Peace.

Which doesn’t necessarily mean those living in Sri Lanka are simply pawns of the diasporic political-machine–the LTTE has in-country supporters.

I think its important to note that the kidnapping of children did not occur when the Tigers first came together. In other words, saying the Tigers did not have enough recruits and thereby, support, should be prefaced by a timeline that shows the kidnappings as occurring only after the group’s political and moral objectives became unclear and the war more desperate–kidnappings are not part of the ideology upon which the Tigers are founded and to imply otherwise is wrong.

I also think it’s important to not draw such a direct line between the Tigers and Al Qaeda (many other “legitimate” forces also use explosive devices similar to what was used on the USS COLE), because the two are fundamentally different in their goals. Similarly, when drawing a connection with the PLO, it makes the whole “Tigers-as-terrorists”-argument cloudy, because Israel and the U.S. are currently working with them, not against them, to find an answer to their demands.

Anyhow, I know you’re just paraphrasing and, we’ve been through this argument many times. I guess my point is that it’s too bad all groups (IRA, PLO, Tigers, U.K., Israel, Sri Lanka, etc.) have caused a legitimate concern to be downgraded to simple terrorism and brutality. The origins, the reasons for conflict are still valid: people are dying, starving, losing.

You never know She could be earnin’ her man Learnin’ her man And at the same time Burnin’ her man

Perhaps I ought to have been clearer. The first word in the quote is “undouchablity”(sic)

I just thought it was funny and shows that they are neanderthals.

Anyway, I do not want to defend the RSS.

So I go to the RSS website to see what their goals and aims are; and I see this on their main page:

“Undouchablity’ is a branch of casteism; until casteism is wiped out untouchabilityÂ’ will not go”

I dont know if VeggiPie was a member of the RSS -doesnt make any difference to them being, you know, fascists.

It’s good to see. I’ve said the same damn thing about grievances, Tamils benefitting under the British, expat support, etcetera etcetera etcetera for so damn long.. only to have the same arguments with rabid Tigertots who say I’m spouting Sinhala propaganda. Can’t wait to read the articles. Maybe this will makes more sense that I have.

I do disagree with the guy who said

Sri Lankans have an insufficient sense of nationality and are primarily loyal to their own ethnic group.

It’s an odd generalization to make. Perhaps now, after 30 years of this, with so much misinformation (it’s amazing how the LTTE gained power and dissemenates its message abroad so effectively)..well, yeah, NOW people are mistrustful. But it didn’t used to be that way. When all this started, esp in ’83, so many sinhalese were shocked and horrified and hid Tamils in their houses. The ’83 violence was carried out by ignorant thugs. And I’ve heard rumors that a core group was paid by a Sinhala politician to foment things up a bit to get a more Sinhala-sided platform through. Then more street thugs decided to join, setting cars, buildings and people alight..and total choas reigned as nobody could figure out what the hell was goin on, and the kind of homicidal fuckwad who pulled wings off insects ruled the streets for three days.

er, as I was saying, great post!

Thank you, thank you I will be here all week. Two uncles walk into a bar and…

I assumed I didn’t have to say this but I do not agree with the RSS. My sympathies are more Naipaul than Neandrthal.

I believe the last prime minister was a member of the RSS. (Not sure) I do not think he was a terrorist.