(no subject)

[vicarz]

Last night I was flipping channels, and I ran into a foreign news broadcast. I think it was in Russian. Their news was 100% footage of bloody naked children and distraught parents running around in the chaos that was the end of the terrorist attack on the school. A short time ago, when 2 planes blew up simultaneously, Russia declared "We have had our 9/11." Well, no, _now_ they have had their 9/11. I don't know why, but it was really much more painful to see the footage on the Russian station, in their language. Perhaps the lack of comprehension of the language made me tune in to the emotional content that I usually block off. Perhaps it was just the graphic footage which wouldn't be shown in this country (naked 7 yearish old boy pointing to an open wound in his gut).

Now Russia has the international support that the US once had. I 'pray' they don't squander it like this country did. At the same time, in other less gruesome circumstances I can justify terrorism. How is that possible? I was in an on-line argument with someone I could beat into the ground physically without breaking a sweat, I was noting the temptation to stamp the idiot in person. It's a fleeting impulse - I know better a hundred times over, but it's hard not to bow to temptation when you 'know you're right' and have the ability to enforce your will. I have to remember that might does not make right - that was one of my core arguments when I had no might. Now as my strength returns and my training continues, it's an especially important thing to remember. Sure I'm a tiny spindly lil guy, but given the low bar of physical abilities in this country I actually encounter a surprising number of people I can physically power in the average day (or so I believe).

So, if you believe you are right, and are invaded by a superior military force, what recourse do you have? If the military took over this country and elections were terminated, if there was a curfew and ID was required at frequent checkpoints - what would you do? The American military is too strong to strike at effectively, as are many other groups like Israelis, Russian troops - so what do you do? How do you have your arguments heard, and at what point is in inappropriate to simply allow them to mow you down?

Perspective is everything, but it's really tough to view issues from all sides. I can understand anonymous bombs, resistance fighting, and sabotage - but I cannot tolerate intentional killing of civilians. The invasion of the school was purely meant to cause harm - and the harm it has caused has ruined any chance of the causes these terrorists supposedly support being heard or given consideration. I'm baffled by the current wave of kidnappings - they do get tons of coverage, but it's impossible to negotiate that way for if you gave in to terrorist demands then kidnapping would be rampant as people sought their agenda's fulfillment. I don't understand the motivation - it seems these actions destroy any chance of the things the terrorists supposedly fight for.