[GT40FIED]

Rob...you're forgetting that the whole idea of a holy war (jihad) was relatively unknown to these people until WE reintroduced it in Afghanistan during the Soviet invasion in the early 80's. Yes, it's part of their religion, but it had been largely forgotten until we showed up. And really, among any religious fanatics, hate is a symptom. It doesn't matter who they are. There are radical Christians who hate. Radical Jews who hate. Radical muslims who hate. Let's not pretend like this one denomination is any different from the others. There are plenty of moderate muslims who don't pick up weapons and go off to fight. You won't hear about them on the news, but they're out there. Shit...people here kill doctors for performing abortions. Aside from the body count, they're no different than islamic terrorists when it comes down to ideology.

And Chris...I can find a lot of flaws in your statement. First of all, not everyone we're fighting is a religious extremist. Many are simply pissed off that we're there and are fighting back. No single American can say they wouldn't do the same if the tables were turned (just watch the movie Red Dawn). Secondly, to many middle eastern countries control their population by religion. Israel, our best "ally" (sarcasm definitely intended) won't let anyone live there who isn't a jew. Jews can't marry non-jews there. Now tell me that's any more pragmatic than what happens in other countries we've got our eye on. As for preaching, who the fuck are we to even suggest we know what's right? This country's fucked 8 ways from Sunday and we're going to run around telling other countries what to do? And as for suicide bombings being illogical, just because it isn't logical to you doesn't mean a thing. Sure, I find it ridiculous...but I wasn't raised in that culture. A few hundred years ago martyrdom was a heavy prescence in christianity. Some of the more extremist muslims have simply carried on with such a tradition. This is why America shouldn't ever invade any country. We don't understand the first thing about their culture and we don't want to. We define justice by the death toll.