Tuesday, 12 July 2011

Today's World is a Most Dangerous Place

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There is no denying the fact that today's world is not doctrinaire, astute and cultured, rather it is full of hazards and alarming. Still nowadays, unconstrained social evils are widespread in the world. Not only in our country, but also in many parts of the world, sleaze, violence, dowry system, traffic congestion, pollutions and high rate of population survive terrifically. In earlier times, the people were peaceful in the sense that they did not know how to use weapons to mess up others. In modern world, the use of atomic energy has been impishly enhancing for which the safe and sound continued subsistence for humans are being meticulous day by day. If we look around the world, we will watch that the numbers of wars are increasing day by day for which the war against terrorism is a burning question right now. The history says, by a mammoth invasion of the terrorists, the world largest business centre situated in America has been crushed. It is a matter of great regret that the super power countries like USA, Germany, France, Russia and Great Britain failed to retaliate such attacks.
It is imperative to note that in Hiroshima and Nagashika of Japan during First World War, atom bomb had been unnerved on the soil of Japan, the first sun rising country. The end product of such atom bomb was so fatal that even today; such venomous influences are all-encompassing in the world on a large scale. Modern world is the world of threat, perils and painful and as such, the war of Vietnam was dangerous that unlimited people had been killed. The war of Iraq is most disparaging and scandalous because each and every day due to terror campaign attack, uncounted people are being killed irrespective of high or low. The peace loving forces are trying to control the country relating to law and order situation, but it is becoming difficult to control the country on the part of the alliance forces against the rebel forces. The rebel forces think that hey are fighting against the occupancy of foreign foes and according to them, they will fight till date until or unless Iraq is liberated. From the consequences of such war, we can decide that all wars cannot bring good harvest rather than the people of the world who do not find any ways to live with peace, society, friendship and love. In the midst of many arguments and debates, it seems that today's world is full of perils and dangerous place.
Due to the fact that corruption exists immensely for which we can articulate that where there is no accountability, there lies corruption and it occurs in case of dealing money in exchange of anything. In my opinion, it is the sum of total resources expressed in terms of current monetary units and the discretion power which is the authority and empowerment to spend and minus accountability. Moreover, Smoking emerge due to delay in healing of stomach ulcers; it trims down the senses of smell and taste; slows down reflexes which causes smokers more prone to accidents; and gives an unpleasant smell from the breath, clothes, and homes of smokers. Very current survey illustrates that smokers endanger the health of non-smokers. Pregnant women smokers tend to have smaller babies than non-smokers, and their babies are more likely to be born dead or die a few days after birth. Besides such tremendously adverse affects, the children of smoking parents have more lung infections in the first years of life than the children of non-smokers. During one hour in a smoky room, a non-smoker can inhale as much cancer-causing substances as some one smoking 15 filter-tip cigarettes. Illness related to smoking is very expensive. In U.K., France, Germany, China and USA, it results in the loss of about 60 millions working days a year, treatment costs several hundreds thousands dollar a day, and it causes the death of over a million people a week. However, those who give up smoking greatly reduce their chances of developing diseases.
There is no denying the fact that the profligate limits of social life in our country envisage the identity as a great threadbare for overall affluence and fiscal accuracy in our country. It is certitude that the sociable evils like teen labor, acid sadism, dowry system, strangling maids, raping, indoor pollutions; corruption and drug addiction are mammoth constraints as mixed with our blood and bone. Drug craving and Alcoholism are the causes of social disorder for which a society remains congested from all sorts of progression. In case of personage prospect, drug obsession is atrocious work, which mingles many other fatalities like cancer, coronary, and phthisis. Drug addict is such phenomena with which a person fails to accomplish his bright lot, being laden with superstitious and mentally being disrobed, he becomes then unable to get rid of such bottleneck. Drug addiction is not only bad habits but also an evil force that spoils the men's life. There is no suspicion that the young people are found more to be captivated as compared to other evil forces that tremendously affect people to go astray and miscarriage. They are somehow subjective to take drugs like heroine, chorus, phencidel, wine cigarettes, alcohol and many other addicted materials very harmful for health and hygiene. When a person somehow leaves hope of life, in due course he thinks that drug addiction is only the way for which he can survive on earth and as such in the next course, he takes drugs after drugs and become addicted. When in one time, he becomes obsessive; he cannot give up those addictions because he remains in the state of hallucinations and emotionally distortions. Hence Alcoholics do not drink simply for pleasure, but because they presume that they cannot face life's problems ingrained in blood and bone without alcohol. It is a significant fact that more road mishap results from unwieldy ingestion than from any other cause. This is due to the fact that alcohol slows down reflexes, interferes with concentration and distance judgment, and increases recklessness. It is a fact that heavy drinking can cause cancer of the mouth, gullet, stomach, and liver. It upsets the digestion and reduces blood cell formation, causing anemia.
