Despite the triple attack this morning, Londoners remain remarkably calm as they were warned this was a possibility in advance; they just didn’t know when or where it would occur. And Londoners, being British, are a hardy sort.
Listening to the radio (CKNW) this morning, I was surprised at the number of phone ins declaring that countries “should band together” and fight these ‘terrorists’ (with there being so many, I don’t know which ones the person was referring to). Other callers were blaming Bush and Blair’s attack on Iraq for any terrorist activities. (Hmm... were those two in power during the (1972) Olympic terrorist attack?)
Whatever the reason for the attacks, everyone is to blame for the continuance of terrorism. By everyone, I am thinking in particular of past and present political leaders as well as (and especially because of) financial institutions.
Perhaps I am being very naive, but when I consider what is important to most people (aside from the basics as per Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs) I think of four things: family, religion, property, and money. Hmmm... money. “The root of all evil”?
What of these suicide bombers whom immediately become martyrs once they’ve successfully pulled off a mission? Their surviving families are provided for- for the rest of their lives - by whom? What greater honour to bestow upon one’s family but give up one’s life so that they will never have to worry about their future?
I remember the initial search for Osama Bin Laden (much akin to “Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego?” but with no cheat sheets.) Within a (what seemed to be) a millisecond we were quickly diverted into searching for weapons of mass destruction and corralling Saddam Hussein. Say what? Did I miss something here? For the entire world not to be able to find Osama, but easily find Saddam, makes me think that once again, money is the driving force (Osama appears to have a better bankroll).
Which brings me to my question, if money continues to assist in perpetuating terrorists attacks, why can’t we find the money laundering trail, and nail every banker, person, company that has had some role in this terrorist ‘charity’.
North America, Japan, Europe et al, have some of the best computer hackers in the world. They thrive to break codes. Instead of spreading “Melissa” viruses to bring down computers around the world - why not track monies going to various “suspicious characters” and “muck up” (for lack of a better technological term) their accounts? Nothing hurts more than having no pocket change to give to your favourite terrorist group.
Forget all this talk of war, retaliation, or carry on and do nothing, etc. Let’s declare technological havoc on the terrorists’ financial backers. Hackers of the world - unite! Find that money trail and throw in your codes. However, we mustn’t be alarmed to find those institutions we’re searching for many be in our own back yards.
Image from www.cnn.com/TECH/computing
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