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pHaestus · 10-17-2004, 10:43 AM

Gulp:
I think terrorists are defined as someone who uses deadly force on civilian targets to draw attention to their cause. It's surely not limited to al Queda; the western world identifies many groups as terrorists rather than legitimate political parties. Are you arguing that it's part of the culture of the middle east to blow themselves and women and children up with bombs over political differences? Because I don't believe that at all. I believe that it's a bunch of assholes who lack the courage or ability to make change in their region with nonviolent means. For nonviolent (not necessarily peaceful) political change mechanisms, look to Ghandi and how India changed; look at the US civil rights movement and how it transformed America. For a better feel about how much culture influences action in the middle east, get some friends from there and listen.

When your cause is not so just, though, you rely on fear and intimidation. I'm sure you'll turn this around on the USA, but you don't see the US Army blowing up civilians just to make a point; every care is taken to prevent collateral damage.

I find it funny that the same people who would NEVER go into Iraq or other dictatorships will bitch and moan that the US isn't doing enough to provide AIDS drugs to Africa and isn't redistributing wealth more fairly around the world. Is your goal then to prolong the plight of those suffering in tyranny as long as possible? The rest of the world should be glad that the US still has the blind optimism and the courage to TRY and improve things rather than just sitting in a committee, hearing that it's impossible, and just settling for the current status quo. Did you see the Afghanistan women at the Olympics for the first time since the Taliban? Have you seen some of the interviews with Afghan women doctors and lawyers allowed to practice their skills again? That level of oppression was ok for the world though, right, because the Taliban had the strength to take over and oppress and who are we to say "that's not right"? Give me a break.

10-17-2004, 10:43 AM	#249
pHaestus Big Player Making Big Money Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: irc.lostgeek.com #procooling.com Posts: 4,782	Gulp: I think terrorists are defined as someone who uses deadly force on civilian targets to draw attention to their cause. It's surely not limited to al Queda; the western world identifies many groups as terrorists rather than legitimate political parties. Are you arguing that it's part of the culture of the middle east to blow themselves and women and children up with bombs over political differences? Because I don't believe that at all. I believe that it's a bunch of assholes who lack the courage or ability to make change in their region with nonviolent means. For nonviolent (not necessarily peaceful) political change mechanisms, look to Ghandi and how India changed; look at the US civil rights movement and how it transformed America. For a better feel about how much culture influences action in the middle east, get some friends from there and listen. When your cause is not so just, though, you rely on fear and intimidation. I'm sure you'll turn this around on the USA, but you don't see the US Army blowing up civilians just to make a point; every care is taken to prevent collateral damage. I find it funny that the same people who would NEVER go into Iraq or other dictatorships will bitch and moan that the US isn't doing enough to provide AIDS drugs to Africa and isn't redistributing wealth more fairly around the world. Is your goal then to prolong the plight of those suffering in tyranny as long as possible? The rest of the world should be glad that the US still has the blind optimism and the courage to TRY and improve things rather than just sitting in a committee, hearing that it's impossible, and just settling for the current status quo. Did you see the Afghanistan women at the Olympics for the first time since the Taliban? Have you seen some of the interviews with Afghan women doctors and lawyers allowed to practice their skills again? That level of oppression was ok for the world though, right, because the Taliban had the strength to take over and oppress and who are we to say "that's not right"? Give me a break.