Suffice it to say that alcohol causes shrinkage of the brain, reducing the powers of abstract reasoning, and it destroys liver cells causing this organ to store abnormally large amounts of fat. In severe cases, alcoholics suffer numbness and paralysis of the limbs. Some alcoholics suffer a disorder known as delirium tremens when forced to stop drinking and besides this, vomiting occurs and the whole body begins to shake and in due course, it is followed by hideous and often ghastly visions. A drug can be defined as a chemical material that affects the mind and only the so-called hard drugs are irresistible. These include the opiates: opium, morphine, and heroine. A drug addict comes to depend upon a drug so that life is no longer bearable without it. Addiction occurs because, like alcohol, more and more of the drug is required to produce its desired effects. Furthermore, if the drug supply is out of the blue cut off an addict suffers withdrawal symptoms and these can be drastically lethal. That is to say, they become dependant upon alcohol without realizing it and as such for the first time, pleasing effects are produced by one or two drinks, but soon larger and larger amounts are needed to yield these effects, until self control is unduly irrevocable. Morphine, heroine, and other drugs that are often injected involve the risk of infection from dirt hypodermic needles.
Suffice it to say; in most places of the world, without corruption and malpractices, nothing is possible to be performed. Due to lack of honesty, sincerity and simplicity, the world has become unsuitable for living. Terrorism is another threat against healthy life in society. We need to be dedicated to work sincerely and painstakingly to eliminate such hurdles. Besides this, price hike is a great bottleneck against peaceful survival on earth because; the prices of all sorts of commodities are beyond the buying capacity of the people. In Bangladesh, floods, draught, cyclone, earthquake and epidemic diseases are the common visitors to the people of this beautiful land with ever green beauties of nature. The people living beside the sea shore always face misfortunes of water surge and thus they are being victimized almost every year; even if, in a year, they may be infected with such misfortunes. Besides sides, due to smoking and addictions of drugs, unlimited problems are being created every times for which the whole nation wants to get rid of from such hurdles. There exists a remarkable extent of evidences that a variety of awful diseases emerge often in smokers than non-smokers and these diseases are: Lung cancer; emphysema causing thinning and weakening of lung tissue; cancer of the mouth, throat, larynx, gullet, bladder, and pancreas; coronary thrombosis causing snarl-up of arteries to the heart; angina pectorals causing pain due to contraction of arteries to the heart; and chronic bronchitis with phlegm.
In view of the above it is significant that it is worth mentioning that the present world is the most dangerous place as it is full of hatred, jealousy, slothful, vindictiveness and competition of ill money which never support the features of a healthy society. Hence it is obvious that smoking has been unenthusiastic every times and as such, even in general advertisement to sell their product, the work of publication of product's brand name and packaging system to indicate the quality of the product has been banned. Not only smoking, every kind of evils need to be banished from this world to present the modern age a healthy society bedded on trustworthy, love, friendship and responsibility to serve the humanity in this hereinafter virtually.
Kh. Atiar Rahman is a distinguished author and a poet. He has many publication in national and international media.
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Islam 101 - Does Islam Promote Terrorism?

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Islam has become a household word in the west today, yet not much is known about the beliefs of this great monotheistic world religion. In fact, it is the most misunderstood and often slandered religion in the world today. Unfortunately, the ones who bear the most responsibility for this sad state are the Muslims themselves, or at least people claiming to do things in the name of Islam which may or may not be "Islamic." Let's all do our part to speak up for Islam and not let these few people with their own political agendas continue to spread a false image of Muslims and Islam.
I think that the most compelling evidence for the truth of what Islam teaches is not going to be what this or that scholar says, but what the Qur'an and Hadith say regarding terrorism and war. The Qur'an is the primary source for Islam, it is the literal word of God as revealed to the prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and has never had a single letter of the original Arabic script changed. The Hadith are the words of the prophet (PBUH) who is a human being. His words are inspired by God but the choices of words are his own. The hadith are the secondary source for Islam.
So, let's look at the definition of terrorism: The unlawful use or threatened use of force or violence by a person or an organized group against people or property with the intention of intimidating or coercing societies or governments, often for ideological or political reasons. I think it's important to note that terrorism is a heinous crime that has permeated our societies since the beginning of time. It is in no way an Islamic phenomenon although it is portrayed as such by the media today.
The people and property that terrorists target are almost always civilian. What does Islam say in regards to attacking civilians and their property? First, let's look at a beautiful verse from the Qur'an, [Qur'an 5:32] "...anyone who murders any person who had not committed murder or horrendous crimes, it shall be as if he murdered all the people. And anyone who spares a life, it shall be as if he spared the lives of all the people. ..." Definitely the civilians who are randomly targeted by terrorists are killed unjustly according to the Qur'an itself. And, as for these terrorists who target innocent civilians, it's as if they are killing all of humanity, and they will have to answer to God for that on the Day of Judgment.
The Qur'an teaches that life is sacred; it states this in many passages in both direct and indirect ways. Life is a gift from God that only He can give and take. I will only quote one such verse due to the limitations of this short article. [Qur'an 6:151] "....You shall not kill - God has made life sacred - except in the course of justice. These are His commandments to you, that you may understand."
