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Jul 8 05 4:54 AM

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Just my opinion, but...

Terrorism sux. Simple as that.

Someone has an opinion, yet they can't leave it at that. They have to drive it on home... force it upon those who would seem to disagree. Bully them. Frighten them. Eliminate them.

Yeah, I'm mad. And I'm sad. And my kids are frightened. Yet my own opinion of life, and how I choose to live it, remains the same. No amount of force, threatened or otherwise, will change that. Life is what life is. It's there to live, regardless of inherent danger or imposed principles. We own our own thoughts, our minds. No-one should be able to rob us of that.

My heartfelt thoughts and wishes are with those in London at the moment, their loved ones and friends. Remain true to yourselves and your way of life.

Jo
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#1 [url]

Jul 8 05 12:50 PM

Agreed,

Citizens of the UK, as well as those across the globe who must endure the death and tragedy of terrorism in all of its ugly forms, it is a difficult thing to face. The loss of family, friends and some of one's sense of security is cruel and uncalled for, and unfortunately a part of life for those who yearn for freedom.

Know that many thoughts and prayers go out to you all, now and will continue into the future.

R-Tech

Flank Hawk and Blood Sword: My Fantasy Novels published by Gryphonwood Press
My Writing Website www.ervin-author.com
Editor for MindFlights
My Blog Up Around the Corner

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#2 [url]

Jul 8 05 10:10 PM

hey I know where you guys are coming from. Terrorism truely is a horrible thing, but something just as frustrating is when somebody looks at the attacks and says "aw thats terrible", and then they go back to their dinner. Society today cares for no one but themselves and that is almost as bad as terrorism.

When it comes to fighting terrorism, we are losing a lost fight. If one person wishes to kill themselves in order to harm others, you can't stop them. No matter how many you stop, others will get through. Important people seem to not realize this. Now I'm not bashing Bush, he's a good guy trying his best but bullets aren't going to solve the problem. Violence is not the answer. Our parents taught us this when we were little. Maybe, just maybe, it applies today. Lashing out in anger with a gun will not kill all the terrorists. What it will do is create more of them. Has no one thought of using their heads insted of their guns.

It's a radical idea, I know but maybe we should try talking to them. These people do what they do because they want something. Is it possible to give it to them? Insted of asking and talking, we shoot guns and don't even ask questions as to why everyone is fighting.

Now is the perfect time to do something, besides going to war, again. And I do pray for the families.

You can try and fail, but never fail to try.


"Life is love old man."
said a young man

"Ah, but is love not what you make of it?"
said the old man

"how wise you are."

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#3 [url]

Jul 8 05 11:15 PM

My heart goes out to the families of the victims.


I heard an interesting discussion on NPR a few days ago. I can't remember the man's name but he was involved in a study of suicide bombings. What they'd found was that 99% of the bombers were protesting what they saw as a foreign occupation of their "homeland". Now, homeland is used a bit loosely and may not be the country the bomber is from, but it is a country, place or site that they feel a strong alligence to. His suggestion was to pull our troops out of Iraq and station them in the Gulf as we've done in past conflicts. Close enough to come in if necessary, far enough away to allow some of the tension to die down. Made sense to me...but what do I know? I'm not interested in being president.


Tina

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#4 [url]

Jul 9 05 4:51 AM

QUOTE
It's a radical idea, I know but maybe we should try talking to them. These people do what they do because they want something. Is it possible to give it to them? Insted of asking and talking, we shoot guns and don't even ask questions as to why everyone is fighting.


There is a long history to bombings and terrorism. Bombings in Beruit, first attack on the World Trade Center, bombings in embassies across the world, the attacks on 9/11, bombings in Israel, Indonesia, Philippines. The attack upon the school in Russia. There are so many that I cannot recall and list them all.

You believe talking to a fanatic will work? What is their goal? You should give up your beliefs and freedoms and follow their vision/version of Islam. When that happens they will stop. Or you defeat them, and they will stop. Will it be easy? No. This problem has been growing for years. It will take years to reslove the conflict.

Here is an excerpt from an interview of Osama bin Laden:
QUOTE
In December 1992, bin Laden found the battle he'd been waiting for. The United States was leading a UN-sanctioned rescue mission into Somalia. In the midst of a famine, the country's government had completely broken down, and warring tribes-largely Muslim--had cut off relief efforts by humanitarian groups. Somalians were starving to death in cities and villages, and the U. S., which had moved quickly to rescue oil-rich Kuwait, had come under mounting criticism for doing nothing.

