I too sympathise with the english people. Nobody should have to expierience what those some 752 people did. However I must say that perhaps this should be an opportunity for Prime Minister Blair to think about some of his policies in Iraq and how he may be putting his own people at more risk by defending U.S. policy to the extent that he does. I think it is also important that we not ignore the root causes of terrorism which is a reaction to sociol and economic inequalities not evil finaticism. Commen sense must tell us that people despite how extreme they may seem, do things out of reasons. England has a long history of exploitation and mistreatment of the muslim people in the middle east and as Amnesty International as documented, we are systematically torturing prisoners in Iraq and in the U.S. This does not paint the U.S. in a positive light. It is also important to acknowledge the importance of oil, its relationship to China and what we are doing to make sure we remain in control of it. Examining this will shed much light on the violence we are being dealt.

You got yourself a real slippery slope there fella, when you want to "understand" or "shed light" on terrorism. That's equivalent to justifying terrorism. And there ain't no justification for terrorism.

If being viewed "in a positive light" is a criteria for preventing terrorism, then you could say that 70% of today's teenagers might decide to blow up or behead their parents. Heck, my kids don't view me in a positive light when I say "no", make them do their chores (would you call that exploitation?) or give them an early curfew.

Gordon I appreciate your opinion, however I don't believe you or I can judge what life is like for people living in places effected by imperialism. Effected by an unequal global economic playing field. Terrorism is a product of imperialism and exploitation. There is no arguing America and the UK's history of abuses in the middle east. From the Iran Contras, to our support of Saudi Arabian human rights violating administrations, to the invasion of Iraq for control over oil in order to manage a growing China. When you take the facts into account you will find desperate, poor, exploited people, some of whom are fighting back in the only way they believe they can. This does not justify it, it explains it. Al Qaida is a multi billion dollar many thousand strong politicol organization that uses violence as its means for politicol change. We've killed millions of innocent people all over Iraq for politcol change, for the benefit of a wealthy minority. If we start treating the world with respect and equality, we will defeat terrorism.

Zach, you have so poor an understanding of the Middle East, it's nearly painful to read your posts. No one exploits the Middle East like the Middle East. Terrorism is not done out of reason, it's fascist, destructive evil. You really should read books written by Middle Easterners who are honest about the situation over there. It's absolutely nothing like anything you've ever posted. If you want resources, I've got them. Including people who are from Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Egypt, and other Islamic nations in Africa as well. I'd be happy to set up interviews for you.

Emily,

Really? Please set those interviews up I'd love to talk to them.

-z

Not a problem. I want you to first start by reading the book Princess: A True Story of Life Behind the Veil in Saudi Arabia. You could also read Not Without My Daughter as well. Those will get you somewhat introduced to the Middle Eastern culture, especially where women and foreigners are concerned. I don't want to introduce you to my friends without you having some idea of how their culture works.

Vanity Fair's columnist Christopher Hitchens outlines the "grievances" of the jihadis (sorry, but imperialism and exploitation didn't make the list). I quote:
1. Grievance of seeing unveiled women.
2. Grievance of the existence of Jews.
3. Grievance of the heresy of democracy, which impedes the imposition of sharia law.
4. Grievance of a work of fiction written by an Indian living in London.
5. Grievance of the existence of black African Muslim farmers, who won't abandon lands in Darfur.
6. Grievance of music, and of most representational art.
7. Grievance of the existence of Hinduism.
8. Grievance of East Timor's liberation from Indonesian rule.

"All of the above have been claimed by the terrorists as license to kill infidels or apostates, or anyone who gets in the way."

Hitchens forgot to mention the jihadi's grievance of the existence of Christians, whose Holy Bible the jihadi's never miss an opportunity to revile or destroy.

Zach,
I wasn't being insulting. You do need to read more about the Middle East.

You can tell people you minored in whatever and majored in whomever, but you never finished college. Pretentiousness isn't a trait I am fond of on this site. Be honest.

I'm tired of your ill-informed rants and your lack of interest in the truth or any evidence whatsoever that is counter to your beliefs. You really need to behave better on here or your posts will be continually deleted.

Yes, THIS is a tyranny. So sue me.