"Terrorism is the symptom, not the disease". What do you think of that quote by Indian writer Arundhati Roy?

Question

"Terrorism has no country. It's transnational, as global an enterprise as Coke or Pepsi or Nike. At the first sign of trouble, terrorists can pull up stakes and move their 'factories' from country to country in search of a better deal. Just like the multi-nationals."
You can't bomb terrorism out of existence and for every terrorist you kill, another will take his or her place. It requires more than invasions & a giant military to remove terrorism-you must remove the CAUSE of terrorism.

Additional Details

katiegirl; Nice idea, however I haven't done homework since the 1980's (I'm 40), but it's good to know you are so sharp!

eddyj; do you include state terrorism in that rationale? Such as Israel's state terrorism against the civilians of Gaza? Or the (highly illegal) USAF carpet bombing of Cambodia between 1969-1973? Bearing in mind that Cambodia did not have a military, so all targets must have been known to civilian. If you don't include them, please explain why not

Answer 1

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Crime is the symptom, not the disease. That has been the social pathology that has made the criminal the victim. Evil things are done by evil people and that is not likely to change.... ever. The analogy of terrorism with corporate policy does nothing to illuminate the problem of terrorism. You have two choices: fight the terrorist or submit. I choose the former.

Answer 2

I think she is spot on.

The disease in Americas case, is our global military empire. America spends on its defense budget when the next 25 largest countries spend combined. We have 800+ bases in 130 countries. Our CIA has a long history of assassinations and coups. We have in fact created terrorism.

The police state here at home has AIDED the terrorists. In our case, 911 happened because a year earlier, pilots were BANNED from carrying pistols on the planes. The federal govenrment has not allowed private airlines to do what is necessary to secure their passengers (be it allow concealed carry, or hire armed guards on each plane).

*I would like to add that most the 'terrorists' are not religious fundamentalists. Those who ARE, were funded by our CIA to fight the Russians. It took our CIA to create the muslim fundamentalism. The majority of 'terrorists' (when not stray american missiles), are people who have had their lives destroyed by our empire.

*It has been clear since 911...It was BECAUSE of our empire in the middle east. Stated in clear English, by even the enemy, it is the foreign military empire on their land.

If China had a empire expanded into america, would we not oppose them? Who would be such a coward NOT to?

Answer 3

Very wise and true. Unfortunately, we don't typically deal with the causes of any issue....which is why we will always be fighting the war on slogans....poverty, drugs, terrorism, etc.

Answer 4

No, terrorist are finally shrinking in size, they are losing, even most Iranians want peace but are stuck with loon Ahamadinajad and his stealing elections. The terrorists are the disease I think... they are brainwashed beyond help so it is a incurable disease. Robots would be a better word for them.
Christianity is growing all over the world- especially in China! Its growing in African parts and in India and even Iraq!

Answer 5

Timmy, it will never end.

Americans don't want to hear that they are responsible for terrorism. They prefer to stick their fingers in their ears and yell "La la la I can't hear you".

They will do so forever and terrorism will get worse as they try harder and harder to bomb them out of existence. Until there are constant terror attacks. The amount of terror attacks has already greatly increased as the US has increased bombings, there are attacks almost every few weeks now it seems, but it will likely get a lot worse.

Answer 6

the disease is Washington and the symptoms of that disease is the terrorists attacking us. we need to get rid of Washington, the root of the problem before we can get rid of the terrorists, the result of the root problem.

Answer 7

I think I would be doing Timmy's homework. Right, Timmy? lol :p

Answer 8

Your quote is obvious. The reason to defeat a country, or their ideology is not the same, yet is the same. Ideology is the problem and hence the same. "I don't agree with you, I oppose you". "My God tells me to think this way, your God is wrong". All I know is that I love everyone and try my best not to judge, yet I do.

Answer 9

The writer is incorrect. Terrorism is the disease that must be destroyed no matter where it is in the body(world). The symptoms are poverty, religious fanaticism, lack of education, desire to be part of something big, etc. When your ill do you treat the symptoms only or do you try and wipe out the disease.

Look at bombs as the antibiotics that kill the disease. After the disease has been destroyed you can do preventative care and treat the body(world) before symptoms begin to appear.

Some people's lack of an education is astounding. The USAF did not bomb Cambodia's civilian population alone. Why would they? They did bomb NVA supply routes and weapons depots that were inside of Cambodia and yes sadly civilians die as they do in all wars. Israel was fighting a battle Hamas caused. Again civilians died. There is a difference between those that die in battle and those that die in planes flown into buildings or other acts of real terrorism against civilians.
A see this is becoming less of a legit question and more of a rant about how evil the US and Israel are.

