Have "we" done something....?

Question

"we" being humanity, civilization, to encourage desperate behaviours? I mean decades ago, terrorists would kidnap and hold for ransom, people, aircrafts, etc. and organizations like the PLO and IRA etc. were considered extremists but you could negotiate your way out. Was it all just subdued or repressed, or have we as a society done things to escalate the rise and the desperateness of people's plights?

Suicide seems to be considered a noble martyrdom for causes and beliefs, even a heroic exit to the emotionally confused.

Have we done something to push people into these desperate corners?

I think we have through greed, neglect, lack of compassion, all these things...mostly it's desperation that drives people to these measures which seem insane to the majority of us. But I wonder how easily any one of us could cross over if forced to endure similar attrocities and conditions that we can't even imagine exist in other parts of the world. Will it just keep going this way?

I think I've explained myself enough baby.

Oh and feel free to answer anything that ends with a question mark...that usually indicates a question was asked.

Well Iki..you are understanding what I am getting at, and Chris, you know what's happened has only made a bad situation worse...and for the wrong reasons too.

I just think it's desperation--that lack of hope that drives people to extremism.

And yes, when people fail to be heard and dealth with, they will push it to even worse extremes. That is what 9/11 was. But this war, despite it's legitimacy or not, is a catastrophy with Iraq's government throwing in the towel now...and the entire middle east is worse off than before, just now hundreds of thousands if not millions of people are displaced, traumatized and do you think any of them are really saying thank you or will say let's forgive? Would any of us if put through that? Do you think their world is better now that with Saddam? Or the Israelis/Palestinians after that massacre, while everyone stood by and let it happen.

Bad, bad stuff.

Answer 1

More people are afraid now than ever. They feel alone, and don't know where to turn.

Answer 2

Prevailing economic, social conditions have made it possible. What has actually occurred is an overtime adaptation of the terrorists' methods to accomplish their goals. One only tries the tougher/harsher measures once the lesser ones failed or are no longer heard.
Also, their conditions are far more precarious now... They have been squeezed and given armies of better motivated terrorists. Those who perceive more oppression and less hope.
Eg. The IRA fought for political freedoms under a reasonable social condition. They were not starving. They did not feel their religious freedom being taken (note: although it is not so, Islamic masses feel their religion itself is being pushed out - a fear backing from the crusades). They were not being overtly harassed besides under the conditions they created and anticipated. In short, England was not that bad(relatively). England also had a compromise with a large part of the population that was accustomed and wanted the empire to stay.
Now, the suicidal attacks are carried out by the absolutely desperate and/or completely brainwashed and hopeless minds. With the absolute lack of hope comes the will to try anything. Like an animal cornered. This desperation can be pushed further with the bribe of economic support/protection for relatives/beloved left behind, and divine rewards for the perpetrators.

Keep in mind that under despots the safety of the families left behind was in question. We (the West) are restrained in methods by laws/morals we hold. No torture (at least not openly), no killing/torture of relatives/beloved ones, etc. So, the same conditions had been there for some time, but there were other conditions preventing it as well. We just stepped in and wiped out the Dictator keeping it from going all out.

Note: Historically, there has been suicidal attacks for a long time before 9/11, just never in the US.

Answer 3

No we have not anything, we meaning immigrants of past who worked hard, worked a sweat, left women to fend for themselfs, came to a country that was not so accomodating if you did not speak English, we slept with our cousins, aunts, made sacrifices. We learnt compassion because our parents suffered to give us a better life.
We did not have money or hate our neighbours, we accepted we tolerated the hate for us and it made us better and stronger, then everyone respected our hard work, nothing was given free by the Government.

Unlike some that are jealous of our ways, freedom, and insist that they should kill because that there is a place of Heaven for them, like the person above me said, very well, they are rich. If everyone turned the other cheek, and did not look for revenge as Jesus preached maybe they would understand.

Answer 4

"Have we done something to push people into these desperate corners?"

Of course not. Most of these terrorists were rich. Look at bin Laden. And look at how he used his wealth. Not for the betterment of his people. If he wanted to help his people, he would try to be like the US, not destroy it.

The stated goal of terrorists is 'to repel any penetration of the prosperous culture of the industrialized "infidels" into their world'.

They hate freedom, they hate Capitalism (which has done more to save people from poverty than anything else in history). They hate us.

THINK.

Answer 5

Are u asking a question? u seem to have already answered urself. What are u looking for, other people's opinions??
U are talking about people living in a war zone. I want to ask u: Y wouldnt they commit suicide???

Answer 6

I ain't goin out like that! If you ask me thats the cowards way out, cause you don't have to "live" with what you've done! And who you've hurt! Why don't Bush and Osama just get in the octagon and settle it like men, instead of sending others to do their dirty work?!

Answer 7

if every one loved his Neighbor , turned the other cheek , loved ,,, the world would be a better place.

BUT what will you do if your relision , prisiples dissagree with others? you say forgive and they say kill !

if i say to my enemy , okay i forgive you , he might see it as an apurtunity to anailate me becuse i let my gaurd down.

its all in the thoughts, as long we think and act differnt there will be war.