Most people gravitate to the good, the kind and the comforting. It only takes but a few who relish power and greed to make life at times miserable for the rest of us. In today's world of bellicose celebrities, would be celebrities and strong arm leaders it is comforting and reassuring that there are still the Ariana Grandes in the world. Thanks for this beautiful article.
9
Oh yes, Humility, a powerful word, easy to write down...but most difficult to feel, and do,, as our ego trips us, over and over again, into a thousand excuses. Somebody said that we cannot give what we don't have; true; but is it not yet another excuse to do nothing, go on with our lazy countenance tolerating intolerance and hate? What seems religious in nature, with the absurd edict that god loves us all, hence, if mayhem is done in his/her/it name, it's O.K.? Nazi doctrine in Germany has been disallowed, outlawed, as it sows and harvests hate; why in the world can't the hypocritical Saudis outlaw Wahhabism, a fertile source of rigid intolerance in name of Islam's holy book, the Koran? Why are wealthy donors allowed to continue funding the religious fanatics spreading violence and death? There is much we humans must be beholden to, and one is to recognize that our silence and complacency is akin to complicity in the intolerable killing of innocent people, all in the name of an all- loving God. This is absurd, and yet, all too real to ignore. Humility in recognizing we are all, or should be, together in eradicating the sources allowing feeble minds, psychopathic sometimes, to seek the impossible, relevance and redemption. Just do not expect any help from our arrogant-in-chief, despicable Donald Trump, a nut-case so ignorant and irresponsible it is scary to watch. But worse is the G.O.P. in congress, hypocrites and cowards making our vulgar bully's misrule possible.
7
Roger, you write that "[t]he public face of the world — the Islamic State and all those meaningless words — is ugly right now. But behind it, in myriad ways, billions use the forces of connection to resist the abyss and lift humanity."
I wish I could believe that, but I'm not so sure. There seems to be a piece of the human mind that is fascinated by the ugliness, drawn to it. People in its thrall would find the idea of the soft power of bunny ears laughable. I want to believe in the power of love, of our higher emotions, but it's just so damn easy to blow things up. So much harder to make things whole.
I wish I could believe that, but I'm not so sure. There seems to be a piece of the human mind that is fascinated by the ugliness, drawn to it. People in its thrall would find the idea of the soft power of bunny ears laughable. I want to believe in the power of love, of our higher emotions, but it's just so damn easy to blow things up. So much harder to make things whole.
5
"There is a special corner of hell reserved for terrorists who target children." Spare me the hypocrisy Mr Cohen. The US government is the biggest terrorist group of all, which means most Americans are supporters of terrorism, and you as an opinion leader are particularly guilty.
Around half a million Iraqi children under five died because of the boycott of the country pushed through by the U.S. Americans didn't mind. Is bombing children worse than starving them? I don't think so.
Today thousands of children are being slaughtered in Yemen by Saudi Arabia actively assisted by the US military. Is this just fine with you? If not I haven't noticed somehow
Americans think they and their country are better than others. In fact they are more deluded and their country is much worse.
Around half a million Iraqi children under five died because of the boycott of the country pushed through by the U.S. Americans didn't mind. Is bombing children worse than starving them? I don't think so.
Today thousands of children are being slaughtered in Yemen by Saudi Arabia actively assisted by the US military. Is this just fine with you? If not I haven't noticed somehow
Americans think they and their country are better than others. In fact they are more deluded and their country is much worse.
8
Let's stop the nonsense about the "special corner of hell [that] is reserved for killers who target children." If there were such a place, it would be full of militarists from all over the world whose actions resulted in the deaths of children. And why is it less of a crime to kill innocent adolescents, or adults or grandparents.
I am sure if Abedi were alive today he would deny that his intent was to kill children. He would seek justification, for which there is none, in the offenses he believes were committed by the British, or the French, or the Germans or the Americans. There is plenty of false "justification" or more accurately excuses to go around for the murder of innocents killed in pursuit of military goals. Look at the suffering of the Vietnamese, or the charred citizens of Dresden and Hiroshima, or the inmates of Auschwitz.
Advanced countries commit murder on a much larger scale than home grown terrorists and manage to avoid Mr. Cohen's "special corner of hell" for their crimes.
Are we humans fatally afflicted with a killer's gene, or is it time to pay more attention to the voices of Peace and Non-violence?
I am sure if Abedi were alive today he would deny that his intent was to kill children. He would seek justification, for which there is none, in the offenses he believes were committed by the British, or the French, or the Germans or the Americans. There is plenty of false "justification" or more accurately excuses to go around for the murder of innocents killed in pursuit of military goals. Look at the suffering of the Vietnamese, or the charred citizens of Dresden and Hiroshima, or the inmates of Auschwitz.
Advanced countries commit murder on a much larger scale than home grown terrorists and manage to avoid Mr. Cohen's "special corner of hell" for their crimes.
Are we humans fatally afflicted with a killer's gene, or is it time to pay more attention to the voices of Peace and Non-violence?
5
The "woman-hating ideology" Mr. Cohen mentions needs to be thought about more, as common sense tells us it's driving a huge part of Islamist violence. Think about it: You've got the raging hormones of young men who have it drummed into them that enforced modesty and submission of women is mandated by God, up against a daily life in a Western culture that embraces, encourages and flaunts individual sexual freedom for men and women both.
To men living in the West who hold extreme Islamic ideas about women, there's no possible resolution. At best, they are miserable. At worst, they turn to killing those around them. For all of them, even the ones who do not resort to violence, Arian Grande and her adoring fans constitute a wickedness that needs eradicating.
To men living in the West who hold extreme Islamic ideas about women, there's no possible resolution. At best, they are miserable. At worst, they turn to killing those around them. For all of them, even the ones who do not resort to violence, Arian Grande and her adoring fans constitute a wickedness that needs eradicating.
6
There have always been "crazies," and always will.
Unfortunately, in times of Internet global connectedness, and technology's ability to make individuals into war machines, today, "crazies" can connect with other "crazies," and do their madness at massive scale and to public notice everywhere on planet earth.
Just like white Christian terrorists slaughter at Scandinavian summer camps and at our schools and churches, so do Muslim terrorists. It seems many networks of white "crazies" are focused nationally (so much to do in their own countries!). Muslim "crazies," with the fodder, partially legitimate and partially not, of Israeli and American brutality, underhandedness and policies that destroy millions of lives, network on a much more global basis.
So? "Crazies" will always be there. We will never eliminate reasons that "crazies" cite for their lunacy. We can however improve ourselves, what we do and what we aim for. That does not mean we ignore or stop trying to fight "crazies" (we must do our best to counter them). But by taking clear eyed and objective views of our own actions and intentions, if we really want to discourage the global scourge of "crazies," we can reduce the reasons they so readily cite. We set the "standards" for the changes we enact and seek (the "crazies" don't get the right to dictate to us). But we have to examine ourselves and change ourselves. Analyzing "crazies" will just get us nowhere. They're "crazy!"
Unfortunately, in times of Internet global connectedness, and technology's ability to make individuals into war machines, today, "crazies" can connect with other "crazies," and do their madness at massive scale and to public notice everywhere on planet earth.
Just like white Christian terrorists slaughter at Scandinavian summer camps and at our schools and churches, so do Muslim terrorists. It seems many networks of white "crazies" are focused nationally (so much to do in their own countries!). Muslim "crazies," with the fodder, partially legitimate and partially not, of Israeli and American brutality, underhandedness and policies that destroy millions of lives, network on a much more global basis.
So? "Crazies" will always be there. We will never eliminate reasons that "crazies" cite for their lunacy. We can however improve ourselves, what we do and what we aim for. That does not mean we ignore or stop trying to fight "crazies" (we must do our best to counter them). But by taking clear eyed and objective views of our own actions and intentions, if we really want to discourage the global scourge of "crazies," we can reduce the reasons they so readily cite. We set the "standards" for the changes we enact and seek (the "crazies" don't get the right to dictate to us). But we have to examine ourselves and change ourselves. Analyzing "crazies" will just get us nowhere. They're "crazy!"
2
I am reasonably confident that she uses her music and her concerts and her young social media followers to make as much money as humanly possible before the next it-boy/it-girl strolls along to lip sync.
Any super-power fighting of terrorism is simply a by-product of the dash for cash.
Any super-power fighting of terrorism is simply a by-product of the dash for cash.
5
Previous generations had no Malala, no Ariana, no Amy as role models to inspire girls and young women to be brave and to think for themselves. Now, thanks to these pioneers, informed by the searing atrocity of three days ago, young women coming into adulthood in their millions upon millions over the next ten years will rightly and loudly insist upon wiping all deeply warped and misogynistic philosophies that subjugate women from the face of the earth. The countdown begins.
2
We are good at Killing. Always have been and probably always will be and we Americans believe the ability to kill is necessary and entire industries and sub-cultures are devoted to this fact of life.
We Americans are not so good at countering the ISIS propaganda machine and new ISIS recruits and inspired mass murderers are part of this 100 year war.
ISIS hates and attacked this venue and this performer's show because it is exactly that which inspires the Young against the ISIS cult of death. If one believes in this cult of death and the subordination of women as property, to things to be used at will, then Ms Grande and what she represents is a direct threat.
We can't expect the American war machine to counter the ideas of ISIS and the cults of death because they too belong to that cult. Nor can the political machine persuade the malleable to turn from false empowerment martyrdom of the cult of death. Ms Grande can. That's why she and her inspired were attacked. So, Madam Grande, please continue the business of staging life and joy and the empowerment of the non-weaponed but spiritually armed. Others of us will continue in the shadows, what we do best.
We Americans are not so good at countering the ISIS propaganda machine and new ISIS recruits and inspired mass murderers are part of this 100 year war.
ISIS hates and attacked this venue and this performer's show because it is exactly that which inspires the Young against the ISIS cult of death. If one believes in this cult of death and the subordination of women as property, to things to be used at will, then Ms Grande and what she represents is a direct threat.
