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Thoran · 03-25-2003, 05:27 PM

I see it as different than "have's" and "have-not's" although this is certainly an aspect of the reasons fundamentalists hate us.

I tend to think that deep down fundamentalists want to CONTROL. They create governments that attempt to control of the lives of citizens to insure proper behavior. Look at the Talebon (not even sure of the spelling anymore), they were considered the "ideal" Islamic state and the theocracy dominated EVERY aspect of peoples lives.

The US is one of the most Individualistic societies in history (along with the Aussies [img]smile.gif[/img] ), and the focus on individual rights over collective rights is DIAMETRICALLY opposed to the way the radical fundamentalists think. In a real sense it's impossible for Americans to understand how fundamentalists think because our entire frame of reference is different. Of course this is true the other way around too. This is bound to cause a LOT of conflict.

IMO the US does tend to try to create "Mini-America's" in all the countries we liberate... but in the end it's up to the people of those countries to decide their fate. It's perhaps not an ideal solutions but it's a heck of a lot easier for people to vote themselves into a government of their choice than it would have been to convince Saddam to give the people the government of their choice. Dictators tend not to listen to what the people want.

03-25-2003, 05:27 PM	#22
Thoran Galvatron Join Date: January 10, 2002 Location: Upstate NY Age: 57 Posts: 2,109	I see it as different than "have's" and "have-not's" although this is certainly an aspect of the reasons fundamentalists hate us. I tend to think that deep down fundamentalists want to CONTROL. They create governments that attempt to control of the lives of citizens to insure proper behavior. Look at the Talebon (not even sure of the spelling anymore), they were considered the "ideal" Islamic state and the theocracy dominated EVERY aspect of peoples lives. The US is one of the most Individualistic societies in history (along with the Aussies [img]smile.gif[/img] ), and the focus on individual rights over collective rights is DIAMETRICALLY opposed to the way the radical fundamentalists think. In a real sense it's impossible for Americans to understand how fundamentalists think because our entire frame of reference is different. Of course this is true the other way around too. This is bound to cause a LOT of conflict. IMO the US does tend to try to create "Mini-America's" in all the countries we liberate... but in the end it's up to the people of those countries to decide their fate. It's perhaps not an ideal solutions but it's a heck of a lot easier for people to vote themselves into a government of their choice than it would have been to convince Saddam to give the people the government of their choice. Dictators tend not to listen to what the people want.