Can we tame the terror card?

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Do you ever wonder why some of these folks in the Middle East, Idaho, or Chechnya decide to become terrorists?   What makes them consider killing innocent children, women, and men- and losing their own lives?

Oh, I know, we hear from our politicians all the time that these are demonic individuals whose only issue to fight against their “oppressors” who seemingly have outsized forces.  They say they “hate our freedoms-our freedom of religion, our freedom of speech, our freedom to vote and assemble and disagree with each other…With every atrocity, they hope that America grows fearful, retreating from the world and forsaking our friends. They stand against us, because we stand in their way.”   (George Bush, 20 September 2001, Address to Congress).

The National Intelligence Estimate has stated: “Four underlying factors are fueling the spread of the jihadist movement: 1) entrenched grievances, such as corruption, injustice, and fear of Western domination, leading to anger, humiliation, and a sense of powerlessness; 2) the Iraq jihad; 3) the slow pace of real and sustained economic social and political reforms in many Muslim majority nations; and 4) pervasive anti-U.S. sentiment among most Muslims–all of which jihadists exploit.” (September 2006).

To some degree this is similar to the beliefs of the Aryan Gangs.  Our homegrown terrorists are convinced that it’s the Jew, the Black, the Hispanic that is making it impossible for them to have what they consider their God’s kingdom on earth. They think it makes America powerless to help them get ahead. And, they believe that a fictional America, one that never existed (and hopefully never will), needs White Christians to bring about their definition of a promised land.

But, that’s not really the facts.  You see, most terrorists are like most gang members. (I am unwilling to include the Aryan Terrorists in this analysis.) Oh, yes, the young folks want to belong.  They even initially agree with the supposed concepts of their leaders.  But, after some time, they find they are duped- or they have decided that the ends don’t justify the means.  It’s what is behind every one of our police forces’ actions to remove folks from gangs.  It’s a long process, but the police claim success.

It’s also what is behind the efforts of Jared Cohen.  He, who was with the State Department, and now heads up Google Ideas (reported here).  His first big concept was to organize and hold the Summit Against Violent Extremism (SAVE) held in Dublin.  Where former gang members and terrorists met to discuss ideas on how to stop the recruitment of new members.

Ken Ballen wrote a book “Terrorists in Love” that describes these concepts for the rest of us.  He explains how cell leaders exploit personal conditions- family abuse, feelings of helplessness, inability to get a job or education,  each one typical of the feelings of the  dearth of love on earth.   Therefore, it is easy to turn these naïve, hurt individuals to become radicals for God, to find the love they can’t have here in heaven.

We need more folks like Jared – in the World Bank, the InterAmerican Development Bank, and various NGO’s– to tame this terror card!

Roy A. Ackerman, Ph.D., E.A.

 

 

This post was written about three months ago and saved for today, the Seventh Day of Pesach (Passover).  Where one of the special readings for the day is from the second book of Shmuel (Samuel), depicting an older King David being asked to stop going to battle.  Recognizing that he was saved from many dangerous situations, he wrote “Hashem is my rock, my salvation”.   But we know that Hashem generally wants us to work towards our salvation- and helps us along.
The other reading for the day is the splitting of the Red Sea, where winds blew the waters apart, just when the Jews needed it.  I pray this terror card is tamed long before we are neck deep in the waters to then have our  path cleared.

 

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13 thoughts on “Can we tame the terror card?”

  1. Education and love is what I have thought were the keys to undoing all such hate gangs. But I have been called naive. If we look through history it starts with ignorance, this indoctrination into evil thinking. Black people weren’t real people, so it was ok to enslave them. The Jew was de-humanized. And in turn through out history when an extremist group gathers they do the same to whatever their target. I can remember being taught in school that the people in Russia hated me. They said it like they hated me personally, not the concept of our government, we individually. It made no sense to my mind even then (third grade) because I thought if I could imagine a Russian family just like ours trying to get through life, eat, work, and be happy…why would a Russian family not be able to conceive the same of me. It was actually at that moment I began to research and look up different things, learn about a big word called “propaganda” and be able to think more for myself, than allow others to spoon feed me my opinion. I have a lot of thoughts on all this, Roy. Including the belief that it is starting to happen within America on a grander level than our local gangs. I am seeing a movement, and dehumanization happen between people of faith (many kinds) and people who think that people of faith are the lowest form of intelligence on the planet. I think the cure remains the same though, not in loud angry words exchanged between the factions, but in education, understanding, and love. Your post is timely, beautiful, and I hope people listen. Shabbat Shalom, my friend <3

  2. “Terrorists in Love” sounds like an interesting read. I agree that members of gangs and cults are all looking for love and acceptance in the wrong places. Many of these wounded warriors find out when it is too late that the gang leader/religious leader/jihad leader is just using them for their own selfish purposes.
    I think these groups will continue to thrive as long as people refuse to take responsibility for their problems and place the blame on others.
    Janette Fuller recently posted..Book Review: Eat the Rhino; Business Idea to Business Plan in 30 Bites

  3. No comment other than watched a clip of a politician claiming the current president doesn’t support the 2nd Amendment… it’s interesting how people can make claims that are totally untrue — political rhetoric…. something I dislike very much.

    1. I heard that same clip- using the same logic as Minority Report. No, he hasn’t done so yet, in four years, but he knows it will happen…
      Which is exactly the logic cell and gang leaders use- they aver things that others believe even if there is no foundation in fact.
      Great point, Peggy Lee.

    1. Shawn- that’s absolutely true! And, something that business advisors need to help clients realize before one is neck deep. (Assuming the business or individual can’t recognize it by themselves.)

      Roy

  4. I can’t relate to the mindset of these people that turn to gangs or become terrorists. I can’t comprehend nor do I understand the complexity. But what you say here Roy makes a lot of sense with respect that these ‘kids’ want acceptance, to be important and have meaning so they think they are doing something they are suppose to because they know nothing else.

    I’m glad that there is much more discussion about this. Thank you for sharing your thoughts on this.
    Lynn Brown recently posted..One Important Tip On How To Get More Traffic To Your Blog

    1. I am not sure I can relate to the mindset, either, Lynn. But, I have seen this “brainwashing” in action, and recognize that we need to set up systems to protect our youth from its influences.
      It’s a better spend than trying to ferret them out AFTER they’ve been converted and then trying to prevent the completion of their commander’s nefarious goals.

      Roy

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