Denial of Reality Helps Nobody

6:30 am the next day and I guess I am still in shock... What to say about this Jakarta bomb blast? As Matthew Moore writes in the Herald this morning, "the debate on the bombing now could go anywhere." But in fact his own article gives a fair indication of where the debate is headed...

Moore looks at previous attacks in Indonesia - the Marriot Hotel bomb, the Bali bombing, and a few other incidents - and concludes:

"Yesterday was something very different - a calculated attack on a country widely identified in Indonesia as a major US ally in a war that is deeply despised... Some will believe Australia's role in the Iraq war and its support for the US are reasons for the embassy being targeted. In the weeks before the Australian election, such remarks could prove volatile."

Well, of course the bombing was designed to influence the Indonesian elections (due on Sept 20) and the Australian elections (due Oct 9). Of course it was. Only an idiot would deny that, which is probably why Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer is refusing to admit the connection:

""We have no information that this is associated with the election either in Indonesia which is taking place very soon, or the election in Australia," he told a press conference.

Downer is in Indonesia after rushing to the scene - not for partisan political purposes, mind you - and conveniently forgetting to pick up his opposition counterpart Kevin Rudd on the way (as Tim Dunlop reports).

Significantly, one person Downer did bring on the flight was Australian Police Commisioner Mick Keelty, the man who Howard and Downer slammed for saying Australia's involvement in the Iraq invasion had made the country more of a target for terrorists.

Denial of reality may have its short-term political purposes, but in the long run it does none of us - except perhaps the terrorists - any favours. Australian PM John Howard eagerly supported Bush's misguided invasion of Iraq and Australians have become a prime target for terrorists as a direct result of that decision. Let the debate start from there.

Postscript: Thanks also to Tim Dunlop's blog for highlighting the White House's totally inadequate and delayed response to the bombing. After trying to fend off the heat of new allegations about Bush's lack of National Guard service, spokesman Scotty McClellan finished off his Press Conference like this:

"Q Jakarta bombing. Got anything on it?

MR. McCLELLAN: What about it, just looking for a comment?

Q Any details we might not have heard, or a reaction?

MR. McCLELLAN: Well, we condemn these kind of attacks in the strongest possible terms. It is -- it shows the true nature of the terrorists, and it is a grim reminder that we remain engaged in a global war on terrorism. The terrorists will be defeated. This is a tactic that is -- that's similar to tactics that have been used by Jemaat-e-Islam [sic]. And our thoughts and prayers are with the victims.

Thanks.

Q Thanks, Scott. "