Terrorism - what is it ?
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I fail to understand how someone who pilots an airplane into a building can be branded a "coward". Fanatic, certainly. But it takes a hell of a lot more guts and conviction than I have.
Maybe all it takes is insanity/mental illness.
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I think the suicide bombers are more suicidal than brave. A lot of terrorist attacks are just random bombings in non-wartime situations where the perpetrator doesn't get hurt. They don't have the nuts to try to solve a problem in a peaceful manner, or worst case, in a wartime manner. They just go apeshit because they don't like, say abortions, so they go blow up abortion clinics, killing innocent people in the process. Maybe I'm using the word coward in the wrong context but this is how I feel. "if the golden arches shut shop, where else are the VB people going to get work." - Colin Davies
I hate terrorism because it never achieves anything (no one in power anywhere will ever accede to terrorist demands). But, the efforts made are inadequate, and use of power as the exclusive tool will not work. There has to be an attempt at winning "hearts and minds"; and it cannot be achieved by a military. There is a Palestine problem, and the efforts being made to solve the problem have been a mockery. Why is the issue so big than other similar terrorist conflicts - like SriLanka, Kashmir etc. - because a superpower has made a partisan stand on the issue. You can't expect anyone to believe it when what you are saying is - "Although we give 3 billion in aid every year to Israel, when it comes to discussions, we will be neutral." even if it is true. I don't even understand how Palestians can accept US as a mediator, when their afiliations are clearly partisan. One more thing: I don't subscribe to the view that the pro-palestinian terrorist attacks on the US has anything to do with the American way of life, but more with the American foreign policy, which is in serious need for a review. (I know most Americans don't like criticism of them, or their government) With the Iraq war also whipping up more passions, I sincerely hope that there is some real WMD found in Iraq, and verified by UN. If that does not happen, as the pro-American Egyptian president said, we have to be prepared to face a hundred more binLadens. Should we not think about the reasons for people developing a terrorist state of mind where they are willing to die, if they can take out many others who disagree with them; and why there are so many of them these days? Also, when you lump LTTE terrorism in SriLanka, Hamas terrorism in Israel, and the anti-abortion terrorism in US; you miss the issue. LTTE and Hamas are using objectionable and deplorable tactics for political ends - one to get an autonomous state in SriLanka, the other to make Israel accept some boundary for their country. It is not at all on the same mental level as blowing up an abortion clinic. Also, IMO, the abortion issue can never be solved, unless beliefs change; and that can take a very long time. The Israel-Palestine issue can be solved, if a mediator succeeds in making this about territory rather than religion. As long as there is a religious tint, it will never get solved. Just my opinion. My article on a reference-counted smart pointer that supports polymorphic objects and raw pointer
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Maybe all it takes is insanity/mental illness.
Maybe all it takes is a feeling of helplessness - a feeling that there is nothing they can do to make their lives better; and what better way to die than causing some harm to the people they "believe" are responsible for their situation? What is being done to address this sense of rage and helplessness in the Islamic communities of the Middle-East? IMO, a unilateral military action on Iraq does not help either. :( My article on a reference-counted smart pointer that supports polymorphic objects and raw pointers
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I hate terrorism because it never achieves anything (no one in power anywhere will ever accede to terrorist demands). But, the efforts made are inadequate, and use of power as the exclusive tool will not work. There has to be an attempt at winning "hearts and minds"; and it cannot be achieved by a military. There is a Palestine problem, and the efforts being made to solve the problem have been a mockery. Why is the issue so big than other similar terrorist conflicts - like SriLanka, Kashmir etc. - because a superpower has made a partisan stand on the issue. You can't expect anyone to believe it when what you are saying is - "Although we give 3 billion in aid every year to Israel, when it comes to discussions, we will be neutral." even if it is true. I don't even understand how Palestians can accept US as a mediator, when their afiliations are clearly partisan. One more thing: I don't subscribe to the view that the pro-palestinian terrorist attacks on the US has anything to do with the American way of life, but more with the American foreign policy, which is in serious need for a review. (I know most Americans don't like criticism of them, or their government) With the Iraq war also whipping up more passions, I sincerely hope that there is some real WMD found in Iraq, and verified by UN. If that does not happen, as the pro-American Egyptian president said, we have to be prepared to face a hundred more binLadens. Should we not think about the reasons for people developing a terrorist state of mind where they are willing to die, if they can take out many others who disagree with them; and why there are so many of them these days? Also, when you lump LTTE terrorism in SriLanka, Hamas terrorism in Israel, and the anti-abortion terrorism in US; you miss the issue. LTTE and Hamas are using objectionable and deplorable tactics for political ends - one to get an autonomous state in SriLanka, the other to make Israel accept some boundary for their country. It is not at all on the same mental level as blowing up an abortion clinic. Also, IMO, the abortion issue can never be solved, unless beliefs change; and that can take a very long time. The Israel-Palestine issue can be solved, if a mediator succeeds in making this about territory rather than religion. As long as there is a religious tint, it will never get solved. Just my opinion. My article on a reference-counted smart pointer that supports polymorphic objects and raw pointer
Thomas George wrote: but more with the American foreign policy, which is in serious need for a review. I couldn't agree more, American foreign policy has gone to shit in the last few Presidential terms. Thomas George wrote: I know most Americans don't like criticism of them, or their government I only get irritated when it is obvious flamebait or when what somebody says comes from blind hatred of my country. Just because the US government officials are asses sometimes doesn't mean all Americans are asses. Your remarks don't irritate me at all.:) Brad Jennings "if the golden arches shut shop, where else are the VB people going to get work." - Colin Davies
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Maybe all it takes is insanity/mental illness.
