Reply #29: I Get You Now!

[ProfessorGAC]

Still, the political will of politicians is strengthened by the human desire for revenge. An attack here on U.S. soil will get such a preponderance of the people wanting vengeance that the political leaders are free to spend, act, and plan at will. Yes, you're right about the difference in money. Absolutely so.

But, our pot of money is far deeper as well. People will put up with higher taxes if it means "blowing up the bad guys". Doesn't matter whether that's sensible or not. People react in a visceral way to attacks on their home nation. The more we get attacked, the more we attack back. The more we attack back, the more angry they get. The more angry they get, the more they attack us. Etc., etc., etc.

My original post was intended to express my belief that the whole thing is futile. Al Qaeda actually thinks they can win this war. Stupid. We think we can bomb people and get them to stop hating us. Equally stupid.

I think we're sort of saying similar things, but going about it in different ways.
The Professor