Quote:
Originally Posted by Lanny_MacDonald
I think that we too easily over-look the gruesome and obscene in our own society, but are very ready to jump on those same situations in other cultures. What gives our society the right to claim the moral high ground over another?
|
Granted, but for the most part, to me the crimes in other societies might be based around crimes of passion or emotion, or economic gain. The crimes that we hear about there are based around theology, an honor code, or intimidational education of a larger group. In restrospect, the thing that makes western society cringe is that these crimes sometimes seem to be sanctioned by a larger body (honor killings upheld by the courts, terrorist killings by a larger percentage of the population)
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lanny_MacDonald
While it is terrible to have someone killed for carrying the wrong type of currency, you must consider the situation. This is a country at war, and carrying American currency could very well be a sign of dealing with the enemy and taking money for information. What would happen if an American soldier was discovered with a bunch of Iranian currency on him? I think the "rendition" of his story would be quite "extreme" as well. He'd probably be better off dead.
|
A bad example probably, however that American Soldier carrying Iranian currency would be afforded due process, appeals, etc. In the case of the killing that we are talking about here, they just killed him.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lanny_MacDonald
The Taliban are certainly carrying out an organized theologically based terror campaign, and go to extremes to make their points (as does Islam itself in many ways), but I wonder where all this indignation and outrage was when a pizza joint in Dallas was "stoned" by the nation for taking "pesos" as payment for their products? Is an organized economic terror campaign not as wrong a similar theologic campaign? Just floating that out there for conjecture.
|
I don't disagree with you neccessarily, however what makes the difference to me is the level of extremes, and thats what makes society cringe on a whole. The Pizza joint was stormed by protestors and thats a terrible crime, however the Taliban members took this kid, stuffed money in his mouth and hung him to encourage others. I think there's a vast difference.