>>>>>> Today, though, governments everywhere thrive on FEAR so it is much more in their interest to over react. Even here, though we have it far less pronounced than in most other countries.
>>>>>
>>>>>Another word for Fear is Terror. Which would make The goverment Terrorists. The thing they are trying to save us from, is the thing they are making us into.
>>>>
>>>>Do you think that's true?
>>>>
>>>>Do you think the government is making us into a society that treats women like animals?
>>>>Do you think the government is taking away our freedom of religion?
>>>>
>>>>That's "them." They hate us because we drink and gamble, and say nice things to women instead of beating and vieling them.
>>>>
>>>>If the government has to be not-so-nice in order to defend our open society from religious nutters, then I think that's OK. I don't think being not-so-nice is equal to becoming an Islamic Jihadist. It's too bad that's the first analysis you make.
>>>
>>>Well, Mike, I think Greg is more right than he is wrong on this.
>>>Saddam was not a "religious nutter" and he was not threatening the U.S. I agree he was a nutcase, but that expands YOUR argument to include just about anyone we might choose.
>>>But the main thing is... what has your government done for "YOU THE PEOPLE" lately (and mine for me)? The answer is clear as a bell - NOTHING.
>>
>>That's your opinion. But even if you're right, does that make them Islamic Jihadists? No, I don't think it does.
>
>Jihadists?...of course not.
>But terrorists are called "terrorists" because they instill fear/terror into people's minds.

They are also called Jihadists because they believe the world should be ruled by Islam.


>Isn't that what President Bush and Prime Minister Blair and Prime Minister Martin and ... doing? They are instilling fear into the citizens and then claiming that only they can keep us safe.

They are using fear to say "we could loose our way of life", hopefully so we support their violence.

The West and the Jihadists have that in common. What is different is that whereas the Jihadists are fighting to preserve a way of life that limits our freedoms, the West is fighting to establish a way of life wherein men and women are equal and self-governed.

In my opinion, the West is right and the Jihadists are wrong.

Of course, I wouldn't expect you to agree. These concepts are pretty difficult