Toxic Waste

Demonstrators at the G-8 conference protest global warming and toxic waste, but the true toxic waste, as we have seen from yesterday’s terrorist explosions in London, spews from the mouths of those who drumbeat their hatred in schools, newspapers, mosques, and television programs throughout the Middle East. In London or New York the teacher who takes the bus to work, the grocery clerk using the subway—none are judged blameless by the terrorists’ bloodthirsty deity

We combat their poison with a confusing mix of actions and words. We have overwhelming power but only dispense a fraction of it. If we cared simply to protect ourselves, to stop the killing of us and our friends, our fleet of B52 bombers would ensure that that part of the world never troubles us again. But mass killing is not part of our moral universe (yet), and there is no comfort in knowing that we are better than they, that if they had our power they would have no qualms against its use. They crave opportunities to slaughter millions, as did Mao, Stalin, Hitler, Pol Pot, and, yes, the former tyrant of Iraq who cowers in his cell.

We choose the narrow, difficult road. We force the tyrant from his den without laying waste to his land. In doing so some innocent people die, we apologize to their families and make reparation. Build your country, live in peace with your neighbor, we say over and over, we want to go home.

No one gives credit to the giant for staying his hand. Certainly not those who sit in their upper East Side lofts or ivied parapets and weep for the discomfort of 600 captured killers who receive better medical treatment than our homeless on Market Street. Blind to the evil that will be the death of them and their children, the pampered and the privileged save their worst epithets for the man who leads us. He lacks the glibness of his predecessor and is too loyal to those who have failed, but his flaws are unimportant because his vision is clear and he will not be dissuaded.

The terrorists have a clear vision too. In their world the lands of southern Europe will be returned to their rule. In their world men who beat, but not kill, their women are merciful. In their world the Jews will not only be driven from Palestine but exterminated. Where is the Ataturk or Sadat who will say that this path is madness?

They think that we will grow weary of the battle. Yes, we are weary, but there is more than one way to end a battle. Many who counsel appeasement 1) are fiercely protective of their personal well-being, and 2) know how to hate. When they witness exploding buses and feel personally threatened, they will re-direct their hatred upon the terrorists and their sympathizers and question why our leaders have shown such restraint.

The terrorists do not understand that the murder of civilians in our homeland will not lead to triumph but their utter destruction. If we become genuinely frightened, we will reach for ever more powerful weapons in our vast armory until we feel safe. May God, theirs and ours, have mercy on their souls. © 2005 Stephen Yuen