Whenever discussing a topic, whenever an argument (in the dialectic sense of the word) is taking place, it is paramount that the terms and tools of the discussion are understood by all. Modern discussions on the phenomenon of terrorism include key-words such as 'Islam', 'Jihad' and phrases like 'clash of civilisations'. At times different people might mean different things when using the same terms. One of the biggest problems is distinguishing the terrorist from the peace-loving Muslim. By their own declaration, terrorists are inspired by Muslim ideas and for us Westerners it is easy and tempting to reach the (illogical) conclusion: [Muslim=Terrorist Q.E.D].
I found this article on the International Herald Tribune which attempts to clarify the clouds and arrives at a reasonable suggestion on tackling the issue. I suggest it as a good read for keeping up to date.
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Not too unrelated to this subject is the ongoing crossposting and commenting with Fausto following Daphne's article on the Lampedusan treatment of boat people. At the end of the day, I still do not understand what point Fausto is defending when he says that comparing the boat people's tragedy to Guernica is lame because boat people chose to get on the boat.
Here is my take or perspective with the hope that Fausto can clarify. The boat people's choice to get on the boat was a choice for a better life. In the sense that they choose to undertake the perilous journey out of desperation at the standard of life in the country that fate chose for them. If it can be described as a choice I would call it a Hobson's choice. For me Fausto's assessment of the boat people's choice is like saying Guernican inhabitants had nothing to complain about and Picasso was making a fuss. After all the citizens chose to live there did they not?
I found this article on the International Herald Tribune which attempts to clarify the clouds and arrives at a reasonable suggestion on tackling the issue. I suggest it as a good read for keeping up to date.
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Not too unrelated to this subject is the ongoing crossposting and commenting with Fausto following Daphne's article on the Lampedusan treatment of boat people. At the end of the day, I still do not understand what point Fausto is defending when he says that comparing the boat people's tragedy to Guernica is lame because boat people chose to get on the boat.
Here is my take or perspective with the hope that Fausto can clarify. The boat people's choice to get on the boat was a choice for a better life. In the sense that they choose to undertake the perilous journey out of desperation at the standard of life in the country that fate chose for them. If it can be described as a choice I would call it a Hobson's choice. For me Fausto's assessment of the boat people's choice is like saying Guernican inhabitants had nothing to complain about and Picasso was making a fuss. After all the citizens chose to live there did they not?
4 commentaires:
I still do not understand what point Fausto is defending when he says that comparing the boat people's tragedy to Guernica is lame because boat people chose to get on the boat.
That's a misrepresentation of what I said. See my post below: it's a question of moral agency. Here's a comparison: German warplanes under instructions from the Nationalist army razed Guernica to the ground (needless misery because -- I repeat -- Guernica was an open city). Can you impose morality on the waves? Under whose instructions is the sea acting when it makes a crossing perilous?
Easy. Blame the sea. Blame the amorality of the sea. Escape from the reality that makes the choice to get onto a boat the ONLY choice. A reality that everyone is part of. The same reality that once allowed the nationalist army to have power to summon German warplanes. Playing helpless and blaming the inanimate will not help!
Btw, the IHT article does say that terrorists are inspired by Islamic ideas.
Hmm I do not think I ever said the contrary. The IHT article points out infact that it is useless denying that terrosits are inspired by islam.
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