Tuesday, November 07, 2006
No perfect solution
5th of November, Guy Fawkes Night. The first recorded act of terrorism and in the name of religion. It's nothing new, and the more I think about it, the less tangible the concept appears.
It is hard to grasp the motivation behind terrorism, much less to study it as a science or discipline. Terrorist might target you because of a feud ages past, or simply as a target of opportunity. It makes little difference, nor is it of significance the reason, but the means to their particular end that is of concern.
Anyone can be driven to terrorism, the righteous, the evil, and even states. The fundamental difference is non-existent, or may I be as bold as to postulate that the only difference "who". Who defines terrorism, and who is involved. Countries against countries, it is a war, Muslim bombers against soldiers is terrorism. Often, the term merely becomes an excuse, as an adjective to describe an inexplicable, unexplained state of affairs. At its worse, terrorism is merely a justification for action otherwise deemed unreasonable, unethical, inhumane and the likes.
Yesterday, Osama might have been your pal, and today he's on your most wanted list.
Putting aside the ideological difference, the conflict that of the classical "clash of civilization". It is unreasonable to demand all people see eye to eye. There will be differences, whether theological, ideological, physiological, biological. Differences, not irrevocable differences, but invariably, differences that causes disagreement and segregation.
Interestingly, the common response to violence is violence doubled. I would hardly agree that such drastic responses are constructive. Irrational loss of life, and damage to the earth. When one is spurred to arms, one is unhappy. When one is unhappy, it should sere all good to relieve one of one's unhappiness. It would not make sense to compound the problem by forcing one into submission.
No. That is never an ideal solution, but presently I have no perfect solution either.
Remember, remember, the 5th of November
Gunpowder Treason and plot ;
I know of no reason why the Gunpowder Treason
Should ever be forgot.
Guy Fawkes, Guy Fawkes,
'Twas his intent.
To blow up the King and the Parliament.
Three score barrels of powder below.
Poor old England to overthrow.
By God's providence he was catch'd,
With a dark lantern and burning match
Holloa boys, Holloa boys, let the bells ring
Holloa boys, Holloa boys, God save the King!
Hip hip Hoorah !
Hip hip Hoorah !
A penny loaf to feed ol'Pope,
A farthing cheese to choke him.
A pint of beer to rinse it down,
A faggot of sticks to burn him.
Burn him in a tub of tar,'
Burn him like a blazing star.
Burn his body from his head,
Then we'll say: ol'Pope is dead.
---Mood:
Location:
Listening to:
Gavin
pondered @ 00:16
