We try our damndest to strip terrorists of their humanity.

[cali]

In fact, it's not just terrorists that we try and distance ourselves from, it's any enemy. And the terrorists do the same thing.

I don't know if that's a hard drive impuslse, but it looks like that to me. We don't want to believe that we share traits with people we loath and fear.

But we do. Terrorists are human. They're all too human. So are pschopathic serial murderers. All are encompassed by the human species.

Either all humans have souls or none do. But whichever the case, denying someone's humanity is just an attempt to escape the horror of knowing that we are all linked by our common humanity no matter how much we wish we could sever the tie.

[derby378]

1. By the same token, many terrorists do the same thing to us.

It's known by some as depersonalization. And we, as a species, must try to put an end to it once and for all.

[cali]

2. yes, and I said that in my opening sentence.

and I'm not sure what we do about it.

[bunkerbuster1]

4. I'm all for putting an end to it, but...

Let's please not start a "War on Sociopathy."

[derby378]

7. Aiiiiee!!

Not another meaningless "War On Fill-In-The-Blank!"

To quote Tuco, "If you're gonna shoot, shoot - don't talk!"

[Orsino]

13. Along with our lives.

But, yeah. */Cheney have never, ever acknowledged the real grievances other peoples have with us, which drive extremists to terrorism.

[GodlessBiker]

3. "Humanity" is not just descriptive, it is normative. Some people do not share certain traits...

that we think we all should have.

[hendo]

5. Indeed

And the traits that "we think we should all have" are highly subjective. Hence dehumanization and demonization. It happens here too, this is no bastion of extending liberties and equal footing to all.

The demonization of those we don't agree with is a real threat to any liberal agenda.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

6. "Terrorism" is a tactic. I see no difference between a guy planting a bomb or one dropping one.

Both are using violence to achieve an end. Both are doing something they "believe in".

“What difference does it make to the dead, the orphans and the homeless, whether the mad destruction is wrought under the name of totalitarianism or the holy name of liberty or democracy.” - Gandhi

[Fumesucker]

9. Delivery method makes all the difference..

Bombs delivered by airplane are good and holy, those by trucks or cars, not so much.

[cali]

10. It depends.

Is the bomb being planted or dropped aimed at military or civilian targets?

By your logic there's no difference between death resulting from manslaughter and death resulting from first degree murder.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

11. I'm talking about the victims of war.

For instance, the civilians being killed in Afghanistan by bombs aimed at "military" targets.

For the dead, there is no difference between manslaughter and murder.

Also, are the "terrorists" no longer "terrorists" when they target military targets? Would they be any less deadly if they dropped their bombs from planes?

I have no sympathy for either brand of killers.

[notadmblnd]

8. if it's not human, It's easier to hate.

IMO

[melm00se]

12. waging war

is contrary any normal person's moral code. To get the average person to accept waging war against another human being, the "enemy" must be dehumanized to the greatest extent possible: they are different than us: morally, socially and ethically.

Prime examples are the Hollywood war movies from the 1942-1945 period, especially as it relates the Japanese.

[EFerrari]

14. We've been desensitized to an extent -- which is why you see posts in LBN

cheering the murder of someone perceived as an enemy who doesn't "deserve" better, as the murder of the former Taliban spokesperson was cheered over the week end.