Attackers Tweet As They Assault UN Development Program Compound

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Attackers Tweet As They Assault UN Development Program Compound

Posted by timothy on Thursday June 20, 2013 @04:55AM from the live-tweet-hardly-seems-the-term dept.

Koreantoast writes "In another interesting example of the increasing use and sophistication of social media by non-governmental organizations, the Somali-based Islamic insurgency al-Shabab live tweeted their latest attack, a suicide assault against a United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) facility in Mogadishu which left 15 dead. During the event, they denounced UNDP, tweeting during the attack that the UN is 'a merchant of death & a satanic force of evil, has a long inglorious record of spreading nothing but poverty, dependency & disbelief' and proceeded to mock newly appointed UN Representative Nicholas Kay who is to arrive in Somalia later this month. Also of note is their initiation of communications with various press entities including the AP, BBC and IHS Janes through Twitter. Hat tip to Foreign Policy magazine for the story."

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Given the UN's track record in Africa... by intermodal · 2013-06-20 04:59 · Score: 5, Insightful

I have to say, I can understand how they would view the UN in such a way. The UN's policies are pretty firm in their pushing of dependence, which is unsurprising given the way the wealthier and more influential nations are able to control it.

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1. Re:Given the UN's track record in Africa... by Sponge+Bath · 2013-06-20 05:03 · Score: 5, Insightful
  
  It's clear the spreading of disbelief is the real motivator here. Kill in the name of God.
2. Re:Given the UN's track record in Africa... by intermodal · 2013-06-20 05:07 · Score: 1
  
  It's worked for them so far.
  
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  In SOVIET RUSSIA... erm...NSA AMERICA, the Internet logs onto YOU!
3. Re:Given the UN's track record in Africa... by Anonymous Coward · 2013-06-20 05:12 · Score: 0
  
  How about their track record anywhere?
4. Re:Given the UN's track record in Africa... by Anonymous Coward · 2013-06-20 05:24 · Score: 2, Informative
  
  I'm surprised more people haven't stopped to think about what the UN's (and indeed, other world authorities) policies actually do to developing countries. These attacks would not have happened unless something was going on that they found objectionable enough to kill over. A google search turns up a particularly informative book on the subject entitled Looting Africa. (Large PDF)
  Apparently not everyone is happy when you hand their national resources over to a foreign company.
5. Re:Given the UN's track record in Africa... by Anonymous Coward · 2013-06-20 05:29 · Score: 0
  
  Murder is not an appropriate response to having feelings of political unrest, and I'm pretty certain that policy is not set from the UNDP Mogadishu facility.
6. Re:Given the UN's track record in Africa... by Lumpy · 2013-06-20 05:36 · Score: 2, Insightful
  
  "These attacks would not have happened unless something was going on that they found objectionable enough to kill over. "
  many use the ancient writings of a madman in a holy book to use as their justification to kill.
  
  --
  Do not look at laser with remaining good eye.
7. Re:Given the UN's track record in Africa... by Anonymous Coward · 2013-06-20 05:41 · Score: 5, Funny
  
  many use the ancient writings of a madman in a holy book to use as their justification to kill.
  Come on, the words of Adam Smith or Karl Marx aren't that old to be called ancient.
8. Re:Given the UN's track record in Africa... by polar+red · 2013-06-20 05:42 · Score: 1
  
  western money has an influence on whether these book gain or lose following. for example, no meddling in the middle east since the 40's would certainly have had a beneficial effect.
  
  --
  Yes, I'm left. You have a problem with that?
9. Re:Given the UN's track record in Africa... by Samantha+Wright · 2013-06-20 05:46 · Score: 1
  
  I'm gonna hafta side with Lumpy on this one: many African dictators and warlords are simply crazy. Several countries were put into severe straits by the imperialism of the 19th century, which has created a vicious cycle. The most notorious is the Congo Free State, which was abused by Belgians acting without governmental authority; the atrocities committed then are more than sufficient, on their own, to explain continued horrors like the LRA and the Rwandan genocides.
  Between the extremism of religion and the blood-soaked historical canvas, there are far more poisonous elements in sub-Saharan Africa than present-day economic exploitation. The innate holism of many African cultures makes this somewhat more of a problem than in analytical Western European cultures where we are taught to question authority.
  
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10. Re:Given the UN's track record in Africa... by TheCarp · 2013-06-20 05:46 · Score: 3, Interesting
  
  > These attacks would not have happened unless something was going on that they found
  > objectionable enough to kill over.
  I think it more likely that these attacks would have been differently justified. That or these attacks would have been different attacks. The group is a militant group with a clearly larger agenda than opposing the UN.
  That said, the best propaganda does have some truth to it. If there wasn't some sentiment already in this direction, then these attacks would be pointless. I am reminded of the talk of newspeak and the idea that big brother being good could be so ingrained in a language that to even say the opposite would seem, on its face, wrong. Just try to replace the UN with the Redcross or Doctors without Borders, and a lot less of us will be sitting here saying "well they have a point..."
  
  --
  "I opened my eyes, and everything went dark again"
11. Re:Given the UN's track record in Africa... by ShieldW0lf · 2013-06-20 05:54 · Score: 0
  
  I have to say, I can understand how they would view the UN in such a way. The UN's policies are pretty firm in their pushing of dependence, which is unsurprising given the way the wealthier and more influential nations are able to control it.
  If I had Karma, you would have it all.
  
  --
  -1 Uncomfortable Truth
12. Re:Given the UN's track record in Africa... by Anonymous Coward · 2013-06-20 05:54 · Score: 1
  
  western money has an influence on whether these book gain or lose following. for example, no meddling in the middle east since the 40's would certainly have had a beneficial effect.
  France and Britain started meddling in the middle east right after the Great War.
  The 1940's was already to late.
13. Re:Given the UN's track record in Africa... by Lumpy · 2013-06-20 05:56 · Score: 1
  
  All "holy books" call for violence. Except for one, Buddah does not call for it in any instance.
  
  --
  Do not look at laser with remaining good eye.
14. Re:Given the UN's track record in Africa... by PRMan · 2013-06-20 05:56 · Score: 4, Insightful
  
  It's clear the spreading of disbelief is the real motivator here. Kill in the name of God.
  Exactly. When I read this: "a merchant of death & a satanic force of evil, has a long inglorious record of spreading nothing but poverty, dependency & disbelief", for a moment I thought they were talking about their brand of radical Islam.
  
  --
  Peter predicted that you would "deliberately forget" creation 2000 years ago...
15. Re:Given the UN's track record in Africa... by operagost · 2013-06-20 05:56 · Score: 1
  
  You're kind of a "one issue guy", aren't you?
  
  --
  
  Gamingmuseum.com: Give your 3D accelerator a rest.
16. Re:Given the UN's track record in Africa... by TWiTfan · 2013-06-20 06:03 · Score: 2
  
  I can understand how they would view the UN in such a way
  Yeah, but compared to the Islamist militias, they're generally a lot lest rapey and murdery.
  
  --
  The cow says "Moo." The dog says "Woof." The Timothy says "Thanks, valued customer. We appreciate your input."
17. Re:Given the UN's track record in Africa... by intermodal · 2013-06-20 06:14 · Score: 1
  
  Well, that's certainly problematic as well.
  
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  In SOVIET RUSSIA... erm...NSA AMERICA, the Internet logs onto YOU!
18. Re:Given the UN's track record in Africa... by polar+red · 2013-06-20 06:14 · Score: 2
  
  I think it started much earlier still, I am guessing the Romans already did that. But removing the influcence of the last 70-80 years alone would have been marvellous.
  
  --
  Yes, I'm left. You have a problem with that?
19. Re:Given the UN's track record in Africa... by intermodal · 2013-06-20 06:16 · Score: 1
  
  What you call murder, they probably call war. Can't pretend they don't perceive a significant threat from the UN, even if the UN never fired a shot.
  
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20. Re:Given the UN's track record in Africa... by intermodal · 2013-06-20 06:19 · Score: 1
  
  By your logic, we shouldn't fight back against burglars, since they could be worse, raping and murdering instead of just burgling. And if they move in and take over your finances and tell you how to run your household, hey, at least they're not raping and murdering you.
  
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  In SOVIET RUSSIA... erm...NSA AMERICA, the Internet logs onto YOU!
21. Re:Given the UN's track record in Africa... by Antipater · 2013-06-20 06:21 · Score: 5, Insightful
  
  All "holy books" call for violence. Except for one, Buddah does not call for it in any instance.
  And yet, Buddhists have committed and still commit violence in the name of their religion. People are funny creatures, aren't they?
  
  --
  Everything is better with chainsaws.
22. Re:Given the UN's track record in Africa... by cayenne8 · 2013-06-20 06:22 · Score: 1, Insightful
  
  You know...when are we in the western world, going to finally have enough of these 'peace loving' islamic asshats, and just start stomping them...HARD?
  They don't seem to want to play nice with the rest of the world, and frankly isn't everyone about to start getting tired of going out of our way to be some tolerant of those that show absolutely no tolerance to anyone different than they are?
  
  --
  Light travels faster than sound. This is why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.........
23. Re:Given the UN's track record in Africa... by clarkkent09 · 2013-06-20 06:24 · Score: 1
  
  Unfair to the UN and unfair to wealthy nations. If they didn't do anything at all, the poorest people in the world would be much worse off and literally millions of people would have died of starvation and disease. Helping countries with corrupt governments (almost all of Africa) or no government at all (such as Somalia) is a more difficult problem than you think and in every place where Islamic radicals operate they make that problem much more difficult.
  
  --
  Negative moral value of force outweighs the positive value of good intentions.
24. Re:Given the UN's track record in Africa... by Anonymous Coward · 2013-06-20 06:27 · Score: 1
  
  Strange how enemies view each other the same way.
25. Re:Given the UN's track record in Africa... by TWiTfan · 2013-06-20 06:28 · Score: 2
  
  I think a better analogy might be having a bad boss who you don't like. And then one day, a new guy tries to come in and replace this boss. Only the new guy is John Wayne Gacy. And you're pretty sure he's going to kill you and bury you in an unmarked grave if he gets in. In that situation, it may be better to stick with the old boss.
  
  --
  The cow says "Moo." The dog says "Woof." The Timothy says "Thanks, valued customer. We appreciate your input."
26. Re:Given the UN's track record in Africa... by Anonymous Coward · 2013-06-20 06:29 · Score: 0
  
  Solution: pull the UN and other nanny state promoting NGO's out of all of Africa and stop all aid. No more free food to be used by despots or to make sure there is an even larger generation of starving kids and no more donated clothing like T-shirts for the losers of some championship game to allow their own textile industries a chance to develop. The population will eventually come down to a sustainable level and they will eventually sort their own shit out.
27. Re:Given the UN's track record in Africa... by Lumpy · 2013-06-20 06:35 · Score: 1
  
  Yes they are, they find justification to kill each other all anywhere they can find it.
  
  --
  Do not look at laser with remaining good eye.
28. Re:Given the UN's track record in Africa... by gmuslera · 2013-06-20 06:38 · Score: 4, Insightful
  
  Is easier to believe in gods or devils than that complex multinationals controlling governments and international organizations to make money from them, or in intangible things like having a future or freedom.
29. Re:Given the UN's track record in Africa... by ackthpt · 2013-06-20 06:40 · Score: 3, Insightful
  
  It's clear the spreading of disbelief is the real motivator here. Kill in the name of God.
  It's really about pursuit of power, as in: They who are not in power want to be and will use any means to achieve their ends, including corrupting interpretation of their own "faith" to achieve these ends. It really isn't anything about spreading the good word of the Prophet, who would probably be outraged at the practices these people engage in, recruiting people to become suicide attackers/bombers.
  Never attribute to religion what greed and malice can easily explain.
  
  --
  
  A feeling of having made the same mistake before: Deja Foobar
30. Re:Given the UN's track record in Africa... by i+kan+reed · 2013-06-20 06:43 · Score: 0
  
  Because that's so 1 dimensional, only a child could realistically hold such a position? People are complicated, motivated by millions of factors, even within the self-reproducing shared values known as a religion. The indiscriminate justice you advocate is, by every conceivable metric, millions of times worse than anything this small subset of Muslims has ever done.
31. Re:Given the UN's track record in Africa... by gmuslera · 2013-06-20 06:44 · Score: 4, Insightful
  
  Why not starting at home? Someone had no tolerance for their beliefs, their way of life and their resources, and are invading them, with armies, global economy or/and factories. They just fight back the best they know, after the damage was done. But at home you have your big quota of religious extremists and people in power that see foreigners as tools with no rights, that even push their own governors on them to get easier to become even richer.
32. Re:Given the UN's track record in Africa... by gmuslera · 2013-06-20 06:49 · Score: 1
  
  Treating nations and organizations as a whole is unfair, like bombarding an entire city because an isolated terrorist is hidden in a particular building. But when those small components in big organizations or countries does massive damage, you blame the whole deal. If that is wrong, then you had been very deep in the wrong side for decades.
33. Re:Given the UN's track record in Africa... by stdarg · 2013-06-20 06:53 · Score: 1
  
  Since the UN doesn't go around taking over wealthy, stable countries (which would be more profitable), that's a stupid analogy. They're not burgling houses. They're like the cops who go into a violent area of the city and try to prevent crime.
  Your line of thought is more like people living in a ghetto who buy into the "no snitch" program because they hate cops more than each other.
34. Re:Given the UN's track record in Africa... by gsgriffin · 2013-06-20 06:53 · Score: 5, Informative
  
  You are mistaken. The Bible records violence (ancient...thousands of years ago), BUT the guidance it gives for followers of Christ (which is in the New Testament) is DEFINITELY not violence. The overwhelming guidance, instruction and command is to LOVE. It goes so far as to command "LOVE YOUR ENEMY". Unfortunately, too many followers of Christ don't fully understand this and fall into an Old Testament view of how they should behave.
  
  If people really studied what the New Testament is calling people to do, you wouldn't find anything objectionable. It is all about, love, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, self-control, forgiveness, repentance, humility, etc... What is wrong with any of that? Nowhere in the New Testament (again, the instructions for followers of Christ today) does violence upon anyone even come into the picture. Read it before making blanket statements.
  
  --
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35. Re:Given the UN's track record in Africa... by Samantha+Wright · 2013-06-20 06:58 · Score: 2
  
  As a student of evolution I'm somewhat inclined to agree with you, but keep in mind that would foster a great deal of global instability and subsequent hatred. There is probably a better way than what you're suggesting.
  