We can't expect the American war machine to counter the ideas of ISIS and the cults of death because they too belong to that cult. Nor can the political machine persuade the malleable to turn from false empowerment martyrdom of the cult of death. Ms Grande can. That's why she and her inspired were attacked. So, Madam Grande, please continue the business of staging life and joy and the empowerment of the non-weaponed but spiritually armed. Others of us will continue in the shadows, what we do best.
2
Donald Trump uses terrorist attacks as bullet points in his sales pitch, and as justification for firing off some big missiles. He is not a man who "learns" anything by looking around, during his travels, and, um, thinking.
1
She's going back. Excellent.
I appreciate and commend the idea that the ideas and values of the West, including the appeal of Ariana Grande's art and image, should and must triumph over the ideas and values of hatred embodied in the evil Salman Abedi. But we must also recognize that we are at war. Celebration of our values and our civilization, while essential, is not sufficient to beat back the barbarism of the Islamic extremists. The pattern of radicalization does "defy formulaic dissection," so we should stop debating its "causes," and simply oppose it with the same resolution and single-mindedness that defeated the Nazis. No person, community, or nation on earth should be allowed to harbor or aid and abet these monsters. Anyone who is not against them, is against us.
4
There is one inconvenient truth that is being ignored here. Millions, tens of millions today regard Salman Abedi as a hero, and a saint. Actually there are many millions who regard Ms. Grande as evil, and who will feel completely justified in supporting -- financially and otherwise -- those who will attempt to destroy her. The statements put put by ISIS claiming responsibility loudly and unambiguously proclaim that what was done in Manchester is a holy act. Another uncomfortable truth is the fact that more people will read these statements than will ever read the New York Times.
8
In my admittedly limited travels in Muslim-majority countries, I have found one theme to be consistent in my conversations with people about terrorism.
Wahhabis.
The House of Saud is wildly rich. They spend hundreds of billions of dollars on arms made by US arms manufacturers. Raytheon, Lockheed, Boeing, etc. People don't seem to notice that you rarely if ever see TV journalists reporting from Saudi Arabia. No footage of much of anything except officially sanctioned photo-ops. Saudi Arabia is more like a rich version of North Korea. One big difference is that Saudi Arabia constantly exports terrorists, while North Korea just exports rockets into the ocean.
TRUMP has repeatedly said that global warming is a hoax that is perpetuated by those with a financial interest. How he can't identify Exxon, BP or Shell as companies with a financial interest who perpetuate the hoax-theory is baffling?
Wahhabis.
The House of Saud is wildly rich. They spend hundreds of billions of dollars on arms made by US arms manufacturers. Raytheon, Lockheed, Boeing, etc. People don't seem to notice that you rarely if ever see TV journalists reporting from Saudi Arabia. No footage of much of anything except officially sanctioned photo-ops. Saudi Arabia is more like a rich version of North Korea. One big difference is that Saudi Arabia constantly exports terrorists, while North Korea just exports rockets into the ocean.
TRUMP has repeatedly said that global warming is a hoax that is perpetuated by those with a financial interest. How he can't identify Exxon, BP or Shell as companies with a financial interest who perpetuate the hoax-theory is baffling?
3
"In a way, she’s created this safe space online for her fans and I would say there’s an expectation that that transfers into her concert venues.” - Let's not imply blame towards Ariana Grande (or any artist) who inspires anti-violence (AKA compassion, tolerance and positive self-image) through art and social media for heinous acts at venues. Eagles of Death Metal (Bataclan, Paris) prove the point. it's the terrorist who owns 100% of the blame.
1
Where were all the empowered women during the last US elections? We could have had a woman president who has always put women's issues in her policy demands and would have continued to fight for women's right on an international stage. Now that would have been truly empowering for women and revolutionary and that is how you can slowly change the ideology of Islam.
Many women voted for Trump and the continuation of misogyny/bigotry/racism/scapegoating/etc...
Women are a colonized people, we are divided and don't support each other. If we did, we'd have a different world order.
Many women voted for Trump and the continuation of misogyny/bigotry/racism/scapegoating/etc...
Women are a colonized people, we are divided and don't support each other. If we did, we'd have a different world order.
2
Mr. Cohen's prescription for confronting this new enemy is eloquent, unfocused, and not likely to change anything --perhaps provide an occasion for smug satisfaction at ISIS.
Allow me to say I prefer Trump's approach: war. Not because I am seized by primitive instincts, as Mr. Cohen might assume, or expect anything to be easy (rather the opposite), but because I think that at this point nothing else is likely to change the hearts and minds (and numbers) of our enemies.
Allow me to say I prefer Trump's approach: war. Not because I am seized by primitive instincts, as Mr. Cohen might assume, or expect anything to be easy (rather the opposite), but because I think that at this point nothing else is likely to change the hearts and minds (and numbers) of our enemies.
7
I have read Ariana's posts, and I
Am tearing up. What beautiful insights and compassion expressed in these posts of a
23 year old/young woman who obviously has a wisdom that exceeds her years. Embracing her fans and their diversity, expressing her support of wounded families was touching. Then I consider
the adults governing us and their selfish pursuit of power and divisiveness, and I think, listen to Ariana. She is infinitely wiser than you.
Am tearing up. What beautiful insights and compassion expressed in these posts of a
23 year old/young woman who obviously has a wisdom that exceeds her years. Embracing her fans and their diversity, expressing her support of wounded families was touching. Then I consider
the adults governing us and their selfish pursuit of power and divisiveness, and I think, listen to Ariana. She is infinitely wiser than you.
1
Fine writing as usual by Mr. Cohen. My eyes fell on words my heart selected: "can stop a widely disseminated Wahhabi ideology of hatred converting a susceptible individual and driving him to mass murder." Then I took two words from the phrase that preceded it: "Saudi Arabia."
Saudi Arabia can stop disseminating Wahhabi ideology and replace it. Islamic scholars can assist. That's a deal worth making. Cancel the weapons sale.
Saudi Arabia can stop disseminating Wahhabi ideology and replace it. Islamic scholars can assist. That's a deal worth making. Cancel the weapons sale.
3
A magnificently enlightening reflection and tribute to the forces of Good that still continue to create Civilization. Thank you, Roger Cohen, for this balanced, thoughtful exhortation.
Sadly, this young woman's success as an advocate for girls made her a target. Of courze her network is stronger than that of a terrorist. The terrorists are angry misguided youth and their greedy driven elders, inflicting evil upon others. The future of humanity is going to be one of freedom and individual empowerment. This is the evolution of human history and the true message of all the main world religions, including the muslim faith. Let us become advocates of PEACE and HOPE, rather than the promoters of further hatred and anger which serves to merely reinforce the insanity of crimes against our fellow humans.
"We live better and longer than our forebears".
This is the height of solipsism and insensitivity - and may in fact not be true, for example if Islamist terror gets ahold of a dirty bomb.
You could have said the same thing in London in 1940. Instead, the British steamrolled their enemies - then.
The real issues here have nothing to do with this singer or her entirely laudable effort to form community and a support network for the consequences what Mr. Cohen implacably refuses to acknowledge: Islamist terrorism. Manchester is the modern Blitz, only today the elite press won't stand with the people to defeat it.
These events are not inevitable. Not something we must accept. We can do something concrete to stop it, if we only will.
I think it was W.H. Auden who called the 1930s a "low, dishonest" decade. Where are his like today?
This is the height of solipsism and insensitivity - and may in fact not be true, for example if Islamist terror gets ahold of a dirty bomb.
You could have said the same thing in London in 1940. Instead, the British steamrolled their enemies - then.
The real issues here have nothing to do with this singer or her entirely laudable effort to form community and a support network for the consequences what Mr. Cohen implacably refuses to acknowledge: Islamist terrorism. Manchester is the modern Blitz, only today the elite press won't stand with the people to defeat it.
These events are not inevitable. Not something we must accept. We can do something concrete to stop it, if we only will.
I think it was W.H. Auden who called the 1930s a "low, dishonest" decade. Where are his like today?
3
The killer in this incident is entirely alike to all those who in this country took a firearm or several of them and committed a massacre -- in a church in Charleston, a tower at the University of Texas, a building at Virginia Tech, a high school and then too a movie theater in Colorado and, worst of all if there can be a worst, an elementary school in Connecticut.
This one, like all of those, was an alienated, 20-something young man, angry with the world for the failures in his life, for being a nobody, for the fact that he made no reflection in the world…
It goes on because there are ever such young men. In virtually every instance it is such a young man. Whether it is a seemingly random shooting massacre here or a bombing somewhere, the terror is in the fact that these young men are so alienated that they can't understand life or its sanctity.
All the security agencies, devices, measures and foreign wars and black ops in the world can't protect anyone or everyone, or you and me and those we care about, from the next lonely, alienated 20-something man who shoots or bombs so that the world will finally take notice of him.
What we call terrorism is actually despair and self-loathing. We cannot be made safe from those to whom it happens.
This one, like all of those, was an alienated, 20-something young man, angry with the world for the failures in his life, for being a nobody, for the fact that he made no reflection in the world…
It goes on because there are ever such young men. In virtually every instance it is such a young man. Whether it is a seemingly random shooting massacre here or a bombing somewhere, the terror is in the fact that these young men are so alienated that they can't understand life or its sanctity.
All the security agencies, devices, measures and foreign wars and black ops in the world can't protect anyone or everyone, or you and me and those we care about, from the next lonely, alienated 20-something man who shoots or bombs so that the world will finally take notice of him.
What we call terrorism is actually despair and self-loathing. We cannot be made safe from those to whom it happens.
3
While we condemn the action of this lone sad, angry young man in taking 22 young lives along with his own, I hope that Americans will also look closer to home and think more deeply about the ideologues who serve in our Congress and in state and local legislatures all over this nation. They also choose to blow up and blight young lives though they do it through cruel and mindless legislation that takes the food from their mouths, the education from their lives, the clean air and water from their growing bodies -- also in the name of ideology! Sometimes even in the name of God!
