Editor,
A friend and I were watching the coverage of the terrorist bombings in Paris and Belgium wondering how anyone can enjoy inflicting such suffering on people just going about their business. He said, “I think the bombers are unhappy people.”
Perhaps so. But, I want to dig a little deeper. Now, don’t assume I am excusing their violence. I am trying to understand why they want to blow themselves – and Westerners – into little pieces.
These males (and yes, they are mostly male) who are Europeans live in isolated, run-down Islamic communities and are assaulted daily by racism. They can get no jobs. They believe in an interpretation of their religion that is anti-woman and violent, identifying other religions as “infidels” who should be killed, etc. Blowing up infidels is a quicker way to Paradise than living in a slum.
Ironically, Muslims are directed to pray towards Mecca, a city in Saudi Arabia that harshly and violently controls women, dissenters, and schools, etc. The ruling family is immensely wealthy from oil. They are staunch allies of the U.S.
I agree with Bill Maher about the damage all religions have done; not just warped Muslims who practice Islam. The Intelligence Report of the Southern Poverty Law Center identifies Christian hate groups, some of them right here in Arkansas, especially in Harrison, also Fayetteville, Little Rock, Van Buren, Faulkner County, Russellville and some statewide organizations.
And, “devout Christian” Cruz wants to lock up in policed surveillance all American Muslims (those he cannot throw out). I guess he got his bigotry from his father, Rafael, a known gay-basher.
Mr. Thump [sic] calls women dirty and demeaning names, wants to nuke ISIS territory and use torture to force suspects to talk faster.
Now, they are using their wives to batter each other. Naked Melania or Golden-Sachs Mrs. Cruz are not running for president. What a crude campaign the Republicans run. And, a lot of American racists love it!
T.A. Laughlin