July 25, 2011: How the War Against Terrorism Needs To Be Fought

By Sylvia Gurinsky

This time, it's Norway's turn for tears.

The hatred that resulted in last Friday's bombing in Oslo and murder of dozens of youths at an island camp about 25 miles away came from within. But it points to the need, in Norway and around the world, for everyone to grasp how the war against any kind of terrorism must be fought and won.

First, Norway needs to come to terms with its own security holes. Threats have been made against the country by Al Quaida and domestic extremists in the past. There was no excuse to have a situation on a street in front of important government buildings in which any non-official vehicle could be parked. Americans learned that the hard way after the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing.

The excuse for this terrorism was the growing Muslim population in Europe. Muslims are certainly not to blame for these attacks; in fact, some speculation during Friday's news coverage was reminiscent of the speculation after the Oklahoma City bombings.

It's been said before that conventional war tactics go only so far against terrorists. The common thread of most of them, whatever they support or oppose, is hatred.

That means those who are targeted - especially Muslims, who haven't done nearly enough to fight against the violence generated by radicals in the name of Islam - need to do more to speak out against it and act against it.

A majority of Muslims who move to other parts of the world do so because of the conditions - politically and economically repressive - in their countries of origin. They need to campaign to improve the situations in those countries, and make sure the so-called "Arab Spring" truly does blossom into openness across the region. European nations that once colonized many of those countries have an obligation to help in the campaign to fully liberate them.

Politicians worldwide who perpetuate hatred are also to blame (Yes, U.S. Rep. Allen West, R-Not Living In His District, that includes you.).

Norweigian Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg and many of that country's residents made a good start over the weekend in paying tribute to the victims of Friday's attacks. Stoltenberg said, "We will retaliate with more democracy."

More democracy and more education. The best weapons for everyone in this 21st Century war.