Underlying Causes

Many people have said that rather than seek only military retribution, we should attempt to root out the underlying causes of terrorism, and make changes in our policies in the Middle East.


This point of view takes it for granted that the reasons for terrorists' actions are valid ones. This is not so, in general. Why should we believe that people who are insane enough to commict these atrocities have valid reasons for their actions. Note that I am not questioning whether or not they believe their reasons are valid, I'm am questioning whether or not there reasons are actually valid ones. There is a difference.


It is not possible to end suffering. It is not possible to please everyone. It is possible to strive to do what can be done in each of those areas.


There have also been some statements implying that America is being hypocritical to the extent that we are (too?) outraged at Tuesday's events simply because they happened in America. In addition there have been several posters who believe or imply that US is involved in commiting or supporting terrorist activities. This is simply not true. I saw a definition of terrorism, with which I agree, which was (paraphrased) "Any attacks made upon civilians or property, with no military purpose, to instill fear in the populace." This not something which the US has ever done. We gave money and weapons to bin Laden and others to help him and others fight the Soviet Union in Afghanistan. We did not give him money, weapons or training to destroy civilians or property with no military purpose. Every group of "terrorists" we have supposedly supported had clear military goals. It seems to be the case that many people view the US as evil. That does not make them right. The point of view which leads them to that conclusion may have valid points to make, but it may also be heavily based on propaganda or misinformation. It may also be based on fundamental beliefs to which we are firmly opposed, and over which there can be no compromise. For instance, if some of the people responsible for this attack believe that America is evil because we have indecent television programs or movies which are broadcast around the world, and they therefore believe that we are corrupting the world in some way, this would not be a disagreement which we could resolve. If a person holds a belief which demands that they prevent others from doing a certain thing, then anyone whose beliefs demands that they do that thing will not be able to compromise. Who is right? Who knows? But the one thing that is almost universally condemned is violence against innocent people. So anyone who resorts to terrorist atrocities, regardless of their beliefs, regardless of real or percieved harm they have suffered, is wrong.