Kicking moslems as a response? BETTER NOT!

This is not a political forum I know but since the circumstances are very special to say the least and since I'm really concerned about how things might go out of hand, I want to post this here anyway:

It was a hideous and cowardly terroristic attack. The shockwave of the collapsing World Trade Center still reverberates in the minds of people all around the globe and will continue to do so for a considerable amount of time. I feel strongly for those killed and injured and for their families and friends.
For us that are left behind the question arises how to deal with this terrible event. While finding an answer we must keep in mind that under no circumstances we may act in a way that is even remotely in the interests of those criminals responsible for the attack.
They wanted to hit the heart of the USA and they did. But they surely wanted more than killing people: they wanted (and still want) to disrupt the thin fabric that holds together a society built on individualism, freedom and democracy. It is those very values that make a democratic country vulnerable but it is the same values that make it strong. Whoever commanded the killing of thousands on the 11.September meant to make the USA and their allies and friends in their rage to betray their values. We must not let them.

Those responsible must be found and they must be caught and punished – and severely so. But there has to be evidence gathered and they need to be found guilty before a court – even if this has to be done in their absence.
Military measures are not the right means for passing justice upon suspects or convicts. Rather military measures may be necessary to find and capture the terrorists. Just launching some missiles in the hope they could hit the right target will not do. The response to terroristic attacks must not be in any way that could be seen to resemble those attacks – and we must be aware that a lot of people of many backgrounds will closely watch how the affair will be dealt with. It lies now in the hands of the institutions involved in responding namely the US-government and NATO whether this response will be one that is fit for ending the problem or one that will cause a vicious circle of retaliation and counter-retaliation.

Apart from how the authorities react there, is the reaction of the individual that counts. And here it is the same problem: if we allow an atmosphere of hatred and fear to spread within our minds and societies, only then will the terrorists have truly succeded. From the news I gathered that there are acts of discrimination – both violent and verbal – taking place against moslems, or persons thought to be moslems, especially in the USA and perhaps in other countries too. This is intolerable. How is it that those people indiscriminately picking on moslems cannot see that in acting, or even in merely thinking like that, they make themselves the tools of those very terrorists they seek to fight? Terrorism works by causing fear and rage. In giving unchecked way to these feelings it is ourselves that are made to work for the terrorists’ aims. Again: we must not let them.

regards,

Helger


No more flags, sorry.

I agree, and I think the terrorism will continue unless we turn into a new ideology in which our society can work frictionlessly

I'm glad you agree and I want to add that for reducing friction it is important not to alienate people who could be won for our cause.

After the attack the USA had the sympathy of all of the west and also of most peoples allover the planet. If, as it is likely now, it will rush to action this will change. Where are the thourough investigations Mr. Bush promised? The kind of big talk to be heard yesterday and today is the kind that will make people feel contempt not sympathy.
Is it more important to hastily revenge the victims or to end terrorism? It is very likely that Osamar bin Laden is responsible for the attacks but it has not yet been proven. In court he could be sentenced for a lot of crimes – however, the evidence for his masterminding the attacks would not yet hold. It is important that before acting a broad alliance is formed. To achieve that it is vital to convince people that the target of the action as well as the means are justified and adequate. The way of acting must differ completely from the way the terrorists acted – not only in scale but much more so in style.
The scenario Mr. Bush seems to envision does not meet those criteria. It is extremely unlikely that lopping some missiles on the heads of the Taliban and Osamar bin Laden will change their minds and make them refute terrorism. On the contrary. It is as unlikely that bin Laden will even get hit. In a mountainous country like Afghanistan it should be not the biggest problem to find a place to dodge. Much more likely however is that broad scale bombardments will swell the ranks of bin Laden’s Al’Quaida and more not less terrorism will be the result.
In order to achieve the goal of ending terrorism a lot of political initiative is necessary. That takes time. Representatives in a democracy have been elected to professionally and rationally administer this democracy. In private they may be as furious as they like to be. Officially however it can be expected from them to act responsible which includes to plan for the future. The people killed on 11.September cannot be brought back to life. Rather the people alive deserve all protection. The shortsighted hasty strike at Afghanistan is a result of looking to the past and not to the future – this is why it will fail. It will not only fail but actually worsen things. A problem as complex as the problem of terrorism cannot be overcome quickly. It takes painstaking preparations, rational planning and effective and sustained action. To have a lasting effect most of this action must be political and not military.

I have the attention span of a goldfish... can u rephrase all that in a few sound bites?

sorry - I'll think of a way to express this in VB - code :p

This feer article will shed some light of the problem we are facing.

repaired the link in my last post