12-22-2005, 03:37 PM
Occhidiangela,Dec 22 2005, 02:45 PM Wrote:As in football: versus a terrorist group the only effective defense is a good offense. Hunt them down and kill them, or hunt them down and capture them, (I prefer the former, but I understand those who approach terrorists as criminals). Time is the terrorist's ally and your enemy.
Occhi
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Well that is a bit too black and white. If you are talking about, groups like the RAF, the brigate rosse, and the 17th november you might be right. These are organisations mainly supported by very intelligent people that fight against (according to them) gross ionjustice in todays society. These are people still available for reason and that chose there victims in a rational way. Trying to catch them will indeed lead to less terrorists and a slow dissappearance of the groups. (although the change in society also helped against this?
Modern day terrorists like the islamic ones and the IRA and UFF in Ireland are different kinds. These are populated by the typical "followers", that are full of hate for another group of people solely based on religeous differnces. These groups are supported by many "followers", because there are very many of these not very intelligent people that "just because somebody says they have to hate certain people" become complete fanatics.
I don't think this last group can be easily defeated by attacking them. Several reasons: 1 there is a very large "basin" of moronic followers that can take over the place of an arrested member. 2. the group of followers that will get to a point at which they are willing to commit terrorist acts will grow bigger the harder their group gets attacked 3. the "antiterrorist attacker" is very likely to lose it's principles (that have been established by years of stable politics) and this will only escalate the whole conflict.
The katholics and protestants are getting more and more on spekaing terms becuase of peace talks, not because of hard action to destroy these terrorist groups.
The same will happen with muslim terrorism. The way chosen by the US will only enlarge the conflict. The west should keep it's dignity and play by their own moral standards, not the ones of the terrorists. Ever torture scandal, every innocent person that is killes will strengthen the terrorist and their support.