I think a person would almost have to be a psychopath in order to carry out a terrorist attack. They take human lives, even their own in some instances, with seemingly no remorse. Brad Jennings "if the golden arches shut shop, where else are the VB people going to get work." - Colin Davies
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I hate terrorism because it never achieves anything (no one in power anywhere will ever accede to terrorist demands). But, the efforts made are inadequate, and use of power as the exclusive tool will not work. There has to be an attempt at winning "hearts and minds"; and it cannot be achieved by a military. There is a Palestine problem, and the efforts being made to solve the problem have been a mockery. Why is the issue so big than other similar terrorist conflicts - like SriLanka, Kashmir etc. - because a superpower has made a partisan stand on the issue. You can't expect anyone to believe it when what you are saying is - "Although we give 3 billion in aid every year to Israel, when it comes to discussions, we will be neutral." even if it is true. I don't even understand how Palestians can accept US as a mediator, when their afiliations are clearly partisan. One more thing: I don't subscribe to the view that the pro-palestinian terrorist attacks on the US has anything to do with the American way of life, but more with the American foreign policy, which is in serious need for a review. (I know most Americans don't like criticism of them, or their government) With the Iraq war also whipping up more passions, I sincerely hope that there is some real WMD found in Iraq, and verified by UN. If that does not happen, as the pro-American Egyptian president said, we have to be prepared to face a hundred more binLadens. Should we not think about the reasons for people developing a terrorist state of mind where they are willing to die, if they can take out many others who disagree with them; and why there are so many of them these days? Also, when you lump LTTE terrorism in SriLanka, Hamas terrorism in Israel, and the anti-abortion terrorism in US; you miss the issue. LTTE and Hamas are using objectionable and deplorable tactics for political ends - one to get an autonomous state in SriLanka, the other to make Israel accept some boundary for their country. It is not at all on the same mental level as blowing up an abortion clinic. Also, IMO, the abortion issue can never be solved, unless beliefs change; and that can take a very long time. The Israel-Palestine issue can be solved, if a mediator succeeds in making this about territory rather than religion. As long as there is a religious tint, it will never get solved. Just my opinion. My article on a reference-counted smart pointer that supports polymorphic objects and raw pointer
Thomas George wrote: (no one in power anywhere will ever accede to terrorist demands). They shouldn't but I think it does happen. An example might be the King David Hotel bombing. Regardz Colin J Davies
Sonork ID 100.9197:Colin
Warning Link to the minion's animation, do not use. It's a real shame that people as stupid as you can work out how to use a computer. said by Christian Graus in the Soapbox
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I fail to understand how someone who pilots an airplane into a building can be branded a "coward". Fanatic, certainly. But it takes a hell of a lot more guts and conviction than I have.
