Page One

Editor: 

The first step in winning the war against terrorism seems to be the lynching of the usual suspect, Osama bin Laden. President Bush wants him captured “dead or alive.” The Taliban has asked to see what evidence there is that he is responsible for the attacks of Sept. 11 — a reasonable request when extradition is demanded. They are arrogantly told, “We don’t have to show you any stinking evidence.” Which probably means there isn’t any. 

The second step may be the launching of an unwinnable, Vietnam-type war on Afghanistan, which the Russians couldn’t conquer in ten years. Terrorism may be one of those social problems that cannot be solved by the simple use of extreme military means. Which makes it all the more important to wonder why nobody is asking some basic questions, like why do millions of people all over the world hate our guts? And what can we do about it? 

The answer lies in what the bean-counters tell us every year: the rich are getting richer and the poor are getting poorer. This applies to countries as well as individuals. This is the way capitalism, for which the U.S. is the loudest proponent and the principle beneficiary, really works. 

The poorest countries cannot raise their living standards because they live at subsistence levels and produce no surplus with which to invest in industrialization. The vast natural resources of the under-developed world are not used to help its inhabitants, but are siphoned off to further enrich the industrial nations. 

To begin to change this situation requires the elimination of the profit system and the re-organization of the entire world under the widest possible democracy and equality, in all lands, at all levels. To secure lasting peace, we must establish universal justice. The working people, not the generals or politicians, must take the lead in this. 

Meanwhile, stay out of airplanes, tall buildings, and busy bridges. 

Marion Syrek 

Oakland