[The Mississauga Muse]

Re: I must admit, some reports are disturbing.

spmarshall wrote:

Sorry, I just joined the Hugo Chavez Book Club and read Chomskey. It's amazing as to what lengths the US will go to to protect its economic interests.

Agreed, theh US will stop at no lengths. Like, how I fear one day that U.S. will go so far as to plant a puppet regime even --in Ottawa.

Signed,
The Mississauga Muse

 

[Bogtrotter]

Re: I must admit, some reports are disturbing.

"This may sound like a crazy idea, but how about addressing the issues the provide the motivation for terrorism?"

There is the small matter of Herr Bush leading the free world. Good thing we Canadians, as a more informed people, voted Harper in - it's a tremendous first step in helping change US foreign policy.

 

[Abeja de Almirante]

Re: I must admit, some reports are disturbing.

"This may sound like a crazy idea, but how about addressing the issues the provide the motivation for terrorism?"

Impossible, as the motivation will change, as there will always be those who have the sufficient mix of hate and charisma to led people to kill others in such ways.

How do you suggest, for example, that we could have addressed the issues that motivated Timothy McVeigh and friends to blow up the FBI building? If we had managed that, this still would not have addressed the issues that motivated Shiek whatevers-his-name for bombing the WTC.

I strongly believe, that even if the USA withdrew its military, cultural and economic influences from the world, they'd still be sufficient hate of America and the West to keep the terrorists in business, because the world's youth IMO want American and Western products, freedoms and ideals. No, I'm not suggesting we reduce everything to Bush's stupid simplifciations of "they hate us because of our freedoms", no IMO they hate the west for a hole host of reasons, and thus there is little the West can do to address them all in the hope of reducing terrorism.

 

[Bogtrotter]

Re: I must admit, some reports are disturbing.

There's a kind of embattled alienation that has existed for decades with regards to the West- that's nothing new. Indeed one could argue that it goes back centuries. But today there is a particular unease among some Islamic countries of encroaching Western culture and influence- championed primarily by the US. With regards to terrorism the real issue is religious fundmentalism, the fringe groups, acting under religious doctrine, who view themselves as defenders of a faith and way of life. To suggest that 'nothing can be done' is inaccurate, counter-terrorist measures can, and have been effective, when targeting such groups. Is it infallible? - of course not for obvious reasons.

I think a change in US foregn policy towards the Middle east would help a lot in the long run. Of course it's not going to change overnight.

 

[bizorky]

Re: I must admit, some reports are disturbing.

I strongly believe, that even if the USA withdrew its military, cultural and economic influences from the world, they'd still be sufficient hate of America and the West to keep the terrorists in business, because the world's youth IMO want American and Western products, freedoms and ideals. No, I'm not suggesting we reduce everything to Bush's stupid simplifciations of "they hate us because of our freedoms", no IMO they hate the west for a hole host of reasons, and thus there is little the West can do to address them all in the hope of reducing terrorism.

Granted, people like McVeigh and the like are not easy to stop, or to reason with. It is difficult to reason with people suffering from paranoia. They will find their own reasons to act in most cases. That being said, the sentiments that motivated McVeigh and his friends were out there in the land, just hidden from view or considered fringe enough to avoid. Nevertheless, the sentiments and beliefs should have been addressed up front. Paranoid terror-types are at their best when they among their own kind and when there is no one around to question them or to get them to try to vocalize their bent beliefs.

Why not try to open some kind of dialogue with "terror" organizations? No, you may not change their minds doing so, but maybe the act of speaking on their part, and us listening what they have to say could go some way to venting their tensions. This could begin a process of dialogue, and just may future acts of violence could be avoided. Is this a perfect solution? No, not by a long shot.

The "hate" for the United States that (supposedly) exists out there is a little less focussed than one might imagine. America's actions can have positive impacts, too, and many people do know this. Just hating the U.S. because it is big, or rich or has powerful media is not reason in and of itself. A few policy changes, and suddenly these things may not matter so much. Still, it may not be enough to stop the extreme nutbars. Nothing ever is; but this is not new.

 

[building babel]

Re: I must admit, some reports are disturbing.

Talking of terrorists, I was delighted - and rather surprised - to see The Death of a President on English television a couple of weeks ago. I wonder if Americans will ever get to see it?

 

[Bogtrotter]

Re: I must admit, some reports are disturbing.

I'm sure it will be seen in plenty of US cities, in New York and San Francisco it might even be a hit. However it would be interesting to see what TV network airs it- we might have to wait a few years for that.

 

[Darkstar416]

Re: I must admit, some reports are disturbing.

simply Dan and I saw it over the weekend. It's quite good and very believable. It's also somewhat tasteful (as far as such a movie could be). It's not so much about watching Dubya take the bullet, it's more about the fallout and the increase in the "culture of fear" that follows his death. It also doesn't pay anti-Bushites much respect either (in case that's what people are thinking). In general, I'd highly recommend the movie!

Considering FOX, NBC, NPR and CNN have all refused to air trailers for the movie, I'd imagine a premium service like HBO or Showtime might be the only outlets willing to take a chance on this mockumentary. Still, this is the land where NBC won't even air the trailer for the Dixie Chicks movie, so who really knows!