Calls for change in foreign policy, especially energy policy

It has been almost 6 weeks since the tragic crashes into the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and the Pennsylvania countryside. We are a nation at war on foreign soil while we struggle on our own soil to recover, rebuild and defend. Even now there are fires smoldering at Ground Zero, an apt symbol of the anger that burns in our hearts and the hearts of our leaders as we wage a decisive war against terrorism.

There were warnings, but they were unheeded. There were signs, but collectively they were ignored. We wish desperately that we could turn back the hands of time so we could see before the fact what only hindsight has allowed us to see. We mourn and wrestle with rage; rage at those who committed these heinous acts, and rage at those in our country who failed to protect us.

In the recesses of my mind where childish idealism reigns I hope we will have widespread and complete success in eradicating all terrorist cells in the world. Is that possible? Is that probable? My rational mind tells me "not so." Even if we can identify and eliminate every terrorist that walks the earth, there is no end and there is no winning in a war of perpetual retaliation.

When a person, a nation or a cause has been wronged, the memory lingers for generations, spawning sons and daughters who rise up to avenge their ancestors' loss. We have seen this countless times in the aftermath of war, but nowhere greater than in the Middle East.

Prior to Sept. 11, many Americans had become disinterested in the endless violence in the Mideast; our senses had been numbed to the ongoing suffering. Few of us saw any connection between our foreign policy and that suffering. We now know differently. We now know that it is very much in our interest to be informed about our foreign policies and the impact they have on all peoples. This is not liberal softness or bending to the terrorist's demands; this is integrity and shrewd self preservation.

If the fragile stability of the Middle East demands U.S. support of Israel then let's be covert in that mission. Let the Arab and Israeli leaders set the timetables and terms for negotiations based on their readiness and resolve, and let them stand alone on the world stage as they do so. They don't need a U.S. president telling them when or how to shake hands (it should be noted that this is not a custom in either culture), or surreptitiously taking credit for forced, empty, peace accords.

It is long past time that the western world developed and utilized alternative energies. We have the technologies and designs for production, but we have pandered to the oil moguls who hold the reigns of political power, with the trickle down effect of economic disincentives to alternative energy, and subsequent growth of oil empires both domestic and abroad. Our losses in this energy war are far greater than global warming and unhealthy air; we have compromised our freedom and autonomy for the conveniences that foreign oil bring us.

We are mired in the sands of Saudi Arabia solely because a major self interest of ours lies darkly beneath their sands. "Make no mistake about it," we do not support the Saudis because they are our friends or because they are the moderate Arabs in the Middle East; we carefully pat the venomous snake hoping it will remain our friend for as long as we have need of it, and we turn a blind eye to the human rights atrocities committed in that country so we can justify doing business with them. Neither do they call us "friend" for any reason other than they have need of our economic and military might. Their very need of us gives root to hate, much as a man might despise a prostitute simply because he has need of that which he abhors. Why do you think our nation is called the "Great Western Whore"?

Saudi Arabia's economic prosperity is completely dependent upon oil proceeds and labor from foreign nations. What would happen if their oil was no longer needed, and the foreign labor force went home? Their modern (AKA Western) infrastructure would implode, and they would return to their revered nomadic way of life. Infidels would no longer tarnish their holy lands, and oil proceeds would no longer finance terrorist networks.

It is time to support ourselves in an honest manner independent of Saudi oil. It is time for the Saudis to do the same without our money, technologies and work force. Yes, we must rout out terrorists and their networks. Yes, we must make a stand, and prove that terrorist activities against the free world will not be tolerated. Yes, we must fight evil where it threatens, but we must also disengage ourselves from the ageless Middle East wars which have drawn us into their hateful lair.

As a united people we need to demand from our leaders far reaching energy policy changes that will reduce or even eliminate our dependence on oil. Only then will we be free to pull out of the Middle East and re-design our international policies according to our values, not our needs. The secondary gains of reducing global warming and improving air quality will be just as urgent. This is a win-win proposition.

We must still maintain a covert presence in the Middle East to ensure that weapons of mass destruction are not being produced, and to ensure that the balance of power in that region does not threaten the free world, but our role should be one of stealth, not notoriety. The wake up call has never been so loud; let's be sure we know why we have been awakened, and what we are being called to do.

Corinne Risch

Peachtree City

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