Go for it, Philo. You are so right about the true light needed in times of strife, and also in times of successful conquest as George W Bush believed after his nine weeks so-called successful conquest of Iraq. It had gone to his head as Napoleon’s first European conquests had gone to his head. Initially, Napoleon had been on the quest for liberty, equality and fraternity, but after such easy victories, Napoleon had decided to call himself emperor. It was when the German philosopher Immanuel Kant lost faith not only in Napoleon but in one man alone as leader of the world, declaring for the need of a libertinian federation of nations, really the forerunner of our present United Nations.

It is believed no one will win this dirty war that is going on, Philo, whether the world’s strongest ever unipolar nation, or the world’s most cunning and cleverest ever of underground fighters, as you intimated about looking for the light. It is the light of reason, Philo, of wisdom and understanding, so lacking in our world today amongst all our leaders big or small. Yes, keep on going for it, Philo, as a battling old sportsman, I believe that your light is also the light of fair play.

George C - WA (Bushbred)

Fundamentalists v moderates

I wish it was so simple. But, to try to simply the situation, I offer 'rulership of land and its benefits'.

Look at all the wars us humans have fought through out our existance, its usually the same repetitive pattern, one group ruling their land and successful at it, wants the other peoples land for the benefit they seek, oil, resources, cheap labour etc.

Problem, yes, which is such wars usually cause mass death of men, yes some sitting in the seat of power think it is not such a big sacrifice, but they need the support of the population for the war as it will be their children dying.

SO, one way is to create a reasonable reason and the attack, rest is history as they say... the people being attacked will defend their land with their blood and ... somebody wins and ... the dead are soon forgotten, when they should be alive and we may meet tomorrow as the doctor, neighbour, or father, for the benefits that is being reaped.

Every rightful war that is being fought on earth today can be stopped by giving secure rights to the people who live on it. This will leave the unjust wars, and who wants their children to die in them, so it should by natural progression end.

So why do we have these wars continuing... perhaps we as people have allowed undesirables to rule us, these undesirable who should be removed from society before they do more harm, keep the posts of power from corruption, and we have to take responsibility for that.

So, its more about bad v good.

Sam

Actually, I suspect that 'moderate Muslims' would have about as much influence on their lunatic fringe as did the 'moderate Christians' with whom I marched against this unwinnable war back in 2003. Nothing was going to stop the 'Coalition of the Willing' posse from waging war back then, just as nothing that the West can throw at them will ever stop terrorists. Rather, it just encourages them - while simultaneously eroding the very values that we Westerners like to contrast against those of the rest of the world.

This attack on London has been inevitable, since Tony Bland leapt into bed with Sheriff Bush, with Toady Howard bringing up their rears. Unfortunately, I believe that we have very likely invited the same kind of action in Australia through our leaders' conspicuously sycophantic adoption of the deputy sheriff's role in this doomed international adventure.

When it happens, we should remember that we brought it on ourselves - just like the Londoners who support Blair's international aggression.

Muslims in London, as well as all over the world, will have to speak out against these terrible attacks but the sad thing is, they shouldn't actually have to. Most London Muslims have nothing in common with these terrorists, except that they were born into the same religion and (probably most) believe in the same God. It is only because we (and that includes everyone, non-Muslims and Muslims) are too narrow-minded and continuously fall into the perils of stereotyping and racist thinking (as this forum well demonstrates), that Muslims are forced to defend their faith. My Muslim neighbour should not have to come to me and apologise for the atrocious acts conducted by someone they have never met and do not affiliate themselves with, just as I shouldn't have to apologise for the invasion of Iraq because like Bush I was born into a Christian family.
Judging from some of the posts here, I am really concerned about what will happen in Australia if there should ever be an attack here. We have to stop blaming Muslims for what other Muslims do and intensify our efforts to overcome racist sentiments.

"When it happens, we should remember that we brought it on ourselves - just like the Londoners who support Blair's international aggression"

Garra, you know the responses this statement is going to provoke. Brought is not the best word, greatly magnified the risk by increasing the motivation and number of terrorists, is the better way to put it I think. Responsibility can be shared without displacing the blame of those who commit the atrocities.

"Where is the[Mahatma] Gandhi of Islam?" Great point Charles Moore!