Back Towards The Locus

Michael Burleigh, elated by the apparent defeat of the Tamil Tigers, “salute[s] a victory in the war against terrorism“. How were the Tigers part of this “war“? Well, y’know, they were all terroristy and stuff – like many other groups and states that Burleigh would be far less willing to clip from context and wedge into a narrative.

Anyway, the hearty hawk’s essential message is that the – apparent – “victory…proves that you CAN beat terror“. When he says “beat“, he means beat; as if with a mallet…

Better trained armies might even fight counter-insurgency wars with greater finesse than the Sri Lankans.

The governments of Afghanistan and Pakistan could achieve victory in this way with Al Qaeda if they had the political will, the resources and suitable training.

Ooh, a nice, blunt assault, eh? Where hundreds of thousands are displaced, and flee into cramped, disease-ridden refuge; where bewildered families are slain by their own armed forces; where officials hush up civilian deaths to maintain public feeling. Oh, hang about, that is happening in Pakistan! Burleigh must be thrilled with Zardari’s “political will“. I’m sure he’s socking it to Al Qaeda, er, whoever and wherever it is.

As for Afghanistan; the US recently gave us – well, the Afghans – a taste of what a bludgeoning assault would mean for their lives…

Piercing wails rose into the antiseptic-scented air where four blistered and bandaged little girls lay in side-by-side hospital beds. One of them, 5-year-old Ferishteh, writhed and cried almost continuously, unable to find a position that did not cause her pain from the burns that covered her arms, legs and torso.

Amazing what “resources” can do.

Michael, don’t write when you’re on feeling celebratory; you scramble, generalise and look high on testosterone. As for Melanie Phillips – currently wielding her sword against “the surrender monkeys of human rights lawyers, NGOs and the media” – well, to quote her namesake, Emo, give her a bayonet and put her on the front lines, ready to defend the nation against that first preemptive nuclear strike.