Gerhard,Believe me, I understand the instinctual need for retribution. The instinctual need to strike back at a group, even if they aren't the exact same people who committed the act of initial violence, for revenge/vengeance. Wanting to harm people who believe the same thing as the others who committed the violence, just because they aren't in "your" group. It is called the Mob-Mentality. I am not someone who lives in a bubble. I used to be angered at entire groups of people for acts of the few extremists on their side. At some point it is realized that thinking like that serves no long term benefit. I am not naive or ignorant of certain group's malice/violence towards people like myself. However, knowing that, "Striking back" for violence of one group is always the action of someone who lacks/doesn't use critical thinking skills, and uses emotion only in regards to the situation. An intelligent approach where preventative actions(such as the ones I outlined about infiltrating the groups and bringing light to the local authorities before the group can act out) is always going to have longer lasting affects in society. "Eye for an eye" is the intellectually cheap way of approaching acts of violence. IMO of course. Levels of hate vary person to person, and some people's instincts are stronger than their higher mind, even if they know better. Sure, there are times violence must be used, but as far as terrorism goes, retributive action only emboldens their hatred. Which, in turn, emboldens yours. Edit:I should add, I really do wish you didn't have to live in an area where retributive violence was at the heart of many people. That makes it really hard to observe the problem objectively. My condolences for that.
(…)And, whatever you do, don't pay too close attention to the news media. Gone are the days in which they just reported facts, if indeed they ever did. Don't fall into the trap that white people are all racist, black people are all criminals, all Muslims are terrorists etc. Look into your neighbor's eyes, shake his/her hand and work together to make things better, regardless of how funny their accent may be.And some day, when Multitool Island becomes a reality, everyone willing to smile at adversity and stand together against it will be more than welcome to stand next to me.Def
Je suis Utrecht
Apologies, I expressed myself badly, I did not mean to insinuate that you are naive.What I meant was, sadly, I don't think this vicious cycle will easily be broken I have been a caged animal kind of angry for going on six months straight, and the only good thing I can say about that is anger is better than depression. My anger is aimed at the injustice and corruption in this world, and well as the micro and macro causes thereof, religion and politics top that list. Here we lube pivots, can't solve the world's problems.
No apologies necessary everyone- this is a difficult topic to deal with, and we weren't even involved. I can't imagine what those people who were there are dealing with.Def
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