Deepak Chopra: The War On Terror Makes Moderates Into Extremists
Chopra says the war on terror and the attack on Iraq has added fuel to this fire.
Chopra: What we have seen in Mumbai has been brewing for a long time, and the war on terrorism and the attack on Iraq compounded the situation. What we call “collateral damage” and going after the wrong people actually turns moderates into extremists, and that inflammation then gets organized and appears as this disaster in Bombay. Now the worst thing that could happen is there’s a backlash on the Muslims from the fundamental Hindus in India, which then will perpetuate the problem. Inflammation will create more inflammation.
CNN: Let me jump in on that because you’re presuming something very important, which is that it’s Muslims who have carried out these attacks and, in some cases, with Washington in their sights.
Chopra: Ultimately the message is always toward Washington because it’s also the perception that Washington, in their way, directly or indirectly funds both sides of the war on terror. They fund our side, then our petrol dollars going to Saudi Arabia through Pakistan and ultimately these terrorist groups, which are very organized…
“The War On Terror Makes Moderates Into Extremists.”
And the proof is in what happened to Americans after 9/11. What? Saddam’s planning something? We can’t wait for proof! Get in there and kick his butt!
The Taliban won’t hand over bin Laden? Nuke’em!!!
And just about everybody went right along with the fever for war war war!! And never mind who we’re blasting as long as we’re killing lots of people and bombing stuff into rubble.
[Yes, obviously, we didn't nuke anybody. At least as far as I know.]
November 28th, 2008 at 11:54 pm
what ever happend to the rule ….you cant hide a terrorist in your country ? does mr. chopra have an answer to this ?? or are we to just sit like 2nd grade kinds and be lectured by deepak THE KNOW IT ALL ?
November 29th, 2008 at 12:07 am
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VOjmfDTxxn0
November 29th, 2008 at 12:21 am
When you have people saying degrading remarks about your faith and people,how will you feel?
November 29th, 2008 at 12:03 pm
socialism = higher national debt:
And we see how well a “pre-emptive strike” went in Iraq. Maybe Russia is hiding terrorists. Should we bomb them? How about Mexico? South America?
And by the way, maybe you should talk to Bush about socialism. It seems only the extremely rich and powerful banks are granted it.
November 29th, 2008 at 3:42 pm
The “War On Terror” will eclipse on January 20th. It was a sabre rattling posture of an 18th century mentality that believed that military might would be the best assault on terrorism. It is as outmoded as donkey basketball.
We need a smarter approach than the most incompetent administration of the last 100 years. I believe our new president has a far better approach that will only get better as we repair the damage of the last eight years.
November 29th, 2008 at 7:46 pm
Yeah, Yeah. let’s blame the war on terror for everything. Just forget that this crap has been going on since the beginning of time. LONG before America was America, LONG before Bush.
Go find someone else to blame.
November 29th, 2008 at 8:49 pm
In my opinion, we tried it the other way.
During the 90’s, we held back on massive retaliation over terrorism. (1993 WT Tower attack, Mogadishu, the US Embassies, USS Cole, etc)
This way didn’t seem to stop terrorist attacks on Americans and the attacks grew in size and strength.
Since we have taken the offensive posture, we have not had attacks on that scale.
A moderate Muslim once told me that Radical Islam only understands one thing- “force.” Maybe he was correct?
As far as supporting “both sides” of a conflict, that makes no sense. We buy oil. So does every other country in the world.
America is one of the only countries that are brave enough to take a (very) vocal stand on “right and wrong.” We will speak out about who is doing wrong. Many other nations try to play the politically correct “middle of the road” approach which is much more confusing.
November 30th, 2008 at 12:15 am
Terrorism isn’t a movement, it is a tactic used by people who have frustrations with matters they believe they cannot control. They believe that people don’t listen, care, or will act on their behalf.
There is no “War On Terror” since that is an oxymoron….war is terror…and terrorism…just sanctioned by the winner as “right”.
November 30th, 2008 at 1:07 am
I couldn’t agree with Deepak more. If international terror had been treated as international criminal operations, and the western world had done more to work with Muslim countries against terror, and the root causes of it… then much of the horror of the last 7 years may have been avoided.
Until the peoples of the Earth engage with each other with respect and understanding (and yes, it is a two way thing), and the ‘war on terror’ is replaced by cooperative international policing (including the security forces of Muslim countries), the gulf between the West and the East will continue to grow.
