We Just Need to Understand Them

In his address from the oval office last night, president Bush gently but firmly rebuked those who "think the terrorists would become peaceful if only America would stop provoking them." To people with this viewpoint we just need to try to better understand those who would commit terror.

The president said he has a different assessment. "The terrorists do not merely object to American actions in Iraq and elsewhere -- they object to our deepest values and our way of life. And if we were not fighting them in Iraq, in Afghanistan, in Southeast Asia and in other places, the terrorists would not be peaceful citizens -- they would be on the offense, and headed our way."

Read this story coming out of Thailand and Austraila and decide for yourself which viewpoint is more accurate. To me, this story is more evidence that leaders like John Howard and George W. Bush ARE the ones with the better understanding of those who would commit terror.

Memorial events for the Asian tsunami that killed hundreds of thousands of people could be attacked by terrorists. A warning that the Thai ceremonies may be targeted by extremists has been issued by the Australian government.

So, a memorial service for those reflecting on an event that killed 200,000 people, a vast number of whom were Muslims, is a target for terror. I guess if only I had a better understanding, I could see that is the kind provocation worthy of retribution.