Daveyboy: Malaria is a real disease that affects Africa and Asia. It no longer exists in the west. We have so few terrorists in the west because we have managed to wipe out the disease that is terrorism by controlling the symptoms. The west does not have large amounts of poverty, our population is educated, our religious fanaticism is minor compared to the Mideast, Africa, and parts of Asia, and our population has much more to do than join terrorist groups as a way out.

Davey you completely missed my point about malaria, you sir fail. I did not say we wiped out terrorism in the west completely. I did say that we wiped out the symptoms. I will put our literacy rate against any terrorist supporting country. Our poverty level is non existent compared to real poverty. People living in "poverty" in the US have cell phones, Ipods, cars, shelter, indoor plumbing, etc. They are rich compared to those in countries with real poverty and they have means to get support through government and private charities. You fail again. Religion? Please. Our religious fanatics are as about as dangerous as a feather. We might have one or two instances of a truly religious person causing harm in the name of their religion. That pales to the hundreds, if not thousands, of terrorist attacks committed by another religion a year. You've never been to the US have you? Reality....again total failure.
As far as you insulting Americans, it doesn't bother me. It only confirms the ignorance I feel many have about America. You see in America when there is a problem we try to fix it. In terrorist nations they either ignore it and hopes it doesn't bother them or worse they actively promote it. Insulting my nation...failure.
"What you're saying is that there is some fault in the mental capabilities of all Terrorists, something like bi-polar disorder I suppose, give them a few pills and I'm sure they'll forget all about it. LOL"!
I am glad you got a good laugh about that. What I actually said was to wipe out all terrorists(the diease) then treat the people who may wish to become terrorist. Not with a pill, as that is just idiotic but, with my suggestions above. Can we cure everyone? No. But we can put a huge dent in the terrorist's recruiting ability.

All argument aside. I see exactly where you are coming from. You are clearly anti-American and believe we can do no good. History and common sense? Sorry but you fail.

Answer 10

I agree. I think the war on terror is very similar to the war on drugs that America clearly lost. If Americans knew the causes behind Terrorism, the way their government has behaved in the middle East, then they'd disagree with their governments actions. Much like they did after realising that the government was lying to them about the dangers of most illegal drugs.

Now you'd expect them to have learnt from that experience. But they are yanks, they learn the hard way, or not at all.

Sometimes I wish terrorism would become more organized, and start aiming their attacks at Western leaders. Then I remember that I shouldn't wish death on anyone, so the moment passes. Still, one life to save many does have it's appeal. If you have to make a choice I mean...

prusa123... - Communication is always the most rational choice. You've been blinded by the catch cry "America does not negotiate with Terrorists". It's a real shame, because apart from your conclusion, you've got it all worked out.

To everyone who said Terrorism is a disease - Why then do we have so few terrorists in the West? Is there something wrong with the water in the middle East or what?

I'll agree that terrorists are dis-eased. But it's not just a case of people losing their minds. They do actually have reason to be angry.

Eddy - Malaria is a problem in third world countries, most Muslim countries aren't third world countries. Analogy fail.

Also we have not wiped out terrorism in the west. Australian citizens were arrested for terrorism only a couple of months ago. Knowledge of current affairs, fail.

It's attitudes like yours that give terrorists reason to be angry. for example.

"The west does not have large amounts of poverty, our population is educated, our religious fanaticism is minor compared to the mideast, africa, and parts of Asia, and our population has much more to do than join terrorist groups as a way out."

Wow, humility on honesty fail. You live in that US, right? LOL!
Poverty, lack of education and religious fanaticism are all huge problems in your country. Probably worse than some Muslim countries.

Exactly how many Muslim countries have you been to by the way? I'd guess none. If that's true, then you might want to stop ASSuming you know what happens there, it gets on the locals nerves you see. Just like when I say that ALL Americans are heartless, idiotic, oxygen thieving, sub-human, consumers. Does that make you feel good? :) Well, it's the same when you comment on Muslim countries.

What you're saying is that there is some fault in the mental capabilities of all Terrorists, something like bi-polar disorder I suppose, give them a few pills and I'm sure they'll forget all about it. LOL!

What causes it then? I know you're suggesting a mental fault, but why so many people in the same area with the same problem while other countries have smaller 'outbreaks'. Is it just baceuse they have nothing to do? So any human who is bored will become a terrorist?

If you can answer that without making any reference to US sanctioned terrorism, you have real talent, and should quickly become a politician ;D

Answer 11

That is absolutely spot on. Too bad the people who are initiating the response don't see it that way, its just like lets fight fire with fire and see what happens. =)