"I consider Bush's decision to call for a war against terrorism a serious mistake. He is elevating these criminals to the status of war enemies, and one cannot lead a war against a network if the term war is to retain any definite meaning"
- Jurgen Habermas
About this Quote
Jurgen Habermas is crucial of former President George W. Bush's decision to call for a war against terrorism. He believes that this choice is a serious mistake due to the fact that it elevates wrongdoers to the status of war enemies. Habermas argues that it is impossible to lead a war versus a network if the term war is to maintain any certain meaning. He thinks that Bush's choice to call for a war versus terrorism is misguided and might lead to additional confusion and mayhem. Habermas is concerned that Bush's decision could result in a situation where the term war is used to describe any kind of conflict, despite its intensity. He believes that this might result in a circumstance where the term war is utilized too loosely and could lead to further confusion and mayhem. Habermas is vital of Bush's choice to call for a war against terrorism and thinks that it is a major mistake.
"Give us grace and strength to forbear and to persevere. Give us courage and gaiety and the quiet mind, spare to us our friends, soften to us our enemies"
"The war being fought in Afghanistan and Iraq is bringing about a fundamental change to the environment that has given rise and power to the extremists who export terrorism"
"While there's been much progress on terrorism, there's still much work to do and it is very important that the countries work together in order to address this threat together"
"A man who was completely innocent, offered himself as a sacrifice for the good of others, including his enemies, and became the ransom of the world. It was a perfect act"
"Have we not come to such an impasse in the modern world that we must love our enemies - or else? The chain reaction of evil - hate begetting hate, wars producing more wars - must be broken, or else we shall be plunged into the dark abyss of annihilation"
