Quote:
Originally Posted by GhettoDogAllStars
The big issue that isn't being discussed is Israel. That is the primary reason why terrorists hate us. Not because of our way of life -- because we support Israel, and Israel dominates the region.
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I think that simplifies the "war on terrorism." A lot of people tend to talk about "the terrorists" as though they are a single entity, with a single set of gripes, and a single strategy. That oversimplification is IMO, well.....simply wrong.
There are certainly terrorists whose main gripe with the U.S. is its support of Israel. There are other terrorists who are upset with other aspects of U.S. foreign policy (e.g., stationing troops in the Middle East).
There are also, however, a great deal of other terrorists who in fact find Western culture demonic. If you listen to a great number of Islamic
radicals, they will tell you that democracy is evil because the only law that should govern is the law of the Koran. The American way of life is the epitome of everything that is wrong with democracy - it is hedonistic, materialistic, sexual, etc.
There are other terrorists who actually want to establish a caliphate extending from Spain in the Northeast (which was once ruled by the Moors - Muslims) to all of Africa in the South and much of Southeast Asia (which has large Muslim populations). This single "kingdom" would ruled by ayatollahs who strictly follow the Koran.
My only point is that there are a lot of different terrorist groups. They do not all agree on a single objective or ideology. In fact, that is why you see so many terrorist groups killing one another. So, it's wrong to say that U.S. foreign policy drives all terrorists. U.S. foreign policy may motivate some terrorists, but not all. And while I hate to agree with G.W., he's right when he says that some terrorists "hate us for our way of life."
DISCLAIMER: The vast majority of Muslims are peace-loving and decent. In talking about various "terrorist groups" above, I am obviously only referring to the violent minority.