[cnn-photo-caption image=http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/images/11/17/feedback.jpg caption="Christiane listens to your feedback."]
Christian’s look to Al Qaeda’s growing influence in Europe forced most viewers to contribute with bold opinions. The tone of the commentary suggested self-reflection and implored a second look at the issues at hand. Some described Al-Qaeda as an ideology that was getting stronger, while other preferred to see it as “fuel extremism, causing despair in the world.” Please share your thoughts with us.
Below, you will see some opinions from viewers like yourself. If you missed the show, or for more information on the full-length podcast @ http://cnn.com/amanpour
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They just gave america a kicking in its largest military base on american soil (Fort Hood) and your 'experts' still think alqaeda is getting weaker.
This is a typical example of one of the biggest problems the west faces – the people its put incharge to counter alqaeda have no idea how alqaeda thinks/operates
Its like putting pixies incharge of understanding the ways/life of a giraffe. one of many examples to illustrate this point - in the west the word ideology/ idealogical is mostly considered a somewhat 'dirty word' with instinctive negative associations. with alqaeda this is one of the greatest attributes one can have. what is the consequence of not instinctively understanding this in attitude – when the western counter terrorism agencies develop de-radicalisation programmes with the intention of reducing extremism/radicalisation their programmes have the exact opposite affect on the extremist muslims. Instead of deradicalising them you piss them off even more and they become even more radical & extreme.
So the short answer to your question – is alqaeda stronger or weaker? Its stronger . The problem is guests on your show (the ones generally incharge of the western policy & programmes) have no idea of this and even worse they actually believe their own ideology that they are weakening alqaeda.
A clueless person can only relate to insubstantiality – don send him to understand/counter a genius. Alqaeda is ultimatley & most importantly an ideology – the only way to defeat an ideology is from within using a bigger better ideology. right now you are not promoting one and alqaeda is.
I thought the virgins were really golden raisins...none of those for him, either.
Despair can fuel extremism. I believe that Hassan did act alone and the extremists are having a party with his action, just because he has a muslim name. However he is a soldier and an American who pledged allegiance to the flag, but I would like to express my point which I think could be somewhat similar to his, though I would never kill others.
If I read the current state of US "conscientious objector" practice correctly it's not at all certain they'd have let him off entirely, but maybe they'd have deployed him in a non-combatant role. But even if this route were clearly available to him, do you think he ever would have taken it?
How does it sound when a shrink loses his sanity having been influenced by the 'ideals' of a failed society? No virgins anywhere for murderers. The souls of the wasted are crying for revenge. Justice must prevail. I recommend the Arabian kind of death penalty.
Myanmar audiences've been interested in this news. Myanmar can know about it via B.B.C. and R.F.A.
FYI, the video podcast I got last night via iTunes was cut off at just past 9 minutes and now I'm unable to obtain it at all. Will it be updated?
I don't believe it for a second. I believe too there are more Hassan's in America sitting back, observing and concocting their sick, evil master plans just waiting to act violently and maliciously. And for what... in the name of their so called Gods which would also oppose their maladaptive beliefs and actions.