I was sad, although not that surprised, to hear one of the United States presidential candidates suggest that we need to show the terrorists that we are not backing down – that we will find them and kill them. In fact, it seems as if most of the candidates are convinced that the response to the terrible violence of ISIS and other individuals and groups is more violence. I thought to myself, “What does this person not understand about the fact that many so-called terrorists or extremists do not mind being killed. In fact, many believe that they will be rewarded in the next life for showing that they have the courage to be a martyr in this life. In fact, we in the United States basically tell our own soldiers the very same thing. We basically tell them that it is good thing to put yourself in the position of possibly being killed in the service of one’s country. Dying is not punishment if one is convinced that one is doing it to serve God, country, or some other “noble” cause. Although Senator and presidential candidate Senator Marco Rubio might be alone in advocating that we “emulate Liam Neeson’s charger” in “Taken.”
He added, “When people ask ‘what should our strategy be on global jihadists and terrorists?’ I refer them to the movie ‘Taken.’ Have you seen the movie ‘Taken’ starring Liam Neeson? He has a line and this is what our strategy should be, “We will look for you, we will find you, and we will kill you.”
Follow Ian Hanchett on Twitter @IanHanchett (quoted by Mr. Hanchett from a speech Mr. Robio gave in May, 2015 in South Carolina.)
Mr. Rubio is not alone in thinking that we should respond to violence with more violence. Some do recommend a more coordinated effort but all seem to think that we must increase the violent response and show who is more powerful, the biggest bully, or has the biggest guns.
Really? Do we honestly think that this is going to work? Do we not have any idea of the power of believing that one is doing a religious or spiritual duty however misguided others may think that one is? That sort of attitude has certainly guided this nation for a long time and has not led to us becoming more humble, more spiritual, or less arrogant.
The safe street program that is being practiced in Baltimore does offer an alternative model for dealing with violence. This program was initiated by Dr. Gary Slutkin after observing that the pattern of violence in cities follows the same pattern as that of an infectious disease.
The fact that the program is not currently working as well in Baltimore as it did is because of some very practical issues which are being identified under the leadership of Dr, Leonna Wen, Baltimore Health Commissioner. One of the problems being identified is that some of the ex-felons who are do so well as interrupters/mediators are being pressured to pay a lot of back child support – perhaps as much as $50,000.00 - on a salary of $29,000.00 in a city such as Baltimore where even a modest apartment or place to live is going to cost around $1445.00 (one bedroom inner city apartment -Numbeo.com). Even if one had the entire gross income to spend that would leave approximately $1000.00 a month for food, transportation, insurance, child care, clothes and related living expense. Do the math. That does not leave money to pay even a small amount of back child support. Folks will resort to whatever means they know to survive; means which will likely be substance abuse or some criminal behavior.
Fortunately, this is a problem which theoretically could be easily solved. Take the money which it would cost to incarcerate someone and pay that back child support and then provide assistance for child care when needed. Everyone wins. Of course I know that the chances of such a simple solution being applied is not likely just because it is logical and cost effective. It is more likely that the average tax payer who has not faced such challenges will insist that folks take care of their responsibilities no matter how impracticable that may be. I am sure that there are those who will continue to advocate that the interrupters who cannot honor their responsibilities are bad people – are individuals who should have paid their child support and are just dead beat parents (mostly dads). The attitude is likely to be punish, punish, punish as if one is living on a high paying job in some luxurious Anne Arundel County suburb where the most recent US. Census reports show that the median income is $87,000.00 and the population is 76% white.
My point is that the model Dr. Wen is pursuing in Baltimore to diagnose and treat the violence which has recently increased is the same model which we have to apply to violence whether it is on the local, state, national, or international level.
There is a reason why many young folks are being attracted to extremist groups where they are given not only a sense of purpose but a sense of spiritual purpose – a legacy of which they can be proud. This is the very same thing that Hitler offered many in Germany after their WWI defeat and mistreatment by the allies. This, ironically, is the same thing which drives the United States – a promise to be more moral than – better than – more righteous- more pleasing to God – a chance to feel important – to count for something.
Are there easy ways to do this? Will such an approach give immediate reward or gratification? No to both questions. Yet, any scientist, physician, or business person knows that if you want to solve a problem the most important first step is an accurate diagnosis. Although if we listen to advertisements we might be tempted to believe that it is sufficient to treat the symptom (eat anything you want and then take our pill – lose weight without exercise or changing your diet) the truth we all know is that we need to diagnose and treat the cause of the symptoms. Obviously many years of killing off people, putting people in jail, killing so-called insurgents or the axis of evil have has made local communities or the world a safer place. Attempting to control others so that they do not have the same weapons we have or supplying weapons to the ally de jour has not put a long lasting dent in so-called terrorist activity or created new, trusting international friendships. Spying on friends and enemies has not created a safer universe. Building more effective and more dangerous weapons and means of delivering weapons had not resulted in others beating their sword into plowshares. More weapons, more troops, more prisons, and more funerals have not made communities safer. Neither has pretending that we can embrace people such as the interrupters in Baltimore and other cities while threatening and punishing them at the same time.
It is time for a new, more realistic approach. It is time to appoint and elect leaders such as Dr. Wen who will listen, diagnose the “dis ease,” and give them the power and means to treat the illness and not just the symptoms.
Hats to our neighbors such as Dr. Slutkin and Dr. Wen.
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