You think too narrowly if you believe that evil is only accomplished by a single suicide. In Montana yesterday the voters put one such ideologue into the Congress despite the fact that he assaulted a fellow human being in front of their eyes. But assault is accomplished every day by legislators who value tax write offs to the wealthy over food for the needy and healthcare for all the rest of us. Who will "blow up" this fraudulent ideology of concern if not the voters? If you don't speak, act and vote against the ideology you allow both kinds of assault to take place: the physical and the legislative.
You think too narrowly if you believe that evil is only accomplished by a single suicide. In Montana yesterday the voters put one such ideologue into the Congress despite the fact that he assaulted a fellow human being in front of their eyes. But assault is accomplished every day by legislators who value tax write offs to the wealthy over food for the needy and healthcare for all the rest of us. Who will "blow up" this fraudulent ideology of concern if not the voters? If you don't speak, act and vote against the ideology you allow both kinds of assault to take place: the physical and the legislative.
4
I for sure don't fall into Ariana Grande's demographic swathe - but nonetheless I'm a supporter, fan and admirer of this physically tiny, hugely talented young lady and moreso now than ever.
Her decision to return to Manchester and stage a benefit concert for the bombing victims underpins not only her moral and ethical values, but is a display of selfless empathy and demonstrates a greater understanding that terrorist atrocities will never weaken us or our resolve to live the lives we choose.
I hope she is joined on stage by her peers (which I'm sure she will) in support of freedom - and defiance of murderous oppressors. I doubt there will be a dry eye in the house when she walks on stage at that future date and surely will be greeted with foot-stomping, thunderous applause and cheers in support, approval and heartfelt thanks. We will all be better for it.
Her decision to return to Manchester and stage a benefit concert for the bombing victims underpins not only her moral and ethical values, but is a display of selfless empathy and demonstrates a greater understanding that terrorist atrocities will never weaken us or our resolve to live the lives we choose.
I hope she is joined on stage by her peers (which I'm sure she will) in support of freedom - and defiance of murderous oppressors. I doubt there will be a dry eye in the house when she walks on stage at that future date and surely will be greeted with foot-stomping, thunderous applause and cheers in support, approval and heartfelt thanks. We will all be better for it.
23
The suggestion that she is joined onstage with her peers is a good one. By standing together I hope they can inspire young people to be hopeful and resolute in not accepting that waiting for the next attack is one more step toward acceptance of violence in public spaces as being the new normal.
Wonderful article. Congratulations to Ms. Grande and her followers in Manchester. I was heartbroken and am inspired. Thank you.
11
The part in this that really resonated with me was para. 6-9 and the feeling of helplessness it conveyed... the ritual of reaction and the wait for the next incident. Right or wrong, I am feeling cynical about the endlessly repeated speeches about unity, helpers and not "letting them win" etc, and it helped to read such an eloquent expression of that feeling.
3
"It could be worse. We live better and longer than our forebears."
Statistics will bear out longer but on the question of better -?
"Is Grande’s network stronger than Abedi’s? I believe it is -?"
I usually share Mr. Cohen's beliefs conceding that they are merely beliefs. However, with regard to this one, I have doubts.
Statistics will bear out longer but on the question of better -?
"Is Grande’s network stronger than Abedi’s? I believe it is -?"
I usually share Mr. Cohen's beliefs conceding that they are merely beliefs. However, with regard to this one, I have doubts.
4
Criticism of Ariana Grande in these comments suggests an agenda. Cohen did not suggest sainthood for this young woman. There seems to be an underlying suggestion of blame as justification for this attack, rather than perceiving this as what it is, a terrorist attack aimed at delivering a common jihadist message that young girls should be kept covered, cowed and silent. Focusing on the faults of the performer rather than the act of violence plays right into the jihadists' hands.
14
This is moving, intelligent and beautifully written. I didn't think anyone could write this well about Manchester.
She is a fine artist and a brave young women who will return to Manchester for a benefit concert. I admire Cohen's balanced and informed OpEds and i would appreciate it if he might address this: Scott Pelley reporting on CBS live from Manchester devoted a mere few seconds to a Pentagon statement that a US missile strike in Mosul to take out 2 ISIL fighters had resulted in the killing of at least 105 innocent civilians. Our Saudi "friends" using our weapons have committed crimes against humanity on the people of Yemen. The last assault on Gaza by Israeli fighter jets claimed the lives of at least 600 infants and children. I have family in Manchester but I still am concerned that there is some type of indecency, that there is something morally derelict at the scale of lamentation when the people who suffer and die seem like us and are viewed as more worthy of our commiseration that the children of Mosul or Gaza or Yemen who are dead because of our military or the militaries we support and salute. I have not sorted this out myself so I welcome alternative views.
18
To understand the challenge of Islamist terrorism, we must discard 20th-century assumptions about the roots of conflict and violence.
We products of the 20th century were steeped in the notion that social offenses arose from social injustice: imbalances of wealth or power. If we were to reject mindless antipathy toward the offenders, the alternative was to address the root causes by making society more equitable.
Many people remain blinkered by that materialist worldview although our present antagonists are emphatically anti-materialist. From the 9-11 attackers to the London transit bombers and beyond, we see people from affluent, educated backgrounds attacking modern civilization with no quid pro quo and with hardly a nod to such issues as poverty or the Palestinian problem. They benefit from those grievances, but they're motivated by their own life crises and religious epiphanies. Osama bin Laden is the ultimate example of the spoiled rich boy turned true believer.
To the extent that the world buys off discontent by equitably distributing wealth and power, unworldly fanatics will become more enraged, not less. Though they lose their whole base of support, they'll go on -- a bomb here, a speeding truck there.
The forces of connection you mention are one source of hope, but there must be another: something that fires the imagination of material-weary youth with an impulse to life and not death. Ninth-century Islam would do nicely.
http://thefamilyproperty.blogspot.jp/
We products of the 20th century were steeped in the notion that social offenses arose from social injustice: imbalances of wealth or power. If we were to reject mindless antipathy toward the offenders, the alternative was to address the root causes by making society more equitable.
Many people remain blinkered by that materialist worldview although our present antagonists are emphatically anti-materialist. From the 9-11 attackers to the London transit bombers and beyond, we see people from affluent, educated backgrounds attacking modern civilization with no quid pro quo and with hardly a nod to such issues as poverty or the Palestinian problem. They benefit from those grievances, but they're motivated by their own life crises and religious epiphanies. Osama bin Laden is the ultimate example of the spoiled rich boy turned true believer.
To the extent that the world buys off discontent by equitably distributing wealth and power, unworldly fanatics will become more enraged, not less. Though they lose their whole base of support, they'll go on -- a bomb here, a speeding truck there.
The forces of connection you mention are one source of hope, but there must be another: something that fires the imagination of material-weary youth with an impulse to life and not death. Ninth-century Islam would do nicely.
http://thefamilyproperty.blogspot.jp/
6
Brilliant! Everyone in the Western world should read what you have written.
1
Next Thursday we will be noting that it was 50 years ago today. Is Ariana Grande really in the same league as the artists who inspired earlier generations with works like Sgt. Pepper? Today's adolescents should not settle for so little.
7
We have to choose love - every day. We have to practice radical listening, we need to mend fences and build bridges. We need to do the slow work of the heart - humility, humanity, humbleness. As Hillary Clinton said - with an outstretched hand, knowing that our ministry - what we do to the least of our brothers, will save the world.
1
Ariana Grande and those like her are ARE the force that so strongly attracts and might one day defeat the hate ideologies, all of them.
She attracts hatred because she is confident, kind, and self-assured. She wants others to find that confidence in themselves and tries to help them do so. She is not merely an empowered person (and female) she empowers others. That is what those who subscribe to the hate ideologies fear most -- those who will not be cowed into submission.
We rail against the attackers. We wring our hands and cry in pain at their cruelty. We try to rationalize, to find ways to deal with our own hate -- that someone could do these abominable things, to children. And we try to forget.
We try to forget. The world was a less-kind place 100 years ago. It was much less kind 500 years ago. In many places for many children, it's an extremely unkind place. We don't want to know about those places. It's too hard.
It's easier to hate someone who is kind and generous. It's easier to hate someone who inspires hope. It's easier to hate someone who actually embodies the values that the hate ideologies most aspire to. If you can't be the person you want to be, hate the person who is happy and comfortable with who they are.
Intolerance only breeds hate and more intolerance. The more we rail against them, the more we fight against them, the stronger they become.
Young Leaders, like Ms Grande, instinctively know this. We need her kind of courage now more than ever.
She attracts hatred because she is confident, kind, and self-assured. She wants others to find that confidence in themselves and tries to help them do so. She is not merely an empowered person (and female) she empowers others. That is what those who subscribe to the hate ideologies fear most -- those who will not be cowed into submission.
We rail against the attackers. We wring our hands and cry in pain at their cruelty. We try to rationalize, to find ways to deal with our own hate -- that someone could do these abominable things, to children. And we try to forget.
We try to forget. The world was a less-kind place 100 years ago. It was much less kind 500 years ago. In many places for many children, it's an extremely unkind place. We don't want to know about those places. It's too hard.
It's easier to hate someone who is kind and generous. It's easier to hate someone who inspires hope. It's easier to hate someone who actually embodies the values that the hate ideologies most aspire to. If you can't be the person you want to be, hate the person who is happy and comfortable with who they are.
Intolerance only breeds hate and more intolerance. The more we rail against them, the more we fight against them, the stronger they become.
Young Leaders, like Ms Grande, instinctively know this. We need her kind of courage now more than ever.
29
Ms. Grande "attracted" (if such a thing is true, that it was about her) the attack because she's female and plays up her sexuality. (no judgment,its just a fact) Which is a wholly western and specifically American thing to do, and Jihadii's hate that. They hate the western woman's behaviors, think western men are weakened by letting their women roam free and determine their own fate.
