The Profitability of Violence

More details in the article...check it out. Then
we will talk again about violence, the roots
of terrorism et al.

clipped from articles.moneycentral.msn.com While policymakers in Washington wrangle over how much progress we've made in Iraq, one thing is clear: The war on terror is making some people rich. President Bush's military buildup has caused defense-contractor revenue to double, triple and even more during the past five years, and their executives have reaped huge bonuses and stock windfalls as the companies' share prices have jumped. ake a look: CEOs at top defense contractors have reaped annual pay gains of 200% to 688% in the years since the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks. The chief executives at the seven defense contractors whose bosses made the most pocketed nearly a half-billion dollars from 2002 through last year. CEOs at top defense contractors have reaped annual pay gains of 200% to 688% in the years since the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks. The chief executives at the seven defense contractors whose bosses made the most pocketed nearly a half-billion dollars from 2002 through last year.

Nine Eleven

Day before yesterday, 2001, civilians on U.S. soil were targeted, for what purpose? To frighten and demoralize a population. Brutal and without warning, hallmarks of terrorist acts. But the word "terrorist" is troublesome. One person's terrorist is another's patriot, another's warrior or hero.

The targeting of civilians, noncombatants, in times of conflict has increased dramatically in the last hundred plus years: Hiroshima, Nagasaki, Dresden, London, Tokoyo, Leningrad, Ledice........Beyond the numbers of innocent casualties for each, beyond considerations of geography, and culture, these historic events hold in common the tactical and strategic terrorization of civilians for political and military purposes.

Another common feature has to do with the judgements made about each, whether justified or not. Such judgements define loyalties to one party or another. Nothing more. A terroristic act is one that you--the Other--commit, not me. I am justified, you are not.

Bullshit, huh? Soulsickness.......

whooops!!

Attribution: the image of skulls in the prior post is by Rafal Jurkowski.

the nature of evil

Just finished reading The Exception by Christian Jungersen, "...a
gripping dissection of the nature of evil and of the paranoia and
obsessions that drive ordinary people to commit unthinkable
acts." (from the dustcover)

Unthinkable acts by ordinary people. Unthinkable by whom? And who are these "ordinary people?" You and me I guess, the nay-sayers. It is extraordinary (or not?) how one can live a bifurcated life in which said individual can, in one context commit rape, torture, murder yet in another can sincerely denounce such behavior. That word "sincerely" is troublesome, yes? How can one sincerely, honestly affirm such personal beliefs regarding individual human rights and conduct while fully aware of his/her participation in activities wholly contrary to such values?

A hell of a question. One dare not settle for simple answers, nor settle only for judgements that point fingers elsewhere. Such is Jungersen's effort, to be a contributor to this painful dialog.