Do we have the strength to do what it takes to survive as a nation and to conquer our enemies?
Should we turn to corporate punishment against the family and relatives of those commit massive acts of terror against us such as 9/11?
The first question for Americans is — do we have the strength to do what it takes to perpetuate our people? If we say yes, then everything falls into place. If we can’t say yes, we might as well plan America’s funeral now and execute our individual escape plans from a sinking civilization.
In theory, a recipe does exist for decisively ending the Islamists’ run of victories. Through means of collective and family punishment, which explicitly targets individuals who have done no wrong, governments and armies must introduce a brutal deterrent regime that will even outweigh the massive temptations of martyrdom and an instant road to Paradise.
No U.S. government would ever introduce such a policy, and if it did, it would cease to be anything like a democratic society. The U.S. could only adopt such avowedly terrorist methods following a wrenching national debate about issues of individual and group responsibility, and the targeting of the innocent. Could any U.S. government avowedly take hostages? We would be looking at a fundamental transformation of national character, to something new and hideous. But what other solutions could or would be possible?
Given that U.S. administrations are not going to fight the Islamic State by the only effective means available—and thankfully, they aren’t—why are they engaging in this combat in the first place?
Why start a war when you don’t plan to win it?