In fact, we find that the Qur'an is quite explicit that we should be peaceful with those who are peaceful with us. [Quran 8:61] "If they resort to peace, so shall you, and put your trust in God. He is the Hearer, the Omniscient." And again, [Qur'an 4:90] ".... Therefore, if they leave you alone, refrain from fighting you, and offer you peace, then God gives you no excuse to fight them." So, we can plainly see from these texts that it is not permissible for an individual to unilaterally decide to attack innocent civilians who pose no threat to themselves, their families or their property.
Islam is a comprehensive religion that covers all aspects of human life, including war. However, there are very strict rules of warfare and distinct lines drawn between combatants and civilians. The prophet (PBUH) is recorded as saying, "Do not kill any old person, any child or any woman" (Abu Dawud). "Do not kill the monks in monasteries" or "Do not kill the people who are sitting in places of worship" (Musnad of Ibn Hanbal).
Furthermore, the first caliph Abu Bakr was the prophet's closest friend and staunchest supporter. He gave the following advice to the leader of an army unit that was heading to Syria, and his advice was based on his knowledge of what the prophet (PBUH) taught: "Stop, O people, that I may give you ten rules for your guidance in the battlefield. Do not commit treachery or deviate from the right path. You must not mutilate dead bodies. Neither kill a child, nor a woman, nor an aged man. Bring no harm to the trees, nor burn them with fire, especially those which are fruitful. Slay not any of the enemy's flock, save for your food. You are likely to pass by people who have devoted their lives to monastic services; leave them alone."
Not only are Muslims clearly instructed not to harm any innocent individuals, we are also clearly instructed not to harm the infrastructure and economy of any land. Clearly this is in stark contrast to the acts of the terrorists who purposely target the civilians and the economics of a country.
The last point that I would like to make is that Islam is clearly against suicide and hence suicide bombing. There are some Muslim scholars who use the example of battles where the army vowed to fight to their death as evidence that suicide bombings are allowed. However, that is a highly debatable point and I personally feel that we should look to the Qur'an for the answer rather than individual's decrees. So, let's see what the Qur'an has to say about suicide. [Qur'an 4:29-31] O you who believe! Do not eat up your wealth in vanities among yourselves. But let there be among yourselves trade conducted in mutual good will. Nor kill or destroy yourselves, for God has been most merciful to you. If any do that in rancor and injustice, soon shall we cast them into the fire, and that is easy for God. If you but avoid the most heinous of the things which are forbidden to do, we shall expel out of you all the evil in you and admit you to a gate of great honor.
So, when we look at the Qur'an and Hadith we see that terrorism is clearly forbidden in Islam. People who hijack airplanes and crash them into buildings are not martyrs in Islam, they are people who are hijacking our religion and killing many innocent people. That is not the way of Islam; Islam is fair and protects the lives and properties of innocent people. Just because somebody does something in the name of Islam doesn't mean that the person is a Muslim or the act is Islamic. Please read the Qur'an so that you can find the truth for yourself. For a free copy of the Qur'an contact [http://www.freequran.org] and order one today!
Laura Cosse' converted to Islam in 1996. She is the author of several Islamic children's books and currently resides in Virginia Beach, VA with her husband and twin sons, Muhammad and Hamza. For more info and articles please visit http://www.AdvocateIslam.com
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Terrorism - The Symptom of a Serious Social Disorder

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The recent terrorist attacks in Mumbai seem to have shaken not only India but the entire world. These acts of terrorism demonstrated that even a handful of people who decide to lay down their life can shake a country which has one of the biggest and mightiest army and police in the world.
Yet the instance was not the first of its kind. Just few years back, terrorists attacked USA on 9/11 and killed thousands of people. Thereafter, the war on terrorism was launched by Western powers lead by USA against the countries believed by them behind the attack. No one knows how many people had been killed by the western forces to revenge the death of their innocent people. Many of us are perhaps not even interested as we treat the terrorists as our enemy whose lives matters little for them who are the victim of terrorism.
Yet, before claiming that terrorism is the biggest threat or the biggest killer today, it would be interesting to glance through the statistics published recently in an article "Lightening kills more than terror" in The Times of India, (New Delhi edition) on December 17, 2008. The article provides the statistics of the unnatural deaths in India (per day) in 2007. There are 934 people dying every day due to natural deaths which includes
-Suicides - 336
-Road Accidents - 314
-Drowning - 74
-Falls - 29
-Lightening Strikes - 8
-TERROR VIOLENCE 2
If we add the number of people dying every day in India due to medical illness, poverty, hunger, cold etc i.e. due to man made causes, the number of unnatural deaths may be many thousands times that of the numbers of people dying due to terror.
Thus logically, terror may not be the biggest killer of people even in the countries affected by terrorism. Yet it shakes the humanity due to the inhuman way, a terrorist kills the innocent people.
The act of terrorism also shakes the faith of an ordinary human being in God as he wonders, what is He doing when innocent people are being killed? Even the people, who have deep faith in God, fail to explain such acts spiritually.
