Re: poor folks

--- In metatuning@yahoogroups.com, "X. J. Scott" <xjscott@e...> wrote:
> on 1/3/03 12:50 PM, Afmmjr@a... wrote:
>
> > John, where I disagree with you is that, first the al Queda are in any way
> > "wretchedly poor," and two, that the poor should be so maligned as to suggest
> > they can be turned into killing machines (or that it is to be expected, or
> > even understandable if they did). Even the mentally ill know the difference
> > between being a killing machine and not.
>
> I agree with your point Johnny.
>
> John, are you thinking more of the plight of Palestitian suicide bombers
> where what you are saying seems generally true?
>
> It seems pretty clear that most of the leaders of the terrorists cells and
> architects of the plans of destruction are well-educated, have spent time in
> western countries, and are wealthy or at least relatively well-off compared
> to most people on the world. Some could even be said to have lived a life of
> privledge.
>
> - Jeff

OK, Jeff, I think you have pointed out what our misunderstanding is. I am speaking of the thousands of poor kids educated in anti-Jew, anti-Christian, anti-West madrases. You and Johnny seem to be talking of al Qaeda operatives. We probably have far fewer disagreements regarding the odd psychology of upper middle class Musilims involved in the al Qaeda network. I think Johnny and I may well have a fundamental disagreement on what brainwashing is capable of acheiving, though.

I think it is important to realize that human beings are very flexible creatures, and we can be brought up to believe and act in really bizarre ways.

John Starrett