Let's all step into our adult shoes for a moment and consider that the current generation of anti-terror does less to prevent violence against the innocent than it does to redefine terrorism. As long as rag-tag groups from the global underclass are pursued for playing rough, we can ignore similar crimes on the part of more organized terrorists who can buy their way into lawful society. Nothing new or hidden here, just ask Noam Chomsky.
In the long view, societies possessing intellect and power have always needed to distract themselves from their hypocrisy. Globalization masks the horror of slavery, but we still have foreign policy to feel guilty about. We may think of Orwell's doublethink as something imposed by an oppressive state, but it's our childlike need for soothing that motivates us to develop such delusions.
Perhaps in this light we can understand why investigation and diplomacy are not preferred - treating your enemy as fully human only opens one's self to the same scrutiny.
In the long view, societies possessing intellect and power have always needed to distract themselves from their hypocrisy. Globalization masks the horror of slavery, but we still have foreign policy to feel guilty about. We may think of Orwell's doublethink as something imposed by an oppressive state, but it's our childlike need for soothing that motivates us to develop such delusions.
Perhaps in this light we can understand why investigation and diplomacy are not preferred - treating your enemy as fully human only opens one's self to the same scrutiny.
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