  --
  Bio questions? Ask me to start a Q&A journal. Computer analogies available for most topics!
36. Re:Given the UN's track record in Africa... by intermodal · 2013-06-20 07:00 · Score: 1
  
  So now you're arguing that the UN are like militarized police? I'm not sure you're helping your argument if you are trying to disagree with me.
  
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37. Re:Given the UN's track record in Africa... by Anonymous Coward · 2013-06-20 07:09 · Score: 0
  
  Where would we attack? Even if we wanted to take military action against these idiots, they are spread out across so many nations that it would be the start of a world war and give credence to their teachings.
  The best solution is to get them dependent on us as a civilization. Offer them things that once they have, they can't live without. If we simply leave them alone, then just as many would die as if we attacked them, and quality of life would drop. Dependence is the only win-win. Large actions don't break a man; Small and numerous actions do.
  The biggest issue is just that we need to have a solid approach and ground force to push our agenda correctly. Government has been incompetent for most things recently. If the people at the top, such as Congress / UN, can not act correctly, than we can not expect those below to work well.
38. Re:Given the UN's track record in Africa... by Lumpy · 2013-06-20 07:14 · Score: 3, Insightful
  
  That is NOT what christian churches teach.
  And don't even try to tell me that the bible has not been used for the justification of murder. See the history of the Roman Catholic church for a plethora of examples.
  I know intimately what Christ said and taught, that has nothing to do with what Christians believe and do. And his teachings are certainly not being followed in any large organized churches.
  
  --
  Do not look at laser with remaining good eye.
39. Re:Given the UN's track record in Africa... by Anonymous Coward · 2013-06-20 07:39 · Score: 2, Insightful
  
  Christians are all "think of the children,' but whenever you hear about a pedophile, it's always a priest or some FLDS fundamentalist.
  
  Have any more handy guilt-by-association arguments?
  
  In reality, though, when "I" hear about it, it's more in-line with the statistical facts, the facts being it's the kind of "always" where "always" isn't even the majority of cases--that status being held by the family members of the victim themselves.
40. Re:Given the UN's track record in Africa... by K.+S.+Kyosuke · 2013-06-20 07:42 · Score: 4, Insightful
  
  People are complicated, but the delusions are simple. Anyway, you don't punish people for having delusions; you treat them.
  
  --
  Ezekiel 23:20
41. Re:Given the UN's track record in Africa... by Empiric · 2013-06-20 07:47 · Score: 0
  
  I know intimately what Christ said and taught, that has nothing to do with what Christians believe and do. And his teachings are certainly not being followed in any large organized churches.
  
  Neat. Okay, what do I believe and do? Since you've got those broad psychic powers, you may as well show them off with someone specific.
  
  --
  ~ Whence do you come, slayer of men, or where are you going, conqueror of space?
42. Re:Given the UN's track record in Africa... by Anonymous Coward · 2013-06-20 07:53 · Score: 0
  
  I'm surprised more people haven't stopped to think about what the UN's (and indeed, other world authorities) policies actually do to developing countries. These attacks would not have happened unless something was going on that they found objectionable enough to kill over.
  Al Shabab are warriors and warriors are gonna warrior. If they don't have a reason they'll make one up. You ain't ever gonna appease them, that is just wishful thinking on your part. They are like the vikings: if you give in to them they'll be back next year for more. The only time they want peace is when they are weak. History is full of groups like that and Islamic history in particular.
43. Re:Given the UN's track record in Africa... by cayenne8 · 2013-06-20 08:17 · Score: 3, Insightful
  
  Where would we attack? Even if we wanted to take military action against these idiots, they are spread out across so many nations that it would be the start of a world war and give credence to their teachings.
  Well, you gotta start somewhere...
  Sadly, it might seriously be time for considering a modern version of the crusades. But without the religious slant on our side. These islamists are basically invading again like before, heck, look at what its doing to Europe right now. In the past, well, there was push-back against that. Perhaps it is time to rethink all the political correctness, and call a spade a spade, and say enough, and quit giving in so readily and tolerating everything they want and do. If our western customs don't work for you...fuck it, go back to a muslim country where it is the norm. I'm not seeing a lot of Catholics nor Baptists suicide bombing anything. So, why don't we quit pretending and searching them so closely and turn our attention more directly on islamists around us in our countries and focus more on containing and pushing back against their countries that are openly antagonistic against us. Let's decide on the worst offender, and think seriously about helping many of them see allah in a quick fashion.
  :) And to others..we do know where some of these folks live and if they're surrounded by others that support and condone them, then, they're fair game too.
  
  --
  Light travels faster than sound. This is why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.........
44. Re:Given the UN's track record in Africa... by labnet · 2013-06-20 08:20 · Score: 1
  
  Lumpy, Of the many, many churches I have been involved with over 30 years, 100% have taught exclusively that a Christian life is one of tolerance, peace, love, self control and virtue.
  
  --
  46137
45. Re:Given the UN's track record in Africa... by gsgriffin · 2013-06-20 08:30 · Score: 3, Informative
  
  It is what Christian churches teach. The problem is religion. A relationship with God causes people to love. The religion that has consumed a lot of Christians is about rules and trying to make the world follow those rules. Bible has been used to do the wrong things. That is what we call taking it out of context or missing the obvious point. The crusades were using the Old testament model of getting rid of evil as their guidance. They were misguided.
  
  I've read the Bible over 15 times straight through. If you want to argue me on verses, i will quote the entirety of the New Testament (with nothing taken out of context). If you want to quote the Old Testament, I will simply say that it is a great example of the problems of man and struggle that God had in trying to deal with a sinful world...which led to the need and solution found in Jesus.
  
  Please don't quote the evil done in the name of Jesus when it was never Jesus who said they should do that. That is simply more and more examples of men screwing up big time and trying to justify their actions with religion. I don't like any religion...including the spirit of religion that has captured a lot of Christians. I believe in a relationship with God and follow Christ. It is good. there is NO EVIL in what He did or says to do....ever!
  
  --
  jsut athnoer menagiensls ltitle psrhae for you to dcoede. Why do we wtsae our tmie dnoig tihs?
46. Re:Given the UN's track record in Africa... by OzoneLad · 2013-06-20 08:37 · Score: 4, Funny
  
  They don't seem to want to play nice with the rest of the world, and frankly isn't everyone about to start getting tired of going out of our way to be some tolerant of those that show absolutely no tolerance to anyone different than they are?
  For a second there, I thought you were talking about Congress.
47. Re:Given the UN's track record in Africa... by Anonymous Coward · 2013-06-20 08:55 · Score: 1
  
  Sadly, having worked for UN DPKO as a contractor for more than half a decade, all of that time in Africa, I must point out there's more than a grain of truth in this dude's tweets.
  In particular: "... has a long inglorious record of spreading nothing but poverty, dependency & disbelief'
  Close to 100% true. I've seen these idiots air dropping food on top of guys about to reap their crops: totally killing the ability to make a living off agriculture. 4 days later the food was back were it was air dropped from transported en mass by bicycle and resold in the market. Nothing destroys a local economy like the UN arriving. And of you're Haiti you'll wind up having to deal with UN gifts like cholera.
  UNDP is also neither fish nor fowl: not really humanitarian not DPKO.
  In general, the sooner the first world stops destroying the third world with the UN the better.
48. Re:Given the UN's track record in Africa... by Hatta · 2013-06-20 08:56 · Score: 4, Interesting
  
  When is the rest of the world, going to finally have enough of these 'pease loving' American asshats and just start stomping them...HARD? They don't seem to want to play nice with the rest of the world, and frankly isn't everyone about to start getting tired of going out of our way to be some tolerant of those that show absolutely no tolerance to anyone different than they are?
  Do some counting. Americans have killed a lot more innocent muslims in the middle east than muslims have killed innocent westerners. You are far more evil than those you claim to hate.
  
  --
  Give me Classic Slashdot or give me death!
49. Re:Given the UN's track record in Africa... by Anonymous Coward · 2013-06-20 09:01 · Score: 0
  
  There is a huge difference between what Jesus taught and the values passed down in churches and by self-declared Christians. If more Christians read the New Testament and made the hard sacrifices to live as it instructs, then Christianity wouldn't have such a blackened reputation. Unfortunately, the history of man is filled with hypocrites, malignant narcissists, cynics, and self-blinded zealots who have been willing to use God's name to work evil in the pursuit of their own satisfaction or of their hatred and contempt for those who do not share their ways.
  It's like they never even once realize that the many stories of the Pharisees are about judgmental and high-handed people like them and not some specific Jewish tradition.
50. Re:Given the UN's track record in Africa... by Anonymous Coward · 2013-06-20 09:05 · Score: 0
  
  god created evil.
51. Re:Given the UN's track record in Africa... by ultranova · 2013-06-20 09:07 · Score: 4, Insightful
  
  You know...when are we in the western world, going to finally have enough of these 'peace loving' islamic asshats, and just start stomping them...HARD?
  
  Hopefully never, since the stomping won't stop there. Once you have your jackboots on, everything starts to look like a human face.
  
  --
  Forget magic. Any technology distinguishable from divine power is insufficiently advanced.
52. Re:Given the UN's track record in Africa... by odigity · 2013-06-20 09:10 · Score: 5, Insightful
  
  I can't believe I'm seeing genocide advocated on slashdot... and up-voted.
  Do you not understand that western governments, and particularly the U.S. and U.N., have been fucking with the entire african and mid-east region for centuries? Colonization, genocide, propping up dictatorships, mass-depopulation, stealing resources, military occupations, institutionalized rape and slavery...
  How the hell do you justify your "fuck these guys, they're annoying me, kill them all" attitude to yourself? You want them to leave you alone? It's really simple. Leave *them* the fuck alone.
  I don't know how much more of this world I can stand. The ignorance and stupidity and *immorality* of even the intellectual elites of modern society disgust and frighten me.
53. Re:Given the UN's track record in Africa... by gsgriffin · 2013-06-20 09:22 · Score: 1
  
  Uh, NO!! All evil is a distortion of what is good. Example. Rape instead of sex in marriage. God created sex (which I am personally grateful for and enjoy daily with my wife). Man with the help of whatever you want to call evil (evil spirits, the devil, 'evil') distorts the good thing and encourages many to do wrong.
  
  yes, in the biblical concept, God create the angel that we now refer to as Satan, but the angel was created good and was good until pride caused him to think he was as good as his creator. Sounds crazy, but men and woman all around the world do the same thing with God today.
  
  Satan has never created anything. he just tries to constantly corrupt that which is good.
  
  --
  jsut athnoer menagiensls ltitle psrhae for you to dcoede. Why do we wtsae our tmie dnoig tihs?
54. Re:Given the UN's track record in Africa... by MozeeToby · 2013-06-20 09:25 · Score: 0, Troll
  
  I'm not seeing a lot of Catholics nor Baptists suicide bombing anything.
  Yep, christians never take place is such activities.
  You know... except during The Troubles. And the civil rights movement. And lets just ignore the pro-lifers who murder. Oh, and the Westburrow Baptist church. And the 2011 car bombings in Norway. And the National Liberation Front of Tripura in India. And the Lord's Resistance Army. And going back a bit further the crusades, the inquisition, the forced conversion of natives and slaves. But I guess those aren't suicide attacks, so that makes them better.
55. Re:Given the UN's track record in Africa... by maroberts · 2013-06-20 09:28 · Score: 1
  
  Lumpy, Of the many, many churches I have been involved with over 30 years, 100% have taught exclusively that a Christian life is one of tolerance, peace, love, self control and virtue.
  except to gays
  
  --
  Donte Alistair Anderson Roberts - hi son!
  Karma: Chameleon
56. Re:Given the UN's track record in Africa... by Anonymous Coward · 2013-06-20 09:29 · Score: 0
  
  is god all-knowing ? then how come he did not forsee this ?
  is god all-powerfull ? whence evil ?
  is god good ? why does he allow priests molesting children ?
57. Re:Given the UN's track record in Africa... by Anonymous Coward · 2013-06-20 09:50 · Score: 0
  
  Never attribute to religion what greed and malice can easily explain.
  Surely religion is greed and malice.
58. Re:Given the UN's track record in Africa... by gsgriffin · 2013-06-20 09:57 · Score: 3, Interesting
  
  God is all-knowing and did know that this was going to happen and had a plan in place to deal with it...Jesus
  God is all powerful but in allowing free will (giving you the ability to choose) He has allowed evil as much as we desire it. People choose evil. You may not choose God. Who do you choose? If you are not for Him, you are against Him. Do you know who else is against God? Evil doesn't force itself on people. If God didn't allow this choice, you would be called a robot and have only good to do and not allowed to do anything else. The next logical question is why should there be free will. The answer is that love is only love when it is freely chosen. If your child is forced to love you, is it really love? If your child chooses to love you, you know the difference.
  God is good, all the time. He does allow evil, but never condones approves or encourages priests to do evil things. That is each person's choice.
  
  These are good questions. Keep them coming!
  
  --
  jsut athnoer menagiensls ltitle psrhae for you to dcoede. Why do we wtsae our tmie dnoig tihs?
59. Re:Given the UN's track record in Africa... by Hatta · 2013-06-20 10:23 · Score: 1, Insightful
  
  So, why don't we quit pretending and searching them so closely and turn our attention more directly on islamists around us in our countries and focus more on containing and pushing back against their countries that are openly antagonistic against us.
  Because violence begets more violence. The greatest marketing tool for Al Qaeda is the claim that America is in a war against Islam. There is nothing to be gained by making that claim factual.
  
  --
  Give me Classic Slashdot or give me death!
60. Re:Given the UN's track record in Africa... by Jah-Wren+Ryel · 2013-06-20 10:47 · Score: 1
  
  God is all powerful but in allowing free will (giving you the ability to choose) He has allowed evil as much as we desire it.
  You appear to be arguing that the potential for evil is a necessary requirement of free will. Correct?
  If so, that's just another way of saying that god is not omnipotent. That His will is constrained by some other force that requires free will to include the potential for evil. That God can not create a universe in which evil simply does not exist, just as this universe has all kinds of physical laws of nature that He could have defined to work some other way if He so desired it. A truly omnipotent God could create a universe in which the metaphysical laws work such that free will can exist without evil.
  
