly accept that anything is
“god-given”. The fact that Mr Zuberi
seems to consider me some kind of closet Christian brings me considerable
mirth. I have even written a book (unpublished, admittedly) attacking
Christian belief. Would Mr Zuberi
have me write a sequel, just to clarify my non-belief? Would he have me go
to the local church and deface crucifixes?
In an earlier posting,
I made the point that even anti-Americans expect the US to
intervene in trouble spots….then blame it when it does! I mentioned Rwanda as
an example. If FOTH people read what I write, why does no one actually
refute the points that I make, rather than resort to buzz-words? Here is
another one I heard just yesterday from a Pakistani journalist (with the
Daily Jang): that during the Pakistani conflict with India in 1971, many Pakistanis almost prayed
for the US
seventh fleet to sail over and save them! I claim, then, that the US is
damned if it does, and damned if it doesn’t. Refutation
please…anyone?
“…the dim-witted
Iraqis and Afghanis…”
Mr
Zuberi here is quite unfairly attributing to me a
cynical and demeaning tone which is entirely his own fabrication. In fact,
I believe the complete opposite. I believe in equality of potential for all
races. I do not believe in the inherent superiority of any race. That is
precisely the point! There is absolutely no reason why any race cannot do
what the Taiwanese and other East Asians have done. The Americans would
love it, too - all those new people with surplus cash, ready to open their
wallets and buy Nikes and even Harley-Davidsons! The westerners who are patronising towards people in undeveloped countries are
those who would withhold the means for improvement, especially by implying
that local people in (say) Afghanistan
are not suited to democracy and western-style development. Of course they
are suited to it, and they, like everyone, deserve it. Now, how does the
developed world deliver it, especially when so many who hold the reins of
power in undeveloped countries are determined to keep them backward?
“…Peter seems to
believe in white supremacy…”
Has Mr Zuberi been reading while
asleep? Has he understood anything I have written? This is outrageous.
Peter Joyce
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