I heard today on the BBC news about how one of the worlds most wanted terrorists was murdered today by a car bomb in Domaskas, Syria.
His name – Imad Fayez Mugniya
Link to story – Top Hezbollah commander killed in Syria blast
While I don’t necessarily think that it’s a bad thing that he was killed – he was accused of several terror attacks including:
~ 1983 bombing of US embassy in Lebanon
~ 1983 bombing of Marine barracks in Lebanon that killed 241
~1985 hijacking of TWA flight 847
He was wanted on over 40 countries criminal lists.
Tonight, the US State Department made a statement – and I quote:
“The world is a better place without this man in it,” State Department spokesman Sean McCormack told reporters. “He was a cold-blooded killer.”
This statement truly bothers me. As an American Citizen, I’m saddened and disheartened to see that we are treating this as a “good” thing.
If we, as America, are supposed to be FIGHTING the WAR ON TERROR, why is it we’re praising an ACT of TERROR for killing a TERRORIST?
Shouldn’t we, as America – and as the US State Department – condone the terrorist who provided and planted the car bomb – regardless of who was killed – and say we’re going to hunt down the perpitrator and bring them to justice – just as this guy – Imad Fayez Mugniya – should have been and as we were actively doing?
The answer, IMHO, is yes. As America, we should be above the “horray” stage – and in fact, we we should really be setting an example for the rest of the world. We should make a statement something to the effect of
“while the US is appreciative of the fact that this person is no longer going to be a threat, we are concerned for any act of terror that happens around the world – regardless of who is killed. We hope to find the perpitrator behind this and bring them to trial, just as the guy who did this will be discovered and brought to justice. “
Otherwise, we’re hypocritical and this car bomb has done three critical things:
a) Shown that we, the USA, do appreciate some forms of terrorism – but only if it takes out known terrorists. (thereby further undermining our credibility.)
b) Caused Syria and Hezbollah to accuse Israel of trying to start a war
c) Heightened tensions in the middle east even more – and further destabilized the region.
Something to think about….