  --
  When information is power, privacy is freedom.
61. Re:Given the UN's track record in Africa... by Anonymous Coward · 2013-06-20 11:07 · Score: 0
  
  That's okay, because once just one side resorts to open and unrestricted warfare, it's now about us vs. them. And in this game, I'm all for 'us.'
62. Re:Given the UN's track record in Africa... by Anonymous Coward · 2013-06-20 11:11 · Score: 1
  
  I think the illusion of civilized nation is only a very recent thing. The human race has been conducting colonization, genocide, manipulation, murder and rape for at least 100,000 years. It's gotta be just like the opening to 2001 A Space Odyssey. As soon as someone learned to pick up a weapon, they used it to crush the brains of anyone else that got in their way.
  So, welcome back, REAL human nature. We've missed you. Only now we've got enough weapons to destroy us all. And solve the problem of human warfare once and for all.
63. Re:Given the UN's track record in Africa... by Anonymous Coward · 2013-06-20 11:12 · Score: 0
  
  How the hell do you justify your "fuck these guys, they're annoying me, kill them all" attitude to yourself? You want them to leave you alone? It's really simple. Leave *them* the fuck alone.
  I agree.. but here's the rub: we leave them alone, and isolate them completely. No trade, no migration, no inflow or outflow.. cultural, economic, population.. anything. Let them be who they are, but insulate the west completely. If the Chinese want to deal with them, fine... but no US or Western European ties.
  I've seen what Somalis do when they immigrate; I live not far from Columbus Ohio. They come here, they start gangs, they do not assimilate. They beat the shit out of locals and leech welfare while contributing absolutely nothing. The US is better off without them.
  So.. let's extend the embargo to all of Africa. I'm not joking. I feel not one iota of guilt for any of them save for Liberia, for which the US has *some* responsibility.
  
  I don't know how much more of this world I can stand. The ignorance and stupidity and *immorality* of even the intellectual elites of modern society disgust and frighten me.
  Morals? You're weak. Survival of the fittest. If you want to commit suicide, be my guest.
64. Re:Given the UN's track record in Africa... by gsgriffin · 2013-06-20 11:24 · Score: 2
  
  Many churches miss the teaching of Christ here as well. I'm a committed Christian and have been most of my life. Even though I went to a 'conservative' Christian college, upon graduation I got married. You know who we the ushers at my wedding? A gay couple that were involved in the theatre my wife was a part of growing up. We honored them and loved them the way Christ does. If all Christians actually acted the way Jesus did, they would actually show anger at the religious leaders (including pastors and priests that miss it...that is what Jesus did) and show love and compassion for everyone else.
  
  --
  jsut athnoer menagiensls ltitle psrhae for you to dcoede. Why do we wtsae our tmie dnoig tihs?
65. Re:Given the UN's track record in Africa... by Anonymous Coward · 2013-06-20 11:27 · Score: 0
  
  You're giving anecdotes, you fucking fool. Give me the stats on Islam and I'll give you a trend.
  I hope your children grow up under Islamic rule.
66. Re:Given the UN's track record in Africa... by gsgriffin · 2013-06-20 11:40 · Score: 1
  
  No. God is a big boy. He isn't frustrated in heaven wondering what went wrong. It's no a surprise to him that evil would take the course it did. It was his plan back at the time of creation that He would send His son to die for our evil. That is what Jesus did.
  
  You forgot the argument that, if God is omnipotent, can he create a rock so big that he can't move it? Either way you will claim then He is not omnipotent. He is not constrained by anything except Himself. He could say at any moment, "Enough is enough!" and it will all end. In fact, that is what will happen someday. There is a difference between power and control that I think you may be confusing. To say that you have the power, authority, and/or ability to discipline your children are all different things. God can, but holds himself back...at this time. He is allowing those that follow Him to try to make things right...though I would admit most followers of Christ are doing a pretty poor job of following Him and making a difference. I'll give you that.
  
  So what you are trying to argue is that we can freely choose between good #1 or good #2. I'm arguing that people can either choose to believe in God and follow Jesus or not. That is the free will choice you have today. Nobody is forcing you, but they both come with consequences and results.
  
  Lastly, I didn't say that God couldn't create a universe without evil. He chose to create it this way. When I get to heaven, I'll ask Him why he did it this way. You proposing that God is constrained or required to do anything is your presupposition, but I cannot see how it is required or constrained by anything. Our government, in the US, allows people to freely choose to do good or evil. Do evil, and we will try our best to make you pay the price of that. Our government is not constrained, it is showing self-constraint by not doing too much to CONTROL everyone and everything they do...which today in the US is what everyone is fighting for and angry with our government when it oversteps these desires.
  
  BTW...thank you for not being rude, condescending, or arrogant in this discussion. It makes an intelligent discourse possible. It seems to show lack of intelligence when people just end with calling names. So, thank you again for that!
  
  --
  jsut athnoer menagiensls ltitle psrhae for you to dcoede. Why do we wtsae our tmie dnoig tihs?
67. Re:Given the UN's track record in Africa... by Anonymous Coward · 2013-06-20 11:48 · Score: 0
  
  Muslims have killed more muslims than Americans have. Unleash a plague on the middle east and be done with them.
68. Re:Given the UN's track record in Africa... by Anonymous Coward · 2013-06-20 11:58 · Score: 0
  
  So if the Christian God, who created the devil, knew beforehand that the devil was going to be too prideful and fall from grace, doesn't that *still* make god the obvious, ultimate cause of pride, temptation, and everything bad that the devil is supposed to want?
  If you make the statement that an all good being created an all bad being and knew that the being was going to be bad before they created the bad being, then the "all good" being is, at most/best, morally neutral.
69. Re:Given the UN's track record in Africa... by cavreader · 2013-06-20 12:00 · Score: 1
  
  It's a never ending game of whack-a-mole. And anyone who tries to do something gets castigated and scorned for interfering in someone elses business. As long as the trouble makers confine themselves to their own country we should do nothing unless the country experiencing the problems specifically ask for assistance in writing. They should also expect a bill for services rendered.
70. Re:Given the UN's track record in Africa... by Anonymous Coward · 2013-06-20 12:21 · Score: 0
  
  Matthew 10:34: "Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword."
  Luke 22:36: "... he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one."
  Luke 22:49: "When they which were about him saw what would follow, they said unto him, Lord, shall we smite with the sword?" Which tells us that the apostles themselves - you know, the people who spent their whole lives with Jesus - were not at all clear about this 'pacifist' message you claim is so unambiguous.
71. Re:Given the UN's track record in Africa... by Jah-Wren+Ryel · 2013-06-20 12:26 · Score: 1
  
  No. God is a big boy. He isn't frustrated in heaven wondering what went wrong. It's no a surprise to him that evil would take the course it did. It was his plan back at the time of creation that He would send His son to die for our evil. That is what Jesus did.
  I don't see how deliberately choosing to create a system that includes evil so that people can struggle with it is a good thing when there is the option to simply not have evil at all.
  
  I didn't say that God couldn't create a universe without evil. He chose to create it this way. When I get to heaven, I'll ask Him why he did it this way.
  That sounds like a version of "it is not for us to judge" which isn't particularly convincing.
  
  BTW...thank you for not being rude, condescending, or arrogant in this discussion. It makes an intelligent discourse possible. It seems to show lack of intelligence when people just end with calling names. So, thank you again for that!
  Don't worry, I save that for people who use their faith to rationalize persecution of other people. I believe in the saying that "When you read the Bible, the Bible also reads you" - people with malice in their heart will find malice in the bible, those with good intentions will only find good in the bible.
  
  --
  When information is power, privacy is freedom.
72. Re:Given the UN's track record in Africa... by gsgriffin · 2013-06-20 12:43 · Score: 1
  
  ...I only find good in the bible
  
  --
  jsut athnoer menagiensls ltitle psrhae for you to dcoede. Why do we wtsae our tmie dnoig tihs?
73. Re:Given the UN's track record in Africa... by Jah-Wren+Ryel · 2013-06-20 13:04 · Score: 1
  
  Don't take this as a judgment on you because I don't know you, it is a general statement: Nobody ever admits to being evil - even to their inner selves. Sometimes in hindsight they will realize their error (in the news today Alan Manning Chambers is very publicly coming to terms with his), but never before they actually do evil.
  Everyone, even the most notorious, right down to Hitler, Pol Pot, Stalin, they all were convinced of their righteousness. None of them thought of themselves as a bad guy.
  
  --
  When information is power, privacy is freedom.
74. Re:Given the UN's track record in Africa... by gsgriffin · 2013-06-20 13:05 · Score: 1
  
  Great. now let's get the context of all of that, if you don't mind. In Matthew, please read the whole chapter (or the whole book, if you really want to get context). The King James version you quoted is pretty hard to understand, in my opinion. here is a better translation. "Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword." Out of context most people would say that Jesus is a pretty mean guy. Since you are only quoting that verse and not all of the rest of the New Testament, I'll just stay in the context of that chapter. Jesus is talking directly to his disciples that He was sending out to do heal people and bring a message of good. He was telling them about the hardships them will encounter. He warned them that people will try to harm them and even want to hurt them (not much has changed today, eh?). He was stating that the message he brings is so hard for the religious to accept that they will be going to war against you....hence what you see today with the Muslims committing to kill Christians (and doing so broadly across the world without very much resistance from the world). Christ came with a message that ends up bringing out the worst in others....sometimes.
  
  In Luke 22, Jesus was again talking to His disciples. He was once again telling them about the hard times that were about to come to them. He was telling them basically, "don't just sit on your butts and think that everything will be peachy all the time and no problems will ever come your way. Be ready to defend yourselves and your lives against evil." Read the whole book. You'll see how this fits and how it is still true today.
  
  In Luke 22:49, the religious leaders were now coming after Jesus with a small army with swords. One of those following Jesus missed the point of the "sword analogies" and actually took a sword and cut off the ear of the servant of the priest. Jesus rebuked him and told him to put it away. Jesus then picked up the ear and put it back on to show that it was not His intention to even cut off an ear in defense of Himself.
  
  Now, if you want to be an honest debater, Google what Jesus says about peace, love, humility, generosity, repentance and forgiveness. See what verses come up with those....and always read in the context of the whole New Testament. You can, if you want to distort it, prove anything you want using just a few words out of context...just look at politics today...don't do the same thing that politicians do by quoting only a single verse or sentence or phrase without the whole context, please. That would be fair.
  
  --
  jsut athnoer menagiensls ltitle psrhae for you to dcoede. Why do we wtsae our tmie dnoig tihs?
75. Re:Given the UN's track record in Africa... by gsgriffin · 2013-06-20 13:07 · Score: 1
  
  Not sure who this is directed to? Who are you talking about?
  
  --
  jsut athnoer menagiensls ltitle psrhae for you to dcoede. Why do we wtsae our tmie dnoig tihs?
76. Re:Given the UN's track record in Africa... by Jah-Wren+Ryel · 2013-06-20 13:17 · Score: 1
  
  I am responding to your statement that you only find good in the bible. My point is that is what everybody who calls themselves a Christian would say, regardless of exactly how "Christian" they act. It's meaningless.
  
  --
  When information is power, privacy is freedom.
77. Re:Given the UN's track record in Africa... by Anonymous Coward · 2013-06-20 13:22 · Score: 0
  
  People are complicated, but the delusions are simple. Anyway, you don't punish people for having delusions; you treat them.
  With napalm!
78. Re:Given the UN's track record in Africa... by rajafarian · 2013-06-20 13:27 · Score: 1
  
  I have to say, I can understand how they would view the UN in such a way. The UN's policies are pretty firm in their pushing of dependence, which is unsurprising given the way the wealthier and more influential nations are able to control it.
  I think they may be confusing the IMF with the UN. You know, "Before we went hungry and that was that, but now we're hungry, and in debt."
79. Re:Given the UN's track record in Africa... by gsgriffin · 2013-06-20 13:29 · Score: 1
  
  If it helps add to your judgment of me, I used to be a project management consultant in the Silicon Valley earning LOTS of money (Bio-tech and IT). I gave that all up to help and serve the poor in the world. This year I have already been to India, South Africa and Kenya. Heading soon to Peru, Bolivia, Madagascar and back to India. I help bring clean water, food growing technologies, micro loans and enterprise, and a website designed to help encourage more to do the same. I believe it and I do it, and my family has made the sacrifice of not having all the "stuff" we could have had if I were still earning good money. I earn squat now, but living the life that Jesus lays out is far better than having millions...in my opinion.
  
  I guess, the reason I'm writing so much on this thread is because I do understand the Bible and am living it out as best I can. I'm not perfect. I do make mistakes, but I'm trying hard to follow Christ. When people try to convince others that Jesus is a bad guy or God is not good, that drives me crazy, because I do understand the Bible, God and what we are called to do. If you find a place where people are really following Christ, you will never want to leave that place...it will be so good for everyone. Unfortunately, most of what people see is a religion ABOUT God and not those who have a relationship WITH God. I hate religion. I love relationship. The early followers of Christ were called followers of "The Way". People saw them and wanted to be a part of their group just because of the way they loved one another. On the outside, people wanted to join so they could learn and be a part of that love as well.
  
  --
  jsut athnoer menagiensls ltitle psrhae for you to dcoede. Why do we wtsae our tmie dnoig tihs?
80. Re:Given the UN's track record in Africa... by Zynder · 2013-06-20 13:29 · Score: 1
  
  I doubt the "Prophet" would be displeased. He advocated all kinds of raping and pillaging. But don't let that statement make you think I condone such things. The Christian "God" is also just as murdery. Go read some Deuteronomy sometime. They marched all over the Isreali region and said "worship God or die" and a lot of people did die. Now I guess in the later years we realized that was actually a pretty bad message to be sending to the world so we had to change our image. That is where we get the New Testament and Jesus telling everyone "hey ignore my dad. He's a total dickwad. I bring the love now so the Old Testament can be ignored." Frankly, both religions need to calm the fuck down.
81. Re:Given the UN's track record in Africa... by Zynder · 2013-06-20 13:35 · Score: 1
  
  Fear leads to anger; anger leads to hate; hate leads to suffering. Why do you advocate Christians getting angry? It leads to the Dark Side...
82. Re:Given the UN's track record in Africa... by gsgriffin · 2013-06-20 13:47 · Score: 1
  
  Thanks, Yoda, I love the quote! You're da man!
  
  I think a common saying among the Christians has actually had the reverse effect they thought it would when someone said, "Hate the sin. Love the sinner." Problem is that they get confused and end up hating the "sinner" and trying to define who they are. Truth is, we're all screwed up (i.e. sinners). The only difference is that some are forgiven and some are not.
  
