To: The Dallas Morning News
Date:  September 30, 2001
Subject: The Taliban
Result: not printed due to limited space

Dear Editor,

President Bush is saying absolutely not, we will not negotiate with the Taliban for them to turn Osama bin Laden over to us. I say, why not? I'm thinking maybe we're in a position where, in exchange for our not bombing or taking other military action in Afghanistan, not only could we get bin Laden, but maybe we could even influence the Taliban to greatly ease up in their administration of the country.

There would be, I think, substantial advantages and wisdom to at least try this approach. Number one, as has been reported, there's no telling what kind of government might replace the Taliban if we were to overthrow them. Certainly it's no sure thing that we even can. And the replacement could easily be just as bad or worse.

Secondly, there is no question that if we do take military action in Afghanistan or anywhere else, it will greatly inspire many terrorists against us. Whereas, if we work with the Taliban and maybe even get them on our side, maybe that could even enable us to have a positive influence on other problem nations. 

In general, my belief is that our whole foreign policy in relation to countries we don't like, whether it be Cuba or Iraq or Libya or whoever, ought to be something like "kill them with kindness". By doing so, perhaps, that would put great diplomatic pressure on them from others to be nice to the people in their own countries and to behave themselves in world relations. Then maybe, in the course of all this wonderfulness, some of the other countries that we like and support - such as Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and China - might feel increased pressure to ease up and become more fair and just and open in their countries. Israel could use some work too. As it is, our support of such countries is often not very much to our credit. 

In my mind, maybe the terrorist attack against our country could be the catalyst to accomplishing much to increasing the general stability and security of the world as we begin the twenty-first century. I have the hope that many people who have been against us in the past might have been so affected by the magnitude of the terrorist attacks that maybe it would cause them to stop and think, is this really the kind of world that they want to live in and to be raising their children in? 

Of course, in all these thoughts, "you may say I'm a dreamer" (John Lennon). But somehow it seems to make sense. 

Thank you, John Vehon