Terrorism vs. Tourism

Terrorism vs. Tourism

Somehow I am really surprised that a terrorist could live in the US and not absorb out values of freedom, individualism, and tolerance.  I wonder if the 9/11 terrorists ever thought to themselves, "Hey wait, maybe I could just finish my flight training and be a pilot.  Maybe I don't have to die."

Kamikaze suicide bomber fighting is not the style in the US.  Even a Rambo-type "suicide mission" in our popular films always has the possibility of survival.  One casualty is one too many to us.  We don't see things in terms of "We killed more than we lost."

I don't understand the London train bomber who was a teaching assistant.  How could you work with children all day all the while planning to kill people (possibly those very same kids’ parents!).  Suicide bombers with children of their own - how can this be explained?

My idea for peace in the Middle East is to have all the major religions share in turning Jerusalem into a major tourist spot.  After all it is the holy city for three major religions, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.  Do some Disney style crowd management, have great security, and all levels of accommodation from budget to luxury.  Let each religion control their own part of the pie and split the proceeds equitably.  We can call it "Holy Land."  I am being slightly glib but I am quite serious.

People say that the real driving force behind the siren call of violent Islamic extremism is poverty and lack of economic opportunity.  If the Jews, Muslims, and Christians of Israel and Palestine could work together to collect the money from tourists to the region, the jobs and opportunity that would naturally arise would be the best antidote for violent extremism.  Happy working people in a free country just don't do things like blow themselves up for a cause.  Or do they?