The other ‘elephant in the room’ is the fact that the West continues to live at a higher standard of living compared with much of the East (just look at any infant mortality, health or wealth measures), and the West needs to more fully acknowledge this and work with the East on appropriate responses (not just ignore the problem because there is no oil involved or their values are not Christian!).
I suggest that we in the West start to more fully engage with the East, and a good start would be for ordinary citizens know what is happening in the rest of the world… every home should have a well worn atlas, and all children should be encouraged to get to know and respect their international neighbors (it’s two way, of course).
The use of military terms such as “war on terror” and the sole reliance on military strategy and tactics can NEVER win world peace… we need more diplomacy and understanding than weapons. Most of the Muslim world is notionally with us… but we must retain and further develop their respect and support (won through cooperation and shared interest); only then will terrorist groups will be marginalized and criminalized.
November 30th, 2008 at 3:23 am
When you have people saying degrading remarks about your faith and people,how will you feel?
Posted by steve
November 29th, 2008 at 12:03 pm
Like Republican
November 30th, 2008 at 12:18 pm
Bry….if republican is your faith…you are in big trouble…political religion went out when sane people separated church and state.
Downunder makes some great points. I have come to believe that world peace and environmental survival begins with the individual…inside.
Thanks, Down….good stuff. I will re read it again later to help it “sink in”.
November 30th, 2008 at 12:26 pm
I was just answering Steve’s question Robert—I have been attacked here for my religious beliefs but more for my conservative beliefs—even by you a few times I believe.
The bigger question is how does this country combat a deep rooted belief that says we have to be wiped off the face of the earth?Any suggestions?
November 30th, 2008 at 1:05 pm
We don’t have to be wiped off the face of the earth. We must discover with accuracy which deluded souls organized this criminal behavior and bring them to justice and proper public condemnation and punishment. We can’t just go after “others” because they share nationality or religion with the criminals any more than we go after all Italians because of the mafia. Yest, strong measures taken against those who can be proven to be guilty are indicated. Lowering orselves to criminal levels is not ok.
November 30th, 2008 at 9:25 pm
It amaze me the lack of knowledge but God did say
my people die because of lack of knowledge, and
what is he a Dr. Chopkra, wisdom is justified by
Gods’ children, and the truth is this, God began
the story of life and He will be the finisher at
the end of this age of lies, lust, no good role models
for the (lost) Youth of this Nation.
This is a Holy War, for God is bringing all the plans
of the evil in the open all over the world,
Woe to those who think they know everything that
God is doing and blaming everything on America, Grow
up, and stifle yourselves, God doesn’t care about
Atheists, or our opinions. He care about our souls and
our eternal life. There is a choice. He doesn’t know Jesus, Dr. Chopkra, their is no 3rd. He is always First.
Jesus, His Name ABOVE ALL NAMES
His Reign is above all other rulers
His Lordship is above all other authorities
His words are above All other voices
His Truth is Above all other opinions
His Love is Above all other affection.
He is Everything to Me. Dayspring Love,
A child of God.
December 2nd, 2008 at 1:00 pm
but God did say my people die because of lack of knowledge
Cancer and car wrecks contribute to people dying too.
December 2nd, 2008 at 1:15 pm
Yipes….Ginger…..I’m so glad someone has come here to spew that garbage….thanks…for a while I thought only sane people came here without a water pale full of crap to toss up for others to wonder at……thanks!
All that stuff is meaningless because your dogma is so pronounced.
Long live the freedom of thought…..and yours…..whenever you chose to think for yourself.
December 2nd, 2008 at 1:31 pm
Yet again, theological masturbation serves to repel, rather than recruit.
December 2nd, 2008 at 1:40 pm
Good thoughts by Terry, Mr. Blair always has a quick witted response to the fundalmentalist. Have I seen you on richard dawkins site? good stuff. Sarah their recruitment is in the decline and my only guess is that people think for themselves now more than ever. Instead of being led around by a Priest, Preacher, Mullah or whomever gets up on a soapbox. Free thought is a good thing.
December 2nd, 2008 at 2:40 pm
[...] Deepak Chopra (or, as Elisabeth Hasselbeck calls him, “Glitter Glasses Whatsisface”) has been outspoken about getting to the root causes of terror, on the heels of the tragedy in Mumbai. In a fit of [...]
December 3rd, 2008 at 7:43 pm
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December 5th, 2008 at 9:45 am