the book club news

There were five returning and one new member and we were gender balanced Throughout the evening we had a lively discussion on various subjects including dying to win, the march selection

The decision was unanimous: the author has unequivocally proven that religion is not the motivation behind suicide bombing. He also debunks the notion that the suicide bombers are economically or educationally disadvantaged. The overwhelming cause of such acts is foreign occupation of their lands. However, the difference in religion between the occupier and the occupied makes the resistance stronger to the occupation. In many cases the suicide bombing is a result of anomic situation caused by the invasion and occupation or losing one or more relatives or a close friends due to the actions of the occupying force.

We could not find any example to the author's assertion whereby the United States and its allies have exported democracy.

The solutions to fight 'terrorism' offered by the author lack novelty: building stronger defenses (walls) to keep the, making immigration policies more stringent etc. Although he proposes pulling out the foreign troops from the occupied lands, but recommends adopting the traditional "offshore balancing" policy that had worked “splendidly “ in the past i.e. maintaining an “extensive basing structure” for rapid deployment to hot spots to defend our core interest - oil.

The overall conclusion drawn from the book is that invasion and occupation of other countries does not work to eradicate 'terrorism'. The author suggests but does not put much stock in developing energy independence.

The April selection suggested by Gloria is the Weather Makers by Tim Flannery http://www.theweathermakers.com/ this site has every thing you might want to know about this book.

Happy reading!