Terrorism, having seed in the hatred, creates tremendous hatred in the world. People just can not adjust with the idea of love and compassion against the terrorists. How many of us are willing to even listen to the sermon like "Love your enemy" or "offering the other cheek, if someone slaps you". "An eye for an eye" seems to be the only solution of the problem of terrorism.
Is it so?
The Wisdom of God
We all know that when we are angry, the first casualty is our capacity to think, logic and reason. Anger, like a fire, burns the body and soul of the person and it must not be allowed to engulf us for a very long period. We have to find solution of terrorism by understanding it rather than hating it.
The first requirement for any understanding in man is to have faith in God and Man. If He is Supreme, nothing can happen in this world without his direction and wish.
Why must God allow terrorism to happen?
Why should the innocent human beings be killed by terrorists?
Terrorism is an attack on the society and not on the individual. Any one who would be coming in the range of the gun would be killed on that day.
Are We Not Sowing Hatred and Injustice?
All scriptures universally endorse that you have to reap what you sow. Yet, most of us expect to reap good while sowing evil in this world.
There are numerous studies that have proven the harmful effect of smoking, alcoholism, drugs, fatty food, sexual indulgences and its role in causing dreaded diseases like Cancer, Heart Attack or AIDS. In India, for example, it is written on every packet of cigarette that smoking causes cancer. Yet, people do such acts every day thinking that they would not suffer from it.
Yet when it is pay out time, they curse advertiser, manufactures, drug traffickers and even God for their ply.
There is no limit to the hatred and injustice that is perpetuated by the mankind in this world.
Millions of innocent birds are killed even before the first man gets infected from Bird Flue. Millions of innocent Kangaroos are killed to protect man in a country. Just a few days back, an Honorable Judge of High Court in India ordered to kill all stray dogs in the State of Maharashtra.
We are killing millions of innocent animals, birds and fishes everyday to feed just one specie of the earth known as man.
Man has acquired virtually all lands and forests and water bodies of the earth for its sole use as if Lord has created only for man for Earth.
Yet man found nothing wrong in such inhuman acts until the mightier and greedier of the men decided to kill other men for conquering the Earth to satisfy their greed. Millions of people were killed in the wars to satisfy one person's quest of power in last century. Yet none asked question as there was always a cause for such action which was logical and reasonable at least to the people who thought they can win the war.
Yet, when we are on the receiving end we call it injustice and cruelty.
Can Might Be Always Right?
Even though man has evolved from animal, yet they prefer working by the law of jungle i.e. "Might is Right". Even the scientific community accepted this universal law of jungle by calling evolution of life as "Survival of the fittest."
There is no doubt that the Western world today is so powerful that they can destroy the rest of the world perhaps in a matter of days. There are thousands of unused nuclear weapons and missiles which can send any country into the Stone Age. Hence, in their exalted sense of power and security, they often think that what they know is right and what they do is right. While no one has the right to judge their "rights", they can judge everyone's right.
Jesus Christ said in Bible, "Do not judge so that you will not be judged".
The reason why we must not judge others that all judgments are based on a particular perspective and based on the relative truth that changes with time. The history has demonstrated in countless times that no principle is sacrosanct and nothing is in fallible. Therefore, judging others from one's own perspective always lead to wrong judgment.
Even the first principle of natural justice says that nobody would be judge in his own cause.
Scriptures: The Path to Happiness
As per one survey conducted by Newsweek, more than 91% people in USA still believes in God and only 3% call themselves atheists. This is simply amazing as even after five centuries of the scientific knowledge and technological developments, people are convinced that only scriptures can guide them in the path of happiness and peace.
Yet it is surprising that we violate virtually every law of scriptures while claiming ourselves to be Christian, Hindu, Muslim, Buddhist or Jew.
Some of the universal principles of scriptures can be summarized as following
1. God is one (Do not fight in the name of God).
2. God is present in all beings (Show compassion to all lives).
3. Love all people and feel compassion for all living being (Do not hate).
4. Do not accumulate wealth (Do not live for bread alone)
5. Do not seek power (Serve instead of ruling others).
6. Respect your parents and elders (Have gratitude to parents) .
7. Shun violence (Respect Other's Views).
8. Speak Truth (Do not Speak Falsehood).
9. Be faithful (Do not commit adultery).
10. Deal with people in a way you would like to others to deal you.
Yet, one can easily see that the modern societies are evolved on just the converse principles, though based on the same laws. These facts are demonstrated from the following
o People do not believe in the God of others. The result is that God is used as the main justification for wars
o People see God in themselves while see Devil in others (enemy)
o We are compassionate only for people of our family, country, race or religion
o There are few people in this world, who have billions in their account, while there are billions who do not even have one dollar. They sleeps in footpath, remain hungry for days, die due to cold and heat and by simple illness
o Society is hierarchical and everyone is subordinate to someone. The head of some nations are so powerful that they can kill millions at their wish
o Parents are discarded by their children at old age when they fetch no return
o Violence is the most desired solution for the rich and powerful for solving all problems. Nonviolence is for the weak and poor.
o Truth is rare or fallacy the rule
o Adultery is a rule and Faithfulness is an exception
o Different treatment for different people even within the same religion, state or status
The Root of Terrorism
The values preached in scriptures are not merely theories but contains in it the universal laws of peaceful and loving existence. Religions, though developed in different countries under different prophets in different times, contain the same truth.
