some links that show that the rest of Indonesia isn’t very happy with the incident and how it was handled.
http://abc.net.au/news/newsitems/s728191.htm
and especially relevant
http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2002/11/14/1037080848119.html
Still want to condemn an entire nation for the crimes of the very few and the customary reactions that you just assumed meant what you thought it meant?
In Thailand and Cambodia (the two SE Asian country I have visited) they smile when things are going bad, they smile when they’re angry, they smile all the time. When they don’t smile it’s time to run.
Westerners, including myself, do not get it. They have not the cultural references to. Face is a big thing in Asia and smiling one of the ways to keep it.
I see from those links that a few individuals–including a defense minister who is a natural rival of Indonesia’s police chief–have voiced criticism, but they say nothing about what the vast majority of Indonesia’s population thinks. You’re making some assumptions there as well, TwistofFate.
Correct, my wording could have been better.
I can’t speak for any other Australian, but I can give my thoughts on it, and also tell you what I feel to be general public opinion here:
On the Bali bombing, September 11, and the War on Terror generally, I’m hawkish. I acknowledge that Western military strikes can and will have adverse effects (creating a new wave of disgruntled Muslim youth, etc), but I believe it remains the best option. A hundred or so of my countrymen and women were killed last month. Several thousand Americans also lost their lives last year to these ratbags. I see this dipshit grinning, and yes, I want to go in there and hammer terrorism with everything we’ve got. I’m probably not in tune with the majority of Australians on this, with public opinion here leaning towards a more diplomatic approach.
I am more in tune with Australian public opinion on the issue of the plight of Bali post October 12. There is no stated or unstated boycott of Bali by Australians as far as I am aware. People are simply too scared to go. The Australian media has been unusually admirable in highlighting the suffering that the near total destruction of Bali’s tourism industry is going to cause the Balinese people.
But as the thread title says, “Look at this dipshit grinning at the dead!” I’m sure I’m not the only person enraged by the images of this.
Finally, I’m an atheist, a conservative, and a beer-swilling redneck white boy. But I do not blame Islam. It does not have a monopoly on religious violence. There are individual Muslims I care about deeply - friends of mine. They are intelligent, articulate, and sensitive people, and they have been hurt by the terrorist attacks in ways which go beyond the anger others of us feel.
Sir, you seem unwilling even to countenance that different cultures may react differently to what
They may indeed be asshats, but in my (extensive) experience in South-East Asia, people often smile and giggle when they’re upset or angry. It’s disturbing to us, but it happens.
“…to what we believe is the norm.”
Bit of a cite for you: (highlighted for your benefit)
Do you really think there’s a behavioural absolute? While this may not be the reason in this instance, it might be. Should you be quite so quick to jump on their behaviour without any knowledge or consideration of their culture?
The terrorist, of course, can go fuck himself.
I absolutely agree. It’s a no win situation. If we strike, they will retaliate, if we don’t strike, we are pussies to be walked over and future attacks will surely follow - in which case, I’d rather strike!
I do not condemn Islam at all, but any nation that harbors terrorists, should be ready to face the consequences. In this case it meant destroying their own economy. This should be enough incentive for the nation as a whole to be more vigilant and say “we aren’t gonna stand for this shit!”
Hopefully there will be the realization that shooting your nose to spite your face is not exactly a smart move.
And TwistOfFate, why don’t you have a nice, tall glass of shut the fuck up!
Will someone tell this bitch to stop folowing me around, already?
Lola, just so you know what you’re talking about: Bali is Hindu, not Muslim. Bali is not a nation. Destroying Bali’s economy will not destroy Muslim Indonesia’s economy. Bali does not harbour terrorists (or at least if it does, it’s in the same way that any other country harbours terrorists).
Following you around?
Get over yourself.
Keep lining them up and I’ll keep hitting them over the fence, dear.
Yes, I am aware of this. My comment about Islam was in response to another post.
Hit them with what?
wiggles pinky
yeah, whatever.
You cant do nothing but spout useless hot air and when you get called on it you have to resort to childish innuendo.
I’ll bet you’re a hit down at the playground.
Bitch stop following this bitch around.
If you two will stop flirting for a second…
Lola, did you look at my cites?
Like omagawd! Yer like soooo right!
Actually, I think you must be in love with me.
It’s like, soooooo obvious.
snaps gum
:rolleyes:
Not yet, Jjim - I can’t, I’m too busy laying the smackdown on my bitch.
Plus I’m heading off into a meeting…
Speak well of me while I’m gone, m’kay?
run along dear.