Jim A. Johnson wrote: But it takes a hell of a lot more guts and conviction than I have. It actually takes less of both. If you were schooled to believe losing your life for your cause would bring you to paradise with 79 virgins at your beck and call I suspect it would be rather easy. Mike
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I think a person would almost have to be a psychopath in order to carry out a terrorist attack. They take human lives, even their own in some instances, with seemingly no remorse. Brad Jennings "if the golden arches shut shop, where else are the VB people going to get work." - Colin Davies
I think that suicide is about a feeling of helplessness or an inability to find a purpose for all the grief and suffering that occurs to the suicidal. Since I never had suicidal tendencies, this is the best reasoning that I can think of. When coming to suicide bombing, it is anger and helplessness rolled into one. It must be a very bizarre state of mind to be in; but must have a lot to do with the circumstances these people are in. IMO, understanding the causes of hatred in the minds of masses of people, who have never probably even seen an American, is very important. It is true that there have been foreign policy lapses on the part of the US administrations, but it has happened with other countries also. Britain and Russia are no better in their track record - in fact, IMO, most countries are not. IMO, It boils down to an anti-American sentiment being used for mass-mobilization, similar to Islam being used in the same manner. This makes it important that the US govt take serious note of this issue, and think about building bridges of friendship with the people, not just the monarchs of the region. This will not happen overnight, but it has to get across to them that Americans are also people facing the same kind of problems and dilemmas, and working hard to make ends meet; and not some kind of sadistic rich people, who does not care about anything else except money and oil. IMO, This should be the most important foriegn policy goal in front of any future Us government. Anti-american sentiment should cease to be a crowd puller, and if that happens, terrorists will not be celebrated as they are, at this moment. Thomas My article on a reference-counted smart pointer that supports polymorphic objects and raw pointers
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Jim A. Johnson wrote: But it takes a hell of a lot more guts and conviction than I have. It actually takes less of both. If you were schooled to believe losing your life for your cause would bring you to paradise with 79 virgins at your beck and call I suspect it would be rather easy. Mike
I think, I read somewhere that some of the 911 bombers were western-educated and do you seriously believe that they did it because of the 79 virgin story? I have my doubts. It is impossible for me or you to tell, what goes on in their minds. But, considering that these groups seem to have the blessings of many people in that region, it is important to understand the reasons of blind hatred and address them without trivializing the problem as one of "paradise", and "loathing for american way of life". IMO, these are easy explanations that our politicans have given us from the text of the Al-Qaeda propaganda material. People must not be that different. Whether an American likes GWB or not, in a war the majority stands behind him. The middle-east society seem to be cultivating a hatred for America, and that is why killing the villain brings paradise. The main question should be: Why is America the villain? - and the more it is trivialized the more will be the rift. IMO, there should be an attempt at reconciliation. It may not be as easy as saying "screw them all", but IMO, it might be a worthy cause. My article on a reference-counted smart pointer that supports polymorphic objects and raw pointers
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I think that suicide is about a feeling of helplessness or an inability to find a purpose for all the grief and suffering that occurs to the suicidal. Since I never had suicidal tendencies, this is the best reasoning that I can think of. When coming to suicide bombing, it is anger and helplessness rolled into one. It must be a very bizarre state of mind to be in; but must have a lot to do with the circumstances these people are in. IMO, understanding the causes of hatred in the minds of masses of people, who have never probably even seen an American, is very important. It is true that there have been foreign policy lapses on the part of the US administrations, but it has happened with other countries also. Britain and Russia are no better in their track record - in fact, IMO, most countries are not. IMO, It boils down to an anti-American sentiment being used for mass-mobilization, similar to Islam being used in the same manner. This makes it important that the US govt take serious note of this issue, and think about building bridges of friendship with the people, not just the monarchs of the region. This will not happen overnight, but it has to get across to them that Americans are also people facing the same kind of problems and dilemmas, and working hard to make ends meet; and not some kind of sadistic rich people, who does not care about anything else except money and oil. IMO, This should be the most important foriegn policy goal in front of any future Us government. Anti-american sentiment should cease to be a crowd puller, and if that happens, terrorists will not be celebrated as they are, at this moment. Thomas My article on a reference-counted smart pointer that supports polymorphic objects and raw pointers