  I do hate some things. I hate injustice. I hate evil. I hate the treatment of some women and children around the world. I hate evil done in the name of all religions. The real challenge is how you deal with those doing these things. That is the challenge that Christians face when seeing things that are evil and trying to respond.
  
  --
  jsut athnoer menagiensls ltitle psrhae for you to dcoede. Why do we wtsae our tmie dnoig tihs?
83. Re:Given the UN's track record in Africa... by Jah-Wren+Ryel · 2013-06-20 14:04 · Score: 1
  
  I'm not really interested in judging you. I assume that everybody is imperfect but reasonably decent until they behave otherwise.
  I'm more interested in judging God since he's the big kahuna and all. That's why I think you kind of punted on the "I will ask him when I get there" line - if by that what you really mean is that you take it as an article of faith, I can accept that. Faith is fundamental to religion, but faith itself is not persuasive to people who have not taken that leap because the very definition of faith is something which you believe but can not prove.
  
  --
  When information is power, privacy is freedom.
84. Re:Given the UN's track record in Africa... by Anonymous Coward · 2013-06-20 14:23 · Score: 0
  
  The death's of innocent westerners aren't the only one's that count towards Islam's evil tally though (likewise American's have killed more than just middle eastern Muslims to count toward their evil tally).
  When you add up the global deaths (including fellow Muslims) attributable to Muslims vs the global deaths (including fellow Americans) attributable to citizens of America the answer to the question of which is more evil is far more murky than you would have us believe.
85. Re:Given the UN's track record in Africa... by khallow · 2013-06-20 14:31 · Score: 1
  
  Do you not understand that western governments, and particularly the U.S. and U.N., have been fucking with the entire african and mid-east region for centuries?
  
  I don't and you don't understand either, because neither organization you mention above has been around for a large portion of that time. I find it interesting how people can blame the evils of millennia on the latest poster children (a blame which doesn't fit very well, I might add) and conveniently forget that things have gotten vastly better over that time.
  
  How the hell do you justify your "fuck these guys, they're annoying me, kill them all" attitude to yourself? You want them to leave you alone? It's really simple. Leave *them* the fuck alone.
  Who do you think really falls into this category here? A random poster on Slashdot isn't running some Congo Free State or Nazi Germany, turning genocide into wealth or power. They have almost no power or desire to meddle in other peoples' affairs. In addition, I see a number of these would-be genociders basing their claims on the fatalistic perception that they won't be left alone even if they try to disengage (for example, the people who believe that we'll either have to nuke over a billion Muslims or be eventually subjugated by a "global caliphate").
  
  I don't know how much more of this world I can stand. The ignorance and stupidity and *immorality* of even the intellectual elites of modern society disgust and frighten me.
  You can stand by lowering your absurd standards. It's painfully obvious that the whole world, even the vast non-human part, runs on self-interest. Rather than bewail that humans will behave in future as they always have, perhaps we should try to fix what can be fixed rather than fix what can't be.
  
  For example, I'll point out that relatively free markets and capitalism has a great track record in getting self-interested people to help each other. So does democracy and the college system of higher education. Social, economic, and legal infrastructure which prevents or renders obsolete a variety of abuses seems to be a better approach than wishing people could be better.
  
  I personally steer clear of "intellectual elites" because a lot of them get in that sort of position merely by having a desire for status or power and taking considerable effort to manipulate and beguile others, As a result of that filter, they tend to be even more flawed than the general population.
86. Re:Given the UN's track record in Africa... by Jherek+Carnelian · 2013-06-20 14:45 · Score: 1
  
  It's clear the spreading of disbelief is the real motivator here. Kill in the name of God.
  You have that backwards, it is to use God to backstop their arguments for killing. Happens in basically every country with significant religious population. Every session of congress opens with a christian prayer but that doesn't mean congress writes laws (and declares war) in the name of God.
87. Re:Given the UN's track record in Africa... by gsgriffin · 2013-06-20 15:10 · Score: 1
  
  Dang! I just was finishing writing a reply and I lost the posting box, somehow....now need to start over :( Perhaps I'll be more brief than I just was...and not lose it
  
  If this is a serious question of yours and not just a desire to argue, I would highly recommend C.S. Lewis' book, "Problem of Pain". It is very deep. He is brilliant and does a good job of discussing this from every angle.
  
  I'll do my best without writing a book, but ultimately, you can choose to agree or disagree (see, isn't free will a great thing...hehe).
  
  From what I understand (which is limited in comparison to other apologist), when God created heaven, everything was good. There was no evil, but their was also choice. That led one angel to think more of himself and think he could be equal with God. Crazy thought, but he had that. He gathered a good portion of other angels to think his way. More stupidity. That pride was the start of the problem. Could God have created angels with no ability to sin? I would assume so. He didn't. Why? Love. God is love (please don't reverse the logic and try to claim that love is God) It is a statement of the essence of His Character not that each person who does what they call love is actually a god.
  
  The basic quality of love is that is must be chosen (a choice) for it to be real. Love cannot be forced. If you try to force someone to love you, it is not real, is it? God chooses to love us (why, I don't know...we don't deserve it and are pretty pathetic). He wants to give us the choice to love Him back (or not). For that essential choice to exist, you must have the ability to choose Him or not choose Him. If God were the ruler of the whole earth today, you would not have a choice.
  
  The truth is that God is not a controlling and forcing God. He is an allowing God. We don't want evil, but they still want a choice. The only choice other than God is life without God. That is what Satan wants and desires everyone else to follow. You are either for God or you are against God. All evil is simply people choosing something over God. For God to make it possible for us to freely choose Him, to freely love Him, there must be an alternative choice.
  
  I look at the Bible simply like this....In the beginning, God gave Adam and Eve the 'keys' to earth. Adam and Eve handed the keys to Satan. Jesus came and took the keys away from Satan and handed them to the church. The problem as it is exists today is what the church is doing with the 'keys' to earth. Unfortunately, a lot are doing a pretty poor job. Is God tired of this and ready to bring it all to an end? I sure hope so! Soon! I'm ready for a real change.
  
  I hope I did that argument justice. I feel like I could write a book...perhaps this thread will become one ;) Thanks again for not being mean-spirited in your discussion here. All to often on /. I find that people that cannot enter into an intelligent discussion about God just claim anyone who believes in God is crazy and start name calling. Look back through history to see how many of the greatest minds in history did believe in God...and were very smart!
  
  --
  jsut athnoer menagiensls ltitle psrhae for you to dcoede. Why do we wtsae our tmie dnoig tihs?
88. Re:Given the UN's track record in Africa... by Anonymous Coward · 2013-06-20 15:17 · Score: 0
  
  Our world leaders and elected officials don't want to stop radical Islam. In fact, they want to embrace it for one simple reason; divide and conquer. The extreme wealthy want a two class system. The rich, and the poor. The idea being once they achieve their goals, they can finally drop the Hammer of Thor and wipe out them out.
89. Re:Given the UN's track record in Africa... by spruce · 2013-06-20 15:22 · Score: 1
  
  Posting to undo my mod, parent is funny, not insightful.
90. Re:Given the UN's track record in Africa... by Anonymous Coward · 2013-06-20 15:25 · Score: 0
  
  ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
  SELF DEFENSE OF AMERICA! AND FOR AMERICA!
91. Re:Given the UN's track record in Africa... by Zynder · 2013-06-20 15:43 · Score: 1
  
  And you sir have gotten Yoda's message. You will hate some things, we all do. But like you said it is how we deal with those things that makes us who we are. That was what Yoda was trying to instill in Luke. Luke will hate those things and he will see the evil within but if he let's those drive his actions, he in essence becomes the thing he hates. Of course once you slide on over to the Dark Side, each one of those bad actions becomes easier and easier and eventually you are desensitized. I think that is what was meant when the Jedi say once you go black, you'll never go back.
92. Re:Given the UN's track record in Africa... by DigiShaman · 2013-06-20 16:10 · Score: 1
  
  Reason #325 what Islam is fucked up.
  In Islam: If a daughter is raped, the father must kill her as an act of "honor". As the for the rapist, he can only be convicted if there were four male witnesses.
  
  --
  Life is not for the lazy.
93. Re:Given the UN's track record in Africa... by Xarvh · 2013-06-20 16:19 · Score: 1
  
  The New Testament teaches that it is just and merciful and righteous (because it's God's design*) that those who do not share belief in Jesus Christ will be tortured for eternity.
  * This is the same God that (in the Old Testament) orders the genocide of the Canaanites.
  Also, you don't have monopoly of the interpretation of the Bible.
  Yes, yes I know, YOU are different and YOU choose the correct book and the correct interpretation, unlike everybody else.
  But this is what I hear from ALL religious people, violent or not.
94. Re:Given the UN's track record in Africa... by Tagged_84 · 2013-06-20 16:35 · Score: 1
  
  http://www.thereligionofpeace.com/
95. Re:Given the UN's track record in Africa... by Zontar+The+Mindless · 2013-06-20 16:51 · Score: 1
  
  Not just a river in Egypt.
  
  --
  Il n'y a pas de Planet B.
96. Re:Given the UN's track record in Africa... by Zontar+The+Mindless · 2013-06-20 17:05 · Score: 1
  
  That Wikipedia article is full of non sequiturs, and was written primarily by someone trying to drum up support for their (very bad) book on the subject.
  
  --
  Il n'y a pas de Planet B.
97. Re:Given the UN's track record in Africa... by Zontar+The+Mindless · 2013-06-20 17:07 · Score: 1
  
  If Jesus returned today, the first thing he'd say is, "You turned my teachings into a RELIGION?! What is the matter with you people?"
  
  --
  Il n'y a pas de Planet B.
98. Re:Given the UN's track record in Africa... by Zontar+The+Mindless · 2013-06-20 17:15 · Score: 1
  
  Thanks for pointing up one of my principal objections to the Abrahamic religions: The abhorrent notion lying at the root of all of them--that humans must pay God off every so often by sacrificing one of their number.
  
  --
  Il n'y a pas de Planet B.
99. Re:Given the UN's track record in Africa... by Zontar+The+Mindless · 2013-06-20 17:21 · Score: 1
  
  Sounds like you're burning up lots of funds on airfare that could be used to help people who need it right in your own neighbourhood. But I'm glad that it makes you feel better.
  
  --
  Il n'y a pas de Planet B.
100. Re:Given the UN's track record in Africa... by Zontar+The+Mindless · 2013-06-20 17:52 · Score: 1
  
  ...keep in mind that would foster a great deal of global instability and subsequent hatred.
  Causing large numbers of sentient beings to suffer greatly (and for no good reason apparent to them) often leads to such things.
  (Merely an observation. Not intended as criticism.)
  
  --
  Il n'y a pas de Planet B.
101. Re:Given the UN's track record in Africa... by Sabriel · 2013-06-20 19:19 · Score: 1
  
  Sadly, it might seriously be time for considering a modern version of the crusades. But without the religious slant on our side.
  
  Is it worth me pointing out that without the religious slant, the crusades could be crudely described as a small bunch of murderous smart-asses convincing a large bunch of murderous dumb-asses that there was a distant foreign land deserving of plucking, looting, raping and pillaging - so that the first bunch could do some plucking, looting, raping and pillaging of their own without having to fight the second bunch for the spoils?
102. Re:Given the UN's track record in Africa... by sociocapitalist · 2013-06-20 19:19 · Score: 1
  
  I can't believe I'm seeing genocide advocated on slashdot... and up-voted.
  Do you not understand that western governments, and particularly the U.S. and U.N., have been fucking with the entire african and mid-east region for centuries? Colonization, genocide, propping up dictatorships, mass-depopulation, stealing resources, military occupations, institutionalized rape and slavery...
  How the hell do you justify your "fuck these guys, they're annoying me, kill them all" attitude to yourself? You want them to leave you alone? It's really simple. Leave *them* the fuck alone.
  I don't know how much more of this world I can stand. The ignorance and stupidity and *immorality* of even the intellectual elites of modern society disgust and frighten me.
  Let's add Central and South Americas to your list...
  
  --
  blindly antisocialist = antisocial
103. Re:Given the UN's track record in Africa... by sociocapitalist · 2013-06-20 19:23 · Score: 2
  
  God is all-knowing and did know that this was going to happen and had a plan in place to deal with it...Jesus
  God is all powerful but in allowing free will (giving you the ability to choose) He has allowed evil as much as we desire it. People choose evil. You may not choose God. Who do you choose? If you are not for Him, you are against Him. Do you know who else is against God? Evil doesn't force itself on people. If God didn't allow this choice, you would be called a robot and have only good to do and not allowed to do anything else. The next logical question is why should there be free will. The answer is that love is only love when it is freely chosen. If your child is forced to love you, is it really love? If your child chooses to love you, you know the difference.
  God is good, all the time. He does allow evil, but never condones approves or encourages priests to do evil things. That is each person's choice.
  These are good questions. Keep them coming!
  The best thing about religion is that when something good happens, it's god's doing. When something bad happens, it's man's own fault out of free choice.
  Really can't lose with that can you? :-)
  
  --
  blindly antisocialist = antisocial
104. Re:Given the UN's track record in Africa... by Sabriel · 2013-06-20 19:33 · Score: 1
  
  I noticed that the GP didn't mention the word "church" once. Seems to me that we humans are very bad at building houses when we use religion as the foundation.
105. Re:Given the UN's track record in Africa... by K.+S.+Kyosuke · 2013-06-20 20:45 · Score: 1
  
  Here's one actual definition from the OED: "a fixed false opinion or belief with regard to objective things". It seems to me that this applies perfectly in this case, don't you think?
  
  --
  Ezekiel 23:20
106. Re:Given the UN's track record in Africa... by K.+S.+Kyosuke · 2013-06-20 22:16 · Score: 2
  
  People are complicated, but the delusions are simple. Anyway, you don't punish people for having delusions; you treat them.
  With napalm!
  I think I have to treat you with a facepalm.
  
