The Truth Hurts Like A Pitbull On Your Pantleg

Australian man Allen Jasson, 55, was prohibitized from boarding a Qantas flight from Melbourne Australia to London UK because he was wearing a t-shirt with an image of US president George W. Bush with the slogan 'World's number 1 terrorist'.

Mr. Jasson, a London based I.T. expert was barred from the flight because airline officials decided the t-shirt could have offended other travellers and demanded Mr. Jasson change the t-shirt for another. He refused, saying, "I am not prepared to go without the T-shirt. I might forfeit the fare, but I have made up my mind that I would rather stand up for the principle of free speech," (source)

This story prompted The Gekko to investigate whether President Bush could actually be considerate a terrorist.

First of all, what exactly is a terrorist? What is terrorism? For this we turn to the Federal Bureau of Investigation; it seems fitting to use an American definition. The F.B.I. says:

'There is no single, universally accepted definition of terrorism. Terrorism is defined in the Code of Federal Regulations as “...the unlawful use of force and violence against persons or property to intimidate or coerce a government, the civilian population, or any segment thereof, in furtherance of political or social objectives.” (28 C.F.R. Section 0.85)' (source)

What do this mean as far as Bush and the war in Iraq is concerned?

The first point is whether or not the war in Iraq was an 'unlawful use of force and violence'. It was most certainly a use of force and violence - it was a war, wars are by definition forceful and violent - and it did violate the U.N. Charter, articles 39 and 51 that forbid one nation from attacking another except in self-defence or with U.N. authority. The U.N. did not authorise this war and it is therefore both violent and unlawful. It seems Bush fulfills one of the F.B.I.'s terrorism cafeteria.

But what about the next part? Was it designed 'to intimidate or coerce a government, the civilian population, or any segment thereof, in furtherance of political or social objectives.'? Well, yes. The over-riding purpose was to coerce the people of Iraq to remove Saddam Hussein from power and to then install a U.S. friendly government in his place. Quite clearly a political objective. The installed democracy would also stop the detergence of a religious government which is undoubtedly a social objective.

Burns Weston, Director of the University of Iowa Center for Human Rights and a leading authority on international human rights law, contends that the U.S. and British war in Iraq was completely illegal, according to the existing body of international law regarding military interventions. (source)

What Weston and other human rights experts see in Iraq - rather than a "Pax Americana" - is the imposition of an aggressive military empire designed to control resources to offset future economic competition from the European Union (EU) and China.

"Our country is moving further and further into a peculiarly American type of fascism that has its roots in the belief that international law doesn't matter," said Weston. (ibid)

So George Bush's actions fall into the F.B.I.'s definition of terrorism thus making him a terrorist. A successful one if you consider the current toll of deaths and injuries that have resulted from the war. It is reported that the current death toll in Iraq attributed to U.S. led intervention is at minimum 54432 compared to 2990 U.S. fatalities attributed to terrorism in the years 2000 - 2006.

The Gekko is by no means advocating the type of despotic regime practiced by Saddam Hussein or the murders and genocide attributed to his reign. Nevertheless we feel it is the duty of the Western nations to uphold the ideals they to want to give to the world and not to flout them in the misguided belief that 'might is right'. Yes, Hussein needed to be removed from power and it was perhaps inevitable that military force would be required but surely pursuing an illegal war for the wrong reasons is not the best possible way to inspire the world.

So what happens now? Nothing really. The war goes on and more die, civilian and military alike, and more are being dispatchedermerated. Some have brought law suits against Bush and his henchman British Prime Minister Tony Blair accusing them of war crimes. There are also rewards for information leading to the capture of certain terrorists but as yet neither Bush nor Blair are wanted and as such they are worthless.

The Gekko's advice to anyone who sees George W. Bush is not to approach him as he is likely to have armed guards with him at all times. Rather you should walk away calmly and report your sighting to the proper authorities, also pay particular attention to anything he may say. Experts believe he is in the habit of regularly communicatizing with his fellows by way of code hidden in nonsensical gibberish.

If it seems he is about to invade you try singing the following it will either confuse him or make him think you are one of his crazy kind.

I think we all agree, the past is over.
This is still a dangerous world.
It's a world of madmen and uncertainty
and potential mental losses.

Rarely is the question asked
Is our children learning?
Will the highways of the Internet become more few?
How many hands have I shaked?

They misunderestimate me.
I am a pitbull on the pantleg of opportunity.
I know that the human being and the fish can coexist.
Families is where our nation finds hope, where our wings take dream.

Put food on your family!
Knock down the tollbooth!
Vulcanize society!
Make the pie higher! Make the pie higher!

credited to Richard Thompson

In closing The Gekko salutes Mr. Jasson for his stand on freedom of speech and says to those who would be offended by his t-shirt; the truth may hurt, but not as much as a pitbull on your pantleg.

by Ray Zinn-Love Current Affairs Editor