Thomas George wrote: I think that suicide is about a feeling of helplessness or an inability to find a purpose for all the grief and suffering that occurs to the suicidal. Since I never had suicidal tendencies, this is the best reasoning that I can think of. I'd say you could be right. I've never had suicidal tendencies so I don't know what it's like either. I totally agree with you on the foreign policy issue, the US and other similar countries should help out countries less fortunate (if it's alright with them) and let other countries know that they are just as important when deciding world issues. Improved relations with other countries goes a long way in preserving peace IMO. Brad Jennings "You're mom is nice. Mind if I go out with her?" - Jörgen Sigvardsson
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I think, I read somewhere that some of the 911 bombers were western-educated and do you seriously believe that they did it because of the 79 virgin story? I have my doubts. It is impossible for me or you to tell, what goes on in their minds. But, considering that these groups seem to have the blessings of many people in that region, it is important to understand the reasons of blind hatred and address them without trivializing the problem as one of "paradise", and "loathing for american way of life". IMO, these are easy explanations that our politicans have given us from the text of the Al-Qaeda propaganda material. People must not be that different. Whether an American likes GWB or not, in a war the majority stands behind him. The middle-east society seem to be cultivating a hatred for America, and that is why killing the villain brings paradise. The main question should be: Why is America the villain? - and the more it is trivialized the more will be the rift. IMO, there should be an attempt at reconciliation. It may not be as easy as saying "screw them all", but IMO, it might be a worthy cause. My article on a reference-counted smart pointer that supports polymorphic objects and raw pointers
Thomas George wrote: do you seriously believe that they did it because of the 79 virgin story Yes and no. I honestly believe: 1) they were committed followers of UBL, 2) believed "we" defiled holy land by our presence in Saudi Arabia, 3) they would attain paradise and the 79 virgins by martyring themselves and taking as many of us with them as they could. Thomas George wrote: considering that these groups seem to have the blessings of many people in that region Continuing with my beliefs; I think this goes back to the Crusades, if not farther. Why? At one point in history Islamic and/or Arabic peoples were well ahead of the western world in terms of culture and knowledge. Today that part of the world or group of people are far behind, many living in abject poverty alongside massive oil wealth. That is compounded by the fact that they are deeply committed to and live by the one "true" religion. One result is a hate for the west. The US epitomizes and exports that successful western culture and western way of life. So we're a natural enemy. This is a cryptic explanation and I've only scratched the surface but I hoestly believe it is the essence of the situation. Thomas George wrote: these are easy explanations that our politicans have given us from the text of the Al-Qaeda propaganda material I've done more than listen to the politicians and read as much as I could regarding the circumstances. By and large I don't take political-speak at face value. Thomas George wrote: It may not be as easy as saying "screw them all", but IMO, it might be a worthy cause The alternative to "screw them all" is to turn the US into a global social agency, my taxes paying for people to travel the world doing good works. In addition to the fact that I for one don't want to go to work, make a living and pay taxes to fund this sort of thing - it doesn't do any good as virtually anyone who recieves something for nothing hates the giver and still resents #1. Mike
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Thomas George wrote: (no one in power anywhere will ever accede to terrorist demands). They shouldn't but I think it does happen. An example might be the King David Hotel bombing. Regardz Colin J Davies
Sonork ID 100.9197:Colin
Warning Link to the minion's animation, do not use. It's a real shame that people as stupid as you can work out how to use a computer. said by Christian Graus in the Soapbox
Another is the IRA , a minority group in Northern Ireland . Their only influence , in recent years, has come from the use of terrorism. Am I the only one forever playing catch up with technology , while all the juicy opportunites keep rolling by ?
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Maybe all it takes is a feeling of helplessness - a feeling that there is nothing they can do to make their lives better; and what better way to die than causing some harm to the people they "believe" are responsible for their situation? What is being done to address this sense of rage and helplessness in the Islamic communities of the Middle-East? IMO, a unilateral military action on Iraq does not help either. :( My article on a reference-counted smart pointer that supports polymorphic objects and raw pointers
I agree with helplessness, that's what usually leads to mental illness, but I still don't see how that makes them gutsy. A desperate man thinks society is responsible for his problems and wipes out 10 people at the local Macdonald's before turning the gun on himself. Is he gutsy too? It's funny how all these organizations believe the US is responsible for all their misery, when most of their problems lie within their own stupid regimes. Why is it that the leaders of these regimes never seem to spend their oil wealth on the people/country infrastructure? Saddam can send money to the latest suicide bomber, yet he couldn't send money to build a house for the person so he wouldn't have to blow himself up? Osama can spend money to train people to fly planes, yet he wouldn't spend a dime to help Afghanistan re-build itself. Every country in the middle east would take up arms in a second to battle Israel, yet how many care about Syria's occupation of Lebanon? or the Kashmir conflict in Pakistan/India? It's too early to say whether the action in Iraq is going to help anything yet, unless you're some type of fortune teller. (and last I checked, it wasn't unilateral)