One can break these laws for the immediate material benefits or instant gratifications, yet he loses peace and happiness in the process.
Terrorism is just a symptom of the ill of the society like theft, murder, rape or any other crime. Terrorism, however, makes great news as it is fought against the most powerful organ of the modern civilization i.e. State.
Terrorism is a weapon of the weak who can not fight the might of the State power. Hence the weak demonstrate their power by killing the citizens of the powerful enemy.
When a journalist, threw shoes at George Bush, The President of America, the most powerful person of the world, recently at Baghdad he became a hero overnight. The entire Arab world rejoiced at this incident. A man even offered 10 million dollars for the shoe.
Terrorism or other crimes can be eliminated from this world only if the humanity is able to rise above greed, inequality, injustice that is perpetrated by the modern world against the weak and poor people.
This is a difficult solution as the very foundation of modern life is based on the principles of the survival of the fittest. Let the weak perish from this world as they have no right to survive in the world that is based on competition and not compassion.
World As Family
The only way to avoid the symptom of a disease is to eliminate the cause of the symptom. The root of all crimes, particularly terrorism lies in the basic philosophy of materialistic life that defies all tenets of scriptures and spirituality. Only when the modern world can visualize the whole world as one family, such problems can be solved. Are we ready to live like a family and share our fortunes and power with all humanity? In answer to this question lies the solution of terrorism.
Dr. Awdhesh K Singh is an Engineer by education and philosopher by passion. He holds his PhD degree in the area of E-Governance.
He has published several papers in International Journals and Conferences on the subject of E-governance and the application of Artificial Intelligence tools like Fuzzy Logic (FL) and Expert Systems (ES) for E-governance.
He has keen interest in the study and application of Religion, Spirtuality and Philosophies for solving the real-life problems of the modern world.
Many of his articles are published on the website of Aatmic Science Forum and Science of Soul.
His can be contacted on the email aksinghirs [a] yahoo.com
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The True Power of Terrorism

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Those of us hundreds of miles from ground zero sat glued to our television sets with horror and disbelief as two of the tallest buildings in the world slowly disintegrated in a violence of dust and death.
Since that bright September morning in 2001, none of us have felt the same. Undergoing an unexpected and brutal national rape, we shuddered at our own vulnerability and defenselessness.
In grief, anger, and frustration, we gathered our tattered dignity around us and vowed repeatedly that it would never happen again. Next time, we would be ready, we would defend ourselves, we would regain our sense of power and invulnerability. We set out resolutely on the journey to make our world safe again.
Security was tightened at airports, border crossings, ports, bridges, and nuclear generating stations. Laws were passed to abridge civil liberties to better fight those out to hurt the United States. Action was implemented in Afghanistan to find the terrorist cells and overthrow their political supporters. The long-standing conventions of war prisoner treatment were abrogated in the name of national security. Iraq was invaded in a preemptive strike to limit the likelihood of future attacks on American soil.
Where has the yearning for security led us?
We have become the enemy. In the hazy logic of the Patriot Act or ethnic profiling at airports and borders, and the specious arguments supporting the treatment protocols at Abu Ghraib and Guantanamo Bay, America has bought into the mindset of terrorism.
When individuals are kidnapped, psychologically or physically abused, threatened with pain, rape, torture, or death, they become terrified shells of their former selves. Often, they start to identify with their captors, their wills bent to the twisted but all-powerful logic of their oppressors. The prisoner becomes the kapo and exhibits more brutality than his superiors. This is the true price of terrorism: the response it elicits from its victims.
Since all of us are direct or indirect victims of 911, we all need to guard against the mindset we have assumed. We must ask ourselves about our priorities. Is improved safety worth the price of voiding our civil rights? Is the defense against terror worth the abdication of our humanitarian and ethical ideals? Shall we descend to the degradation and torture of our enemies in order to defend our "superior" way of life?
The United States has always, no matter how misguided or hated its temporary policies may have periodically been, stood as a beacon of freedom and fairness in a world too often enslaved and unjust. It is this beacon, this ideal, this dream that millions of American soldiers, through multiple wars over more than 200 years, have fought and died for. It is too precious to be obliterated by a suicide bomb or hijacked airplanes flying into buildings. It will flicker and die only when the values it represents no longer exist.
It has been imperiled before: in the sacking of Washington, the internal convulsions of the Civil War, the formalized institution of slavery, the destruction of Native American cultures, the seizure of Panama, the machinations of McCarthyism, the dropping of the atomic bomb. Somehow, lady liberty was able to dust herself off and recapture the inspiration and vision she represents to the world.
