posted July 27, 2006 12:37 PM              

Watch the videos...

Each time they get striked they chant support for Hezbollah, and chant hate for America.

quote:

---

When I entered the building to see if there were other casualties, I was greeted with the anger and frustration that has been growing during this two-week offensive that has killed hundreds, destroyed millions of dollars of infrastructure and unraveled Lebanon's hard-won economic progress. Those inside screamed at me in Arabic to get out and tried to push my camera away.

While I followed another victim being helped to an ambulance, a young man took a swing at my head and instead hit my video camera, breaking off the top-mounted microphone and glancing the switch that activated the camera's infrared night-shooting mode, turning the video green for a moment until I could switch it off.

It hardly surprised me. For journalists who sometimes arrive even before emergency services do, it's not uncommon for people to want to lash out, especially if family or friends have been injured or killed.

---

quote:

---

"This is an example of American democracy," Dr. Raed Ghassan said. "This was my house. I hate America. I will fight America every day, every time."

---

posted July 27, 2006 12:51 PM            

Yes, America sells and gives weapons to Israel...so Muslims want to destroy both Israel and America.

Using the very same reasoning....since Iran and Syria are supplying weapons to Hezbollah, Hamas, Islamic Jihad and others...which are used against Israel..and have been used against US military forces, then America should wipe both Iran and Syria off the world map.

posted July 27, 2006 12:54 PM              

Those countries will support each other because they have the same enemy.

posted July 27, 2006 01:58 PM              

.....but...

if we're fighting a "war on terrorism" how do we know when we've won?

What are your ideas of what it takes to "win" this "war?"

I guess what I'm trying to say is...

....it seems to me, like a endless and futile effort...in - blood letting. *sigh*

posted August 01, 2006 12:08 PM              

That is what the "left" has consistently proposed on these threads as the answer to the bombing and fighting. Not just allowing it to happen and do nothing. Violence and attacks only begets more violence and attacks. I think that we have even proven that thesis to be true among the posters at GU.

The U.S. is a powerful nation. What would it hurt the U.S. to be gracious in it's treatment of all peoples and all nations? What would it hurt us to apply the same just treatment to the Palestinian people that we do to Israel? What would it hurt us to start addressing the root causes of terrorism instead of using force as our only means and solution to the problem?

A couple of days ago on the news we were shown Lebanonese citizens storming the U.S. embassy, taking down the American flag and putting up in it's place the Hezbollah flag. They were shouting their hate for America and their praises for Hezbollah who is still standing and still fighting a force much more powerful than they are. That makes the Hezbollah heroes and freedom fighters to the Lebanonese people. These are normally peaceful people, 40 % of which are Christians. That should tell us that what we are allowing and supporting Israel to do in the Middle East is just not working. At least not in our favor but very much in the favor of Hezbollah and other terrorist groups. What we term "terrorist groups" are seen as brave fighters for freedom and heroes in the eyes of the people in those Middle Eastern countries that we wage war against.

posted August 01, 2006 12:58 PM              

The researchers started out with the notion that poverty, lack of education, and lack of opportunity in general would likely be indicated as a common theme running through the life circumstances of individuals known to be members of terrorist groups, and known to have carried out acts of terrorism.

Oddly enough, this was not what the results revealed. Members of terrorist groups had some post secondary education, many possessing university degrees, in a higher percentage than that of the overall population. Many of them came from comparitively affluent back grounds as well. And interestingly enough, when people of Arab nations, who are living in comparative poverty were polled, a much higher percentage expressed disapproval of terrorist activities than those higher up the economic ladder(?!)

So, what factor did emerge as a common threads among terrorist cell members? Those who came from an environment of little to no spiritual and social freedom. Intolerance breeds intolerance. Societial conditions that are severe and intolerant are furtile breeding grounds for terrorist ideals to flourish.

posted August 02, 2006 12:53 PM            

This one contains actual scientific testing: http://www.newhousenews.com/archive/nutt122305.html

posted August 02, 2006 04:45 PM              

When I have time I'll try to find the one I was refering to. I can't even remember what I typed into the search engine when I found it originally, so that doesn't help much lol...

posted August 02, 2006 08:52 PM              

quote:

---

had to think alot about this one. It really is a good question. I think we'll know the war on terror is over when nobody, in any land, Arab, Muslem or otherwise, excepts terrorist groups living and training and burroughing in their neihborhoods. When people start to blow the whistle on them, or chase them out on their own. When nobody tolerates it anymore.

That's when it will be over

---

.....and it's a good answer too, lioneye....

.....but it doesn't sound very encouraging.......

Queen Noor had this to say about the "terrorists."

quote:

---

...And you cannot bomb groups out of existence. They can be bombed out of power or their military equipment degraded, but they can't be bombed out of the region.....they....were born out of Israeli occupation of Lebanon and of Palestinian lands. They're considered resistance movements. And they will operate underground even if....this current campaign succeeds against them. They will still be a presence in the region, and they will still operate to scuttle any progress on a great many fronts if we don't address the root cause of the problems -- again, the Palestinian- Israeli conflict.

---

Of course she was speaking of what is happening over there now, and not necessarily terrorists who will attack any where, anytime, in any part of the world....but sadly I think the same idea applies.........."They will operate underground....they will still be a presence...and they will operate to scuttle any progress on a great many fronts....if we don't address the root cause of the problems..."

Sounds like a fairly simple solution, but getting to that root cause will require mind power that is far superior to that of those who are in the position now of making that come about..

posted August 02, 2006 09:29 PM              

quote:

---

Which would mean that everyone would have to get on the same page, and come up with compatible goals that uphold and enhance respect between the nations. It's a tall order for certain.

