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<DIV>David Lubkin said:<<A
href="mailto:extropy@unreasonable.com">extropy@unreasonable.com</A>><BR>Subject:
Re: [extropy-chat] Re: Profile the Great Satan? (Peter Fedak)<BR>To: exI chat
list <<A href="">extropy-chat@lists.extropy.org</A>><BR>Message-ID: <<A
href="">6.2.3.4.2.20050921202202.05924298@unreasonable.com</A>><BR>Content-Type:
text/plain; charset="us-ascii"; format=flowed<BR><BR>Peter Fedak
wrote:<BR><BR>>>If the entire problem is to be addressed, a step back
should be <BR>>>taken to analyze the broader picture. The US's market
economy is <BR>>>very strong and the way of life here is vastly different
from other <BR>>>parts of the world. Some people live in poverty, some
live in <BR>>>wealth. However, few live better than Americans. So, knowing
human <BR>>>nature, what would make those with little the most upset?
Those with <BR>>>the more than them. As the wealthiest nation, we are
wearing a red, <BR>>>white and blue target for that resentment. How can it
be resolved? <BR>>>The answer to that would solve the problem of
terrorism.</DIV>
<DIV><BR>David Lubkin said:</DIV>
<DIV><BR>>Assumes facts not in evidence. What you wrote is rife with
<BR>>presumptions that need not be presumed. They can, rather, be
tested.<BR>>But we can start with plausibility.<BR>>(a) Switzerland is
rich and not attacked.<BR>>(b) The 9/11 hijackers were not poor.<BR>>(c)
There are many millions of poor Tibetan Buddhists and Indian <BR>>Hindi, none
of whom have attacked the US.<BR>>(d) Terrorists attacked
Indonesia.<BR></DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT>
<DIV>Some notes on the above - and solving the problem of terrorism...
</DIV>
<DIV>a... Switzerland has not fought a war for 500 years - it has no enemies -
only indifferently allied neighbours and trading partners. Moral: Don't use
violence - and you will live in peace!</DIV>
<DIV>b... The 9/11 hijackers were not poor... Correct. All ideological
opposition with grass roots support becomes better funded and better
organised over time - remember the heady victories of the early days in Iraq?
Somalia? Vietnam? Before the oppostions rallied? Suggestion: Persuasion
rules... One good spin-doctor is worth two carrier loads of death-or-glory
marines. Moral: Don't use violence! c... Prediction: Tibetan Buddhists and
Indian Hindus will continue to refuse to attack the US - until and unless they
find themselves attacked by the US - at which point - look out! Moral:
Don't use violence - and you will live in peace!</DIV>
<DIV>d... Terrorists attacked Indonesia... Well, not really - they attacked
westerners in Indonesia and those considered to be their supporters and allies -
Australians bore the brunt because of their perceived alliance with US policy
and their availability as near neighbours, frequent visitors and ready targets.
Aussies governments are known to rally the troops when called upon by US/UK
interests and are often ostracised as interlopers by ASEAN nations. Moral: Don't
use violence - and you will live in peace!</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>>Now resentment's another story. I think you have a better case
there.<BR>>On the other hand, there's the common phenomenon of "Yankee go
home! <BR>>.... But take me with you."
<DIV>>-- David.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Strangely, as an Englishman living in Asia (and often - even usually
- presumed to be American) I have rarely encountered this kind of
prejudice. At a personal level, people are just people. You are judged on
your skill, talent, looks, conversational ability, business acumen etc etc -
whatever is in the eye of the beholder.. But, individuals are rarely held
accountable for your government's policies - and never judged by
some kind of generalised profile based on ethnicity. ...I like that -
Like most, I hate to be labelled and pigeon-holed.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>And, labelling and pigeon-holing is one more reason why amateur
profiling sucks. It is just another compelling excuse to apply a
stereotype. I have spent more than two months in both Afghanistan and Pakistan
in recent times: Conclusion: I must have trained with Al Qaeda? Hardly! True, my
non-Moslem family name helps clear me - but how suspicious would it be if I
was of Middle-Eastern extraction? Actually, while in Kabul and Peshawar, I
saw a few 13 year old boys carrying rifles - but the Afghans and Pakistanis I
met were ordinary people doing their jobs in difficult circumstances. And if
they want to earn a little nest egg by spending a few years as a taxi-driver or
short-order cook in New York, London or Sydney (they often do) - well
that's all right with me.. Live and let live... Moral: Don't use violence - and
you will live in peace!</DIV>
<DIV>Jack</DIV></DIV></BODY></HTML>