07/14/02: Know Thine Enemy

juju · 07-14-2002, 01:48 AM

I was watching NBC Nightly News yesterday, and they were saying that Al-Qaeda sleeper cells may be recruiting in prisons and in the ghettos. A certain amount of the story is probably just hype, but I still think it's kinda funny.

They drew this interesting comparison between youths in the ghetto and middle-eastern terrorists. Both groups are poor. Both groups have a lot of anger. Both groups have starving families. And both groups oftentimes find themselves with nowhere to turn. And now, one group is recruiting from the other! (::gasp::)!

I don't really think we have very much to worry about on that front. But I still think the comparision is interesting. It puts a face on the actions. Most people don't agree with gang violence, but they understand it. They understand what can drive a person to it. Sometimes it seems like the only way a person can feel powerful when they're powerless. Add to that someone who keeps trying to steal your land, and perhaps people can understand Al-Qaeda members a bit more. Not condone them by any means, but at least understand them.

Most people seem pretty hell-bent on dehumanizing Al-Qaeda. But, in fact, they are human. Real things motivate them. One should, after all, Know Thine Enemy, right?

07-14-2002, 01:48 AM	#1
juju no one of consequence Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Arkansas Posts: 2,839	07/14/02: Know Thine Enemy I was watching NBC Nightly News yesterday, and they were saying that Al-Qaeda sleeper cells may be recruiting in prisons and in the ghettos. A certain amount of the story is probably just hype, but I still think it's kinda funny. They drew this interesting comparison between youths in the ghetto and middle-eastern terrorists. Both groups are poor. Both groups have a lot of anger. Both groups have starving families. And both groups oftentimes find themselves with nowhere to turn. And now, one group is recruiting from the other! (::gasp::)! I don't really think we have very much to worry about on that front. But I still think the comparision is interesting. It puts a face on the actions. Most people don't agree with gang violence, but they understand it. They understand what can drive a person to it. Sometimes it seems like the only way a person can feel powerful when they're powerless. Add to that someone who keeps trying to steal your land, and perhaps people can understand Al-Qaeda members a bit more. Not condone them by any means, but at least understand them. Most people seem pretty hell-bent on dehumanizing Al-Qaeda. But, in fact, they are human. Real things motivate them. One should, after all, Know Thine Enemy, right?

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