"And Hate Begat Hate" By Ahmed Rashid

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/11/opinion/sunday/and-hate-begat-hate.html?pagewanted=all

On the anniversary of 9-11 we are thinking about our own country. The author of this article exploits this fact by comparing our thinking in the US to the thoughts of those in Afghanistan and Iraq (both American, and native). For those in the US it is a day of commemoration for almost 3,000 people but for those in the other two countries it marks the tenth year of an on-going war and the death of over 6,00o US military persons and countless innocent civilians, an undoubtedly more severe situation. Within the two situations the author mentioned a question often asked in the US post-9-11, "why do they hate us so much?" but also asked by those we went after in revenge. These are the people who live everyday in fear of attacks that we only experienced on one day, so it makes the reader think about who is truly justified in asking that question. Putting 9-11 in perspective by comparing the day of its anniversary to the same day world-wide made me, as a reader, really think and I think that was all the author wanted his reader to do--think about other people and countries on a day when we typically think about ourselves. I'm not sure I agree with this, it isn't thinking that is appropriate for everyone on 9-11-11, but it definitely was the result of reading the article.

A very different technique the author used that was more endearing than deeply thought-provoking was a pattern of cute similes that made points clear to readers that were not politics-savvy.

"Meanwhile, American aid and economic development in Pakistan and Afghanistan have aimed at “quick impact projects,” which are intended to win hearts and minds, but which, like instant oatmeal, dissolve quickly."

While it is slightly jarring to read such a pleasant comparison in the context of a dark subject, it helped me as a reader to get more into the "time for political facts" mood the author wanted. A lot of his article was a rant about US faults and middle-east suffering, both of which are depressing to Americans who want to love their country. So when he breaks out of the dark rant and into more factual writing he included a lighter simile to allow the reader to move focus with the writing. While it is good to show thinking with writing, it is important to make sure the audience can follow tone shifts, subject shifts, and difficult concepts and the author did this by using endearing everyday language any reader could relate to and follow in tone.