---

A TALL ORDER for sure...*sigh*

Mirandee offers....

quote:

---

Addressing the root causes of terrorism is the only answer. Treating the Palestinian people with dignity, respect and in a just manner would be a big start. Treating all Arabic people in that manner as equals is the only way that terrorists groups will not find support and recruits. Without the support and recruits the terrorist groups will vanish. Afterall terrorism and terrorist groups prosper on hate. They were created out of hate. Stop giving the Arabic people reasons to hate and you will stop terrorism.

---

Some good thoughts, Mirandee....

....and when you said....

quote:

---

Violence and attacks only begets more violence and attacks. I think that we have even proven that thesis to be true among the posters at GU

---

Oh yes! and I stand guilty....

....because I find it very difficult to ignore attacks.... and so I retaliate.....and consequently the attacker strikes back at me, and then I return it to them, and they counteract....and on and on.....

I guess the best way to stop the nonsense is to IGNORE attacks...(I KNEW that!)

Kinda hard, tho...

....but....

......if I'm going to uphold what I know to be my ideals, then that's what I'll have to do....*sigh*

posted August 02, 2006 10:07 PM              

I know I will be a target for attacks the moment, I dare express my feelings about any of whom I feel are criminals in our government....

.....and the attacks will come most especially if my comments are directed at bush...(I never capitalize his name as in my opinion he hasn't merited it).....

This pattern will be evident if one follows the posts. (their logic goes that if I attack bush, they can attack me, even though I have not attacked them - which is not surprising since it takes that kind of unhealthy thinking to believe in bush and all his criminal cronies...)

As I said before, were bush just an ordinary person I would not make any comments about his obvious flaws and limitations, because it's not my style (god forbid) to make fun of people...(my mom and dad taught me better than that, many moons ago).....

.....but....because he has been illegally (IMO) placed in a position of great responsibility without the mental or spiritual equipment to handle it...he is endangering my security, and interfering with my peace of mind.....as there could be dire consequences for me, my family, our country and possibly the world!!!

Therefore....any opportunity I have to expose this fraud, I will, so that more people might be aware of the dangers...

posted August 02, 2006 10:26 PM              

...if I might respond to this comment.....

quote:

---

But Islamic extremists or jihadists, if you prefer, don't consider themselves equals to the rest of the world's population. They consider theirselves, and their particular brand of religion to be the superior one, and their aim is to subjugate all others.

---

One might say that about bush's militant and deadly push....to "spread democracy."

Wouldn't you say that bush considers his particular brand of government to be the superior one and so his aim is to subjugate all others?

......and those who don't wish to convert - must die? (using shock and awe to intimidate?)

posted August 02, 2006 10:41 PM              

Islamic extemism is BAD. It's just bad.

posted August 02, 2006 11:37 PM              

quote:

---

But, Rainbow - Democracy IS good. You can't despise democracy simply because Bush, and the entire Western world want to see it flourish.

---

Please understand that I did not say I "despise democracy." *sigh*

Also, just because YOU AND I think democracy is GOOD, does not mean everybody else thinks it is...and it's my opinion we should not FORCE it on others who may not want it....

.....What is ideal for some....may not be someone else's "cup of tea" so to speak.

For example....

Christianity was FORCED on the Native Americans WHETHER THEY WANTED IT OR NOT.... attempting to take away some of their core beliefs regarding the Great Spirit, Mother Earth etc.

In fact, the white man's whole way of life was FORCED on the Native Americans (whether they wanted it or not)

Do as we do - or die!

My dad was sent to a school where he was punished if he dared to speak his own language....losing most of it in the process.

Coercian is coercian...

***

Now wanting to see democracy "flourish"......and poking it down someone's throat against their will.......are two different things.

Also "wanting" to see it flourish...and doing everything in your power (including shock and awe episodes), to make dam well sure it does flourish......does not speak well for what democracy if really all about....IMO

"Hoping" that it might flourish one day...is an entirely different thing...

posted August 03, 2006 01:08 AM              

Here is something I just found.....an excerpt from a speech she made at a Salvation Army gala in Tulsa, Oklahoma, in April 2004..

It more or less concurs with my own thoughts....

quote:

---

The greatest oppressors are those who feel entitled to impose by force their idea of what is right.

The greatest injustices in human history occur when people believe so strongly in their own ideology that they are willing to hurt others in its name.

The ideology can be one of self-preservation and lust for power, as with dictators.

It can be paternalistic, viewing the oppression of women, minorities, and the otherwise disenfranchised as “for their own good.”

Or, it can be a so-called defensive policy that targets all dissent as a threat that must be dealt with preemptively.

All of these arguments have been used in one way or another to JUSTIFY injustice and conflict.

---

(bold letters, mine)

posted August 03, 2006 01:12 AM              

In today's world we no longer tolerate forcing of religion on others. We know better now. And just because simular events have taken place in history, does not validate their cause.

posted August 03, 2006 01:31 AM              

quote:

---

Well, you do have a point but at least Christianity is a religion of Love, even not all Christians have been stellar examples of it. Extreme Islam is a brutal, evil, vile theology - visciously degrading of females, power hungry, savage and death loving. I encourage everyone to educate themselves about the ideals and objectives of this...whatever you want to call it - thing. I want no part of it, thanks. I'll take the death card for 1000, Alex

---

I hope you understand that in no way am I condoning Extreme Islam....

.....but when you say.....

"Extreme Islam is a brutal, evil, vile theology - visciously degrading of females, power hungry, savage and death loving"

.....have you forgotten, the crusades? The inquisitions? burning scientists alive for daring to say that the sun is the center of our solar system, and NOT the earth? all in the name of Christianity....the religion of LOVE?

and lioneye adds...

quote:

---

I encourage everyone to educate themselves about the ideals and objectives of this...whatever you want to call it - thing. I want no part of it, thanks

---