Terrorism is something that has become ingrained in American culture. You would have thought with the Iran Hostages in the 70s or even the ‘72 Munich attacks that it would have been something we as Americans would have been more aware of and/or concerned about. It wasn’t until September 11, 2001 that we took terrorism seriously because never before was there such a devastating attack on American soil.
Sure you can talk about the World Trade Center bombings in in 1993 or Oklahoma City, but those were different. The World Trade Center bombings didn’t hurt a lot of people and the Oklahoma City bombing was perpetrated by an American.
So now that we are 7 1/2 years into taking terrorism seriously and 7 1/2 years into a failed ‘War on Terrorism’ (which I don’t understand how you can declare war on terrorists when many of them aren’t even linked to each other, wouldn’t it be wars?) and no closer to solving the problem of terrorism.
So first what are the causes? It would seem to me that most people don’t hope to kill and injure others just for the sake of it. Sure there are sadistic people out there, but not enough to comprise a movement. Rather it seems obvious terrorists use violence as a way of spreading their message when they feel it is the only way their voices can get heard. They aren’t part of the political process or they are discriminated against by the controlling majority. To me these things start terrorist cells. It’s not all that different to me as to why kids shoot up schools, except instead of revenge as a motive, they are wanting their cause to receive recognition.
40% of terrorists groups are defeated by police and intelligence operations.
43% of terrorists give up violence because they join the political process.
7% of terrorists are stopped by military force.
So what does this tell us? Like most things, problems are better solved locally. Communities are better equipped to stop terrorists because they live among them, know who they are. When a government comes in and tries to forcibly stop a group it builds a deep resentment amongst the community members that end up protecting terrorists. It is the typical ‘city slicker’ trying to tell the people of a small town what to do.
Therefore, if the US or other countries hope to end the violence they would be better served to shift their resources to local control and provide them support and training rather than come in there and try to do it themselves.
Also, a little democracy and liberty never hurt anyone either….
First I must clarify I’m an Aggie and since we got our asses handed to us by both teams I’m sure they are both deserving, BUT the question remains did UT get screwed?
It’s not an easy answer. Longhorns will quickly point out they beat OU on a neutral field 45-35. Sooners will point to the fact that UT lost to Texas Tech who OU throttled a few weeks later.
Each argument has its merits, but if you look at the facts the Longhorns have the bigger beef, no pun intended.
Why OU should go:
They averaged 53.3 points per game while only giving up 24 points per game. That is more than doubling their opponents scoring.
They only had one close game and that was their loss to UT 45-35.
They beat 4 ranked opponents, including Texas Tech (the then #2 team in the country 65-21).
They have scored over 60 points in 4 straight games, including two against ranked teams.
They were leading UT most of the game even though they lost one of their star players early in the game.
They killed Texas Tech who had beaten UT just a few weeks prior.
Why UT should go:
They beat OU 45-35 on a neutral field.
They averaged 44 points per game while only giving up 18.6 per game.
They had the win against Texas Tech if their linebacker wouldn’t have dropped a sure interception.
They beat 3 top 11 teams in a row before losing to Tech.
THEY BEAT OU
I think OU’s strongest point is that they killed Tech who beat UT, however, UT lost on the road to Tech who was then destroyed on the road by OU.
So long story short, the Longhorns got screwed! However, as an Aggie I can’t say it doesn’t make me a little happy to see them whine and complain
I consistently feel sorry for Canadians. No one takes them seriously and if their economy were to crumble it wouldn’t be noticed by anyone, except maybe Canadian bacon fans.
I know you may not want to see me
On your way down from the clouds
Would you hear me if I told you
That my heart is with you now
She’s only happy in the sun
She’s only happy in the sun
Did you find what you were after?
The pain and the laughter brought you to your knees
But if the sun sets you free, sets you free
You’ll be free indeed, Indeed
She’s only happy in the sun
She’s only happy in the sun
Every time I hear you laughing, I hear you laughing
It makes me cry
Like the story of life, of your life
Is hello, goodbye
Shes only happy in the sun
Shes only happy in the sun
Google announced today that they have put the entire LIFE photo archives in their image search.
This might seem rather mundane, but I love photography, although I’m not any good at it, and LIFE magazine has some of the best photo archives going, sans National Geographic.
I’ve often wondered how I turned out so amazing. Great parents? I guess. Superior genes? Maybe. I guess where I was raised had a lot to do with it too.
Euless, TX is a suburb of well basically DFW Airport, quaint right? It’s where I grew up and apparently Business Week thinks it is the best place to raise kids in Texas. So kudos mom and dad for moving us to the epitomy of middle class suburbia in DFW. It’s close proximity to rich and poor have made me the well-rounded individual I am today!
I guess my parents have decided they don’t want anymore children seeing how they have moved out of Euless…
I was watching 60 minutes last night and they led off with an interview of his inner circle that ran his campaign. It was an interesting interview and I thought it conveyed how much they believed in Obama and his cause.
Having said that…they portrayed him as an incredible underdog. I understand it is amazing, and it truly is, that a black man has been elected President, but I can’t think of a time where I ever thought he didn’t have a shot. In fact I always thought of Obama as the favorite based purely on the enthusiasm his supporters showed and how much people were getting behind his message.
You put this with the fact he had a large volunteer base and grassroots effort, I’m not sure I would consider him an underdog. He clearly had a smart campaign staff.
The only thing that really concerns me is the posters like the one above. It’s a little propagandish…say Mao Tse-Tung or Che Guevara like….but again…I hear Obama isn’t a socialist….
It’s hard to believe the election is actually here. It seems like just a short two years ago this whole process began…(Joe Biden announced he was running for President in March of 2006!?!?).
With what seems like the longest, most drawn out election upon us (although there seemed to be a lack of debates) I hope everyone exercises their right to vote. Whether you want to ‘Barack the Vote’, ‘Vote for Change’ or well there aren’t any catchy Republican slogans, but you get the point. Whether its McCain, Obama, Nader, Barr(!) or whoever, you should go vote if you haven’t already. However, if it wasn’t for Dick Cheney consolidating executive power (thanks dick) the Presidential office holder wouldn’t be quite as important as it is.
Anyway, I digress, one thing that is important is your state and local propositions. They will have a far bigger impact on your day to day life than what kind of mess the bureacrats in DC are trying to pass. One great website to get more information is ballotpedia.org. They have a lot of great state information and an entertaining video.
I would like to think that I’m a pretty optimistic person. I always think things will work out the way they should, whether that is the way I want them to or not may not happen, but I think whatever happens that is the way it is supposed to be.
Why am I like this? I don’t know. That’s a good question. I’ve learned this way of thinking has led me to a pretty stress free life. It doesn’t mean there isn’t stress, but when an outcome arises that I don’t like it helps me deal better with the situation.
In short, we all have a limited time on this earth and there isn’t a whole lot that happens we can control. Worry about the things you can control and be proactive and understanding about those you can’t. It has lead me to have an innate faith in the way things are and handle the good and the bad.
Terrorism is something that has become ingrained in American culture. You would have thought with the Iran Hostages in the 70s or even the ‘72 Munich attacks that it would have been something we as Americans would have been more aware of and/or concerned about. It wasn’t until September 11, 2001 that we took terrorism seriously because never before was there such a devastating attack on American soil.