When the Marines landed in the last days of 1992, bin Laden sent in his own soldiers, armed with AK-47's and rocket launchers. Soon, using the techniques they had perfected against the Russians, they were shooting down American helicopters. The gruesome pictures of the body of a young army ranger being dragged naked through the streets by cheering crowds flashed around the world. The yearlong American rescue mission for starving Somalians went from humanitarian effort to quagmire in just three weeks. Another superpower humiliated. Another bin Laden victory.

"After leaving Afghanistan, the Muslim fighters headed for Somalia and prepared for a long battle, thinking that the Americans were like the Russians," bin Laden said. "The youth were surprised at the low morale of the American soldiers and realized more than before that the American soldier was a paper tiger and after a few blows ran in defeat. And America forgot all the hoopla and media propaganda ... about being the world leader and the leader of the New World Order, and after a few blows they forgot about this title and left, dragging their corpses and their shameful defeat."

I asked bin Laden why he would kill American soldiers whose work was to restore order and allow for the distribution of food.

"Why should we believe that was the true reason America was there?" he replied. "Everywhere else they went where Muslims lived, all they did was kill children and occupy Muslim land."


Is that why the USA was in Somalia? To occupy and take control of Somalia? Really?

This, of course, ignores things like the United States saving Muslims in Albania from Serbia. Now, the Albanians are slaying Serbians and no one reports or cares to stop it.

Is backing way, talking to, and pretending that being, nice, ignoring, or showing weakness will work?

Should the world abandon every Jewish person in Israel? What about non-Muslims in the Middle East, and Africa and Asia?

If you sat down with bin Laden, what would you say to convince him to change his course of action?

I cannot think of too many major conflicts where appeasement was a successful longterm tactic. And unfortunately, confrontation is never onesided, even the winning side takes hits. The terrible thing is that conflict brings a loss of life, on both sides. This time however, one side deliberately targets the innocent.

Although I do not agree with everything that President Bush has done, bringing freedom to countries in the middle east region is a step to break the cycle of teaching hatred. One thing it appears that the terrorists are doing is fighting their hardest in Iraq to break the will of the American public. They cannot defeat the American military, but if they can work to wear down the resolve of the Americans, make them retreat before the job is done...they will have won again, and move on to their next objective.

Part of the problem is that many Iraqi citizens who would otherwise assist the USA and allies in rooting out the terrorists and freeing their country, are unwilling to do it...to stick their necks out because of all the calls for pulling out, and that the United States is in the wrong. If they assist and the USA and allies cut and run, they are dead, or worse. The vast majority want freedom to vote and set their own destiny. A small, determined minority hopes to thwart them.

R-Tech

Flank Hawk and Blood Sword: My Fantasy Novels published by Gryphonwood Press
My Writing Website www.ervin-author.com
Editor for MindFlights
My Blog Up Around the Corner

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#5 [url]

Jul 9 05 6:27 AM

I risk sounding ignorant, but (hey, I'm on summer vacation and I just graduated from a school that made me read the stupid newspaper every day to see what was going on in the world. Lately I've been concentrating on what's been going on in MY world *that is, to say, the fantastical worlds of my novel* and the wild world of Taco Bell.)...what exactly happened in London recently? fictionfactor/oops.gif

A couple months ago I went to New York City with my class for the senior trip. One of the places we stopped at was Ground Zero. It's interesting, everywhere else in the city you can find horrible graffitti, but there it's all paying tribute and respect for the people who died, or cursing the terrorists responsible. Also, the only remaining part of the Twin Towers is a metal...thingy (can't remember what it is at the moment, I'm tired, leave me alone)...that was found in the shape of a cross, which I rather think is poignant.

One of the things I really don't understand about terrorists is how they can do such horrible things and not feel any of it. Are they so brainwashed and desensitized that it doesn't matter to them anymore? (Actually, don't get me started on the subject of brainwashing...grr!) If that's the case, would talking to them really make a difference?

(And this is why I stand true to my motto: people don't like logic, it makes too much sense. When did killing anyone ever solve anything? Oh! That's right...never!)

