> Or was it just me? I've been reading the news online and etc
> for awhile now, and it surprises me how we are hearing
> about more and more "non-arab" terrorist uprisings. I
> mean, just look at those loonies with the school full of kids
> over in Russia...

FYI, the Russian dispute with the Chechens is nothing new, and has been going on for quite some time. Also, while they may not be Arabs, they are Muslims and largely identify themselves as such.

As an aside, neither the Taliban or Palestinian suicide bombers are Arabs, nor are any Iranians who happen to be slipping across the border into Iraq these days.

The Kashmer region of Pakistan/India has been a hotbed for violent acts that could easily be considered terroristic in nature.

I believe the bomb plot detonated in Spain earlier this year was hatched by a Moroccan extremist group, and the Abu Sayyaf group has been kidnapping and beheading westerners in the Philippines before Al-Zarqawi started making headlines State-side.

Fact is, this is a global problem (not limited to the Arab world), and is something that we've largely ignored until it landed on our doorstep.

I apologize for my political incorrectness. I'm aware that not everyone in the middle east is actually and "arab" or "muslim". And I know about the Russians and Chechnians too... And the Catholic's and Prodistants in Ireland...and the Christians and Muslims in Lebanon...and the various factions of the PLO who are content to blow each other up over property disputes...the list goes on...

Yes, terrorisim is a global problem, not reserved to the middle east. I think that's part of what I was trying to say, but I didn't do it very well. I stand by the fact that we will only see more terrorisims from ALL extreamist groups if we keep up with this "sensitivity" crap. It's like rewarding kids for behaving badly with candy...Look, even the Frenchies weren't "safe" with their entire "We hate America" stance...I was pretty surprised when they didn't revoke their "no turbans in school" law for those bozos...

I'm sure the press is digging for stories too. Teorrisim is a popular topic these days. From what I've read, it seems many terrorist factions want attention...getting noticed and putting fear into innocent people is a way to get the point across. What a better time to do it, while the world is so concerned about being "courteous" and handing out slaps on the wrist...or just plain ignoring the issues all together...or better yet, giving in totally to their demands...(Why is it that terrorist groups are allowed to call a "time out" when things get hot on their end?)

I still stand by my blog. I believe we'll see more and more terrorisim happen in the world...and fighting it by "playing nice" isn't going to cut it...

*shrug*

Not really related to this blog, but there is a fantastic book called "From Beruit to Jerusalem". I don't remember the authors name, but it's really interesting and gives some surprising incite to the minds of those who live in the Middle East. I still need to finish reading it, but if you like that kind of stuff, I suggest picking it up. :-)

UPDATE:

Here's a small article from today regarding this topic.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5889435/

> I apologize for my political incorrectness.

Heh, well, you know me... Always trying to be politically correct. ;>

> I still stand by my blog. I believe we'll see more and more
> terrorisim happen in the world...and fighting it by "playing
> nice" isn't going to cut it...

Well, I wasn't really going against what you were saying (I have some thoughts about the "playing nice" issue that are somewhat contrary to yours, but I didn't really address that), just making a point that the "Muslim world" is really huge, and that treating it as a homogenous block simplifies things a bit too much.

Here's another topic for conversation: Without justifying the unjustifiable acts of terrorist groups, what do you think about the United States' support for Israel vis a vis how much that particular policy gets us in trouble?

That particular can o' worms seems to have pretty much been unchallenged by either Republicans or Democrats. I have some thoughts on this as well.

Oops..sorry I didn't get back to you right away! *laughs* Star Ocean seems to have torn me from the real world! I can't put the game down!

Anyway, I have to agree that treating the Muslim world as homogenous is simplifying it a bit much. Sometimes, it's easy to let fusteration get the better of you, especially when there seems to be no common ground for anyone to stand on...well, or at least anyone is "willing" to stand on.

As for Isreal and the US...Hmmm, I'm sort of torn on that issue. I think the Isrealies have done some nasty stuff over there that we've willingly over looked because they are "allies", yet I also think that if they weren't under constant fire by the opposing factions in that area, they wouldn't be so quick to turn to brutality...*shrug*