Terrorism and War

Howard Zinn puts forth two most important points in this book. Firstly, governments lie. Secondly, war is another form of terrorism. In these days of mass hysteria about terrorism and cries for war, these points should be drilled in the minds of people who blindly believe in what the government is telling them to achieve their war objectives for financial gains. He puts to rest the argument that "We are a peaceful nation" as stated by George W. Bush, by bringing forth various example showing that our government has been the aggressor in several conflicts in this century. History should not be forgotten as we are once again repeating the terrible mistakes we have made in the past.He questions the need for the US to become a military superpower with over $300 billion annual military budget when for a small fraction of this money, millions of people dying of diseases throughout the world could be saved.Indeed, in these days of misplaced patriotism, people like Zinn are called traitors when in fact, it should be people like Zinn who have defined democracy by questioning the government and questioning the true motives of those in power. Governments lie, and lie a lot for personal gains.

"Terrorism and War" is based on a series of interviews given by Howard Zinn in late 2001 and early 2002, regarding current events such as the bombing of Afghanistan, the "war on terrorism" in general, and the terrorist attacks of September 11th. As should come as no surprise to readers familiar with Dr. Zinn's writing and opinions, he denounces all three events, arguing that while the events of September 11th were horrible atrocities, killing people around the world in a potentially endless war (whose targets currently include residents of Afghanistan, Iraq, Iran, Syria, Saudi Arabia, Libya, Sudan, Somalia and many other countries) is no solution - and quite possibly could simply exacerbate the problem. Altogether convinced that "we must do something" to respond to 9/11, he is just as certain that we must not respond with bombs and war.What I appreciated more than the arguments made for this case (which can be found in the literature of any self-respecting progressive or anti-war organization) are the chances that the questioner gives Dr. Zinn to explain his personal views on various aspects of war, pacifism, patriotism, civil liberties and politics, both in the present day and throughout history. As a veteran of the "Good War" who has come to believe that there is no such thing as a 'good war,' Zinn explains the reasoning that lead him to this conclusion, demonstrating warfare's inability to improve the world and discussing viable alternatives to mass killing.In this well-organized publication, Zinn is also able to fire back at attackers who have accused him (and others) of "blaming America first" (a reference to the 1940s pseudofascist pro-Nazi organization 'America First'). Comparing this to the tactics used by McCarthyists in the 1950s, he illustrates how it is just a part of a largely successful effort to intimidate, marginalize and silence any who may be opposed to war or simply want to examine the roots of terrorism and "why they hate us". Neither Dr. Zinn nor this book are anti-American in any way; no one should be frightened away by any such baseless accusations.All in all, this slim volume contains far more worthwhile discussion than I can summarize here. From optimism and alternatives for the future to America's historical support for global terrorism and anti-democratic forces, Dr. Zinn's considerable historical knowledge and capacity for critical analysis emanates from every page. Dozens of reference notes have been added by the editor to the text of the interviews, and the book includes a useful index, bibliography, and contact information for a variety of anti-war and alternative information sources. Excerpts from the Geneva Protocols are also included in an appendix. This short volume is an easy and informative read which I enthusiastically recommend to anyone who has a couple of hours to spare.