Now she faces her biggest challenge yet: surviving intact in a prevailing climate of fear. There have been wars before where too many young men died before their time. This time, the disturbed sleep of the watchful, wary soldier in his bivouac has moved into the bedroom of suburbia. We no longer feel safe, agonizing over the vulnerability of our children and loved ones. We watch the danger alerts turn different colors and know that sometime, somewhere, another strike will come.
The long heritage of openness, personal liberties, restraint, innocence until guilt is proven beyond a shadow of a doubt, and the willingness to defend those rights to the death, has dissolved into the murk of security above freedom, life above ideals, and apathy above involvement. We invade each other's privacy as a mechanism of defense. We abuse and humiliate our prisoners in the name of preventing their future abuse and humiliation of us. We expand our "no fly" lists to close that traditionally-open golden door. We shut down our borders lest a terrorist lurks among the tired, poor masses.
A post-911-world will never be as innocent as before, no more than the permanent changes wrought by the assassination of President Kennedy or the bombing of Pearl Harbor could be avoided. Reaction to tragic, horrifying events is inevitable, both personally and politically. It is when that reaction becomes the basis for major decisions and colors how laws are interpreted, ethics are enforced, and relationships are developed that we must step back and look at our deep-rooted principles and identify where they have become warped and withered.
It is when we look at the world through the eyes of those who hate and threaten us that we see the true power of terrorism: not to destroy us but to assimilate us. That is when the terrorists will know that they have truly won.
Virginia Bola is a licensed clinical psychologist with deep interests in Social Psychology and politics. She has performed therapeutic services for more than 20 years and has studied the effects of cultural forces and employment on the individual. The author of an interactive workbook, The Wolf at the Door: An Unemployment Survival Manual, and a monthly ezine, The Worker's Edge, she can be reached at http://www.virginiabola.com
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The War Against Violence: The Only War We Need to Win

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Violence is an unjust and unwarranted exertion of power or force against someone else's rights or laws. This aggressive, criminal behavior intentionally causes injury to people, other living beings, and property. WHO (World health Organization) defines violence as "the intentional use of physical force or power, threatened or actual, against oneself, another person or against a group or community that either results in or has a high likelihood of resulting in injury, death, psychological harm, maldevelopment or deprivation."
Violence shows its repulsive face in a variety of forms: assault, murder, assault and battery, massacre, cruelty to animals, domestic violence, property damage, rape, libel, slander, armed robbery, terrorism, war, genocide, illegal occupation of another group's property or land, etc.
What pushes people, groups, or nations into atrocities and causes them to take up arms against others? In Federalist Papers, John Jay says: "The just causes of war, for the most part, arise either from violation of treaties or from direct violence." I, therefore, humbly ask the question, "Isn't the violation of a treaty an act of violence by itself?"
Violence becomes a possibility when human beings turn naturally or environmentally aggressive, as aggression can be learned in a society through modeling and imitation with the belief that aggression gets results no matter what kinds of frustrations a populace suffers in the process. This belief grants people excuses for being aggressive and dupes them into harboring destructive expectations and false assumptions against the other side.
Antisocial behavior almost always has an early onset and often persists into adolescence and adulthood; therefore, it becomes a developmental trait and an inability to absorb civilized tasks. According to the behavioral sciences, the potential to violence exists in the development of antisocial, aggressive behavior. The psychologist J. W. Prescott, while studying human societies, thought that the lack of mother-child bonding caused violence and excess punishment of children through their developmental years gave rise to violent societies.
Also, many studies have shown that childhood malnutrition is linked to poor brain functioning and conduct disorder in early adulthood. In addition, prisoners given omega-3 fish oil--critical for brain structure and function--have exhibited reduced aggressive and antisocial behavior.
That means we need to venture, through scientific method, into further research into the world's societies and find honest and more comprehensive solutions for our biological, behavioral, and environmental problems to prevent aggression in children; so in time, they do not turn into criminals and terrorists. If stopping violent behavior is the aim, the best investment the world can make is to intervene very early on. There is proof that, under the positive conditions and with correct training, people are usually kinder to each other; however, as it is, the world events show that we may be losing our fight against violence.
As much as nations argue that "their war" has a "just cause," wars are the worst kinds of violence because of the incredible damage they cause to the younger generations by becoming models to emulate. If the international nonviolence idea suffers, no war can be deemed holy or just.
Modern warfare has become lethal to everyone, since those with faulty brains and incorrect upbringing do not hesitate to terrorize the world as different societies apply different standards to sanctioning their kinds of violence. Violence in certain forms and degrees may be socially and legally accepted in one society while the same acts are considered crimes in another group. I see no reason, however, why the world cannot live by the same key laws pertaining to human give and take, despite the differences of beliefs and nationalities.
It is true that, for a few years now, we have the International Criminal Court; however, any court, to gain the respect of the international community, must be able to prosecute--without any exceptions--any one person, group, or nation who is suspected of committing a crime against humanity.
