Solutions

What now?


 

 

This week’s planned topic is being preempted by two cowards, the brothers Tsarnaev. Four dead, well five but that last one means little to me, and nearly two hundred wounded. I’ll pray for the older brother’s soul but be relieved at his death. Most of my prayers and wishes go to the families of the slain, wounded, and for all those affected in Boston and elsewhere by this premeditated crime. Crime, murder is a crime, aggravated assault is a crime, terrorism is a crime, period, no if ands or buts. So now before we return our gaze inward to our own concerns and policies we need to ask the question what now? What now indeed what do we need to do? First, what do we do with Dzhokhar? Second how should we react to and deal with terrorism and terrorists.

First the younger brother, what to do, what course should be followed? The answer is surprisingly simple. Treat his wounds, then try him in court, and if found guilty terminate his life. Or more succinctly treat, try, and terminate. No long drawn out wait but a speedy trial, the opposite of the Fort Hood shooting mess. If the verdict is guilty and the punishment is death, then no long drawn out appeal process, no decade long wait, two appeals and then the sentence is carried out. A murderer caught, a murderer tried, and then a murderer executed. No long circus for the media or political pundits to exploit. No stage for politicians to strut about on, just the quick, sure, and certain application of justice. What better message to send out to other criminals than certainty of punishment.

Next terrorism itself what should we do? Well to start with we need to be honest with ourselves and realize a freedom fighter, a guerilla fighter, and a revolutionary, when they kill civilians, are terrorists. There is never any excuse, or justification to kill and maim civilians in order to promote some claim, purpose or belief. Those who do are criminals and should be dealt with as such. If the sides we support fall into this group then our support should end. Just as an aside here this is why our support of Israel is so important. Their enemies routinely launch terror attacks on them, and the rulers of these nations and groups also speak of destroying the people and not just the state. So we should no longer finance or support groups that use terror. Next terrorist set themselves apart by their actions and do not deserve the full legal protections of civilians, or the respect/honor of being considered as combatants. We must add a third level or category to the legal system. This could be called the Terrorist Acts. There must be a set of rules to protect the accused while at the same time allowing enhanced questioning to protect society at large. How this would be designed and implemented is a question for our government and courts to decide. This is one of those times when I know there is a need but the particulars are beyond me. This is one of those giant questions that need to be debated, formalized into a code of laws, and then judged by the courts. Remember the rules we apply to others should also be the rules we are willing to have applied to ourselves. You know the old golden rule philosophy; do unto others as you would have them do onto you. Remember terrorists are both cowards striking at people, and criminals breaking the law. So with that in mind let there be a 4T approach, Take, Treat, Try, Terminate. Take into custody, treat any and all wounds, try in a court of laws, and terminate if so judged. There is no better cure for terrorism than swift, sure, and certain justice. Well till next week may you have fair winds and a following sea.

ROY POKLADNIK, is a teacher and problem solver welcomes comments and suggestions for topics . He may be reached at : roypokladnik@gmail.com.


Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *