I don't know what the answer to terrorism is. I don't know if there IS an answer. I know Iraq wasn't the way to beat it. I had hopes Afghanistan was the way to beat it, but now im left hoping at the very least we give those poor people back their country in working order, maybe a little better.
I don't have any answers, but I hope someone out there does, because at least 40 people were killed today in Pakistan when a mosque was stormed by suicide bombers.
I'm honestly completely torn by what to do. I have no options to present. I'd normally say live and let live, but doing that would condemn so many women (in the case of Islamic terrorists), religious groups (in the case of Irish or Israeli/Palestinian terrorists), ethnic groups (in the case of Chechen/Russian terrorists and terror activity in the Balkans) to a horrible, oppressive, violent fate.
I really don't see any way of reconciling my support for universal human rights with, well, my support for universal human rights. I'm used to being, quite frankly, the smartest guy in the room most of the time. This is really the first time in my life where i've got no suggestions, let alone good suggestions. I'm terrified. Congratulations suicide bombers, you succeeded and I'm on the other side of the planet.
I was buoyed by the Nepal situation this year, where Maoist terrorists actually laid down arms, pledged non-violence and became politicians. More then that, one of them became prime minister. But it sure seems to me that success stories like that are the exception, not the rule. Or maybe it's one step forward, two steps back. Or maybe its none of those. I dont know.
Sorry for a rambling diary that makes no sense. I'm wrestling with these issues and thought it might help to see them laid out. Or maybe get input from the community. The wisdom of crowds and all that. Or maybe its just a way to chase out the demons, the terrifying emotions- present them in the light and they vanish like the monster in your closet.