Rationalization/Rationalisation

chriscurnow.com: Alienation and the culture of terrorism

As we move further into a world where our goal is to be as individualistic as possible, it seems we've been fueling one of the fires that keeps terrorism going. By allowing people to be left out, to deny social recognition of their thoughts and beliefs, we might be inciting inner frustration. If we ignore people, or if an individual does not have an adequate outlet for their beliefs, it could lead to any measure of venting, including incorporation into a group that "understands." Violent fundamentalist cell anyone? Yes, it's the "gang" rationale. If you don't fit in to the culture you're surrounded by, well, one might drive to fight against it.

The only question I have is this: if an individual does not fit in to a society, then why must they persist in that geographic locale? Why can't they move to a place where they are surrounded by a large, peaceful, mainline culture that will allow them to feel comfortable and accepted? I know this is very difficult for many people in financial holes, but what of those who are from affluent backgrounds, or who make decent pay on their own? All of the suicide bombers from the events of July the 7th were quite young and highly motivated. I would wager that at least two of them were well-off enough to move to a city that would be highly acceptant of their culture (frankly, I think England is a wonderful place for the vast majority of Muslims to go to feel comfortable, but if it does not suffice, then one might want to move to a more "eastern" locale). However, they instead chose to go out in a blast of idiocy and horror, killing those who were quite willing to accept them into the vast salad bowl that is London.

This is why we are outraged. In the United Kingdom and the United States, we are willing to accept all races without a thought of culture or background. We simply wish that everyone adhere to a common, public way of life that won't interfere with our own. When in private, anyone is free to express themselves whichever way they please. It seems like a fair deal to me. But whenever someone blows up a train or a bus or a building or a busy sidewalk, they're simply stating, "No deal. We want to live our lives exactly the way we want. We're not willing to compromise. We want our beliefs, our culture, our way of life taking up 100% of the landscape."

If they want that level of extremism, they might as well move the hell away from the UK and the US. In ethnically diverse countries, we don't believe in domination. We believe in choice.