[lookout123]

well, at some points this thread ahs moved into a christian vs. muslim thing. that is just a generic way of framing the situation. The terrorists may have different individual catalysts that send them to the local recruiting office, but what is pretty standard is that the organizations are anti-western. (if they want to call it anti-christian, then fine.) it isn't as simple as "they hate are freedom, let's kill 'em" but it isn't that complicated either. they do hate the western influence on their culture. they hate that their societies have been subjected to our products, advertising, factories, stores, immodest dress, equal rights for women, unbelievers, etc. these influences have changed their way of living. while many in their societies enjoy this, many others do not. they feel they have been robbed and their culture raped. who is to blame? the infidel west of course.

the majority of muslims operate the same way as christians and other faith groups do - let's convert them if we can but always acknowledge that we can co-exist. the two groups are in conflict with each other. unfortunately, the more visible activists are the ones who feel killing will accomplish A) converting us, or B) killing us, or C) making us uncomfortable enough so that we leave them alone and they can repair their society and bring it back to the place they want it. these are the people we fight.

Jag and Dana you seem to think that i don't see any justification or reason for their actions. i do not see them as irrational animals. i realize that they see their actions as reasonable and helpful to their cause. they (some) are highly intelligent, dedicated individuals. i also see them as the enemy. They want us dead or gone. We don't want to be dead or gone. it is a battle over who gets to achieve their desires. the centuries (or decade old in some cases) causes for the conflict don't matter. the battle and the outcome do. and in my view our side winning at the least cost in lives and expense on OUR side is the end goal. this is an us or them situation and i am more concerned with us. to be fair, i understand that you believe removing the catalyst, (poverty, lack of education, etc.) will end the conflict. unfortunately, an end to conflict is impossible. conflict is human nature.

it is important to remember that in my view man in imperfectable and there can be no such thing as world peace. someone will always be fighting and dieing in the name of some cause. my view is that we work to prevent the death from being inside our camp.