The University of Vermont's Independent Voice Since 1883

The Vermont Cynic

The University of Vermont's Independent Voice Since 1883

The Vermont Cynic

The University of Vermont's Independent Voice Since 1883

The Vermont Cynic

Rumsfeld

True to form, Secretary of defense, Donald Rumsfeld stated in an October 29th 2002 briefing, “As a nation that lost thousands of innocent civilians on September 11th, we understand what it means to lose fathers and mothers and brothers and sisters and sons and daughters. But let’s be clear, no nation in human history has done more to avoid civilian casualties than the United States has in this conflict…Americans risk their lives to deliver humanitarian assistance and alleviate the suffering of the Afghan people” (US Department of State, International Information Program). According to Newyorkmetro.com the total number killed in attacks (official figure as of 9/5/02) was 2,819. These people died in an atrocity never thought of before that fateful day. However, since that date the total number of hate crimes reported to the Council on American-Islamic Relations nationwide since 9/11 has reached 1,714. This June, Robert Goldstein, 38, pleaded guilty in April to conspiracy to violate civil rights, attempting to damage religious property and possession of bombs. Goldstein, who is Jewish, said he wanted to retaliate against Arabs and Muslims for the 9/11 terror attacks. Goldstein plotted to bomb some of his 50 potential Islamic targets. On June 19th President Bush has ‘installed’ (without any congressional vote) Daniel Pipes by means of a recess appointment to the U.S. Institute of Peace, which was created by Congress to promote peaceful solutions to world conflicts. This is hardly the first time this has occurred and in fact, most of Bush’s more controversial appointments have been done through similar means and without votes. Pipes’ has been labeled as an anti-Muslim ‘bigot’ and his nomination has been opposed by the Washington Post, the Dallas Morning News, the Chicago Tribune, as well as many foreign policy scholars and Jewish peace groups. I won’t bother regaling anyone with the numbers of dead Iraqis or Afghanis (which is still rising, in part due to the 12,000+ unexploded bombs in the country [CBS.com]) but instead ask: What happened to the terrorists not changing the way we live our lives?

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Rumsfeld