1
At the risk of being a Grinch, the idea that a young singer and her followers can in any way counter the monstrous and unrelenting force of terrorism is classic wishful thinking.
We in the West persist in swatting away global terroristic attacks as nothing more than the acts of hateful, demented and alienated people. True enough. But it's also true that there are millions of such people who don't commit atrocities such as we've witnessed in so many places.
We need to collectively understand what particular factors come together to make a young person commit suicide and slaughter the innocent.
Dropping bombs and launching missile strikes has not halted the now frequent acts of terrorism. Vowing that we won't be cowed by terrorism hides a more disquieting truth: we are, in fact, just a little bit more afraid to visit places once regarded as immune to terrorism.
We are missing something important about terrorism that we neither understand nor much less are addressing.
We in the West persist in swatting away global terroristic attacks as nothing more than the acts of hateful, demented and alienated people. True enough. But it's also true that there are millions of such people who don't commit atrocities such as we've witnessed in so many places.
We need to collectively understand what particular factors come together to make a young person commit suicide and slaughter the innocent.
Dropping bombs and launching missile strikes has not halted the now frequent acts of terrorism. Vowing that we won't be cowed by terrorism hides a more disquieting truth: we are, in fact, just a little bit more afraid to visit places once regarded as immune to terrorism.
We are missing something important about terrorism that we neither understand nor much less are addressing.
28
I don't think Cohen is saying Grande's network will counter Abedi's, but rather that it will outlast it. As far as the "mystery" of terrorism, it's not rocket science. We know the problem, we haven't found a solution. As Cohen points out, the Wahabi schools that the Saudis export teach intolerance and violent extremism, and much of ISIS and Al Quaeda stem from this. Instead of catering to the autocrats and urging them to "drive them out", the US should be pushing them to stop their murderous efforts and instead address the underlying causes, not the least of which is the growing inequality throughout the world. Driving out the current group of terrorists will only see others rise to take their place. Short of bombing us all into oblivion, no amount of arms sales to Saudi Arabia and other countries in the region will solve the problem - it will just exacerbate it.
6
Outlast them? That's exactly what "they" hope to do with the West.
Trouble is every time the Jihadist's attack, they make incremental wins.
They win because the West jumps up and behaves irrationally. In NYC, suddenly there are cops everywhere...looking for who knows what, but they think they know what to look for. And the citizens continue on their way, complacent sheep. So now at the next Manchester event, there will be cops crawling all over the place...while some "actor"is off at the local pub killing there. So then the cops rush there, and now pubs are patrolled. So the "actors" head to the subways, the parks, etc. And we chase them around like some old silent Keystone Cops movie.
The Jihadist's win because in these incremental ways as they contributed greatly to the atmosphere that got Trump elected, made Brexit happen on the first go 'round, and almost got Le Pen elected in France. The Jihadist wins because they are creating a siege mentality in the West. To the point that in the US - where being killed by a foreign born and nurtured terrorist is the least likely way to be killed - takes precedence in our national discourse, and diverts out attentions from more pressing issues. Ban 'em and close off the borders becomes a political mantra - but does nothing real to protect us. Because our greatest threats always are and will be on our side of the hoped-for wall.
Trouble is every time the Jihadist's attack, they make incremental wins.
They win because the West jumps up and behaves irrationally. In NYC, suddenly there are cops everywhere...looking for who knows what, but they think they know what to look for. And the citizens continue on their way, complacent sheep. So now at the next Manchester event, there will be cops crawling all over the place...while some "actor"is off at the local pub killing there. So then the cops rush there, and now pubs are patrolled. So the "actors" head to the subways, the parks, etc. And we chase them around like some old silent Keystone Cops movie.
The Jihadist's win because in these incremental ways as they contributed greatly to the atmosphere that got Trump elected, made Brexit happen on the first go 'round, and almost got Le Pen elected in France. The Jihadist wins because they are creating a siege mentality in the West. To the point that in the US - where being killed by a foreign born and nurtured terrorist is the least likely way to be killed - takes precedence in our national discourse, and diverts out attentions from more pressing issues. Ban 'em and close off the borders becomes a political mantra - but does nothing real to protect us. Because our greatest threats always are and will be on our side of the hoped-for wall.
1
You are deluding yourself if you believe these terrorist commit these acts because the West has killed innocent women and children.
They support ISIS.
If they cared about the innocent people who are being killed how can they support ISIS.
They do what they do is because they support ISIS,
They are supporting side that are doing the killing.
They support ISIS.
If they cared about the innocent people who are being killed how can they support ISIS.
They do what they do is because they support ISIS,
They are supporting side that are doing the killing.
2
It's so unfortunate that Ms. Grande had to be the singer whose concert was attacked. She potentially could have lost her life. This could have happened at a number of different concerts and venues. I think the selection of hers was deliberate and chosen. This is so devastating to both Grande and her dedicated fans. What a horrible thing to happen in her early career and life. Absolutely heinous. I hope she is receiving the help and support she may need right now and continues her long career road ahead of her. She really is amazing and I can understand why so may young women and girls love her.
6
"She potentially could have lost her life." The families of those who lost their lives are just as devastated as Ms. Grande's family would have been.
I expect you might mean that it's tragic that any monster would bomb people who were innocently watching and enjoying an entertainer, and doubt that you meant to imply that the entertainer's life is more valuable than anyone else's life.
I expect you might mean that it's tragic that any monster would bomb people who were innocently watching and enjoying an entertainer, and doubt that you meant to imply that the entertainer's life is more valuable than anyone else's life.
7
My opinion of Ariana Grande before this awful attack in Manchester was superficial. After the attack, I read about Ariana and watched her performances on SNL. She was bright, witty, sassy and incredibly talented. More than anything, she was a feminist and her statements about being her own person showed her young female fans that they too can stand tall. As a professional woman in my 40s, I see more and more that it is a male dominated working world out there. Ariana is a role model that this world needs more of.
62
I hate to spoil the party but there is not one single piece of physical evidence hinted at or offered to the public in any venue that could even point to much less support the narrative and the pictures which are by the way are such poor excuse for evidence that they are not evidence of anything. There should be thousands of substantive pieces of physical evidence analyzable, corroboratable. There is no effort to present medical reports, support identities of the supposed victims with dental and medical records or any form documented records. Order out of chaos, should be create chaos and restore order that in reality was never disturbed.
Roger I think the word Power is totally misplaced here. Ariana has charmed 150 million kids (or adults who still think they are kids) to follow her. I seriously doubt this is the same power which say a Pope or Mullah has over large groups of people and even then it is pretty limited. The Power of religious book or leader however is quite different. The religious leaders exalted in these holy books are not there to speak for themselves anymore so it becomes interpretations which one gets from those books. That is the interpreted power which lead Abedi to do the ghastly act of killing innocent people and sadly still leads some to believe that killing is better than talking or singing for that matter.
2
Thenia, I respectfully disagree about the power of Ariana. Her courageous post-tragedy determination that she will return to the site and perform a benefit concert for the victims sets the kind of example this entire world needs. Action always speaks louder than words, and the 'lesson' of her response will not be lost on the millions of people, women and men alike, who already appreciate her talents. It's not about her 'talking and singing,' but her strength of character in response to tragedy that makes her a shining example for all of us, not just teenage girls.
1
Ariana Grande is a gifted young star. We can dedicate a beautiful song she sings with Andrea Bocelli, to all victims of violence, and specially to all that lost a loved one because of terrorism: "E più ti penso" - And the more I think about you -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cqw6fzfwzjM&sns=em
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cqw6fzfwzjM&sns=em
I'm not sure I see how Ms. Grande has become a beacon of female empowerment judging from the two music videos of hers I just watched on YouTube. They seem no different from scores of other videos by recent female performers that combine sexuality, meaningless lyrics, and uninspired musicianship. Maybe I'd have a different opinion if I were a twelve-year-old girl. I don't think I'd want the Ariana Grande in this video held up as a role model for my daughter: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ekZEVeXwek
19
I can't comprehend, by what twisted logic, how an Op-Ed about a deadly terrorist attack in an Ariana Grande's (an "I hate America and Americans" entertainer who has become famous and wealthy in America) concert in Manchester by a Muslim "extremist"(a more vitriolic Western hater), turns into a direct attack on Trump, or a lesson in "humility".
To Mr. Cohen's credit, he manages to mention, if in passing, the Wahhabi "ideology". This "ideology" happens to be the Saudi's OFFICIAL State Religion and particular "type" of Sunni Islam, and Saudi Arabia "happens" to be Sunni Islam's "Vatican", if you please. The Saudi's have spent COUNTLESS millions, if not billions, spreading this "ideology" worldwide with the WILLFUL help of politicians and the clueless, who have NEVER taken into account that this "ideology" does NOT recognize the SEPARATION of Church and State, or secularism, for that matter, and, unlike others, it has NEVER gone through a reformation process. When the Governor of Jakarta is sentenced to two years of prison for "blasphemy"in this day and age, that's something to think about.
On the other side, the Iranians (Shi'a Islam) have done the same with their own version; so cry me a river.
Unlike Mr. Cohen, I wonder if the world, not only President Trump, will come to grips with reality and stop defending the indefensible. The fact will remain that, as long as the ROOT cause is not put under the microscope, nothing will change.
To Mr. Cohen's credit, he manages to mention, if in passing, the Wahhabi "ideology". This "ideology" happens to be the Saudi's OFFICIAL State Religion and particular "type" of Sunni Islam, and Saudi Arabia "happens" to be Sunni Islam's "Vatican", if you please. The Saudi's have spent COUNTLESS millions, if not billions, spreading this "ideology" worldwide with the WILLFUL help of politicians and the clueless, who have NEVER taken into account that this "ideology" does NOT recognize the SEPARATION of Church and State, or secularism, for that matter, and, unlike others, it has NEVER gone through a reformation process. When the Governor of Jakarta is sentenced to two years of prison for "blasphemy"in this day and age, that's something to think about.
