What I don't get

[Night Stalker]

Groj

You're starting a case about the differences between the macro and micro. The needs of the many don't (can't) always meet the needs of the few and vise versa.

[Thoran]

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.

[Grojlach]

Originally posted by Night Stalker: Groj You're starting a case about the differences between the macro and micro. The needs of the many don't (can't) always meet the needs of the few and vise versa.

Oh, I know.. It's just that the many shouldn't be surprised if the few who suffer for the sake of the needs of the many aren't exactly in the cheerleader squad to celebrate those acquired needs afterwards.

[ 03-25-2003, 07:50 PM: Message edited by: Grojlach ]

[The Lilarcor]

Originally posted by Thoran: 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.

Yeah, the thing is, Democracy, or the united states government (don't know why its called democracy when its more a republic) don't control its citizens, but just regulate our lives. That may be why, because their citizens will and may be in favor of a government that doesn't include them, some arabs are against us.