It’s not enough to bash the idiots running our country. Three terrorists just killed and injured innocent people on London Bridge. Its not only the numbers, it is the fear that anyone enjoying their day and uninvolved in anything dangerous, could be targeted anytime. It creates fear and hatred and we cannot stand by and allow this to happen. It’s our responsibility to have a plan, and to discuss it publicly.
The Democratic plan to bar gun sales to terrorism suspects was a good step, that Republicans blocked last year. www.latimes.com/...
Hilary outlined a plan back in December 2015 that included tech warfare to take down militant websites and online recruiting tools, banning assault weapons, and taking the fight to daesh (ISIS). www.theguardian.com/...
These are good steps, but I don’t know where a more comprehensive policy and plan is being discussed. The Atlantic pointed out in Nov 2015 that its imperative for Democrats to develop a comprehensive plan, and gave some detailed suggestions — not sure I would agree with them now, however, as they involved cooperating more with Russia, Iran and Saudi Arabia www.theatlantic.com/…
Here are some possible elements of a plan. Call it a Request For Comments, Terrorism RFC 101. Comments and suggestions for change, especially based on sources, research or experience, are more than welcome.
- Stand on principles of human rights. Make our moral leadership clear. Stand up for anyone being abused by daesh, including those in the middle east. Also stand up for those abused by authoritarian regimes. This is mainly a matter of speaking out, and making aid contingent on respect for human rights. I don’t care for Reagan but one decent thing he did, according to Kasparov’s book he would start any meeting with his Russian counterparts by throwing on the table a list of political prisoners.
- Show strength. Military solutions are not enough, but they are necessary. We need to show strength and resolve when we act. Target leaders and allow our military to act strongly in a tightly targeted manner.
- Provide Hope. Increase support for schools, jobs, tie aid to providing schooling for girls and all people in the population. America does provide a huge amount of military and other assistance in the region, we should be using all the leverage we can to improve the situation for regular people. We should have engaged far more with the Arab Spring, but we should engage now with any movements for democracy in the the Arab world.
- Increase Mental Health spending. Many terrorists (Islamist or white supremacist) had previous minor convictions and mental health problems. We can’t screen everyone, but any time an anti-social act happens, we should be providing mental health screening and treatment along with the penalty. Mental health professionals should be trained in warning signs. Often family or friends tried to raise a warning, if the person of interest commits any minor crime and there are warning signs aggressive intervention may help. Jeremy Christian, the white supremacist terrorist who killed Ricky Best and Namkai Meche on the bus, ‘practically grew up in prison’. Many people in prisons have a huge need for mental health treatment, that would save lives.
- Win the technical and propaganda wars. According to this Al Quaeda recruiter, the anti-isis videos are not being created on the same level as the extremely sophisticated recruitment videos. Get comedians and other entertainers to debunk the daesh message, or get those who have left to help, but do this more effectively. Also as Hilary said, take down the websites that recruit. http://www.cnn.com/2015/12/18/health/al-quaeda-recruiter-fight-isis-online/
That might be a start. Its true we are not in control right now and can’t implement a policy, but I think we have a responsibility to create and discuss a plan. Does anyone know where else this discussion is happening?
I’ve cross-posted this to http://civ.works , where some serious civic discussion happens on other subjects. Thanks for reading, and please comment! Tell me if I missed other major policy resources!