On the other side, the Iranians (Shi'a Islam) have done the same with their own version; so cry me a river.
Unlike Mr. Cohen, I wonder if the world, not only President Trump, will come to grips with reality and stop defending the indefensible. The fact will remain that, as long as the ROOT cause is not put under the microscope, nothing will change.
11
Amen. But, sadly, this president is beyond learning and we all know it. And we need to be ever-vigilant against domestic enemy#1: professionally propogated disinformation from Fox, Rush and that whole cohort.
Over and over I hear pundits and regular folks saying, "Politics and the cultural divide is so much worse than it used to be. The last 20 years have seen such a steep decline."
Well, that corresponds almost perfectly w the rise of Fox, Rush, Hannity etc
Does anyone really think that's a coincidence?
I'm not calling for censorship. But people need to scream from the rooftops that there's a virus afoot.
Over and over I hear pundits and regular folks saying, "Politics and the cultural divide is so much worse than it used to be. The last 20 years have seen such a steep decline."
Well, that corresponds almost perfectly w the rise of Fox, Rush, Hannity etc
Does anyone really think that's a coincidence?
I'm not calling for censorship. But people need to scream from the rooftops that there's a virus afoot.
3
It strikes me that both Grande and Abedi were about 7 years old when 9/11 happened. And yet the awful carnage continues. Are we fixing this problem for our children or simply passing the torch of destruction?
6
We know exactly why Islamic terrorists do what they do: because of religious doctrines like jihadism and martyrdom. The bombers themselves say why they are doing it. Yet Mr. Cohen and the Times editorial board claim to have "no idea" what precisely would motivate the Manchester bomber (Mr. Cohen lists numerous possible social causes) and Mr. Cohen says "we may never know"! The piece then concludes with the obligatory denunciation of Trump. Well, at least Trump had the courage to say in his speech in Saudi Arabia that moderate Muslims must "drive out" these jihadists; Cohen won't say that.
15
Her young fans just grew up.
1
Having expressed already some thoughts about the urgent need for humility, just a brief addition. Trump's contribution to mayhem caused by religious extremists, many of them jihadists (a violent group based on the radical interpretation of some passages of the Koran) is Trump's unconscionable support for the N.R.A.'s indiscriminate selling, for its 'free' use, of weapons of destruction at home (in these United States), and causing, day in and day out, most of the killings we see, however less spectacular than detonating a box of nails in susceptible public spaces. This 'drip drip' killing in the U.S. Homeland is an institutionalized violence that seems to be 'well' tolerated by our complicit silence. Our irresponsible bully (a coward in disguise) in the White House ought to be ashamed of himself; and we, the public, should listen to Pogo's words: "we found the enemy, and it is Us".
4
Empowerment is fear transformed…and today’s young women are exemplars. It is this inner power – empowered girls and young women – that autocrats and terrorists fear. And from a global survey we conducted on girls' and young women's empowerment, from Afghanistan to Zimbabwe, empowerment is what millennial women want. So if we truly want to counter violence and terrorism, we must help and support every girl and young woman to reach their full potential.
Jin In
Founder, 4Girls GLocal Leadership (4GGL)
Jin In
Founder, 4Girls GLocal Leadership (4GGL)
5
Grande is a pop superstar for teenage girls.
She offered a convenient venue for ISIS' most effective recruiting tool.
And there will always be people willing to blow themselves up for a cause, for God, for whatever.
Terrorism can be contained but not completely stopped, as Israel has demonstrated over the past 10 years.
That's just the way it is. Still the world is a much safer place today than it was in the first half of the Twentieth Century - with its two world wars and ominous nuclear war.
She offered a convenient venue for ISIS' most effective recruiting tool.
And there will always be people willing to blow themselves up for a cause, for God, for whatever.
Terrorism can be contained but not completely stopped, as Israel has demonstrated over the past 10 years.
That's just the way it is. Still the world is a much safer place today than it was in the first half of the Twentieth Century - with its two world wars and ominous nuclear war.
2
Until believers, practitioners and defenders of Islam recognize and address the problem that is at the core of Muslim extremism and terrorism, there will never be an end to incidents like Manchester and groups like ISIS and al Qaeda. Yes, "Wahhabi ideology of hatred" is part of that core, but the question that needs to be asked and answered honestly is what is it about that Qur'an based ideology that enables, if not encourages, susceptible individuals to engage in acts of terrorism and mass murder, more often than not against fellow Muslims. Put differently, what is it in the Qur'an that both permits and encourages the killing of others in the name and defense of Islam? The answer seems crystal clear to me: it is the concept jihad. Jihad has long been used to motivate Muslims to make holy wars. These days it is the driving force behind mass murder.
Young and old Muslims alike are attracted to the ranks of terrorist groups like ISIS by the religious duty the Qur'an and jihad impose on "true believers". Of course this is a twisted, murderous interpretation of an otherwise peaceful religion, but the fact remains that the concept of jihad will always allow such an interpretation by those who cynically or crazily think that Islam itself is under attack from the "sinful" West. The only way to end terrorism by jihadists is to eliminate jihad as a religious duty. But that will never happen given the appeal that making war and jihad have for the young and disaffected everywhere.
Young and old Muslims alike are attracted to the ranks of terrorist groups like ISIS by the religious duty the Qur'an and jihad impose on "true believers". Of course this is a twisted, murderous interpretation of an otherwise peaceful religion, but the fact remains that the concept of jihad will always allow such an interpretation by those who cynically or crazily think that Islam itself is under attack from the "sinful" West. The only way to end terrorism by jihadists is to eliminate jihad as a religious duty. But that will never happen given the appeal that making war and jihad have for the young and disaffected everywhere.
7
Nothing could be more indicative of galloping empty-headedness than servile adoration of disposible, formulaic and infantile pop "music" and its vapid luminaries. Nothing could be more indicative of a lapsed intellect and regressing thought-processes than adults who infantilize themselves by extolling dumbed-down dopes.
8
Ours is a dumbed-downs society, e.g., the electorate who chose the dumbed-down leader. We are all guilty.
2
Here is a line from The Way, a song that she performs with her boyfriend, Mac Miller:
'You're a princess to the public, but a freak when it's time'.
What's not to like? I see it becoming a hit on KSUQ Radio Saana in no time.
'You're a princess to the public, but a freak when it's time'.
What's not to like? I see it becoming a hit on KSUQ Radio Saana in no time.
Ariana Grande is no Nina Simone, Mary Travers, Mahalia Jackson, Mavis Staples, Joan Baez, Beyoncé Knowles, Odetta, Miriam Makeba, Oumou Sangare, Billie Holiday, Cassandra Wilson, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Maya Angelou, Bernice Reagan nor Tracy Chapman.
Grande is an entertainer first and foremost.
Grande is an entertainer first and foremost.
5
Ariana should go back to England and visit the hospital and homes of the injured. Right now she comes across as having fled a war zone and perhaps is only worried about her career.
5
Please, give this 23 year old girl a rest too.
You don't think she is suffering psychologically?
You don't think she is suffering psychologically?
1
This is just ridiculous. Grande is part os a vast machine and that machine extracts dollars from little girls via their parents. Nothing wrong with that. It's part of the American system. But to suggest that Grande represents some kind of she-warrior that will inspire a wave of pre-teen terorism fighters is beyond silly. Are we to believe that online "influencers" can solve the problems of the world?
NY Times should do better than this.
NY Times should do better than this.
26
Is this our choice: vacuous pop celebrities or terrorists. There has t be a better way
11
All of these op-ed columns keep hoping for a rationality from our President that he just does not possess---he is a simple man, with simple tastes, and simple solutions. Trump's mind is incapable of digesting the themes in this article--his mind works like this---if someone had a gun at that concert this would have never happened---sounds too simple---pass the ice cream--remember two scoops.
4
I do not know anything about Ariana Grande other then she is a singer that young girls seem to love.
As an American her actions in the last couple of days are reflective of everything that is wrong about the modern American Character.
Thousands of people went to see her at a concert and when the thugs of this world kill and injure some of those people what does she do?
She does not go directly, and clandestinely without an entourage, to the hospital to offer help to the injured and their families. She does not stick around to attend the funerals of her fans.
She jumps on a private airplane and runs home like a scared chicken.
If this is what substitutes for a role model for our American Youth, then we will surly loose our battle against the dark forces of the world. I assure you that ISIS and Al-Qaeda are not raising their youth with cotton candy but with backbone and resolve.
Ariana Grande showed neither.
As an American her actions in the last couple of days are reflective of everything that is wrong about the modern American Character.
Thousands of people went to see her at a concert and when the thugs of this world kill and injure some of those people what does she do?
She does not go directly, and clandestinely without an entourage, to the hospital to offer help to the injured and their families. She does not stick around to attend the funerals of her fans.
She jumps on a private airplane and runs home like a scared chicken.
If this is what substitutes for a role model for our American Youth, then we will surly loose our battle against the dark forces of the world. I assure you that ISIS and Al-Qaeda are not raising their youth with cotton candy but with backbone and resolve.
Ariana Grande showed neither.
6
She is going to return to Manchester to do a concert, which she says will honor and raise money for the victims and their families
1
Compassion is in short order in your world.
Has it ever occurred to you that she may be psychologically traumatized?
Has it ever occurred to you that she may be psychologically traumatized?
1
I'm not worried about Trump. I'm worried about the millions of people who still think we can reason with these violent beyond our imagination "people".
It's not love, it's not racism, it's not economic! These are modern day wild animals and they will kill until they are killed.... It's that simple.
It's not love, it's not racism, it's not economic! These are modern day wild animals and they will kill until they are killed.... It's that simple.
6
Yup, you got this right. Spot on.
4
Probably true for the committed jihadists, but millions of other Muslims are on the fence. So, while we should indeed stop jihadists by any needs possible, most of our efforts should be focussed on convincing "moderate" Muslims to reject the violent teachings in Islam. I don't say this will be easy, but it's the only way to stop this war. We can't kill our way out of this one.
