On Thursday, November 07, 2002 7:19 PM, Bjorn wrote:

(Big snip)

> > But, even then, there are few Islamics in that area of Indonesia (0-5%,
> according to the 1995 edition of Moon's Indonesia Handbook), so I still
> don't quite
> > understand the dangers Bjorn mentioned.

> Neither did my two mates, Stan and Christian, who left their wives and
> children in Singapore and went on a rugby tour to Bali. They thought it
was
> the safest island around, seeing as it's 95% Hindu. They are now dead.

> It's a whole new world out there, and safety rules. I'd prefer the phrase
> "the late Brad Stambaugh" to remain a joke ;-)

G'Day, Mate!  I'm a little hesitant about posting this, 'on the fly' - not
least because you've experienced the loss of some mates in the Bali bomb
disaster - but it really does need to be pointed out that the old saying,
"Guns don't kill:  People do." applies equally as much to religious beliefs!

Regardless of the religious or political convictions of the population at
large, there will always be 'nutters' - malcontents with a driving belief in
their own philosophy or faith - who believe that change is best effected by
violent actions.  Invariably, when that happens, everyone of a similar
conviction is held liable for the actions of a few.  It's nothing new.
Neither is terrorism.  What is new, is the extent of the media exposure now
given to acts of terrorism.  Something that invariably inspires politicians
to ride the wave of public opinion.

Terrorism, by its very nature, is no respecter of geo-political boundaries -
or religious faiths.  It seems to me that as long as people cleave to the
view that terrorists represent the views of all people in a particular
faith, then divisiveness will be the result:  To the detriment of the
ordinary folks - like all of us, (regardless of our religious faith,
philosophy , or political convictions) - who become swayed by the actions
and rhetoric of a few.

The one aspect that drives terrorists is that there is no such thing as a
'safe place'!  (There is, of course, providing that everyobody is prepared
to surrender their individuality and preferences to being wrapped in a
cocoon of strict security.)

Anyone who dives - to whatever depth - is in greater danger from that act
than they are from the actions of terrorists.   Personally, I have always
enjoyed the adventure of travel and meeting people of different cultures who
have views different to my own  - I went to Cozumel and met up with some of
the folks on this list , didn't I? :-)

I'd rather base my decisions on where to go in the world on whether or not I
can afford it, than on the fact that somebody in that place might want to
cause me harm.  I can stay at home and have that happen! :-)

Strike