  --
  Ezekiel 23:20
107. Re:Given the UN's track record in Africa... by tofarr · 2013-06-21 00:13 · Score: 1
  
  Seems to me that you are saying - "The problems of the middle East are all down to the dirty Westerners and their interference." Do you really believe that? The middle East has valuable resources (The Suez Canal and Oil to name a few.). Where there are valuable resources, it is human nature to try to control and benefit from them.
  If it wasn't the Americans, it would be the British. If it wasn't the British, it would be the French. If not the French, then the Russians, Chinese, Japanese, Germans, etc, etc, etc.
  And this does not even include the ability of the people in the area to be massive dicks to each other - something they have more than demonstrated both the ability and inclination to do.
  With the culture of certain elements in the area, the level of entrenched hatred, and the prizes up for grabs, I suspect there would be violence even if it had been left alone for the past few centuries. (With the main difference being that had they been left alone for that long, some power would probably have risen to the top and would be extending their influence over the rest of the world rather than the other way around.) All in all, the area might look different, but the world would probably look remarkably similar...
108. Re:Given the UN's track record in Africa... by Anonymous Coward · 2013-06-21 00:18 · Score: 0
  
  12 years ago it became apparent that there was nothing to be gained by allowing them to continue conducting a one-sided war, either.
109. Re:Given the UN's track record in Africa... by cayenne8 · 2013-06-21 00:24 · Score: 0
  
  Because violence begets more violence. The greatest marketing tool for Al Qaeda is the claim that America is in a war against Islam. There is nothing to be gained by making that claim factual.
  Only if you allow survivors.
  Turn a couple of places to 'glass', and there will be no survivors there to recruit.
  
  --
  Light travels faster than sound. This is why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.........
110. Re:Given the UN's track record in Africa... by cayenne8 · 2013-06-21 00:26 · Score: 1
  
  Do some counting. Americans have killed a lot more innocent muslims in the middle east than muslims have killed innocent westerners.
  
  Hey, they started it.
  And, if we'd gone over there and fought like a REAL war, with no 'hearts and minds' bullshit, we'd have wiped out the bad guys much quicker and more efficiently, and it would have all been over long ago.
  The problem with the US is, we don't go in like a real war anymore. We need to go in with overwhelming strength and force and overrun with extreme prejudice, make it short and sweet.
  
  --
  Light travels faster than sound. This is why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.........
111. Re:Given the UN's track record in Africa... by cayenne8 · 2013-06-21 00:29 · Score: 1
  
  Do you not understand that western governments, and particularly the U.S. and U.N., have been fucking with the entire african and mid-east region for centuries?
  
  You know, I'm only interested really in the past 40 or so years, maybe less.
  I don't really give a fuck about africa, I have nothing to do with them and they really aren't of much use to me...if we are doing things there, anything, then we should get out.
  Aside from wasting the Somali pirates that hit our ships, we shouldn't have any US interest setting foot in that area.
  
  --
  Light travels faster than sound. This is why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.........
112. Re:Given the UN's track record in Africa... by K.+S.+Kyosuke · 2013-06-21 00:39 · Score: 2
  
  Someone had no tolerance for their beliefs, their way of life and their resources, and are invading them, with armies, global economy or/and factories.
  I don't think they were invaded because of their beliefs and their way of life. The resources, on the other hand... It doesn't help, of course, that these countries have a lot of people willing to get bribed.
  
  --
  Ezekiel 23:20
113. Re:Given the UN's track record in Africa... by Anonymous Coward · 2013-06-21 02:24 · Score: 0
  
  Someone needs to read some books... like the koran and hadiths. Islam has had "no tolerance for [the] beliefs [of others], their way[s] of life and their resources, and [invaded] them, with armies [for the past 1,400 years]. They [non-muslims] just fight back the best they know, after the damage [is] done."
  Fixed it for ya.
  Members of The Religion of Peace (tm) have committed over 20,000 terrorist attacks since 9/11/2001 all over the world, murdering and maiming tens of thousands- MOSTLY OTHER MUSLIMS.
  And there have been about 70 (yes SEVENTY) islamic terrorist attacks in the mainland USA that have murdered over 3,0000 people.
  What does the Marine song line "to the shores of Tripoli" mean? Look it up, son, and learn something.
114. Re:Given the UN's track record in Africa... by Anonymous Coward · 2013-06-21 02:27 · Score: 0
  
  "Americans have killed a lot more innocent muslims in the middle east than muslims have killed innocent westerners. You are far more evil than those you claim to hate."
  Not quite. In the 1,400 year existence of the sick joke called "islam", MILLIONS have been enslaved, raped, tortured, maimed, and murdered in the name of islam.
  Try reading something other than web sites-- like the koran and hadiths, as well as the fatwas and speeches issued and made my muslims themselves, and learn something true instead of helping islam spread their religiously inspired lies called "taqqiya".
115. Re:Given the UN's track record in Africa... by Anonymous Coward · 2013-06-21 02:33 · Score: 0
  
  "the U.S. and U.N., have been fucking with the entire african and mid-east region for centuries? "
  Really now-- for CENTURIES? CENTURIES? Let's see-- the USA is oh... a little over 200 years old... and the UN is -- oh, 68?
  Stop spreading the islamic bullshit propaganda and lies known as taqqiya, and read some books, like the koran and hadiths... you'll see who REALLY has been engaging in colonization, crusades, genocide (The Day [of Judgment] will not come until you fight the Jews and KILL THEM-- islamic hadith), propping up caliphates/dictators, mass-depopulation (i.e. murdering entire tribes and villages of Jews and Christians, etc), stealing resources, militarily occupying, institutionalized rape and slavery (as per koran and hadith)... 1,400 of this perpetrated by muslims in the name of islam. You really think some cracker Christians showed up in Africa one day and started stealing people? Muslims are still buying and selling slaves TO THIS DAY...
  thereligionofpeace.com
116. Re:Given the UN's track record in Africa... by Anonymous Coward · 2013-06-21 02:35 · Score: 0
  
  I don't and you don't understand either, because neither organization you mention above has been around for a large portion of that time.
  Read his post again. He said western governments have been fucking with the entire african and mid-east region for centuries. Whether two particular western organizations have existed for a large portion of that time or not does not detract from that point (which I'm sure you can argue if you tried)
  
  Who do you think really falls into this category here? A random poster on Slashdot isn't running some Congo Free State or Nazi Germany, turning genocide into wealth or power. They have almost no power or desire to meddle in other peoples' affairs
  Again, read his post. His statement was about the attitude, not whether people with such attitude actually have the power to follow through.
  
  You can stand by lowering your absurd standards. It's painfully obvious that the whole world, even the vast non-human part, runs on self-interest.
  Third time, read again. His statement was about ignorance, stupidity, and immorality. Those are not synonymous with self-interest (nor are they mutually exclusive)
  
  Rather than bewail that humans will behave in future as they always have, perhaps we should try to fix what can be fixed rather than fix what can't be.
  Then I wonder why you bother replying to him. His way of thinking and tendency to bewail is also one of those things that can't be fixed. People bitch. It's what they do. And you too, as you're bewailing about his bewailing
  
  For example, I'll point out that relatively free markets and capitalism has a great track record in getting self-interested people to help each other.
  As above, GP isn't complain about self-interest. When it comes to stupidity, ignorance, and immorality, free market capitalism is neutral. Even the stupid/ignorant/immoral can own private capital, and under a free market no government can tell them they can't be stupid/ignorant/immoral (or forcefully take away their private capital). That's why even slave owners and racists could start businesses and help each other out through trade.
  
  I personally steer clear of "intellectual elites" because a lot of them get in that sort of position merely by having a desire for status or power and taking considerable effort to manipulate and beguile others, As a result of that filter, they tend to be even more flawed than the general population.
  Those intellectual elites are simply self-interested people, and their manipulation and beguiling are just another type of free market trade - they're selling ideas/favors/promises in return for status/power. And they have results to show for it. They are not more flawed than the general population. If anything they are better, for it is the general population who decided to give the elites that status/power.
117. Re:Given the UN's track record in Africa... by Anonymous Coward · 2013-06-21 02:55 · Score: 0
  
  The koran states that the world is divided into two "houses"-- the Dar al-islam, the house of islam, and dar al-harb, the house of war. Indeed, it is koranic injunction that islam is at war with all non-muslims. We (non-muslims) certainly didn't start the war.... a psychopathic pedophile called "mohammed" did, 1,400 years ago. Read the koran and hadiths, and learn for yourself.
118. Re:Given the UN's track record in Africa... by tibman · 2013-06-21 03:55 · Score: 1
  
  That probably wouldn't solve the problem though. Even in total war it's rare to kill unarmed civilians. Bombing whole towns seems to be how most civilians die in total war. The justification for bombing whole towns is to remove the town's ability to support a local army (via food, shelter, or materiel). If there is no army and just a ramshackle militia then i don't think that would justify the removal of a whole town.
  I think you are part right though. The thing that struck me with most of the Iraqi people is their ability to remember events of the distant past. I think they would have respected us (the US) more if we just smashed the guard and destroyed all of Saddam's palaces and left the country. Message sent. Most of their infrastructure would have remained in-tact and less rebuilding would have been required. The power vacuum would be replaced by someone near Saddam (or Saddam himself). It was pretty clear that Saddam didn't have usable weapons of mass destruction during the invasion. The minster of truth (or information? can't remember) was frothing at the mouth about using chem/bio weapons on all of the invaders if they took another step. Then the Military would take a step and see what happened. He would just get louder and bluff harder. Only nukes would matter anyways. Chem/bio is nearly useless against the main US body. Anyways, it would have accomplished what we set out to do. The whole thing was about weapons of mass destruction. Saddam said he had them.. he didn't (not the deployable version the world fears). So go home. Now that being said, i'm certain the Shia are collectively happy we stayed to occupy and rebuild. They overtook the population minority Sunni in government. The pseudo-civil war they had was pretty ugly and having the US in the way helped them for sure. Guarding the Iraq borders prevented any outside Sunni from interfering. Anyways.. rambling here
  
  --
  http://soylentnews.org/~tibman
119. Re:Given the UN's track record in Africa... by Anonymous Coward · 2013-06-21 04:24 · Score: 0
  
  If all Christians actually acted the way Jesus did, they would actually show anger at the religious leaders (including pastors and priests that miss it...that is what Jesus did) and show love and compassion for everyone else.
  Religious leaders are judged by a higher standard than everyone else. Your statement is still wrong. Remember what Jesus did to the money changers in the Temple? Remember the compassion and love He showed to the Sanhedrin member named Nicodemus?
  The tax collector Zacchaeus, Nicodemus and the sinful woman that anointed Him at the beginning of His ministry had something in common. The money changers in the temple, the pharisee that praised God for how moral he was and the rich young man that wouldn't follow Him had in common that they didn't have it. It wasn't social status. It wasn't wealth. It was something far more important.
  If you are "seeker friendly" and "culturally relevant" enough to not understand what I refer to I hope the following quotes will help: "Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart." "But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away." "Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
120. Re:Given the UN's track record in Africa... by stdarg · 2013-06-21 13:08 · Score: 1
  
  Perhaps I'm disagreeing with you and you don't even realize it. Yeah, I'm arguing that the UN's peacekeeping role is like militarized police. Where we disagree is that that is bad.
  The funny thing about the two of us is we both don't like the UN even though I'm defending their purpose. You don't like them because they're too "military" like or whatever.. I don't like them because they're too soft.
121. Re:Given the UN's track record in Africa... by Anonymous Coward · 2013-06-21 17:32 · Score: 0
  
  Gosh you are wise. I suppose America should just stand aside then and let the "innoncent muslims" of Al-Shabaab behead any Somali that disagrees with their interpretation of the Quran then?
122. Re:Given the UN's track record in Africa... by RockDoctor · 2013-06-21 22:40 · Score: 1
  
  Exactly. When I read this: "a merchant of death & a satanic force of evil, has a long inglorious record of spreading nothing but poverty, dependency & disbelief", for a moment I thought they were talking about their brand of $INSERT_RELIGION_OF_PARENT'S_CHOICE$.
  FTFY
  Some religions may be worse than others, but very few of them rise to the level of being almost acceptable as moral bases. It's the "I can blame it on $DEITY$" option that makes religions generally culpable.
  
  --
  Birds are not dinosaur descendants;birds are dinosaurs, for all useful meanings of "birds", "are" and "dinosaurs"
123. Re:Given the UN's track record in Africa... by khallow · 2013-06-22 01:59 · Score: 1
  
  Read his post again. He said western governments have been fucking with the entire african and mid-east region for centuries.
  There's a reason I quote.
  
  Do you not understand that western governments, and particularly the U.S. and U.N., have been fucking with the entire african and mid-east region for centuries?
  That quote already answered your complaint. Since "particularly" the U.S. and U.N. were doing this.
  
  Again, read his post. His statement was about the attitude, not whether people with such attitude actually have the power to follow through.
  Again read my quote. It's already answered.
  
  How the hell do you justify your "fuck these guys, they're annoying me, kill them all" attitude to yourself? You want them to leave you alone? It's really simple. Leave *them* the fuck alone.
  If he were merely complaining about the attitude when why does he command us to leave them alone? Having a bad attitude and not acting on it would be leaving them alone.
  
  Third time, read again. His statement was about ignorance, stupidity, and immorality. Those are not synonymous with self-interest (nor are they mutually exclusive)
  Again:
  
  I don't know how much more of this world I can stand. The ignorance and stupidity and *immorality* of even the intellectual elites of modern society disgust and frighten me.
  This one requires a bit of explanation. First, is it possible for humans to be anything other than "ignorant", "stupid", and "immoral"? For example, even if I were to somehow subsume the resources of the entire known universe and make myself a giant khallow brain, there would still be things that would be unknowable to me. I would still be ignorant. Similarly, no matter how smart we become, we'll still be dumb to someone who is much smarter than that. And in either consideration, as we are, we only have vague glimmers of what the future holds.
  
  When when our very lives depend on the deaths of other plants and animals (via feeding), we have a fundamental immorality at the core. Plus, certain immoral behavior has turned out to be successful evolution-wise. We wouldn't be here (IMHO), if some of our ancestors hadn't acted immorally. Those traits get passed on.
  
  Those intellectual elites are simply self-interested people, and their manipulation and beguiling are just another type of free market trade - they're selling ideas/favors/promises in return for status/power. And they have results to show for it. They are not more flawed than the general population.
  Finally, we get to the "intellectual elite". There are two things to observe here. First, some people are truly more flawed morally than other people. When presented with the opportunity, some people will do immoral things that most people wouldn't do (child rape is a notable example).
  
  Second, there is a mechanism here to select for people who are willing to deceive others. They'll tend to be more successful in getting status and power than those who don't attempt such deception.
  
  If anything they are better, for it is the general population who decided to give the elites that status/power.
  Let's Godwin this particular argument. You are effectively arguing that Adolf Hilter is morally better than German Holocaust victims (who would be among the general population who gave him such power). Sure, they might have thought that he was a crazy, dangerous person and resisted him at the time (or not as the case may be), but I doubt anyone in 1932 knew ahead of time what would come (that ignorance and stupidity thing, this time in predicting the future).
  
