Barking at shovels

Tit for Tat

One analogy I should have thought was obvious, but I have yet to hear anyone make. Surely it is clear that to a lot of Arabs, the "shock and awe" images of Baghdad are going to have the same emotional resonance that the collapsing Twin Towers had for Americans. Yes, most of them have no use whatsoever for Hussein, but really, how many Texans ever thought they'd sympathize with a New Yorker?

I don't want to sound like I'm calling the US military criminals -- in fact, I've been rather impressed with the general subtlety and restraint they've shown in carrying out their orders so far. But the United States is going to pay a price for "shock and awe." Yes, they're using precision munitions, and yes, probably the collateral damage ratio is the lowest in history, and yes, it may well be the quickest way to end the war -- all good things, or rather, lesser evils. But think back to how you felt looking at that colossal plume of smoke over Manhattan, and realize that Arabs are not going to thank us for making them look at one of their own.

[Also, check out the shock-and-awe drinking game. It may help you get through an evening of jingoism.]

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