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Eric raises excellent points. I'll just add that on top of the question of whether the existing treaties do in fact cover the full waterfront on possible terrorist offenses, the lack of a common definition of terrorism has several other implications. Among them:
First, much of the debate over terrorism still focuses on the groups themselves and their underlying grievances or political objectives, not the actual acts of terrorism - the criminal terrorist offenses - they carry out. As such, the "terrorism v resistance" argument is given weight it does not deserve since the legal issue at hand is not why one carries out a criminal act of terrorism like a suicide bombing but the fact that such an act was carried out at all.
Second, the 1267 committee is only authorized to deal with al Qaeda and the Taliban, so all other groups -- from Hamas and Hezbollah to FARC and ETA to Kach and Kahane Chai -- can only be designated unilaterally by individual countries or by regional bodies like the EU. This too is a factor of the lack of a common definition of terrorism.
Finally, on a somewhat tangential note, the U.N. should re-establish an independent monitoring group not under the thumb of the Security Council, as my colleague Mike Jacobson has argued In January 2004, the United Nations replaced the monitoring group with a team with far less autonomy after some member states complained that its reports were too critical. The monitoring team has done excellent work, and should be given full and free reign to accomplish its important Mission.
Comments
This comment is Re: the Congressional hearing on the fratricidal 'murder' of Pat Tillman, the distruction of physical evidence (burning of Tillman's gloves, clothes, notebook, etc.) without a signing-off by a medical physician when his uniform was cut off and the paddle mark bruises indicate an attempt at recussitation 90 minutes following his head being blown away along with the P4 cover-up of the truth up to the time of the presentation of the Silver Star by the current Administration and the worst part= the comment made to Ms Tillman by a leader of the armed forces after the truth came out about "how do you (Ms Tillman) feel that her son is now worm dirt [for not being a 'born again Christian'])" as if to judgementally deny her son access to "heaven" due to his choice of beliefs tends to point more to the fact of the overall denial and misinterpretation of the Book of Thomas and the true story of the Apocalypse of Jesus the Annointed according to the Vision of Peter (Jesus did NOT "suffer and die" because he was out-of-body the entire time) as that entire Legend is given in the Nag Hammadi.
Therefore nothing like deicide (God's Son "dies" for your sin) and ritualistic canabalism (taking the blood and the flesh of Christ internally) can be deemed a requirement to be born again as a true Christian. Similarly, looking for the common denominator between all religions could only be more Christian than denying the spiritual rights of others since that is the reason this country was founded.
If this country continues to operate in this fashion according to lies and half truths while murdering innocently those who would choose selflessly to protect Her it cannot come to a good ending for our children and their children. History is our proof of this fact.
Thank you for looking toward me for support and Love that is non-dual. Having transcended the emotional plane it is true that the problems of this plane cause the wars and disease in our lives that we witness including the horrors of genocide that have occurred in this past century around the globe. The emotional plane of thought/mind are wracked by what is known as the love/hate duality. Duality exists thoughout that plane and is witnessed throughout our english language quite clearly, i.e.; white/blace, up/down/, in/out, square/round and so forth. The brain at this particular time in the evolution of the lifewave on this planet uses duality, or choices between two extremes in order to gain experience, or in order to evolve through the life experience.
I hold you in the Light of my meditation. Be at peace.
True Love,
Davi
Posted by: Davi Rai at July 29, 2008 2:35 PM
The missing link in what I've read here and has not been dealt with is the further education and mental conditioning of the Islamic youth. Wahabism and other similar extremist teaching methods are preparing future generations of susceptible groups and individuals to consider acts of terrorism as acceptable.
Wahabism is being taught here in the U.S. in Islamic schools (funded by the Saudis)and protected by the First Amendment.
There must be another way of combatting
"terrorism" other than militaristically. Damned if I know what that is.
Posted by: David Perlin at July 29, 2008 3:33 PM
