[MD] sq social - sq intellectual

[Gene M]

> Thanks for the examples, Gene. Would you say radical Islamists are
> counter-
> cultural and an example of "DQ a'knocking on society's door?" In other
> words,
> do you consider all challenges to the status quo to be desirable? If not,
> how
> would you suggest we tell the difference. Thanks.
>
> Platt


Radical Islam is not something I can comment on well, being outside my
culture and personal experience. However. It seems likely it is a counter
culture, but not one of ours. The thing to remember is that Islam has it's
Own culture, and maybe this particular counter-culture will be a driving
force that causes Islam to expunge all apsects of itself related to
extremism. Unless we as a culture re-inforce in them the Need for such a
behaviour, in which case it risks being absorbed and assimilated by the
Culture. If we want terrorists to go away, we need to convince everyone else
that they're on the wrong track. Opposing them with force only strengthens
their local support all over the world.

Force vs. Force leads us nowhere at all. Force must be absorbed and
re-directed, channeled. Only then is victory likely. If we showed the world
how wrong the terrorists were, and how Good we are, then they would likely
push extremism aside.

Bombing civilians and imposing our imperialistic will around the world is
Not a good way to show how Good we are and unnecesarry they are, sadly.

-Gene