Why do people commit acts of terrorism?

Question

why do people commit hurtful acts of terrorism when it only hurts innocent people? The real targets never receive any damage, only hundreds or thousands of innocent people who only want to make it one day at a time and provide for their families? Don't terrorists realize the average American can't prevent their leaders from committing acts of war after they are already in office? Why take it out on us? We are no different from other people all over the world just trying to make a living and care for our families.

Answer 1

Terrorist acts (suicide bombings, hi-jackings, hostage taking) are the acts of cowards, but in the minds of "terrorists" these tools are effective. They are intended not to hit a military target, but to cause such an outrage among the CIVILIAN population that they are willing to force their governments to comply or concede to the "terrorists". They also use these acts to call international attention to their cause. What is more compelling, at least in the terrorist mind, than dead women, children, and elderly splashed across a television screen on the news programs of the "civilized" world?

So, should we ignore it an expect it to go away? That's what President Clinton did, to an extent. And look what happened on 9/11. So no, we can't ignore it. But we can fight them, not on their own terms, but on our own. We can show them that WE ARE NOT GOING TO BACK DOWN, WE WILL NOT CONCEDE, WE WILL NOT GIVE IN TO TERROR! That is how you fight terrorism.

Answer 2

To open the eyes of bigger better countries that are too conceited to realize what the countries in the middle east are dealing w/ before the terrorist attacks in the US their were innocent iraqis dying for not believing wwhat the pshyco leaders believe. its not that they are just killing to kill don't take me wrong some do, but it is to open the publics eyes because the government doesn't always share whats going on in other countries unless our own soilders are dying.

Answer 3

1. Poverty
2. Social Inequality
3. Racism
4. Racial tensions
5. Competition over resources and land
6. If you were a group of people being herded around into
concentration camps like he palestinians, you would resort
to the violence you were capable of also.
7. Lack of food, water basic needs
8. Belief systems and bad tactics

Answer 4

It is a matter of fear. The terrorist is afraid to go after the target so instead the go after anyone else to try to scare you into giving in to thier demands.

Answer 5

If you are referring to those who caused 9-11, then they have a prejudice against Americans. They hate us for putting military bases in their country and their holy land. They can't stand for us to be alive. It is like an itch that they MUST scratch... in their minds, at least.

Answer 6

Hatred, too much hatred and most of it is coming from religious beliefs. Think about it. How long do we have to continue this? The crusades, in modern times how long did they fight in Ireland? In Israel and Palestine?
So much hate when we should learn to love every body.

Answer 7

Because they are cowards, too afraid to come out in the open and speak directly with those who they are jealous of (or hate). Nothing but cowards.

Answer 8

because whatever group they are from "condones" it; but yes, like the previous answer, they pretty much are psychotic

Answer 9

It could be phychiatric, spiritual, political, or racial influance.

Answer 10

Because they are psychos- it's that simple.