Another point is, the power of any decision making institution depends on its being perceived as fair and impartial. That can only happen in a society where social injustices are eliminated. John Paul Sartre coined the phrase "inert violence" for social injustice. Thus, how can any institution be fair and impartial when social injustices exist in the world?
In the long run, violence is always a deviant behavior. No matter what the scale, we must wage our real wars against violence itself, if we want to exist peacefully on the same planet.
Joy Cagil is an author on http://www.Writing.Com/ which is a site for Writers Her education is in foreign languages and linguistics. She has also trained in psychology, humanities, and mental health. Her portfolio can be found at http://www.Writing.Com/authors/joycag
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India -- Pakistan On A Path Breaking Mission Against Terror

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In a major breakthrough India and Pakistan in a significant meeting at Havana, on the sidelines of the Non-Aligned Summit, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf decided to put in place an institutional mechanism to counter terrorism. It is a historic opportunity for India and Pakistan to solve this crucial issue of Terrorism and crush its terror network after agreeing on the establishment of a Anti -Terrorism Institutional Network.
At the end of the one-on-one talks without aides which were described as "cordial, frank and detailed". Both the countries agreed on this anti-terrorism institutional mechanism to identify and implement counter-terrorism initiatives and investigations, this was declared in the joint statement read out by Dr. Singh along with General Musharraf at a media press conference.
The statement strongly condemned the Mumbai and the Maligaon bomb blasts and issued a strong statement against Terrorism by declaring " Both the countries strongly condemned all acts of terrorism and agreed that terrorism is a scourge that needs to be effectively dealt with."
Such a direct and candid admission by Pakistan that Trans-border terror networks should not only be identified but also needs to be crushed with heavy hand is a direct admission by Pakistan that all is not well within its territory and the terror networks which operates from across the border against India has to be crushed jointly. This is a significant development as for the first time Pakistan has accepted that for solving all the issues of concern with India it has to do much more on the area of Terrorism and to do this it needs the helping hand of India.
Further it was also agreed upon for the immediate resumption of the composite dialogue between the Foreign Secretaries "at the earliest". With a direct acknowledge that the peace process must be maintained and its success was not only important for both the countries by also for a bright and prosperous future of the entire South Asian Region.
Under the Press Statement issued both the leaders reiterated their commitments and determination to implement the Joint Statements of January 6, 2004, September 24, 2004, April 18, 2005 and September 14, 2005 which was signed between India and Pakistan then. The commitment given by the honorable President of Pakistan in the joint statement issued of honoring the earlier joint statements of 2004 and 2005 shows that Pakistan has accepted these to be international agreements against terror which needs to be honored upon
On Jammu and Kashmir it was decided by both the countries to continue the "joint search for mutually acceptable options for a peaceful negotiated settlement of all issues between India and Pakistan, including the issue of Jammu and Kashmir, in a sincere and purposeful manner." Referring to the "useful discussions" on Jammu and Kashmir, the joint statement went on to say "there is a need to build on convergence's and narrow down divergences." This is again a very significant and healthy development as for the first time Pakistan has accepted that Jammu and Kashmir is not "The Issue" or "The Core Issue" but one of the very important issue which not only needs urgent attention but also needs to be solved taking into account each others concerns and sentiments. This is a U-turn by Pakistan from its earlier stated position of Kashmir being the core issue.
In his address to the NAM Summit on Sept 15th 2006, Gen. Musharraf said in relation to India and Pakistan's bilateral issues, "A historic opportunity exists that must be seized by the leadership of the two countries to bring to a close the chapter of tensions and conflict in our region.. It is of paramount importance that we devote all energies to address the major challenges of our region by ensuring poverty alleviation, universal education, better health and higher standards of living for our people. Three years of peace process between India and Pakistan had led to confidence building and improved environment in bilateral relations. Pakistan is making sincere efforts to promote peace and cooperation in South Asia.. We are determined to pursue the peace process to resolve all outstanding issues with India, including the Jammu and Kashmir dispute." Dr. Singh also accepted Gen. Musharraf's renewed invitation to visit Pakistan at a time to be fixed later.
Through the press statement the two leaders directed the Foreign Secretaries on the following: The Foreign Secretaries should meet shortly in New Delhi to continue the composite dialogue. To arrange consultations for early solution of the Siachen issue. "Experts should meet immediately to agree on coordinates for joint survey of Sir Creek and adjoining area, without prejudice to each other's position on the issue". The Survey should commence in November 2006. "The experts would start discussions on the maritime boundary". "The two sides will facilitate implementation of agreements and understandings already reached on LoC-related CBMs, including bus services, crossing points and truck service".
Direct acknowledgement by Pakistan on the coordinates of a joint survey of the Sir Creek areas taking into account each countries position on the issue is significant again as for the first time Pakistan has accepted to take into account the Indian position on the Sir Creek issue
The carefully formulated joint statement that was worked out after hours of discussions among the members of the delegation, including the National Security Adviser M. K. Narayanan and the Foreign Secretary-designate Shivshankar Menon from the Indian side. Pakistan's Secretary of the National Security Council Tariq Aziz, Foreign Minister Kasuri and Foreign Secretary Riaz Khan was there from the Pakistani side.
