How many terrorist attacks does it take to turn a "progressive" into a xenophobic, racist, hawk?

[ForgoTheConsequence]

I guess the answer is one. Some of the stuff I'm reading on this board today about refugees, muslims and the arab world is disgusting.

[Logical]

1. So true, no wonder Hillary voted for the war! nt

[ForgoTheConsequence]

2. It's so easy to whip people into a war hungry, xenophobic frenzy.

It's frightening.

[Logical]

4. Yes, people panic and don't think long term. Patroit Act!!!! nt

[X_Digger]

3. I tend to expect people to express their anger, frustration, and sadness for a while.

You don't expect rationality from people in the middle of an emotional turmoil.

I don't doubt that later you'll have a more productive conversation with them, where they walk back some of the more extreme things that were said.

But that's just me.

[Logical]

7. How long? Enough to bomb a few weddings? Patriot Act part 2? nt

[Thinkingabout]

5. Not many according to Sanders.

[Kalidurga]

6. One

The same number it takes for someone who isn't Amish to punch someone in the face for punching them in the face even if they are very anti-violence.

[ForgoTheConsequence]

8. This is why this knee-jerk thinking is dangerous.

Seventy-Two Percent of Americans Support War Against Iraq


http://www.gallup.com/poll/8038/seventytwo-percent-americans-support-war-against-iraq.aspx

[Hydra]

9. "Progressive" is the term here

And there are a lot of people who are afraid of their shadows. The Bush Admin told them to be, and they are.

Between the people who wanted the excuse to do some "racial cleansing" and the people who think they are going to be in a terrorist event tomorrow, there is going to be a lot of damage done. Our leaders are counting on it.

[Democat]

10. There is another progressive problem that you missed

The other side of the problem is the progressives who are quick to blame Christians or Republicans or Tea Party members for any shooting or other attack in the US. But when terrible acts are committed by self proclaimed members of another group or religion, they are quick to defect blame to America or Obama or Bush.

There are a lot of progressives who will make excuses for extreme acts by one group while condemning lesser acts by another group.

[get the red out]

11. I despise extremist religion

And I don't like some cultures. But I think war is the most nonproductive answer available to terrorism.

[deutsey]

12. I've seen more than enough terrorist attacks and atrocities in my lifetime

and, as a student of history, I'm all too aware of the bloody parade of "man's inhumanity to man" throughout the ages.

Still progressive to my core. It's not an intellectual stance or an ideology for me. It's rooted in my deepest values and beliefs. I'm no starry-eyed idealist (not after 51 times around the sun), but I remain progressive.