  That's why I find this particular argument to be a non sequitur. It doesn't follow that intellectual elites are morally better than the people who give them that status and power, bec
124. Re:Given the UN's track record in Africa... by Anonymous Coward · 2013-06-22 07:54 · Score: 0
  
  Except for the introduction of hell - the award for souls not in compliance with 'divine' law.
  And lets not even start with the compulsory love aspect..
125. Re:Given the UN's track record in Africa... by intermodal · 2013-06-24 01:12 · Score: 1
  
  We certainly do have our disagreements. I think the UN should be abolished, and you think they should be more powerful.
  
  --
  In SOVIET RUSSIA... erm...NSA AMERICA, the Internet logs onto YOU!
126. Re:Given the UN's track record in Africa... by labnet · 2013-06-24 17:09 · Score: 1
  
  except to gays
  Even to Gays.
  I've just re-employed someone who is gay. We get along great. I don't approve of the lifestyle, but neither do I approve of drunkness, smoking, affairs.... Not agreeing with someone doesn't mean you hate them or treat them with disrespect.
  
  --
  46137
127. Re:Given the UN's track record in Africa... by Rakarra · 2013-06-25 09:12 · Score: 1
  
  The minster of truth (or information? can't remember)
  The Iraqi Information Minister. I still have the mug in my office from WeLoveTheIraqiInformationMinister.com: "I now inform you that you are too far from reality."
  
  was frothing at the mouth about using chem/bio weapons on all of the invaders if they took another step. Then the Military would take a step and see what happened. He would just get louder and bluff harder. Only nukes would matter anyways. Chem/bio is nearly useless against the main US body
  Eh, tell that to all the vets who had Gulf War Syndrome. We still don't know exactly what they were exposed to.
128. Re:Given the UN's track record in Africa... by strikethree · 2013-06-25 15:23 · Score: 1
  
  Do some counting. Americans have killed a lot more innocent muslims in the middle east than muslims have killed innocent westerners. You are far more evil than those you claim to hate.
  Concerning easily verifiable direct cause of death counts, muslims are far ahead of Americans on the death count. If you attribute the millions dying from malnutrition, killed by "insurgents" in their own countries, and deaths through general destruction of infrastructure, then yeah, you can say America is far ahead of the muslims.
  You are also implying that death is the only proof of evil. There are numerous things you can do that are extremely evil with actually killing anyone.
  Try being judgmental somewhere else... or at least with a more coherent argument.
  
  --
  "Someone needs to talk to the tree of liberty about its ghoulish drinking problem." by ohnocitizen
129. Re:Given the UN's track record in Africa... by strikethree · 2013-06-25 15:32 · Score: 1
  
  How the hell do you justify your "fuck these guys, they're annoying me, kill them all" attitude to yourself? You want them to leave you alone? It's really simple. Leave *them* the fuck alone.
  While poking them with a stick is guaranteed to cause a response, leaving them "the fuck" alone does NOT guarantee that they will not attack your interests. Life is just not that simple.
  Let's face it, these islamic militants are just not pleasant people no matter who you are. Their beliefs are entirely incompatible with modern notions of freedom and liberty. At some point, there will be conflict between Western beliefs and islamic beliefs.
  The real question is how that conflict will play out. Will it be based purely on economic concerns as it is currently or will it be based on more ethical considerations?
  
  --
  "Someone needs to talk to the tree of liberty about its ghoulish drinking problem." by ohnocitizen
130. Re:Given the UN's track record in Africa... by strikethree · 2013-06-25 15:36 · Score: 1
  
  If you are not for Him, you are against Him.
  *sigh* You had a pretty good argument up until this point. I have now stopped reading what you are saying. There is nothing more to discuss.
  
  --
  "Someone needs to talk to the tree of liberty about its ghoulish drinking problem." by ohnocitizen
Everyone modernizes by Anonymous Coward · 2013-06-20 05:02 · Score: 0

So the nuts can use social networking too. Heck of a lot faster than mailing your insane manifesto to news organizations.
Crazed cowards with a smartphone are still crazed cowards.
1. Re:Everyone modernizes by ebno-10db · 2013-06-20 08:15 · Score: 1
  
  So the nuts can use social networking too. Heck of a lot faster than mailing your insane manifesto to news organizations.
  Would have been interesting if Twitter was around in the days of the Unabomber (and incredibly ironic if he used it).
2. Re:Everyone modernizes by HiThere · 2013-06-20 12:26 · Score: 1
  
  Considering that the attacks were described as "suicidal", calling the perpetrators "cowards" seems gross misuse of the language. "Crazed" is plausible, but needs more evidence. 'Fanatic bigots" seems more justifiable.
  
  --
  
  I think we've pushed this "anyone can grow up to be president" thing too far.
Why... by Anonymous Coward · 2013-06-20 05:04 · Score: 0

I don't understand why we continue to deal with these folks as if they are adults and human.
Withdraw all troops. Withdraw all support. Stop all 'aid' of any sort.
And cut them off from the rest of the world too.
Whenever they grow the fuck up we can deal with them in a diplomatic way again.
Yeah, alot of innocent people would be hurt by doing it this way... But so far it doesn't look like that would matter much. Just change which innocent people were getting killed.
At the very least it would save a fuckton of money. And stop civilized people from being killed who were trying to help.
1. Re:Why... by doconnor · 2013-06-20 05:09 · Score: 2
  
  The people engaging in these attacks represent a minority of the people who live there.
2. Re:Why... by BitZtream · 2013-06-20 05:15 · Score: 5, Interesting
  
  And the people who live there aren't doing a fucking thing about it are they? Do you think they don't know who it is?
  Why is it they I'm guilty for standing aside and watching a crime against humanity, but they are absolved?
  If they had such a problem against it, they'd do something about it. They do not. They are only slightly different than the ones actually perform the bombings.
  
  --
  Persistent Volume manager for Kubernetes - https://github.com/dwimsey/openshift-pvmanager
3. Re:Why... by amiga3D · 2013-06-20 05:17 · Score: 1
  
  But I agree with the Anon Coward. The majority that live there want peace? Let them fix their own house then. Maybe some support but enough with trying to police the world. Quarantine the problem areas and let the supposedly peaceful majority take control then we can negotiate with them. You can't negotiate with people who are perfectly content to blow up 100 of their own people to kill a few infidels.
4. Re:Why... by Anonymous Coward · 2013-06-20 05:17 · Score: 0
  
  Maybe you should also consider the fact that a lot of money flows through industrialists to a small elite able to control the politics there.
5. Re:Why... by doconnor · 2013-06-20 05:23 · Score: 1
  
  I'm sure some of them try do something, although I'm sure some of them are dead now. Do we abandon them?
  Of course, most people just go with the flow. Do you condemn them for being human?
  Despite this setback conditions in Somalia are improving. Pretty good for the most lawless place in the world.
6. Re:Why... by Reverand+Dave · 2013-06-20 05:24 · Score: 3, Insightful
  
  This is exactly my thoughts. If the people do want the help then they should help themselves first by trying to eliminate these radical elements of society. Of course, you can crow all day about "innocent bystanders" and "the extremists are the minority" but the real question should be: Are they really? Are the majority of the people so in favor of aid that they would do something if it would help? I think the clear and resounding answer to that is "no". No they wouldn't, won't, and will not help because they simply don't care.
  
  --
  I got here through a series of tubes
7. Re:Why... by BitZtream · 2013-06-20 05:32 · Score: 1
  
  I should add to that, I don't believe in going to destroy their country in a big invasion. I believe we should just leave them alone and let them kill themselves instead of trying to 'save them'.
  These sort of problems resolve themselves fairly quickly without outside support. Evolution is a bitch.
  
  --
  Persistent Volume manager for Kubernetes - https://github.com/dwimsey/openshift-pvmanager
8. Re:Why... by Sparticus789 · 2013-06-20 05:33 · Score: 1
  
  The Germans involved in the Holocaust were a minority of the overall German population. But we bombed the crap out of the entire country anyways.
  
  --
  sudo make me a sandwich
9. Re:Why... by Lumpy · 2013-06-20 05:38 · Score: 1
  
  Yes. we bombed the shit out of berlin for days on end. Why? because that was the only way to stop the evil people. you had to kill others to get the evil people.
  Why dont the UN just fire up gatling guns and mow down the whole frigging crowd attacking?
  
  --
  Do not look at laser with remaining good eye.
10. Re:Why... by Anonymous Coward · 2013-06-20 05:42 · Score: 0
  
  Do you "do something about it" every time injustice occurs in wherever neck of the world you are comfortably posting from?
  If not, you are only slightly different from people who perform suicide attacks.
  (I bet that logic doesn't work here for some reason.)
11. Re:Why... by Anonymous Coward · 2013-06-20 05:46 · Score: 0
  
  a minority of the people
  So we can expect that this 'minority' will be held to account by the supposedly outraged majority?
  The "it's just a minority" claim is the cliché go-to excuse of all apologists and I find it suspect.
12. Re:Why... by Anonymous Coward · 2013-06-20 05:46 · Score: 0
  
  >Why dont the UN just fire up gatling guns and mow down the whole frigging crowd attacking?
  Because it would destroy the illusion of the UN as "good guys," and instead demonstrate that they're a murderous invading force.
13. Re:Why... by Afty0r · 2013-06-20 05:52 · Score: 2, Insightful
  
  That is absolutely absurd.
  For example when you talk about "they" who do you mean? All of them?
  Take, for example, drug-dealing in the West... now drug dealers have to conduct business in public and with the public, Al-Shabab do not and can remain relatively hidden during their planning and operations. What percentage of the population of Western Towns and cities do you think could accurately identify or name over 50% of their local drug dealers? I'm guessing it's in the region of a few percent - the other ninety-odd percent of people know little or nothing about it.
  Your comments are actually harmful to this discourse, you haven't thought them through, and are labelling an entire population when it is, in fact, a minority.
14. Re: Why... by Anonymous Coward · 2013-06-20 05:55 · Score: 2, Insightful
  
  Germany, early 20th century. Not very many madmen, initially. Yet they acquired power and then they managed to keep population in fear, didn't they? Many more examples before and after.
  It's not that difficult for people with agenda to establish control if they have access to weapons (as opposed to the rest od the population), don't hesitate to use violence and know how to use propaganda, religious or otherwise. Religious propaganda or any other based on superstition(s) has worked very well since eons until these days, in many countries, regardless of how much the country is "civilized". The advantage is that you don't have to prove anything. It's one of the best con tricks ever invented by man.
15. Re:Why... by Lumpy · 2013-06-20 05:57 · Score: 1
  
  You fight murderous forces with murderous forces, only a fool would try to do otherwise. Read the "art of war".
  
  --
  Do not look at laser with remaining good eye.
16. Re:Why... by higuita · 2013-06-20 06:00 · Score: 1
  
  in Afghanistan, the world did nothing when a small group of religious troops start to take over, killing and controlling everything.
  No one helped...they were just another group...
  All other forces combined would defeat the talibans, but they all were broken apart with regional battles and war lords and one at time they were being defeated by the talibans. After some time the remaining war lords were too weak to defeat then.. and no one helped...
  Internal resistance was getting weaker and weaker until most of the country was under their control and after that, none dare to even think about disagree with the talibans, they controled (almost) everyone... and again, no one helped...
  With in "house" almost secure and several generations of people that only know how to fight and make war, they start to export their ideals and fight and a few years later you got the attack to the twin towers, the Madrid bombing, several bomb attacks in africa and asia and many radical Islamic movements all over the world... only then several countries decided to "help", in a war that still didn't end after all this years.
  You know, helping in the right time might save a lot of trouble in the future. Not helping can make things even worst, as no one likes to feel abandoned.
  In somalia there are external help and the Islamic radicals are losing ground... yet they use this suicide bombings as a way to try to regain power and force external public opinion to abandon the country. It also make everyone insecure and harder for any government to work/prevail , reducing the resistance to their attacks. Then any propaganda about the "good old islamic army", in a God send mission to save then is what local people want to ear and will increase their local support.
  Finally, there is no need for local support to make terror attacks, and they can be easily hidden until is too late... just look at the Boston marathon bombing. No external support, 2 person attack, no one did anything until was too late. Take out the cameras and probably no one would know exactly who did that attack, opening the door for more attacks later.
  
  --
  Higuita
17. Re: Why... by Gilmoure · 2013-06-20 06:02 · Score: 0
  
  Um, there are resources in them thar hills and the corporations want them. Why do you hate AmeriCo?!!!
  
  --
  I drank what? -- Socrates
18. Re:Why... by Sarten-X · 2013-06-20 06:03 · Score: 1
  
  Of course the locals know that their neighbors are plotting to kill. The locals also know that if they stop their neighbor's plot, they'll be dead by the end of the week. They don't have body armor, helmets, tanks, bodyguards, or even so much as a solid front door. They are absolutely powerless against the people with guns, so we send in the UN troops. They're trained soldiers with all the equipment they need to do what the locals can't. That changes the game, and the locals now have to publicly pretend to hate the UN so they aren't seen as supporting the "invaders". Local chieftains are usually a more honest source of sentiment polls, because they have a bit more freedom to speak.
  Of course, in turn the fear-fueled displays of animosity towards the UN troops reinforces the radicals' belief that they're acting on the will of the people, so their plots get bigger and deadlier, so the UN sends in more troops, continuing the cycle.
  There is no easy answer. Removing the UN troops leaves the radicals still armed and murderous. Adding more UN troops increases the risk, but also increases the equipment cost to the radicals for each plot. The gamble is whether the radicals run out of resources before too many innocent people die.
  
