Comment Re:What can be done about terrorism? (Score 1) 2087
Two things -
- Prevent the act... we've been discussing that
- Prevent the terror from spreading:
Terrorism works by instilling fear. The more emotional and primal the reaction the better... keep people from thinking- get them to respond on the emotional level- create the mob mentality.
The true act of terror is done, but now the victims and those who have witnessed the act become the terrorists.
Terrorism is a faceless crime, it is human nature to need to put a face to it. So we paint pictures with broad strokes, not pausing to think- except to think of who fits the profile, the image we've created for the enemy.
Its easy to respond to a group we don't know- don't belong to, don't understand.
Timothy McVeigh claimed to be a Christian, but his actions proved otherwise. No one blamed Christianity for his actions, because they knew that it was not a Christian act.
But because we've already decided that the attackers were Arab, they therefore must be Muslim, and therefore all Muslims are guilty...
These acts were against the true teachings of Islam. To say that all Muslims are guilty or responsible or capable of these acts because of those who were responsible for this act of terrorism, is as foolish as saying that all Christians are responsible or capable of these acts because Timoth McVeigh was (supposedly) a Christian.
What about the Atrocities carried out by Hitler, he was Christian... or so he claimed. I will not accept that he was a true Christian... I cannot- and most people don't. Why? Because they know...
To turn on people now because of their beliefs... because you don't understand... because you are hurt and you need to make someone pay... that is how terrorism works. Those who strike back blindly, now become the terrorists and it only spreads from there.
The weapon against Terrorism is Thought. Think, don't react, don't let them win. THINK. If you don't understand what's happening- talk to people who do. Knowledge and thought are now are greatest weapons in this war.
Save your anger and retribution for those responsible... they will be found, they will be punished- but do not take it out on the innocent. That is the terrorist's work, and if you take over their work, if you become what they want... they've won.
- Prevent the act... we've been discussing that
- Prevent the terror from spreading:
Terrorism works by instilling fear. The more emotional and primal the reaction the better... keep people from thinking- get them to respond on the emotional level- create the mob mentality.
The true act of terror is done, but now the victims and those who have witnessed the act become the terrorists.
Terrorism is a faceless crime, it is human nature to need to put a face to it. So we paint pictures with broad strokes, not pausing to think- except to think of who fits the profile, the image we've created for the enemy.
Its easy to respond to a group we don't know- don't belong to, don't understand.
Timothy McVeigh claimed to be a Christian, but his actions proved otherwise. No one blamed Christianity for his actions, because they knew that it was not a Christian act.
But because we've already decided that the attackers were Arab, they therefore must be Muslim, and therefore all Muslims are guilty...
These acts were against the true teachings of Islam. To say that all Muslims are guilty or responsible or capable of these acts because of those who were responsible for this act of terrorism, is as foolish as saying that all Christians are responsible or capable of these acts because Timoth McVeigh was (supposedly) a Christian.
What about the Atrocities carried out by Hitler, he was Christian... or so he claimed. I will not accept that he was a true Christian... I cannot- and most people don't. Why? Because they know...
To turn on people now because of their beliefs... because you don't understand... because you are hurt and you need to make someone pay... that is how terrorism works. Those who strike back blindly, now become the terrorists and it only spreads from there.
The weapon against Terrorism is Thought. Think, don't react, don't let them win. THINK. If you don't understand what's happening- talk to people who do. Knowledge and thought are now are greatest weapons in this war.
Save your anger and retribution for those responsible... they will be found, they will be punished- but do not take it out on the innocent. That is the terrorist's work, and if you take over their work, if you become what they want... they've won.
