I think we've come to somewhat of a conclusion: If you can agree that your cause-effect is also true backwards (increase trust ---> decrease extremism), which you may or may not, and that attacks in the name of allah aren't currently decreasing, and are rather increasing, then wouldn't it take a 'leap of trust,' if you will, on our own part to bring about the decrease in terror?

I'd rather take it upon myself than wait for extremism to fall on it's own. But the action required isn't what most would expect -- I know it's much more passivist than activist, but I think there is a use for everything in the correct application. I'm not saying we put down our guard or take it easy on suspected extremists, but we must walk this fine line and realize the consequences of falling to either side.

 

But where is this so called profound lack of trust? It certainly isn't represented physically. Meaning I have not seen one anti-Islamic protest or anything similar. The only lack of trust that may exist are in the minds of Ignorant Americans. It never spawns past this courtesy of the PC society the liberals asked for. You haven’t presented specific examples on how bad Muslims truly have it from Americans or in America. And if you did present some half-assed example then I’m sure there was a group of liberals in the shadows complaining about bigotry, lack of equality, civil rights, and profiling . We're the ones for equality, remember?

Futhermore, trust does not work this way. You can't just create trust out of thin air as it's a two way street. Also, what makes you think it would stop terrorism? Where talking radical thoughts that are instilled at birth. Honestly, if I told all women to trust that their rapists were using condoms and wouldn't kill them, do you think they'd layback and accept it?

I'm done with this thread. I think my point is very clear and has been from the very start. The fact that you continue to overanalyze the matter will have us debating till the bitter end. So I’ll say it once again for good measure before I depart: There's nothing they [peaceful Muslims] can do. As the attacks in the name of Allah decrease the trust will increase. You play the waiting game and cross your fingers.

 

Yep, and lots of them are in charge of making crucial decisions.

Sure, but you seem to not be listening to the reason why I said we have to take the first step. Are crazed fanatics going to concede and say, oh, we're wrong, you're right... hell no. This is what the finger-crossers would be waiting for. All I am advocating is that we don't dis-trust solely based on ethnicity, because I see this as a contributing factor in spawning extremism and anti-american sentiment, which, by the way, is not instilled at birth. That is one of the most ignorant things I've read in this forum (ignoring helladumb's posts ). It is learned through brainwashing, personal experience, and the depiction of the US in their media and schools.

Now that's quite the stretch of an analagy... You could tell women to trust men in general, because I'm not saying we should trust the proven terrorists, just muslims in general. How many times and how many different ways do I have to put it?

If you're still upholding your distrust of muslims, it looks like you'll be the one waiting and hoping that the extremism will end and you can once again trust that religion. I seriously think that, little as it may be, avoiding distrust gives muslims less of a reason to not like America. And since hate is learned and not instilled at birth, perhaps we can reverse the trend and the next generation of muslims won't see what thier ancestors we're so upset about.

If my reasoning is too complicated for you, go ahead and call it 'over-analyzing.' But please don't discredit a train of thought you'd rather not board.

 

Ahemm,
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main...ixnewstop.html

 

The analogy of rape works more in favor of scoobsport than you, Salty. I've met rape victims that do not fear/hate/suspect all men. In fact, I've only seen stereotypes of raped women who actually do fear/hate/suspect men on TV programs. In this case, you are that woman on Law and Order who is so affraid of all men that she murders a guy for looking at her funny on the subway, and then claims to be the victim.