  --
  You do not have a moral or legal right to do absolutely anything you want.
19. Re:Why... by Samantha+Wright · 2013-06-20 06:16 · Score: 1
  
  You are guilty because some very well-meaning but strategically inept white people realised that the imperial powers that colonized Africa in the 19th century basically sold the entire continent guns without any attempt at training. Most of the time, they left afterwards.
  And most of the time, these were not literally guns, but ideas: Christianity, capitalism, democracy, bureaucracy, self-determination... These are all very powerful tools that can be used to positive effect by a mind from the right culture, but at the time, no one realised that the cultural differences ran deeply enough that a generation or two of education and preaching was insufficient. The people who did draw the distinction were either so excited by science that they assumed the difference was fundamental (and so created Social Darwinism), quickly making the whole topic verboten. It was suppressed in the name of political correctness, which made it a little easier for highly motivated people to change their cultural makeup and succeed, but mostly did damage, as we were now ignorant of why everyone else continued to fail.
  The key difference between the two cultures is an analytic mindset versus a holistic mindset; we break ideas down, they see them in context. There are advantages to both, although without any analytical skill whatsoever it becomes immensely hard to reason about whether or not you're being cheated on a deal or if it makes no sense that some random guy's arbitrary religious hate assertions are more reasonable than those of someone else. For most of human history, these kinds of reasoning simply haven't been necessary.
  This is at least as devastating as the actual guns, not to mention all of the diseases, in the colonization of other far-off lands. (Oh, and the slave trade. Let's not forget that even tiny little Easter frickin' Island had its people stolen by the Peruvians for slavery.)
  So. You are guilty because, in an ironic twist of fate, the academics who are trying to help get this mess fixed have no idea of how to appeal to the reason of the people around them. They feel so bad about the interventionalism of the past that they don't want to accept that the solution lies in education—a little closer to the bad kind than most efforts—and would rather treat the symptoms, like stopping the LRA. If it's any consolation, most such activists are students who don't really know any better and are just victims of their own consciences.
  
  --
  Bio questions? Ask me to start a Q&A journal. Computer analogies available for most topics!
20. Re:Why... by clarkkent09 · 2013-06-20 06:28 · Score: 1
  
  We didn't bomb them to stop the Holocaust, we bombed them to win the war. Germans started it by bombing the crap of civilian areas all over Europe at the beginning of the war, sinking civilian ships etc etc. It was that kind of war.
  
  --
  Negative moral value of force outweighs the positive value of good intentions.
21. Re:Why... by PraiseBob · 2013-06-20 06:32 · Score: 1
  
  I'm not defending the actions of the murderers, and I'm not defending the inaction of the bystanders who observe the crimes and do nothing. But, these reports might give you some understanding of their perspective and why they are mad. The UN has an absolutely terrible track record in Africa. They've been accused of widespread sexual abuse of children across multiple African countries by thousands of victims, across a number of years with virtually no action taken to stop the abuse. There are also numerous accusations of corruption and collusion with warlords. The UN as an organization has noble intentions, but the people on the ground are subject to some very human flaws when given too much power over the weak.
  
  2002: http://www.upi.com/Business_News/Security-Industry/2002/05/06/Refugee-sex-scandal-triggers-UN-reforms/UPI-89771020662474/ - UN troops raped children in Sierra Leone, Liberia, and Guinea.
  
  2006: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/6195830.stm - Children have been subjected to rape and prostitution by United Nations peacekeepers in Haiti and Liberia, a BBC investigation has found
  
  2007: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/1538476/UN-staff-accused-of-raping-children-in-Sudan.html - The UN said today that it would launch an investigation after the Daily Telegraph reported allegations that UN personnel have abused children in southern Sudan.
  
  2011: http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/146874 - An AP investigation found that food meant for starving Somalis is being stolen and sold in markets. UN's World Food Program unfazed.
22. Re:Why... by Anonymous Coward · 2013-06-20 06:34 · Score: 0
  
  That could probably be said for just about any conflict in history. The majority of Berliners were neither Nazis nor wehrmacht but no one took that into account during the battle of Berlin or the months of carpet bombing that preceded it.
23. Re:Why... by Anonymous Coward · 2013-06-20 06:36 · Score: 0
  
  Christianity has been in parts of Africa since the 1st century, not the 19th.
24. Re:Why... by clarkkent09 · 2013-06-20 06:42 · Score: 1
  
  The elephant in the room is Islam. It is a different proposition to be opposing say a communist militia in your country and opposing an Islamist militia. People who are thought from childhood to believe that Koran is a literal word of God cannot reasonably oppose Jihadists who are fighting infidels for the glory of Islam, because that is what God clearly orders them to do! This is the power of religion. When you have people fanatical enough to torture and murder young children in front of their parents for making an innocent joke mentioning Mohammad's name (as happened the other day in Syria) it is a scary force to oppose for ordinary unarmed people. The only way forward is for the civilized world to demand secularization of the government in Islamic countries (Turkey style) and reform of Islam, which unfortunately will mean conflict with Islam for a long time.
  
  --
  Negative moral value of force outweighs the positive value of good intentions.
25. Re:Why... by Anonymous Coward · 2013-06-20 06:55 · Score: 0
  
  And the people who live there aren't doing a fucking thing about it are they? Do you think they don't know who it is?
  And what have you done about assassinations sponsored by your own government? Does that make you a fair target?
26. Re:Why... by Samantha+Wright · 2013-06-20 06:56 · Score: 1
  
  I would argue that the presence of the Coptic church in Ethiopia prevented the Roman Catholics from doing the same damage they did elsewhere. The importation of Abrahamic religions to Africa in the modern era still did a lot of fresh damage, whether or not they were already there.
  
  --
  Bio questions? Ask me to start a Q&A journal. Computer analogies available for most topics!
27. Re:Why... by stdarg · 2013-06-20 07:09 · Score: 1
  
  You're drawing the wrong conclusion from your analogy. Most people don't personally know drug dealers. They don't need to. If an abandoned house in your neighborhood is being used by drug addicts, you know what you do? You call the cops and they clear it out. If the cops are interested (usually they're not, they'll just break up the "party" to placate the people who called them), they can find out who is selling drugs in that area. It's so trivial it's a joke. I'm guessing you're not from the US or you'd know that jails are full to bursting with drug dealers and drug users.
  So the point is, 99.99% of the population of the city (let alone the country) didn't need to know about that house. The 100 people in the neighborhood knew about that house, and out of that 100, it took a handful to call it in and make enough noise that the cops would show up.
28. Re:Why... by stdarg · 2013-06-20 07:15 · Score: 1
  
  The UN is never going to convince these people that they are the good guys, because to them they're not the good guys. The UN should be trying to convince the rest of the world that they are the good guys. And that means killing the bad guys.
29. Re:Why... by Antipater · 2013-06-20 07:29 · Score: 1
  
  Yes, there was so much popular opposition to Communist militias executing people during the Cultural Revolution. After all, those people hadn't been raised to believe in the word of God, just in the word of some guy named Mao.
  The power-hungry won't be stopped by something as simple as a secular government.
  
  --
  Everything is better with chainsaws.
30. Re:Why... by cold+fjord · 2013-06-20 07:39 · Score: 1
  
  Matthew Parris: As an atheist, I truly believe Africa needs God
  Are Savages Noble?
  The Effect of Cell Phone Coverage and Political Violence in Africa
  
  --
  much of left-wing thought is a kind of playing with fire by people who don't even know that fire is hot - George Orwell
31. Re:Why... by Samantha+Wright · 2013-06-20 09:02 · Score: 1
  
  I think all of those more or less underscore my point; to avoid doing more harm than good, there are a lot of deep cultural changes that need to be seen through to the end before simply throwing technology and ideas at a group of people. Science fiction belabours this point endlessly, although it rarely goes beyond the surface.
  The idea of an atheist prescribing religion isn't really a new one, either; you can hardly look at history without realising that's why we developed religion in the first place. The hard part is in finding a sufficiently accessible teaching system; Europe experimented with all kinds of belief systems both before and after Christianity took root, and not all of them are compatible with the older generations of a hunter-gatherer society. Above all else, however, the work must be done thoroughly, otherwise we get tragedies like Nigerian witchdoctors telling men to rape children as a to cure to their AIDS, and hideous chimerical beasts like the LRA. Unfortunately this invasive process amounts to a great deal of lost cultural diversity.
  
  --
  Bio questions? Ask me to start a Q&A journal. Computer analogies available for most topics!
32. Re:Why... by HiThere · 2013-06-20 12:39 · Score: 1
  
  To be honest, Mao wasn't that bad. He wasn't any Stalin. He wasn't very friendly to the US, and he had some silly ideas, but he generally had good intentions. As authoritarian dictators go Mao was pretty decent. The real problem is centralized control. But as Somali proves, anarchy isn't all that good either. (Basically, anarchy is unstable against some group establishing a coercive power structure.)
  And democracies and republics seem to drift towards authoritarian dictatorships. Britain is a bit of a miracle, caused by generations of Kings who didn't speak the native language, and ignored what the parliments were doing. But its looking a bit as if it's drifting towards an authoritarian society WITHOUT a dictator. I'm not real sure that's an improvement...though you could ask the modern chinese, except they don't have a decent basis for comparison. They've always lived with either an Emperor or an anarchistic mess of warlords until post-Mao, when they've drifted into a centralist authoritarian government without a dictator.
  Possibly humans just can't be trusted with power.
  
  --
  
  I think we've pushed this "anyone can grow up to be president" thing too far.
33. Re:Why... by DrJimbo · 2013-06-20 12:48 · Score: 1
  
  in Afghanistan, the world did nothing when a small group of religious troops start to take over, killing and controlling everything.
  Not everyone sat by and did nothing. The US funded and helped foster the Taliban, according to Selig Harrison from the Woodrow Wilson International Centre :
  
  The CIA made a historic mistake in encouraging Islamic groups from all over the world to come to Afghanistan. The U.S. provided $3 billion for building up these Islamic groups, and it accepted Pakistan's demand that they should decide how this money should be spent.
  The old associations between the intelligence agencies continue. The CIA still has close links with the ISI (Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence).
  Today that money and those weapons have helped build up the Taliban, Harrison said. The Taliban are not just recruits from 'madrassas' (Muslim theological schools) but are on the payroll of the ISI. The Taliban are now "making a living out of terrorism."
  
  --
  We don't see the world as it is, we see it as we are.
  -- Anais Nin
34. Re:Why... by Anonymous Coward · 2013-06-20 12:52 · Score: 0
  
  So what have you personally done to close Gitmo or end 'extraordinary rendition'?
  Seriously, what exactly do you expect people do to? Be specific, and bear in mind that the people you're talking about have no resources, no contacts, no training, no support, have to work 80 hours a week just to put food on the grubby mat that serves for a table, and families that are easily within reach of those you're expecting them to act against.
35. Re:Why... by Zontar+The+Mindless · 2013-06-20 19:20 · Score: 1
  
  This was not exactly a secret when it was going on. (I was in college at the time.) It was pretty much common knowledge that we were providing help to just about anybody who expressed an interest in going to Afghanistan and kicking some Commie butt on America's behalf.
  
  --
  Il n'y a pas de Planet B.
36. Re:Why... by sociocapitalist · 2013-06-20 20:25 · Score: 1
  
  And the people who live there aren't doing a fucking thing about it are they? Do you think they don't know who it is?
  Why is it they I'm guilty for standing aside and watching a crime against humanity, but they are absolved?
  If they had such a problem against it, they'd do something about it. They do not. They are only slightly different than the ones actually perform the bombings.
  You could be talking about the USA here just as easily.
  
  --
  blindly antisocialist = antisocial
37. Re:Why... by higuita · 2013-06-20 22:36 · Score: 1
  
  That was during the cold war, after the URSS withdraw, the USA soon forgot about Afghanistan and is where most post start to tell the story.
  
  --
  Higuita
38. Re:Why... by strikethree · 2013-06-25 15:42 · Score: 1
  
  It seems pretty clear that not having a Second Amendment there is really hurting their ability to resist these lawless folks who have guns. Yay for gun control! Only the Police (TM) and criminals should have guns! Hurray!
  
  --
  "Someone needs to talk to the tree of liberty about its ghoulish drinking problem." by ohnocitizen
Mistake in snippet by Anonymous Coward · 2013-06-20 05:05 · Score: 0

His name is Nicholas Cage and he's coming to help bring salvation with Sean Connery
Nothing worse than trying to plan a raid by Anonymous Coward · 2013-06-20 05:05 · Score: 0

and then some noob comes along and splatters it allover Twitter #alluakbar
1. Re:Nothing worse than trying to plan a raid by RenderSeven · 2013-06-20 05:24 · Score: 1
  
  237 users +1 LIKE your Planned Embassy Raid
God by Anonymous Coward · 2013-06-20 05:07 · Score: 0

God says...
regarding throat thenceforth indued pictures huge cogito
Right essence open hurts_my_head spoken realised heal
vaunt scholar tends harmonise scruple commandments createdst
What's a tweet ? by Anonymous Coward · 2013-06-20 05:08 · Score: 0

Something to flood information like that ? flood
I am now immune to dystopic fantasy by paiute · 2013-06-20 05:08 · Score: 4, Interesting

I am pretty sure that tweeting that you are suicide bombing a 'merchant of death' requires the OED to make a new notation on the irony page.

--
If Slashdot were chemistry it would look like this:Cadaverine
1. Re:I am now immune to dystopic fantasy by oodaloop · 2013-06-20 05:17 · Score: 4, Informative
  
  That's about as ironic as it raining on your wedding day.
  
  --
  Tic-Tac-Toe, Global Thermonuclear War, and relationships all have the same winning move.
2. Re:I am now immune to dystopic fantasy by gl4ss · 2013-06-20 05:34 · Score: 1
  
  I am pretty sure that tweeting that you are suicide bombing a 'merchant of death' requires the OED to make a new notation on the irony page.
  well they're giving away gpl death.
  
  --
  world was created 5 seconds before this post as it is.
3. Re:I am now immune to dystopic fantasy by ottothecow · 2013-06-20 05:46 · Score: 1
  
  I think you missed the irony in that post.
  
  --
  Bottles.
4. Re:I am now immune to dystopic fantasy by Anonymous Coward · 2013-06-20 05:50 · Score: 0
  
  Not when you realize they're condemning the UN for spreading death and then turning around and spreading death themselves. Hypocrisy is a form of irony.
5. Re:I am now immune to dystopic fantasy by Anonymous Coward · 2013-06-20 06:54 · Score: 0
  
  Yeah, because it's *impossible* that they honestly feel that they're just defending themselves from a hostile force.
6. Re:I am now immune to dystopic fantasy by oodaloop · 2013-06-20 06:59 · Score: 1
  
  So Mr AC hindsight armchair general, what's the non-hypocritical way one would fight a powerful organization one sees as spreading death?
  
  --
  Tic-Tac-Toe, Global Thermonuclear War, and relationships all have the same winning move.
7. Re:I am now immune to dystopic fantasy by oodaloop · 2013-06-20 07:04 · Score: 1
  
  You mean the part about killing your enemy? That's called warfare. It's no more ironic than killing someone in revenge for them killing someone else. Deplorable, regrettable, avoidable, yes. Ironic? No.
  