Zinn's latest collection of writings--a selection of interviews collected after 9-11--is an important expression of protest against the unjust and illegal war carried out against civilians. Using the the bombing of Afghanistan as its basis, this book examines the consequences and realities of a war supposedly directed against terrorism, which has left thousands of innocent civilians dead and transformed hundreds of thousands into homeless, starving refugees. While some, perhaps even many, would argue that these effects are simply the tragic, yet unintended, consequences of modern war. Tragic it certainly is, but as Zinn shows, the civilian deaths are of little concern to the US military and their allies, who glory in the use of so-called "smart bombs" that seem to be continually missing their "targets". Colin Powell has said in response to the question concerning the number of Iraqi dead during the Gulf War that "it's really not a number I'm terribly interested in", which shows little has changed since his involvement as an advisor during the Vietnam war. In fact, the bombing of civilian targets has been the preferred method of "breaking" the enemy spirit and dates back to at least World War Two and the carpet bombing of Dresden, Tokyo and Hiroshima. Thus the continuing use of this tactic from Vietnam, Iraq and now Afghanistan is based on the same indefensible, immoral logic.It is also interesting to note, as Zinn does, that this tactic embodies the same unconscionable actions we pretend to abhor and is itself a form of state terrorism. In addition to exposing the real nature of our war against terror, he also critically examines the reasoning put forth by our politicians and military leaders. Perhaps, more importantly, though, he directs our attention to the fact that so many simply believe these explanations at their word, and care little to investigate the merits of these policies, which have really devastating effects on many people around the world. Of course, as Zinn points out, the media isn't really doing anything to promote this kind of critical inquiry, they are doing precisely the opposite, which doesn't excuse us for not seeking out the facts that are out there, but may be a little more difficult to find. This book, for example is a fine place to start, in addition to the numerous alternative media outlets that constantly report on these issues. Ultimately, the final responsibility rests with us and as Zinn points out it is only through broad political and social involvement that real change can be achieved.

In this collection of interviews, Zinn does what he does best: telling it like it is in thirty words or less. Framed by the incisive questions of interviewer and editor Anthony Arnove, Zinn's commentary ranges from the so-called "war on terrorism" to the recession to the assault on civil liberties, providing a compact yet comprehensive overview of the current political moment.Zinn puts the tragic events of September 11th in perspective by sewing a "Made in U.S.A." label on terrorism: "In its foreign policy, the United States has consigned several million people to their deaths and supported terrorist governments in various parts of the world ...You might say that there is a reservoir of possible terrorists among all those people in the world who have suffered as a result of U.S. foreign policy."He goes on to expose the hypocrisy of the "war on terrorism," noting that, "There is a precise division between who we bomb and who we do not bomb. The division has nothing to do with which countries are harboring terrorists. The division has only to do with which countries we don't control yet. The countries that we control, like Turkey and Saudi Arabia, can harbor as many terrorists as they want. We will look elsewhere."While Zinn's treatment of the Bush administration is never less than scathing, he sees no alternative in the Democratic party, "which has played such a pitifully obsequious role in this whole affair."Instead, Terrorism and War is remarkable for its faith in the power of ordinary people. Zinn and Arnove, who between them seem to have read everything ever written, quote activists and revolutionaries from Frederick Douglass to Eugene Debs to Emma Goldman to illustrate the fact that the US government has always used war and repression to achieve its ends-and that it has always been resisted. By rooting today's anti-war movement in a tradition of struggle, they open a window to hope and practical advice from the past.Though in one of the earlier essays, Zinn presents some rather unconvincing solutions to the problems of war and terrorism-calling on the US to be "a more modest nation," that no longer "[needs] to be a superpower," by the end of the book, he acknowledges that there will be no end to war without an end to capitalism: "[T]he left is in a position of continually opposing war after war after war, without getting at the root of the problem-which is the economic system under which we live, which needs war and makes war inevitable."

A few months ago I read Howard Zinn's pre-september 11th book "Zinn on War." I found it extremely touching and thought provoking. Zinn once again captures that feeling with the newest book from the Open Media publishing movement."Terrorism and War" is a collection of interviews (both Zinn and Chomsky are at their best when speaking, as their writing is too scholarly.) Throughout, Zinn speaks about our need and Constitutionally protected right to dissent, or more specifically, our right to oppose war.Packed with news accounts and historical facts (10% of the book is notes and index), Zinn systematically proves that the war on terrorism, as currently being waged, is not a just response and will only make things worse in the future. He is not opposed to a response, even a violent one, but he feels that the bombing of Afghanistan and the targeting of Iraq are unjust and incredibly harmful to us.Read this book, then debate the war with someone you know who either supports it or is unsure. There is a very large group of people who, if given a dose of truth, will start seeing both sides of the story. Save yourself the time and ignore the ones who actively support the war, they will just call you un-American and nothing you say will change their closed hawkish minds.Highly recommended - Discuss this book!!