Litkicks Message Board Archive

The two viewpoints rendered naked

A little ways down this board is a discussion, you might even call it a debate, about the reasons for terrorism. I may be wrong, but I believe I was able to read between the lines to see a couple of things that weren't being said outright but which, nevertheless, were being expressed.

Anyone feel free to correct me if you think I'm wrong about these viewpoints. Keep in mind, they are not my viewpoints. I'm just stating them (how noncommittal of me, I know...)

Viewpoint # 1 says it's the United States' fault that people keep getting blown up. This viewpoint says the U.S. is a sneaky, greedy, imperialistic country which goes behind the scenes and manipulates other countries economically and politically but they do it like a sly bully who almost never gets caught. When the other countries become so antagonized they can't take it any more, they lash out with terrorism. Then the U.S. says, "Look what they did! Those murderous bastards. We gotta fight back!" And we use it as an excuse to go in and take control of them.

Viewpoint # 2 says that one shouldn't assume every terrorist attack was provoked. Indeed, even if they are provoked, they should learn more self-control. They should value life and find other means by which to expose and stop injustice. Just because (a) some terrorism is a reaction to injustice doesn't mean (b) all terrorism is a reaction to injustice. I see this often. I work for a government agency and I really do try to help people, but sometimes the bureaucracy is such that people feel oppressed by our agency. It's hard for me to decide if I should quit or stay here and try to make things better. But if somebody decides to come up to me in the parking lot one evening and shoot me, or hit me over the head, or yell at me...well, are they justified or not? I certainly don't like it. Most of those people have other recourses besides attacking me, but they don't understand how to take the necessary actions, or else they can't see that far ahead to a day when things might be better.

I really hope that those people choose another path besides attacking me.