  --
  Tic-Tac-Toe, Global Thermonuclear War, and relationships all have the same winning move.
8. Re:I am now immune to dystopic fantasy by Anonymous Coward · 2013-06-20 07:50 · Score: 0
  
  I think the word you're looking for is "Hypocrisy," not "Irony."
9. Re:I am now immune to dystopic fantasy by ottothecow · 2013-06-20 07:54 · Score: 1
  
  Well, its probably not irony in *their* eyes. But if you don't actually think the UN is a merchant of death, and that the bombers are instead deranged assholes, then the description fits.
  
  --
  Bottles.
10. Re:I am now immune to dystopic fantasy by bunkymag · 2013-06-20 13:56 · Score: 1
  
  And very nearly as ironic as a free ride, when you've already paid.
11. Re:I am now immune to dystopic fantasy by Steve+Hamlin · 2013-06-21 03:32 · Score: 1
  
  It's 'situational irony': the one who tried to stop the "merchant of death" became a merchant of death. It's the reversal...
How it probably went down in tweets by Anonymous Coward · 2013-06-20 05:08 · Score: 5, Funny

starting 2 attack un compound lol #somaliinsurgency
just killed another 1! he wont go home 2 his family 2nite lol
guns empty, got 2 reload in the middle of fight #thirdworldproblems
bullet just smashed through bffs skull! wtf assholes #thirdworldproblems
just collected friends brain matter from wall, going 2 sell on ebay lol
just took bullet 2 arm lol eww feel blood running down past elbow
going in for suicide attack lol! brb
1. Re:How it probably went down in tweets by wisnoskij · 2013-06-20 07:09 · Score: 1
  
  This is surprisingly funny. ^^^
  
  --
  Troll is not a replacement for I disagree.
2. Re:How it probably went down in tweets by Anonymous Coward · 2013-06-20 07:19 · Score: 0
  
  YOLO #somaliinsurgency
  i'm not going to a good place for this.
Disbelief AND the UN by Anonymous Coward · 2013-06-20 05:09 · Score: 0

I feel the it's clear the motivator is what Sponge Bath said AND the over-reaching, freedom-quashing, anti-free speech tactics of the UN.
So what about the NSA ? by Anonymous Coward · 2013-06-20 05:11 · Score: 0

So how come the NSA didn't prevent this terrorist attack ?
Aren't they supposed to be listening to all foreign communications ?
1. Re:So what about the NSA ? by TheSkepticalOptimist · 2013-06-20 05:37 · Score: 1
  
  Yes, but not to protect foreign interests, only to limit American rights.
  Do I hear sirens?
  
  --
  I haven't thought of anything clever to put here, but then again most of you haven't either.
Latest by Anonymous Coward · 2013-06-20 05:12 · Score: 0

live tweeted their latest attack, a suicide assault
Latest, or last?
Development? by Reliable+Windmill · 2013-06-20 05:17 · Score: 0, Offtopic

More like the UN Perpetual Conflict and Dependency Program, but that's the way the Order wants it. Africa will never be allowed to rise up as a super power.

--
Signature intentionally left blank.
1. Re:Development? by SirGarlon · 2013-06-20 05:26 · Score: 2
  
  If the New World Order is trying to keep sub-Saharan Africa down, they're doing it wrong.
  
  --
  [Sir Garlon] is the marvellest knight that is now living, for he destroyeth many good knights, for he goeth invisible.
2. Re:Development? by Anonymous Coward · 2013-06-20 05:41 · Score: 0
  
  More like the UN Perpetual Conflict and Dependency Program, but that's the way the Order wants it. Africa will never be allowed to rise up as a super power.
  Well, dependency is a powerful thing. Governments know this best, so it makes sense that the "world government" is so adept at exploiting this knowledge. An uncomfortable and shockingly obvious truth is that the US government also fosters dependency, especially among minority groups such as black people, through ever-increasing social programs. Of course, to point this out means you are racist and also hate poor people according to certain ultra-partisan groups, but that's a different matter. So we end up with the same result, and unfortunately* virtually all of the violence is manifest in the form of black-on-black. Even more sad is that the larger portion of these minorities actually willingly and cheerfully vote for the people pushing the hardest for the dependency-causing social programs that maintain the poverty and violence.
  * It is unfortunate because it makes it too easy for the majority group to ignore the problems.
3. Re:Development? by Anonymous Coward · 2013-06-20 07:19 · Score: 0
  
  All that wealth based on capitalism and consumerism is an illusion. In reality, those people shopping at malls and building a middle class life are slaves to the West who don't even know it. Despite driving around in cars and installing air conditioners at home, they are poorer than ever! Muahahah!
  -New World Order
NSA +1 by Anonymous Coward · 2013-06-20 05:19 · Score: 0

Thats one for the military-industrial-googleplex complex and nil for the intergrity-minded users, then.
dammit slashdot by Trepidity · 2013-06-20 05:20 · Score: 3, Interesting

I'll bet clicking on that Twitter link put me on some kind of list, and I needed to fly somewhere later this month!

--
10 PRINT CHR$(205.5+RND(1)); : GOTO 10
1. Re:dammit slashdot by Anonymous Coward · 2013-06-20 05:56 · Score: 0
  
  A Twitter link Not Safe For Continual Existence With The Authoritath. In a related note, al-Shabab is now the official representative of the Tea Party movement in Africa.
2. Re:dammit slashdot by Anonymous Coward · 2013-06-20 07:29 · Score: 0
  
  Based on what we know about prism, as long as teh click came from an ISP outside Somalia or Yemen, you're fine. Now, as for the Google Ads for "Suicide Vests" ...
3. Re:dammit slashdot by Affenkopf · 2013-06-20 07:36 · Score: 3, Insightful
  
  This is what living in a totalitarian country is like, being afraid of getting caught reading the wrong thing.
Followed by ThatsNotPudding · 2013-06-20 05:21 · Score: 5, Funny

I assume they're already being followed by @ObamaDrone.

Please RT
Hmm by TheSkepticalOptimist · 2013-06-20 05:36 · Score: 1

"UN is 'a merchant of death & a satanic force of evil"
so we kill them all, muwahahaha.

--
I haven't thought of anything clever to put here, but then again most of you haven't either.
1. Re:Hmm by gl4ss · 2013-06-20 05:53 · Score: 1
  
  it's more of "UN is stepping on our protection money racket.. erm.. taxes collection".
  it's politics over there, not religion that is driving it. gangland/tribal politics. about taxing, about local monopolies, about local power.
  
  --
  world was created 5 seconds before this post as it is.
2. Re:Hmm by stdarg · 2013-06-20 07:21 · Score: 1
  
  Because religion over there has nothing to do with tribalism, politics, and power?
3. Re:Hmm by Anonymous Coward · 2013-06-20 15:31 · Score: 0
  
  You all will be surprised what the UN is going to Do in a Few Years. Hopefully you'll remember this post when it happens...
Seriously? by Sparticus789 · 2013-06-20 05:37 · Score: 1

Whoever runs this Twitter account has better grammar and spelling than 99% of Americans.

--
sudo make me a sandwich
1. Re:Seriously? by Anonymous Coward · 2013-06-20 05:58 · Score: 0
  
  That's how you know it's a real terrorist. They actually learn decent English.
  captcha: dignity
2. Re:Seriously? by operagost · 2013-06-20 05:59 · Score: 3, Insightful
  
  Whoever runs this Twitter account has better grammar and spelling than 99% of Millennial Americans
  
  FTFY
  
  --
  
  Gamingmuseum.com: Give your 3D accelerator a rest.
3. Re:Seriously? by Anonymous Coward · 2013-06-20 06:12 · Score: 0
  
  Ah, so merely better than 95% of the older generation, then.
4. Re:Seriously? by RockDoctor · 2013-06-21 22:42 · Score: 1
  
  Whoever runs this Twitter account has better grammar and spelling than 98% of Americans
  
  FTFY
  
  --
  Birds are not dinosaur descendants;birds are dinosaurs, for all useful meanings of "birds", "are" and "dinosaurs"
Their statement by operagost · 2013-06-20 05:55 · Score: 1

a merchant of death & a satanic force of evil, has a long inglorious record of spreading nothing but poverty, dependency & disbelief

That's probably true, but killing peaceful workers probably isn't going to spread the message to the right people.

--

Gamingmuseum.com: Give your 3D accelerator a rest.
Crazy as hell by PopeRatzo · 2013-06-20 05:56 · Score: 1

I wonder what those tweets looked like.

BigMo22
@alqaeda Allahu Akbar!1! #death2america
raghdbomber69
RT @alqaeda Allahu Akbar!1! #death2america
c4mil_jocky
getting ready 2 crash the gate. tell mom GFN #death2america
vick_from_tuscon
@c4mil_jocky kewl. pix or GTFO #death2america #NSA

--
You are welcome on my lawn.
I don't understand the use of Twitter by flimflammer · 2013-06-20 06:05 · Score: 1

After looking at the feed for this group, it contains a bunch of reporters trying to speak to them. Only on twitter would you see a member of the associated press type a message like this:

@natemook @HSMPRESS1 So in ur idea of journalism u ONLY speak 2 peep who don't kill/respect human rts? How do u expect 2understandextremism?
It reads like a teenager talking to equally less caring friends. Why has twitter of all things become such a figurehead over these kinds of communications? It seems asinine.
Go UN by frovingslosh · 2013-06-20 06:11 · Score: 0

I hate the UN as much as anyone, but at least they are aggressively killing Islamic and Muslim people for us.

--
I'm an American. I love this country and the freedoms that we used to have.
1. Re:Go UN by Anonymous Coward · 2013-06-20 06:22 · Score: 2, Insightful
  
  If they are, they're doing a piss poor job of being "aggressive".
You could fund an insurgency with Youtube ads by __aawzag621 · 2013-06-20 06:46 · Score: 1

The primary sources of news will become the beneficiaries of the revenue stream, cutting out MSM middlemen.
The revolution will be twittered by gmuslera · 2013-06-20 06:52 · Score: 1

Unless NSA avoids it. Too bad for the UN or other contries, by the way, if they detected it, decided not to warn (or even promoted it).
Re:A couple of B-52 raids will take care of this. by Anonymous Coward · 2013-06-20 07:45 · Score: 0

If it is really true that in the world there is only un side, I am pretty sure that that's the best solution... Little mammals survived once, they will survive again...
Republican Platform ? by Anonymous Coward · 2013-06-20 08:15 · Score: 0

The comments on the UN seem to be lifted verbatim from the Repbublican Party Platform.
forget Islam; this is also about bloody tyranny by odigity · 2013-06-20 09:14 · Score: 1

Everyone here needs to stop getting distracted by the religion-based parts of their statements and understand that while indiscriminate murder is wrong, these people have legitimate grievances having nothing to do with religion -- like the multi-century rape, enslavement, and occupation (both direct and in the form of aid to local dictators) of most of Africa and the Mid-East by western governments for centuries.
If I lived there, I'd probably be killing the U.N., too.
(Personal disclosure: I'm an atheist. I hate all religions, and find them all repugnant. But that's no excuse for not taking the time to research and comprehend the *full* situation here, including the actions and culpability of all involved parties.)
Not justice by Roger+W+Moore · 2013-06-20 09:56 · Score: 2

The indiscriminate justice you advocate...
What he is advocating is not justice, indiscriminate or otherwise. There are many peace loving islamic people and tarring them with the same brush as the extremists is just ignorant. If you are not convinced then think about another collective group: your country. Would you want to be held accountable for the actions of your government? Assuming you are in a democracy, you have far more control their actions that than a muslim has over the actions of other muslims.
1. Re:Not justice by Taco+Cowboy · 2013-06-20 17:58 · Score: 0
  
  There are many peace loving islamic people and tarring them with the same brush as the extremists is just ignorant
  
  You know what is the perfect example of ignorance ?
  You !
  After all the mayhems those ISLAMIC FUCKERS have done to the world - from Thailand to Nigeria to China to Russia to America to England - it's the POLITICAL CORRECTNESS ASSHOLES such as you are still insisting that "Islam is peaceful"
  Fuck that !!!
  If Islam is really that peaceful, there won't be so many extremists of that faith, creating so much troubles for the world we live in
  While we are at it, can you tell me who are the suicide bombers ? The Christians ? The Buddhists ? or those ISLAMIC FUCKERS ??
  You are so blinded by your STUPIDITY that you can't see the goddamn reality even if it hits you in the face !!
  
  --
  Muchas Gracias, Señor Edward Snowden !
2. Re:Not justice by K.+S.+Kyosuke · 2013-06-21 00:33 · Score: 2
  
  There are many peace loving islamic people
  I think that you're forgetting the namespace issue: Islam::PEACE and WesternWorld::PEACE are two different values.
  
  --
  Ezekiel 23:20
3. Re:Not justice by Roger+W+Moore · 2013-06-24 02:15 · Score: 1
  
  I'm as fed up with all this PC crap as anyone but the solution is NOT to throw out our basic concepts of fairness and justice and target everyone who has a particular religious belief. That way you become no better than the fundamentalist terrorists themselves.
  
  What we need to be doing is stamping down hard on the fundamentalists who preach violence and not shy away from this because of "religious freedom". If we had governments with the strength to target the fundamentalists that cause the problem and not give up when the going gets tough we could start to sort this problem out without the need to resort to indiscriminate attacks on a whole religion that will inflame the situation further.
4. Re:Not justice by Rakarra · 2013-06-25 08:57 · Score: 1
  
  While we are at it, can you tell me who are the suicide bombers ? The Christians ?
  Sure, remember the IRA? That was a political AND religious disagreement, just as the middle eastern countries are embroiled in.
  
  The Buddhists ? or those ISLAMIC FUCKERS ??
  The Buddhists at least have pure peace as a central part of their religion. None of the Abrahamic faiths do beyond the barest of lip service.
Lets return to the past on Islam by johnwerneken · 2013-06-20 10:09 · Score: 0

What works is what Britain did in Malaysia and Kenya, what Ghengis Khan and Tamerlane did: kill every last one of their race, culture, faith, and nation, and destroy the capacity of all their lands to support civilization or indeed human life.
Old style media would enjoy it, and so would I.
Don't worry though by gelfling · 2013-06-20 12:14 · Score: 1

The UN has already blamed the Jews.
PALS FOR LIFE by Anonymous Coward · 2013-06-20 12:30 · Score: 0

At least they have chicken.
Not Real by Anonymous Coward · 2013-06-20 16:23 · Score: 0

All made up by Fox News and Republicans. Islamic extermists don't exist. Everyone knows that. I read Slashdot and Huffpo!