4.3.3 Liberalism and the Environment & Extremism

Liberalism and Extremism

To be an extremist, one's belief system must lie outside of the normal spectrum of beliefs. Extremism is the belief in actions that are considered unacceptable morally, socially, or politically.

Here is what happened to one airline passenger in an American airport: "Air Canada Plane Spotting, Heathrow", Public Domain.  "There I was, walking in stocking feet with my hands up. I watched the line of people slowly being herded along as armed guards patted us down. I had to take off my sweater so the female guard could pat me down. Then I went into a chamber where powder came out of the walls. I could see the fear in everyone's faces. And to think, I was in the so-called land of the free. We have given up our freedoms in the name of security, but I don't feel very safe right now."

The attacks on the World Trade Center in New York on September 11, 2001, ignited the War on Terror campaign and led to the 2001 invasion of Afghanistan and Iraq in 2003 plus a series of foreign policies known as the Bush Doctrine. Please watch the following video explain remembering 9/11:      "Remembering 9/11: A Timeline of Tragic Events", Inside Edition, You-tube   Foreign policy under the Bush administration after 2001 emphasized the right of the United States to secure itself aggressively from countries that harboured or gave aid to terrorist groups. This approach is associated with the ideals of international intervention to secure American national interests. © U.S. National Institute of Health President George Bush Jr.  "We will pursue nations that provide aid or safe haven to terrorism. Every nation, in every region, now has a decision to make. Either you are with us, or you are with the terrorists. From this day forward, any nation that continues to harbor or support terrorism will be regarded by the United States as a hostile regime." —George W. Bush in his September 20, 2001, address to the United States Congress In 2001, as a result of the terrorist challenges to western liberalism, the liberal democracy of the United States passed the Patriot Act, which allowed American authorities to search all communications such as telephone and e-mail conversations records such as medical, financial, and any other records ease restrictions on intelligence gathering in the U.S. increase the powers of law enforcement and immigration authorities in keeping or deporting immigrants for suspected terrorist related acts In a country that prided itself on civil liberties, under pressure from extremist groups like al-Qaeda, the U.S. Patriot Act did much to limit those freedoms. Please watch the following video explain patriot act controversy:     "Here's Why the Patriot Act is So Controversial" History, You-tube

An area of extremism has been the Taliban in Afghanistan and Pakistan. The Taliban is an extremist group that once ruled Afghanistan in a totalitarian manner. After the World Trade Center was destroyed by the extremist group al-Qaeda on 9/11, 2001, the United States removed the Taliban from power by military force. The Taliban had been allowing al-Qaeda and its leader Osama bin Laden to train their extremist forces there. Canada and many other NATO forces supported the United States in pushing out the Taliban. However, the Taliban have been able to mount a brutal campaign against NATO coalition troops.

During 2008, in the Swat Valley of Pakistan, the Taliban shut down schools. Through an agreement with the Pakistani government, the schools for girls did reopen. But there is still immense pressure on girls not to go to school. Girls face serious harassment as well in Afghanistan. In 2008, some girls were attacked with acid, causing serious injury to their faces for attending school. During the Taliban's rule, girls were banned from attending school.