[rescue] Airport Security and Rescues...

[Sridhar Ayengar]

Sandwich Maker wrote:
> " From: "Jonathan C. Patschke" <jp at celestrion.net>
> " 
> " [0] Though we're well on our way to buying that particular problem,
> "      since we can't seem to keep our collective nose out of the problems
> "      (real or perceived) of the rest of the planet.
> 
> i believe dick cheney has publically stated that he wants the us to
> have more influence in the middle east.  i don't know if he's admitted
> that as the reason he started the war.

Bleh.  Why does this not surprise me?

> " > Last time they gave the West problems, they were booted out of what is 
> " > now southern Spain and several wars were fought, called Crusades.
> " > 
> " > The root answer is forceful subjugation of Muslim countries and 
> " > deportation / the most severe restrictions on immigration unless they 
> " > swear off such violence, explicitly.
> " 
> " Don't get me started on the Crusades.  The Crusades were a Christian 
> " Jihad.
> 
> without question, but they were provoked by a moslem - the sultan of
> egypt decided to close jerusalem and the holy land to infidels.  the
> historical record [crusades aside] suggests the sultan may not have
> been completely balanced.

Yes, yes, but when one starts to believe that another needs to die to 
satisfy the wishes or will of God, the larger battle has already been lost.

> " What your suggesting would evaporate any moral high-ground for 
> " the Western countries.  There would be no difference between the Western 
> " countries and Iran.  You can't attack from a moral high-ground by 
> " standing in the gutter.
> " 
> " Terrorism is as valid a tool of political change as war is.  Extremism 
> " is the problem on both sides of this issue.  One can't fight extremism 
> " by becoming extremist.
> 
> indeed.  remember kant's [i think] quote, be careful when you fight
> monsters that you don't become a monster yourself.

I'm going to have to look that up.

> the mafia are an example of this.  they started as a guerilla
> organization trying to overthrow a very corrupt government in
> medieval sicily.  they succeeded too well.

Agreed.  Not just the Mafia.  It's a tale as old as time.  The bandit 
who overthrows the reign of the king gets to become king himself.

Peace...  Sridhar