In Sri Lanka there has been a civil war for nearly 20 years. For now, it appears that the Sri Lankan gov't has the Tamil Tigers on the ropes, but at what cost to its people. Recently, journalists have been the center of attacks. I found an article on this in this months economist, and here is the article from the editor of the sunday times, written three days before his death, as he knew it was coming. He was shot down outside his apartment.

 

http://www.thesundayleader.lk/20090111/editorial-.htm

 

I think out of respect to the man, I will just post the link, so that something can signal that people are watching.

 

 

That is absolutely chilling. I got goosebumps while I was reading it.

Lasantha Wickrematunge was his name.

What a ballsy thing to write when he knew damn well what was going to happen to him.

 

Also, the leader is still working. These people, knowing full well the consequences are continuing to do their jobs without compromise. Respect is not a strong enough word, inspiring, it all seems like crap. I wish there was something I could do. Committee to Protect Journalists , this will just be another article.

I've talked about the LTTE here a couple times, but those guys make Al Qaeda look like little-leaguers. The success which the LTTE, Basques and Shining Path (Peru) have makes it hard to believe were really fighting any sort of Global War on Terror.

I've talked about the LTTE here a couple times, but those guys make Al Qaeda look like little-leaguers. The success which the LTTE, Basques and Shining Path (Peru) have makes it hard to believe were really fighting any sort of Global War on Terror.

That is a completely and totally different type of terrorist though.

That is a completely and totally different type of terrorist though.

Some of them have the audacity to attack the US and draw our ire and (more importantly) resources to invest in their destruction. I agree with the GWOT in principle, terrorism is a new type of warfare that poses an unprecedented threat to international security... but our methods and strategy are piss-poor.

Some of them have the audacity to attack the US and draw our ire and (more importantly) resources to invest in their destruction. I agree with the GWOT in principle, terrorism is a new type of warfare that poses an unprecedented threat to international security... but our methods and strategy are piss-poor.

The neocon solutions were, yeah (let's just blow up whatever we can and try and scare everyone into cooperating). But trying to reverse them once they've been started is like turning an aircraft carrier around in a narrow river.

Well if you want to combat something globally there has to be an effort to eliminate the entire mindset, not to just focus on certain specific groups/problems individually. The goal shouldn't be to destroy terrorism (you and I both know that just isn't feasible), but instead disincentivize it and let it bleed out. It's really turning into an image war with bombs, there's a reason they are killing journalists.

Duke, all the groups you've mentioned are pretty much decimated and near dead. In their heyday I think the ETA actually was important, but you are right these groups are brutal. The Tamil Tigers' tactics are revolting, and reading about them makes me squeamish.

It's really turning into an image war with bombs.

 

That's a really interesting statement.

That is one of the most powerful pieces I have ever read.