When asked by the Indian media whether the new agreement represented a breakthrough, Gen. Musharraf said, "Yes, it is very good." He was quite happy over the outcome. He however refused to be drawn into a detailed discussion, pointing out that he had committed himself to not saying anything more than what the statement said, lest it should hamper the dialogue process.
Before the one to one meeting of the two leaders, both the sides were accompanied by their delegations for a brief interaction. The Indian delegation included Mr. Narayanan, Minister of State for External Affairs Anand Sharma, Mr. Shivshankar Menon and Media Adviser to the Prime Minister Sanjaya Baru. The Pakistani side included Mr. Kasuri, Mr. Riaz Khan, and Minister of State Sumaira Malik.
Indian officials later expressed satisfaction over the outcome of the meeting, noting that " All the major issues, including the formulation on terrorism were being negotiated till the very last. The reference to terrorism and the constitution of a joint mechanism to counter it were in tune with the Prime Minister's stand that he can carry Indian public opinion with him only if there were credible assurances on terrorism". At the same time, the resumption of the Foreign Secretary-level dialogue, addressing the issues of Jammu and Kashmir, Siachen and Sir Creek satisfied the Pakistani side.
Earlier President of Pakistan General Musharraf called upon NAM Members to focus on just and equitable solutions to international conflicts and disputes by establishing a mechanism for the purpose. He urged NAM to promote a comprehensive strategy to combat terrorism."NAM should promote a comprehensive strategy to combat and eliminate terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. It should require a two-pronged approach: first combating terrorist sanctuaries, including through active international cooperation, [and] secondly addressing the underlined cause of terrorism and extremism, which includes political disputes and conflicts, economic and social injustices".
In his address to the NAM Summit Dr Singh said: ``If NAM is to be relevant in today's circumstances, it cannot afford to equivocate on the subject of terrorism. A message must emanate from us that we are united in our desire to fight and eliminate the scourge of terrorism,'' He further said: "The forces of intolerance and extremism could not be allowed to distract the world's attention from the vital concerns such as poverty, ignorance and disease".
What has been the most significant outcome of the NAM Summit has been the sidelines meeting between India and Pakistan just after the serial bomb blasts and terror attacks in various parts of India in which many innocent lives were lost. This had vitiated the Indo-Pak atmosphere and it was very important to carry forward the Peace dialog process ahead at the earliest. Nothing was more better then the significant meetings between the two heads of states and for the first time Pakistan has taken significant and bold stand on the various issues which can be termed as watershed in Indo-Pak diplomacy. India on her part has also shown flexibility on the various issues including Kashmir. If things go ahead in the right direction from now on it can be a turning point in Indo-Pak history. One can hope for a new dawn in South Asia .A dawn of peace and prosperity for the whole region.
Dr SUVROKAMAL DUTTA
(The Writer is a renowned Foreign Affairs and Economic Expert)
Contact : sk_dutta70@yahoo.com
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Terrorist, Terrorism, and Terrorized

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As we sit glued to the television set listening to all the gory details of yet another terrorist attack leaves us all in a state of shock. We all feel sad. We all feel that enough is enough. We all listen to how much the death toll is rising into the hundreds. We all wait in anticipation to hear of any survivors, then after a few days. We all forget
I recall years ago when the seat belt was introduced and how it was drummed into us each and every day, clunk click every trip. The nation was brainwashed into abiding by the new law imposed that was to save so many lives. Well I say make a stand and bring back brainwashing in the form of terrorist awareness, it may cause a lot of paranoia amongst a great many but it may also save a lot of misery suffering pain and most importantly lives.
Terrorists are like actors where they are well rehearsed in their role to kill. Drama classes pay off for terrorists in their preparation for slaughter.
A Massacre murderer is well trained to keep his or her composure and not to look suspicious. The question is how we can help the system in the fight against terrorism.
What signs do we have to look for to sniff out a walking time bomb, especially when these murderers have re enacted the role over and over again in portraying the look of innocence?
I am not sure if there are any signs to look out for where a professional is concerned, but we can help by being more observant
This can be done by being more aware of how serious terrorism really is, the next time you go shopping or take the tube to work or when taking the kiddies to school, watch what the person next to you is doing
If traveling on a bus even high in the sky make a little note of what your fellow passenger is wearing. Make an image diary in your head of what they look like, note little tell tale signs as in i.e. tattoos scars jewelry whatever. Take in enough information on that person so that should any circumstances arise on that day where police are involved and are looking for information, you may hold the key to conviction.
But remember not all suspicious looking characters are guilty and there are times you may well get paranoid by the person next to you. Do not panic keep calm then go and speak with someone if you feel there is need for concern.
I know this approach can cause paranoia among a lot of people but it also may save lives. CCTV can not do all the work alone.
Experienced or lost a loved one to an act of terrorism, talk to some one. For counselling visit my information page, you may find help to get you through the pain and suffering. http://www.benidormbeaches.com
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