1
Don't understand that last paragraph.
Why did you mention Trump.
I don't like Trump.
That being said I have to say you are wrong.
What do you think he should learn
What should anyone learn from third tragedy.
Arianna is very talented.
Apart from that I do not see her as being a role model because she isn't bad like Miley Cyrus is.
She dresses and dances very provocatively.
She also caters to young boys and girls.
Is that appropriate..
Why did you mention Trump.
I don't like Trump.
That being said I have to say you are wrong.
What do you think he should learn
What should anyone learn from third tragedy.
Arianna is very talented.
Apart from that I do not see her as being a role model because she isn't bad like Miley Cyrus is.
She dresses and dances very provocatively.
She also caters to young boys and girls.
Is that appropriate..
2
Roger, again? You wonder if Trump can learn? What will it take for you to understand and accept that there is no changing or growing or learning that will ever take place in the mind if this narcissistic, misogynistic, racist boor? He has set in motion policies and sentiments that have caused and will continue to cause irreparable harm to millions. Stop pretending otherwise.
4
No physical evidence at to support the story/pictures of a bombing.
Trump really betrayed any faux ideology he espouses when he dangled his sword with the Saudis.
1
What 45 can learn? Forget it. He is not the center of the universe. Please let the British authorities handle this in conjunction or without the 45 Adminstration, not by one man alone. This happened in England and the people killed were primarily if not wholly, from the UK.
2
Aha, finally it came to me who Donald Trump reminds me of. Laffing Sal, the 8 foot tall dummy at the amusement parks who "...frightened the children and annoyed the adults." Yes, Donald Laffing Sal Trump, the man of the moment.
7
Quite the contrary Mr Cohen, what the world needs now is a stern resolve to eradicate terrorism. Not peace, flowers and hugs. Policies that solely aim at protecting people. It looks xenophobic to ban certain people? I really don't care if it means that our husband, wife, children are safe. That they don't get blown up. You call that racist? I call that common sense. But NO, let's not offend and bring in more of those who think that our way of life is offensive, that young girls cannot grow up to be free women. Who can go out at night to applaud another young woman who makes them feel better about themselves. You say we have to get used to bombs? You say we will never know what that horrible 22 year old was thinking when he willingly set up thousands of screws and nails in his bomb to blow up these children? In fact I don't care what he was thinking. I just want our leaders to prevent these attacks. We know how. Now will we have the will?
9
The answer to your last sentence: no. He will continue to suck up to the very people responsible for funding these abominations.
8
All well and good, Roger. But what did Ms. Grande do after the attack? She immediately took a ride on Taylor Swift's jet back to the USA. If Ms. Grande really was the heroine you claim her to be, she would have stayed in Manchester and visited the hospitals and done everything she could to give succor to the victims. In short, she lacked bottle and ran.
24
Perhaps she did not to be the focus and attract attention - why go immediately to criticism? Celebrities of any sort know they often cause more distraction even when they mean well. If you are so noble please tell us how you are helping others?
5
I am 68 and clearly not a "fan" of Ariana Grande. But you comment dissing her was, in my opinion, uncalled for. How do you know that she wasn't already committed to an event back in the United States. And frankly, I am tired of stars and arrogant politicians using tragedy to gain media coverage. Would going to a hospital bring back a child or a mother or a brother? No.
8
Totally agree. I was aghast that she just fled home to safety. Even now, as the Queen has made the visit to a Manchester hospital, Ariana could regroup and fly back to connect with those in such pain. Time to grow up kid.
3
I have never understood how any man can hate 1/2 of the world population. How does a man get to be so twisted?
5
It has seemed that Ariana Grande's concert became the target because of its young female audience. The Islamic State wants women subjugated and enslaved not empowered and educated.
18
It could be our younger generations are promoting love , peace and caring about our environment. Don't worry about the oldsters like Trump. Him and many like him are that you really can't teach a old dog or old thinking dog new tricks. Ariana and your followers will be our change for the better.
2
Ariana is an absolutely wonderful singer, performer, and person. For this to have happened to her and her fans is atrocious.
4
I think she's an amazing entertainer/artist.
Hopefully this incident won't stop her from continuing her future career.
Hopefully this incident won't stop her from continuing her future career.
1
Mr. Trump needs a more basic skill than humility. When Mohamed Ali said he was the greatest, we chuckled. Then he proved it in the ring and in the world as he dealt with his final illness. When Mr. Trump says he is the greatest we tremble as we watch his "restoration" of American greatness by weaponizing social media, hammering the poor, shredding the social safety net and enriching himself.
He needs humanity.
He needs humanity.
106
Give me a break! Stop talking nonsense. Is talking about hell supposed to comfort us? Maybe it is a place with 70 virgins comforting the killer.
"What we do know is that a special corner of hell is reserved for killers who target children. To propel, through self-detonation, bolts and nails into kids is a particular infamy."
"What we do know is that a special corner of hell is reserved for killers who target children. To propel, through self-detonation, bolts and nails into kids is a particular infamy."
5
@eric: It's an expression. He didn't expect you to take it literally. Lighten up.
1
Nothing to do with Ms. Grande... she just exists in the present.. The real story is called SECOND GENERATION TERRORISTS,those who parents have migrated to western lands with intent to assimilate The hate spawned by Obama in Egypt so forcefully in 2009 is haunting civilization....The most divisive speech in modern times....
3
Roger, for shame. You sound just like George W. Bush. If you were a national of one of those Middle Eastern countries, and had to put up with what's meted out to you on a daily basis, all because "The West" wants to keep its oil supplies secure, you might become a terrorist, too. It isn't because they hate our values, it's that they hate the way we value their lives and livelihoods a lot less than we value their resources. It's our double standard on human rights, one for leftist autocrats, another for rightist autocrats, for which they rightly perceive themselves as getting the short end of the stick.
3
Oh, come on. Islamic terrorists attack us because we took their oil supply? But it's not even true. And how do you account for the 9-11 attacks, which predated our invasion of Iraq?
6
Read bin Laden's "Letter to America." It is chillingly eloquent, and amply answers the question, "Why do they hate us?" I don't agree with all of it, and certainly don't think it justifies terrorism, but it isn't completely irrational either. Everyone should read it, and then ponder what the solution to this horrendous war might be. Google it.
Wrong, Charlie. I doubt very much this monster from Manchester knew or cared about geopolitics or oil barrels. It's not us blowing ourselves up and killing innocents. It's them: the followers of an evil religion.
1
The enemy wants the terror to linger, but I imagine Ariana will wash that away quite convincingly with songs yet to be written. And when they are, it will prove once again that love will always overcome hate.
1
I'm I'm way too old and male to be in the demographic of young Ms. Grande, the age of what would be my grandchildren, had I any. I first became aware of her from a silly commercial in which she was simultaneously hilarious and appealing.
Whatever the merits of her music and her minor indiscretions, like licking a donut, she represents a part of what is good in the West and in our values. My one regret is that she cancelled her tour. That gave the terrorists a big win. This particular bunch wants to stifle and subjugate women, especially. I wish she had declared she was expanding her tour, as an act of defiance, to show the terrorists they can score small "victories", but will never conquer the human spirit's drive for freedom and equality, to me perhaps its two finest manifestations.
You go, Ariana. Even if I never hear you sing (I'm rather deaf), count me an Arianator!
Whatever the merits of her music and her minor indiscretions, like licking a donut, she represents a part of what is good in the West and in our values. My one regret is that she cancelled her tour. That gave the terrorists a big win. This particular bunch wants to stifle and subjugate women, especially. I wish she had declared she was expanding her tour, as an act of defiance, to show the terrorists they can score small "victories", but will never conquer the human spirit's drive for freedom and equality, to me perhaps its two finest manifestations.
You go, Ariana. Even if I never hear you sing (I'm rather deaf), count me an Arianator!
9
Love her too!
I'm with you except for the "special corner of hell" part. I know this is just a turn of phrase, and you're probably not intending it to be a statement that cosmic karma will give this idiot and his brothers their comeuppance. But let's not forget that while poverty, bad government and mental illness may play a role in spawning these people, religious belief is what is really driving them.
5
One has to wonder if there was a serious "calculus" in choosing this venue, this person, and this country for this act of disruption. It appears NOT to be the act of one insane and troubled individual, a lone wolf. Many have been arrested, the bomb was sophisticated - you be the judge. This smacks of an intention more sinister and thought out. Is it an assault on the Arianators and their "way of life"? I would think so. An attempt at maximum impact with a single act. So now what. "Is Grande's network stronger than Abedi's?" Vastly stronger, if only they can realize it, believe it, and act accordingly.
2
A sensitive thoughtful article.Much needed now.Two comments to consider: (1)Containing,rather than resolving terrorism,and the many other forms of violating select or random people,daily,is an important reality to be learned. And integrated into each of our lives.Every issue is not a problem.Every problem is not (re)solvable.Even though we need to respond in the best and effective way that we can.Mantras,repeated by politicians,and a range of individual and systemic,ideologically-driven,agenda-bound stakeholders, won’t/don’t disempower the toxic effects of complacency.Willful blindness, deafness and ignorance,by many,about empowered inequities.“Humility”- however defined and delineated for Trump,and the enabling,supporting, trumpists,may not be sufficient to make current needed changes of various qualities and levels.Humility without menschlich behavior can be a role acted, reacted and re-enacted.Well or not. Menschlichkeit, as a “way,” a life-style,a respecting and respectful civil culture, includes in its essence humility.Plus many other sensitive, caring inter-relationships.Between people.Between US and our many systems and organizations which enable necessary mutual trust and mutual care.To create.To prevent.To foster.To maintain.To make needed changes when realities change.To go beyond words.Mr. Cohen notes what young,sensitive Ariana Grande does to promote needed,sensitive well being.Each of US surely has daily opportunities to make our own helpful contributions.
