Group Discussion---READY TO SUPPORT!
Tom, It's the New Year, an election year, and combating terrorism is a relevant issue. It has been a major focus of politicians, of citizens of our country, and the world since 9/11. A few of us said we wanted to read or reread FOR THE COURAGE OF THE FOUNDERS this year, and we had the brilliant idea to do it as a small group. I believe paramount to all of us, is expanding our understanding of combating terrorism.
We hope to have fun, to learn from what you've written in- depth about in your book, and your insight. We hope to learn from each other, from the questions asked, from the points that resonate with us individually, from the perspectives we each bring to this discussion and I'm sure from some differing opinions. This group has varied starting points, some of us enjoy politically important topic discussions, and some in the group, are out of their comfort zone discussing issues such as terrorism. Yet, terrorism, and combating terrorism are so important issues they are jumping in anyway!
We thank you in advance, for the board on which to discuss your work, and for your service to our country, where you gained your experience, and insight into combating terrorism. We look forward to discussing..... " The Fundamental argument of this book is that since terrorists are inconsequential in real terms and operationally inept, they should not receive the level of attention or funding they currently enjoy. "
We hope to have fun, to learn from what you've written in- depth about in your book, and your insight. We hope to learn from each other, from the questions asked, from the points that resonate with us individually, from the perspectives we each bring to this discussion and I'm sure from some differing opinions. This group has varied starting points, some of us enjoy politically important topic discussions, and some in the group, are out of their comfort zone discussing issues such as terrorism. Yet, terrorism, and combating terrorism are so important issues they are jumping in anyway!
We thank you in advance, for the board on which to discuss your work, and for your service to our country, where you gained your experience, and insight into combating terrorism. We look forward to discussing..... " The Fundamental argument of this book is that since terrorists are inconsequential in real terms and operationally inept, they should not receive the level of attention or funding they currently enjoy. "
posted by Tom at 1:47 PM
3 Comments:
We are reading Tom's book in sections. Here's our tentative schedule: to cover the 5 sections over the next 10 weeks ~ 2 weeks per section to read and discuss. Feel free to jump in whenever!
1/7-1/20
Section 1 pages 1-20 .....stopping at "SAFER THAN EVER BEFORE"
1/21-2/3
Section 2 pages 21-44 .....stopping at "WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT"
2/4-2/17
Section 3 pages 44-64.....stopping at " ACKNOWLEDGE THE TRUTH OF 9/11"
2/18-3/2
Section 4 pages 64-85 ..... stopping at "SO WHO DOES/DID TERRORISM WELL.
3/3-3/17
Section 5 pages.... 85-113 ..... THE END :)
One of the suggested discussion points was "favourite quote or point" ... and mine is found on page 16: The specific point being, our foes are not strategic planners; they are tactical planners with a need for short-term gratification. Consider substituting "we are our own worst foes" for "our foes" because as I see it, too many of us allow/allowed our politicians and leaders to fulfill our understandable need for short-term gratification and comfort. I say understandable because in the wake of 9/11, the American people were searching wildly for solutions that would assure them of their personal safety. But the strategic planners among us ~ our leaders ~ should have come forward and made the arguments that Tom has made. It's just so difficult, especially when our fellow citizens are mourning, to consider economic reality.
It's a good thing we are reading this slowly. I got as far as page two and stopped at strategic imperative.. anyone else? I certainly can define the words individually, strategy ~ a plan, and imperative~ absolutely necessay.
I've read For The Courage before and still I stopped and thought before I continue, I need to grasp what I think are some strategic imperatives in the Umited States, so I can put Tom's assertion..
There is one crucial fact that the United States must accept if it is to hope to be sucessful in its fight against terror: there is no strategic imperative to conduct a war onterror, global (GWOT) or otherwise.
in concrete terms.
Did anyone else pause here? What US strategic imperatives are universally accepted ? What are your thoughts on this? Besides, Lisa if you're still on page two, we might have to extend the schedule..LOL
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