Why so serious? - the Joker

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#6 [url]

Jul 9 05 11:04 AM

QUOTE (White Lady of Rohan @ Jul 9 2005, 04:27 PM)
I risk sounding ignorant, but (hey, I'm on summer vacation and I just graduated from a school that made me read the stupid newspaper every day to see what was going on in the world. Lately I've been concentrating on what's been going on in MY world *that is, to say, the fantastical worlds of my novel* and the wild world of Taco Bell.)...what exactly happened in London recently? fictionfactor/oops.gif

Hiya White Lady

Two days ago - between approx. 8:50 am and 9:50 am Thursday, July 7, London time, the underground rail system and a double-decker bus in London were bombed (four blasts). Up until this moment, 49 people have been confirmed dead with many hundred injured. More info. can be found in the news via CBS etc. (a good site in Oz is http://www.news.com.au/).

I believe hate is a very strong word. Maybe most of us don't understand it, nor believe in it. I think, as R-Tech mentioned, the terrorists do though. Only too well. Brainwashing, conditioning, whatever we want to label it, their hate is blind and ruthless. Although I pity the terrorists with their perceived inequalities that they believe must be addressed through violence, what's awful is that I almost feel as spiteful towards them as they do towards "me". I could say I'm no better than they are. They have their beliefs and I have mine. We will never agree. Difference is, I have a high level of tolerance and have learnt to compromise.

As long as there are individuals in this world, there will be conflict. I just wish people could understand that conflict will never be resolved through terrorism.

Jo

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#7 [url]

Jul 10 05 11:37 AM

QUOTE
When did killing anyone ever solve anything? Oh! That's right...never!


An incorrect statement. Something as broad as WW II would indicate that. Someone breaks into a home, armed and threatens violence to the family. The perpetrator is shot and killed by someone in the home. Solves the problem.

Violence and death solve things. It may not be the civilized and preferred way, but it can be very decisive. Might it have unintended consequences? Yes. For example, defeating the Axis powers led to the rise of the USSR and the Cold War.

R-Tech

Flank Hawk and Blood Sword: My Fantasy Novels published by Gryphonwood Press
My Writing Website www.ervin-author.com
Editor for MindFlights
My Blog Up Around the Corner

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#8 [url]

Jul 10 05 2:02 PM

QUOTE
As long as there are individuals in this world, there will be conflict. I just wish people could understand that conflict will never be resolved through terrorism.


From beyond Hitler and down to today there has been one common factor to terrorism. Poverty. Hitler was motivated by economics in Germany to rebel against the government and then his mental illness took over and went overboard. When you put people in such abject poverty and don't really give them any options of a way out to something better, they lose respect for life since no one seems to respect theirs. I'm not saying all people in that situation become terrorists. But there are mercenary individuals who prey on those who have little or no hope and suck them into their world of destruction. It's the easiest way to create a disposable army. The supply is endless when you constantly indoctrinate them with the old 'eye for an eye' thing. Give them what looks like a noble purpose and they'll fight and die readily for God and the future of their people. Yassir Aratfat may have been a Nobel Peace Prize winner in the beginning, but in the end he became a road block to peace. Arafat's death was the best thing to happen for the Isrealis and Palestinians. They actually have begun to make headway on some issues that will lead to a better place.

I work with a woman who actually belives that the bombings in London are connected to those who are upset thta London gets to host the 2012 Olympics. Any terrorist within hearing distance of that are scratching their heads and looking confused. Never mind that the G8 Summit was going on and Britain is up to it's eyeballs in this war in Iraq. Iraq and Afghanistan are a mistake. Democratic people are trying to apply their ideologies to a Muslim world. Invading only worsens things. The Arabs have a very rich culture and history. Maybe they feel that democracy threatens to erase their cultural identity?

Well, that's just my two cents worth.

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#9 [url]

Jul 11 05 10:21 PM

I think the only unaminous thing here is that we should pull out of the middle east. I agree with that on some level. I think that we should leave the muslims alone and let them live. As Ciara said, the arabs have a very rich culture and history, so I think they are quite capable of living their own lives. I don't think we should ignore them though. This could lead to someone like Sadaam coming back into power. Give them room to breathe.

After thinking it over, reasoning with terrorists does seem to be the wrong approach; after all, they are terrorists. But killing them isn't going to make anything better, in this case. In terrorism, there's more than just one perpetrator, there's hundreds of them.

You can try and fail, but never fail to try.


"Life is love old man."
said a young man

"Ah, but is love not what you make of it?"
said the old man

"how wise you are."

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#10 [url]

Jul 14 05 7:11 PM

Here is a short article that may shed some light on the motives of the terrorists.

Click Here -->What do the Terrorists Want?

R-Tech

Flank Hawk and Blood Sword: My Fantasy Novels published by Gryphonwood Press
My Writing Website www.ervin-author.com
Editor for MindFlights
My Blog Up Around the Corner

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