Replies: 3 comments

There are times I'm tempted to agree with the sentiments of Elle. However, as Berna points out and has been pointed out in a number of articles many, if not all, of these hi-jackers were middle to upper class and well-educated. Most of them probably could have been living very comfortable lives had they chosen (a number have pilot's licenses).

Also, most of the Afghani people who don't support bin laden or the Taliban are extremely poor. So I don't think I buy this argument any more - it isn't supported by the data, it seems.

I believe much of the terrorism is due to nothing more than pure hatred. I do believe it is evil. Now why are they that way? Good question, but I don't think poverty explains it.

Posted by Tom @ 09/22/2001 09:35 PM EST

I totally agree with you Elle. Those people out in Afghanistan, and other regions of the Middle Easy, have great difficulty surviving. Apparently some of them are so poor and hungry that they don't even have the strength to leave their homes and run for their lives. And of course when there's a person who offers these starving youth or kids money and an opportunity to live for something, they willingly go and get their brainswashed.
But it's still hard to believe that most of the hijackers last week had wives and kids. I guess their gratitude and devotion to their "savior" or "leader" was greater... who knows what their thinking?

Posted by Berna @ 09/20/2001 08:37 AM EST

The only way to fight terrorism effectively is to cut off its oxygen. Terrorism thrives where people have nothing to live for. When you have nothing live for, having something to die for becomes very powerful.

Posted by Elle @ 09/19/2001 11:44 PM EST