Recognizing the dangerous people in our world is necessary
Steve Hammons
April 11, 2006
We often hear that there are bad people in charge of certain nations and organizations in the world. We are told that these people are dangerous, that they are willing to harm and kill others needlessly, including the innocent and women and children, and that they want power, war and violence rather than peace.
We are told that these leaders do not respect human decency, that they are cruel and full of their own misguided beliefs. That they are very willing to send others to their deaths. That they use fear and terrorism to accomplish their goals.
And we hear that it would be better for the world if these kinds of people were removed and brought to justice. We are told that it takes intelligence, strength and courage to identify these people accurately and then to take the necessary steps to apprehend them and implement justice.
There does seem to be much truth to these claims. The challenge for us now may be to look closely at all factors involved in many situations, then honestly face the sometimes unpleasant realities and complexities about these dangerous individuals and groups, near and far.
DANGEROUS PEOPLE
Some of them are overseas in distant foreign countries around the world. Some of them are here in our own nation. They may be part of a criminal enterprise interested in money. They may claim that are fighting for good or God, that God wants them to wage war and bring death and destruction. They may be inside or outside of governments. They may simply be disturbed human beings. Or, all of the above.
They may have many followers who cannot think for themselves or who are easily manipulated. Followers who prefer to be led by charismatic personalities, no matter that the leadership is flawed, dishonest, misguided and even psychologically and spiritually sick.
It seems true that we must open our eyes and clearly see these kinds of people for what they are. If we do nothing, if we choose to ignore the dangers and pretend they do not exist, we may risk terrible outcomes.
When we examine the attacks of 9/11 for example, there seems to be more to be learned about all aspects of the planning for the horrific events of that day. In evaluating the war in Iraq and possible future wars, we see complicated situations and many disturbing aspects and elements involved. These are examples of the many serious ongoing challenges affecting the U.S. and the rest of the world.
It seems that recognizing dangerous people around us is sometimes simple, sometimes complex. Identifying the good guys and the bad guys can be easy at times, but it is not always as easy.
INTELLIGENCE AGENTS
In a way, each one of us is an intelligence agent -- "intelligence" in the broadest meaning of the word. Most of us have adequately intelligent minds. We have senses and common sense. We have spiritual intuition and gut instincts.
We gather "open source intelligence (OSINT)" in the form of reading newspapers, magazines, books, information on the Web and watching TV and films, as well as from life experiences and interactions with other people. And from this information we make assessments and evaluations, and we come to conclusions.
Deception, lies, and other forms of manipulation are elements we face in gathering information and trying to make sense of it. Things are not always what they seem, and sometimes we have to dig a bit deeper to find the truth of a situation.
In trying to understand what is going on in the world around us, people are often pushed and pulled by groups on this side or that side. Sometimes the individuals in groups may be sincere in their beliefs.
Yet, sometimes we may see "groupthink," a herd mentality or a cult-like belief system that can invisibly take away individuals' ability to look at things independently with a clear point of view. It can be very easy to go along with the group or the groupthink. Politics and religion are sometimes like this.
At times, we might find it easier to avoid or ignore the unpleasant and disturbing realities and the possibilities -- and we could wish we didn't have the responsibility to face unpleasant truths.
But taking responsibility and being a kind of good "intelligence" agent is, in the end, rewarding and meaningful.
In this way, we can be better prepared to face the threats of dangerous enemies from outside and from within.
AUTHOR NOTE TO READERS: Please visit my Joint Recon Study Group blog.
We are told that these leaders do not respect human decency, that they are cruel and full of their own misguided beliefs. That they are very willing to send others to their deaths. That they use fear and terrorism to accomplish their goals.
And we hear that it would be better for the world if these kinds of people were removed and brought to justice. We are told that it takes intelligence, strength and courage to identify these people accurately and then to take the necessary steps to apprehend them and implement justice.
There does seem to be much truth to these claims. The challenge for us now may be to look closely at all factors involved in many situations, then honestly face the sometimes unpleasant realities and complexities about these dangerous individuals and groups, near and far.
DANGEROUS PEOPLE
Some of them are overseas in distant foreign countries around the world. Some of them are here in our own nation. They may be part of a criminal enterprise interested in money. They may claim that are fighting for good or God, that God wants them to wage war and bring death and destruction. They may be inside or outside of governments. They may simply be disturbed human beings. Or, all of the above.
They may have many followers who cannot think for themselves or who are easily manipulated. Followers who prefer to be led by charismatic personalities, no matter that the leadership is flawed, dishonest, misguided and even psychologically and spiritually sick.
It seems true that we must open our eyes and clearly see these kinds of people for what they are. If we do nothing, if we choose to ignore the dangers and pretend they do not exist, we may risk terrible outcomes.
When we examine the attacks of 9/11 for example, there seems to be more to be learned about all aspects of the planning for the horrific events of that day. In evaluating the war in Iraq and possible future wars, we see complicated situations and many disturbing aspects and elements involved. These are examples of the many serious ongoing challenges affecting the U.S. and the rest of the world.
It seems that recognizing dangerous people around us is sometimes simple, sometimes complex. Identifying the good guys and the bad guys can be easy at times, but it is not always as easy.
INTELLIGENCE AGENTS
In a way, each one of us is an intelligence agent -- "intelligence" in the broadest meaning of the word. Most of us have adequately intelligent minds. We have senses and common sense. We have spiritual intuition and gut instincts.
We gather "open source intelligence (OSINT)" in the form of reading newspapers, magazines, books, information on the Web and watching TV and films, as well as from life experiences and interactions with other people. And from this information we make assessments and evaluations, and we come to conclusions.
Deception, lies, and other forms of manipulation are elements we face in gathering information and trying to make sense of it. Things are not always what they seem, and sometimes we have to dig a bit deeper to find the truth of a situation.
In trying to understand what is going on in the world around us, people are often pushed and pulled by groups on this side or that side. Sometimes the individuals in groups may be sincere in their beliefs.
Yet, sometimes we may see "groupthink," a herd mentality or a cult-like belief system that can invisibly take away individuals' ability to look at things independently with a clear point of view. It can be very easy to go along with the group or the groupthink. Politics and religion are sometimes like this.
At times, we might find it easier to avoid or ignore the unpleasant and disturbing realities and the possibilities -- and we could wish we didn't have the responsibility to face unpleasant truths.
But taking responsibility and being a kind of good "intelligence" agent is, in the end, rewarding and meaningful.
In this way, we can be better prepared to face the threats of dangerous enemies from outside and from within.
AUTHOR NOTE TO READERS: Please visit my Joint Recon Study Group blog.
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