There are a lot of men (and not a few women) in this world that are afraid of the power of women. Some join ISIS, some join nationalist movements here and in Europe, some merely join the Republican party. I suspect they are trying to hold back the tide: there are too many things about modern society for which women are better suited. In particular, women communicate better, seem to be better at detail, are less violent, and (some of them anyway) are better singers (hey! music is important)--but enough of the stereotypes. The bottom line is that women are fully human too, and deserve to be treated with equal dignity.
There may still be space on this planet for us men but, frankly, we are running scared. We're the ones being replaced by machines; traditional women's work--teaching, medical care, etc. is more about human contact--not easily mechanized. What is really needed is a modern paradigm of manhood--a paradigm that doesn't denigrate empathy, human contact, and community building.
There may still be space on this planet for us men but, frankly, we are running scared. We're the ones being replaced by machines; traditional women's work--teaching, medical care, etc. is more about human contact--not easily mechanized. What is really needed is a modern paradigm of manhood--a paradigm that doesn't denigrate empathy, human contact, and community building.
7
If a special corner of hell is reserved for killers of children, where will it fit all of us Americans who pay our taxes for the support of a government that continually kills children around the world through its endless support of repressive and murderous militaries and the creation and support of liberators who wantonly kill from the air or in "collateral damage".
76
We're talking about Ariana Grande and terrorism here, not the complicity of the United States. That's a different columnist.
Grande's network both funds the terrorists and gives them the means to organize (through the internet). Voting for Trump enables the terrorists as he gives money to the Saudis to spread their venom through their Wahabist network (don't think for a minute that buying arms subtracts one cent from what is given to the schools). Not only does Trump avoid taking responsibility so do the rest of us. When we think politics is a game or something for the networks to use to boost their ratings, we bring on the tragedies. I have no doubt that the overwhelming majority of Grande's followers deplore terrorism. As much as the media tells us that opinion polls matter, sitting on one's butt and thinking how terrible things are is not enough.
6
I am a little confused. Regardless of how talented she is - and she is very talented both as a singer and an actor - Ariana Grande has been packaged and presented as a 12-year old in spike heels or thigh high boots. Her photo shoots border on kiddie porn. I think that in his grief, Mr. Cohen forgot to do his research.
23
I doubt that the girls who flock to her concerts are interested in kiddie porn. Disturbing that several commenters are more focused on the conduct of the performer than the actions of the bomber. There seems to be an underlying attitude that she brought this on her fans. Very sad that that is the take-away here.
2
Where is Ariane Grande when her fans really need her? I can only imagine the pain that she feels right now must be horrible. However, the pain of the families of the dead and injured is far greater. She needs to step out of her shell and put herself in service of these families. That is the way we grow stronger.
My 12 year old daughter, who is a huge fan of Grande's singing, says that Ariane is and has always been selfish. Please Ariane, show these girls what a real woman is made of.. compassion and fierceness to protect when her cubs are attacked.
My 12 year old daughter, who is a huge fan of Grande's singing, says that Ariane is and has always been selfish. Please Ariane, show these girls what a real woman is made of.. compassion and fierceness to protect when her cubs are attacked.
17
AG has offered to pay for the funerals of all the victims. And she has canceled her tour. That seems like a good start. Maybe she will become vocal about human rights issues affecting girls and women. This event likely will be a turning point for her.
8
The experience of humility represents trump's greatest insecurity. His entire modus operendi is based on being too afraid to relate to others on a level playing field. Inside he is empty as his biographer Schwartz has described from first hand experience. He compensates by creating friction which charges and inflates him and provides an erzatz sense of self. This is the pathetic nature of this very pathetic man. Without a fight or adulation he is lost. He is scared...a toxic pathetic mess that we now have to contain.
6
i've been to yad vashem twice. haunting place. however, from what i've read, trump wanted it done quickly and his visit was cut to 15 minutes. also, masada was cancelled so his lordship wouldn't have to take a cable car when the helicopter ride was nixed.
i don't think trump learned much.....
i don't think trump learned much.....
45
This is sincerely some of the worst music ever put to paper.
Absolutely devoid of any substance & integrity.
This is so typical of a New York Times column. Let's not all jump aboard the wagon here just because this tragedy happened to occur with this particular performer. Doesn't make her any better or more talented because of this tragedy, don't take one thing and call it another.
Absolutely devoid of any substance & integrity.
This is so typical of a New York Times column. Let's not all jump aboard the wagon here just because this tragedy happened to occur with this particular performer. Doesn't make her any better or more talented because of this tragedy, don't take one thing and call it another.
10
I could live with a President who was somewhat lacking in humility. What I see lacking in him is a moral compass that takes the needs, concerns and interests of people other than himself into account. The common psychological term used to describe people like this is sociopath. Sociopaths typically do not improve over time. They frequently get worse. The only known cure for them is banishment to desert islands, and that is difficult to arrange. But that is where we are.
30
Love it. When we talk about "soft power," a pop star may not be the first thing that comes to mind, but Ariana Grande and other positive (emphasis on positive) role models are an important part of the equation. Anything that combats the factors that make young people vulnerable to radicalization (loneliness, social anxiety, negative self-image, unemployment, etc.) is - consciously or not - a "weapon" in the fight against terrorism. Building positivity and self-confidence in young people is key to countering the false allure of martyrdom. Providing young people with pathways to success is another critical component. The Trump administration may not consider access to student loans for disadvantaged youth to have any relevance to the fight against terrorism, but it certainly does.
10
The irony of the US electoral college choosing Trump over Hillary is that it was a win for ISIS and extremists everywhere. The electoral college (the public chose Hillary) had the chance to show the power of women and the modern thought, but it chose to remain in darkness. It is up to women and men around the world to show the power of the light around the world. We need to crush the age old contempt for women and raise women to positions of power.
28
Thugs only learn to push harder. We must learn not to elect thugs. Like Ariana Grande, we have to use the ethically agnostic internet to kindle intellectual, cultural, and social growth.
2
We didn't elect this guy.
The Manchester attack shows how vulnerable ordinary citizens have become to terrorist attacks. The attacks are mostly carried out my misguided Muslim youths who have been brainwashed into a decadent brand of Islam “the Wahhabism”. The matter is not so simple as is made out to be as certain countries like the Saudi Arabia are culpable in funding organizations to spread this brand of Islam.
Recently, one of the Muslim preacher Dr. Zakir Naik, who spreads falsehood against other religions, especially Hinduism, and on whom a case has been registered in India on forcible conversions and misuse of funds is on the run to escape arrest. The Saudi government has come to his rescue by granting him Saudi Citizenship. What more proof is required for the involvement of Saudi Arabia in protecting people who spread hatred.
Every time an attack takes place, we hear the usual rhetoric from the government that there would be zero tolerance towards terror and every effort would be made to annihilate terrorism from the country. And yet many countries are finding themselves helpless in preventing such attacks. I think the time has come when all countries should join hands in tackling this menace. In the meantime, the US and other countries should put pressure on Saudi Arabia from exporting this extremist brand of Islam. Unless this is done, we will continue to face attacks like in Manchester.
Recently, one of the Muslim preacher Dr. Zakir Naik, who spreads falsehood against other religions, especially Hinduism, and on whom a case has been registered in India on forcible conversions and misuse of funds is on the run to escape arrest. The Saudi government has come to his rescue by granting him Saudi Citizenship. What more proof is required for the involvement of Saudi Arabia in protecting people who spread hatred.
Every time an attack takes place, we hear the usual rhetoric from the government that there would be zero tolerance towards terror and every effort would be made to annihilate terrorism from the country. And yet many countries are finding themselves helpless in preventing such attacks. I think the time has come when all countries should join hands in tackling this menace. In the meantime, the US and other countries should put pressure on Saudi Arabia from exporting this extremist brand of Islam. Unless this is done, we will continue to face attacks like in Manchester.
Trump is to humility just as much as a sloth is to hard work or a tortoise is to speed.
4
Odd, how our day to day mindsets are not shaped by the largest of people and the grandest of acts, but the smallest of people and the lowest of acts!
8
Perhaps there's no way to stop the Islamist terrorism. It's deeply rooted in their philosophy. It's extolled in their culture. It reeks out of their mullahs' preachings week after week. And it has become a way to gain name and fame in their small, selfsegregated circles.
But terrorist acts can be curtailed, and reduced in number and frequency. Change of our laws. Enact severe punishments on the terrorist's kith and kinthat suspect terrorists' actions and yet choose to look the other way or keep quiet about them. If the survivors are not native born citizens, deport them from the country. Denial of rights to continued residence in Western societies is of little importance compared to right to life and limb of peaceful members of the society. Seize the property or abode that gives shelter to terrorists. In many countries law siezes property where banned drugs are stored or dispensed from. Why not enact similar laws against terrorist havens. Once we shed the garb of PCism and face facts as they are, I'm sure we can come up with many other ways to curb this activity in a meaningful manner.
But terrorist acts can be curtailed, and reduced in number and frequency. Change of our laws. Enact severe punishments on the terrorist's kith and kinthat suspect terrorists' actions and yet choose to look the other way or keep quiet about them. If the survivors are not native born citizens, deport them from the country. Denial of rights to continued residence in Western societies is of little importance compared to right to life and limb of peaceful members of the society. Seize the property or abode that gives shelter to terrorists. In many countries law siezes property where banned drugs are stored or dispensed from. Why not enact similar laws against terrorist havens. Once we shed the garb of PCism and face facts as they are, I'm sure we can come up with many other ways to curb this activity in a meaningful manner.
7
This won't work, and much of it is clearly unconstitutional. Are you serious? Punish kith and kin? What if they are innocent? If we were to do such things, we would be no better than the Jihadists. I'm not advocating leniency--by no means--we must capture and kill jihadists, and keep them out of our country. But, long term, we cannot overcome violent Jihad with violence. We need to ARGUE our way out of this by showing that the violent aspects of Islam are not Godly. This will be very hard to do, but it is the only hope for resolving this war.
