Worldwide Action Needed
Herald Sun Tuesday, March 30, 2004
It is a mistake to assume that hit-and-run assassins - like the Madrid terrorists - must have a noble motive. What decent person would support the Saddam regime? Don't forget there are many malcontents in this world - such as arsonists, vandals and virus-makers. The reward for these twisted characters is others' distress. Any justification will do.
The Islamic world obviously has its share of these anti-socials. Perhaps moreso because of the undemocratic and stagnant societies that part of the world tends to have. Life must be very frustrating for hot-blooded young citizens with no prospects.
Yes, we will always have to deal with trouble-seekers as best we can. But we only encourage them if we dignify their mischief with far-fetched justifications. What we are dealing with are wayward boys with adult toys. We don't need a war between coutries or cultures. We need something less exciting - concerted international police action.
Philip O'Carroll