Why terrorism?

After the end of the cold war we could have expected a thousand years of peace but tragically death, injury and fear are ever present in many communities as a result of terrorism.
What extremists are trying to achieve is not being clearly articulated by them or understood. What is happening through the West is that Moslems are being alienated and are treated either suspicion. The separation of Moslem communities from the "evil influence" of the West maybe the true purpose of Bin Laden and his nasty crew.
Those in positions of authority in terrorist groups are capable of careful planning and ruthless execution of their schemes but they do not seem to put themselves in harms way. Those who do are like they foot-soldiers in all wars- young, disconnected, Ill-educated and manipulated.
I would suggest that one of the greatest energizing factors for terrorism is the that leaders of terrorism groups have sufficient authority to direct members of the group as the leaders are seen as championing the cause of Islam.
While some form of security operations and limited military campaigns are necessary, I would propose that terrorism originating in Moslem communities relies on a combination of a desire for revenge and ignorance to stimulate the actual perpetrators of terrorist acts.
Fighting terrorism by punishing non-combatants only increases the desire for revenge. Accordingly, the military response must be limited.
In Palestine, Pakistan and Indonesia most people are fearfully ignorant of the freedoms enjoyed by Moslems in western society. It would come as a complete surprise to people in these countries that independant Islamic schools receive government funding in order to operate. The promotion of better standards of living will cut the ground from under those agitating for vengance.
Yet disaffected Moslems have reason for grievances. The policies towards Palestine, Iraq and Iran over the years have been markedly wicked.
Fair balance foreign policy reforms matched with education and infrastructure develoment are clearly the most effective ways of combating terrorism.
Mao, Ché and Ho Chi Minh are the poster boys of terrorism today. To combat terrorism the West must adopt an inclusive approach rather than a combative program.
JP

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Rudd is the New Howard?

As the Howard years came to an end many in Australia felt as though they were being released from prison. For many for the same people to talk of Howard is to set off the touch paper of spectacular rants about Aboriginal rights and boat people so let us not dwell but move on to the Rudd Government.
Does the release from Howard Prison mean we must like Rudd Freedom? In a strange way the writer feels that criticizing Rudd who lead the commandos who organised the prison break is ungracious and mean. Still as time goes on it is becoming all too obvious that Rudd watched Howard very carefully and he and his Labor Government are providing Australia with continuity in Government which is comforting but achieving very little.
We have had an Apology to the Original Australians which is good but really very little is happening to improve the lot of our indigenous cousins. Where is the great initiative to lead our benighted cousins out of the hell genocide and dispossession has delivered them into?
Health and Education could likely candidates as the solution in the long term but after two years virtually nothing is in place as grand initiatives or developments for Aboriginal Health and Education.
The Environment is clearly a major issue for the world but all the Rudd Government is focusing on is a complex Carbon Trading Scheme which will not involve the population directly but only as consumers. All else that this Government is doing could be just as easily imagined as policies of a Howard Government.
There is little to be said about other areas of policy.
"Take it slow and be careful" is a good motto for parents to give children starting out and politicians unused to governing but young adults and governments which wish to achieve something lasting must sometime create, strive to achieve and make a life of their own and not just follow in the footsteps of their parents
The Rudd Government is looking like the child of the Howard Government and is sadly failing to lead Australia in way which distinguishes it from its predecessor.

Why do we watch?

The "revelations" about Della Bosca's love life were puerile and unremarkable. He's gone to the back bench to plot his way into a lower house seat and for what? Nothing.
He didn't lie about it in parliament and he didn't break the law so why did the Daily Telegraph give it all that space?Because it was lurid, voyeuristic and childish just like their paper.
Della will no doubt feel distancing himself from the Rees Labor Government is a good move.
The Opposition are looking threadbare and are only capable of throwing clichés at Rees, showboating and hoping the Greens don't do anything exciting.
Meanwhile debate is absent on league tables for schools, coal-fired power stations and the money being wasted on desalination plant and something called The Metro.
New South Wales- The Cringe-worthy State.

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