1
Beautifully said.
3
Responsibility & humility
I just learned that Ms. Grande has offered to pay for the funerals of all victims of the Manchester bombing. Such an incredibly responsible and magnanimous act for someone so young. Her compassion should stand as a model for nations and leaders as well but the world has few statesmen that are willing and have the conscience to act from humility, as the author appropriately states, rather than from ideological and purely political motivations.
We should applaud Ms. Grande by following a theme in many of her songs - love. On a national scale it is leading from a love of humanity not solely of political party. Unfortunately the actions and statements of our President and Congress are totally opposite this approach. Perhaps they need to change their music playlist and get in touch with the 150 million followers of Adriana Grande because her star is rising and it will eclipse their profane, hypocritical and dwindling spotlight.
I just learned that Ms. Grande has offered to pay for the funerals of all victims of the Manchester bombing. Such an incredibly responsible and magnanimous act for someone so young. Her compassion should stand as a model for nations and leaders as well but the world has few statesmen that are willing and have the conscience to act from humility, as the author appropriately states, rather than from ideological and purely political motivations.
We should applaud Ms. Grande by following a theme in many of her songs - love. On a national scale it is leading from a love of humanity not solely of political party. Unfortunately the actions and statements of our President and Congress are totally opposite this approach. Perhaps they need to change their music playlist and get in touch with the 150 million followers of Adriana Grande because her star is rising and it will eclipse their profane, hypocritical and dwindling spotlight.
9
Funerals in the UK cost about one tenth of what they do in the USA. My father's coffin and cremation cost 500 pounds. So she's going to spend maybe $15,000 on that, which is nice. Already two Manchester football players have each donated 100,000 pounds to the cause. As I wrote before, she could have done so much had she stayed in Manchester and provided emotional support. Instead she scuttled back to Florida.
2
Do you realize she makes money because she has all those followers.
The more she has the higher her income is
This is because the ads on her sight pay her based on how many views she gets.
This is not a bad thing but it also isn't a reason to admire her as well.
She is a singer.
Nothing more and nothing less.
The more she has the higher her income is
This is because the ads on her sight pay her based on how many views she gets.
This is not a bad thing but it also isn't a reason to admire her as well.
She is a singer.
Nothing more and nothing less.
2
The terrorist bought what Saudi Arabia is selling: Wahhabism.
Until the Saudi Kingdom is brought to heel, this will continue.
Until the Saudi Kingdom is brought to heel, this will continue.
17
Thank you for writing about Ms. Grande's exceptional spirit and what it means for her audience. Otherwise, I wouldn't have known any of this.
7
Your reference to "policies that favor social integration" is a bit of a blithe turn of phrase. It needs to be said far more directly that the problem here is not an absence of policies in the West that promote integration, but an absence of will to assimilate by a particular minority group that is absolutely blind to the logs in its own eye.
And it's amazing that liberals in the West, who rightfully put walls up against the accumulation of too much power by fundamentalists of their own cultural religious heritage, take such a fawning view of a foreign cultural religious heritage that is far more retrograde, and has a widespread legacy of backwardness in just about every measure of civilization that the Western order has struggled so hard to perfect here.
There are far too many apologists in Muslim minority communities in the Western world for the religious backwardness that prevails in countries where they are a majority. We need to regain the confidence to remind those who claim to have a superior means of running a society that, if that were actually true, they wouldn't be here. With more of these kinds of incidents, that reminder may need to come in the form of our immigration policies and not "policies that favor social integration".
And it's amazing that liberals in the West, who rightfully put walls up against the accumulation of too much power by fundamentalists of their own cultural religious heritage, take such a fawning view of a foreign cultural religious heritage that is far more retrograde, and has a widespread legacy of backwardness in just about every measure of civilization that the Western order has struggled so hard to perfect here.
There are far too many apologists in Muslim minority communities in the Western world for the religious backwardness that prevails in countries where they are a majority. We need to regain the confidence to remind those who claim to have a superior means of running a society that, if that were actually true, they wouldn't be here. With more of these kinds of incidents, that reminder may need to come in the form of our immigration policies and not "policies that favor social integration".
6
I wonder what this army of young girls can do - if mobilized. They might sway a whole generation: boys as well as themselves. It would be a beautiful irony if this attack resulted in a huge, grass roots peace initiative that eliminated ISIS recruitment from the west.
142
In a previous tweet I failed to acknowledge the beauty of Ariana's efforts with young women. We should all be proud of her and her achievements.
45
The young woman singer from Boca Raton, Florida, Ariana Grande, is a local heroine here. She is 23 years old, and the suicide-bomber, Salman Abedi, who made an apocalypse of Ms. Grande's concert venue in Manchester, UK, the other night, was 22. These young people are our next generation, and scary as hell to contemplate. The Caliphate (ISIS, ISIL) has dug its octopus tentacled arms and vile Hydra heads, its murderous reach into the youth of our globe. The misogyny of radical extremism and religious indoctrination has brought Muslim terrorism to the forefront of our consciousness today. Just now a report of 20 Coptic Christians assassinated in Cairo, Egypt. Lives of innocents and their loving families and friends are changed in a second, but those assassins are looking for Paradise in their martyrom. What could beat the lure of Paradise and a bunch of toothsome virgins? Children are so terribly vulnerable, as we witnessed in the Manchester bombing. Shock, outrage and numbness is what we feel.
You say, Roger Cohen, that Ariana Grande's network is stronger than Salman Abedi's. A hae me doots. And as for our egregiously ignorant and narcissistic President learning anything from his magical trip to Saudi Arabia, Israel, Rome and Europe - learning "humility"? Not till the cows come home.
You say, Roger Cohen, that Ariana Grande's network is stronger than Salman Abedi's. A hae me doots. And as for our egregiously ignorant and narcissistic President learning anything from his magical trip to Saudi Arabia, Israel, Rome and Europe - learning "humility"? Not till the cows come home.
31
We need to exit the wars in the middle east. Particularly Afghanistan. No country has been able to control it in history. Ask England and Russia who tried.
The evil we perceive in the terrorists may be frustration in young men and young women who are caught in a culture that doesn't fit the larger culture they find themselves in. The premarital customs of their religion does not fit into the electronic world around them.
The premarital customs of almost all religions do not match todays reality, but Muslims have the most disconnect. In many ways it is to admired but that doesn't stop the frustration and attempt by a few to strike out terribly. So they support what they see as a return to a system of which they can be a part.
The evil we perceive in the terrorists may be frustration in young men and young women who are caught in a culture that doesn't fit the larger culture they find themselves in. The premarital customs of their religion does not fit into the electronic world around them.
The premarital customs of almost all religions do not match todays reality, but Muslims have the most disconnect. In many ways it is to admired but that doesn't stop the frustration and attempt by a few to strike out terribly. So they support what they see as a return to a system of which they can be a part.
20
This is the most cogent and concise summation of the middle east. The future is out of reach for them; they grab at the past which welcomes them.
3
The reality of "premarital customs of almost all religions do not match todays reality" is fornication, civil union, popular tv programs and culture promoting those lifestyles, etc. Divorce rate in US is over 50%; 80% of afro-americans are born to single mothers.
The primary religion in the USA today is "none" among millennials and younger; this has been verified by poll many times. ISIS chose Grande audience b/c the carnage would strike hard on Britain's young. Note that they did not attack an audience of Manchester Symphony Orchestra or similar. That does not offend ISIS. What offends them is the Miley Cyrus crowd, which Grande is a clone of.
As long as Jared Kushner is in the WH, we're not likely to exit the regions the 911 attack got us involved in.
The primary religion in the USA today is "none" among millennials and younger; this has been verified by poll many times. ISIS chose Grande audience b/c the carnage would strike hard on Britain's young. Note that they did not attack an audience of Manchester Symphony Orchestra or similar. That does not offend ISIS. What offends them is the Miley Cyrus crowd, which Grande is a clone of.
As long as Jared Kushner is in the WH, we're not likely to exit the regions the 911 attack got us involved in.
John Lennon had it right many years ago:
"All you need is love".
Arianna understands that. The murderers do not.
"All you need is love".
Arianna understands that. The murderers do not.
39
He also said in "Imagine" "and no religion too". Both good suggestions, I think.
6
Then The Beatles broke up.
4
What Arianna understands is teenage girl angst and her lyrics hit all their buttons.
All you need is love, so long as you define love as empathy with raging hormones.
As you might have guessed, I'm not an Arianna fan, but then, I'm also not a teenage girl.
All you need is love, so long as you define love as empathy with raging hormones.
As you might have guessed, I'm not an Arianna fan, but then, I'm also not a teenage girl.
1
Trump looked much more at home among the gold- encrusted Saudis in their Wahhabi-enabling boys' club than among the leaders of the democracies in Europe.
Looking to the future, it is reassuring to know that Ariana Grande's form of empowerment has more followers than either ISIS or Trump.
Looking to the future, it is reassuring to know that Ariana Grande's form of empowerment has more followers than either ISIS or Trump.
156
Perhaps Grande will stop her anti-American rants and childish memes and realize maybe...just maybe...there is evil in this world that seeks to kill us as we are not them.
8
Really? If you can't see that criticism and free speech is a tenet of American democracy, then you will live your life a bitter self. There has been and will always be hate. To react with more hate is exactly the opposite of what Americans should do. I am disappointed in my country right now but have faith that good will win out over evil and the only way that happens is by speaking out and holding leaders' feet to the fire, especially those who are nuts, like the Groper.
3
You completely missed the point, dude.
2
"....and certainly not Saudi Arabia’s new U.S. weapons......can stop a widely disseminated Wahhabi ideology of hatred converting a susceptible individual and driving him to mass murder."
It's not just that they can't stop it; they make it more likely by propping up its enablers.
It's not just that they can't stop it; they make it more likely by propping up its enablers.
77