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Dec. 15th, 2003 11:45 amRecently, I spoke to someone who had just seen Tom Cruise's new film, "The Last Samurai." Apparently quite a good film, and I'm looking forward to seeing it. This satisfied viewer admired the samurai culture, and couldn't help but mention that it had more bravery and honor than, say...the entire Middle East (yes, obviously a gross generalization based upon the actions of a few suicide bombers).
Now, I agree about that honor part. Not only the Middle East, but most of the world (including the USA) cannot compete with the amount of honor and respect the Japanese culture has built into itself, especially in its golden age of the samurai. However, in defense of fundamentalist islamic suicide bomber wackos...they do believe that it is most honorable and brave to die for their religion. Also, don't forget that Japan's own rules of honor also created the kamikaze, the original fly-your-plane-into-stuff attackers. Within the context of their own societies and the war culture that created them, both suicide bombers and kamikaze pilots are highly esteemed for their bravery.
However, I suspect that nearly the entire nation of Japan revered it's kamikaze pilots during WWII (which is kinda scary), while only the small (yet very vocal and dangerous and often in control) fundamentalist islamic groups promote suicide attackers.
One could have an interesting academic debate over which suicide squad has the most true honor...and I think most outsiders would agree that neither of them do. They are both just plain crazy. Their minds are clouded by an erroneously extreme war-time interpretation of a truly honorable doctrine.
Now, I agree about that honor part. Not only the Middle East, but most of the world (including the USA) cannot compete with the amount of honor and respect the Japanese culture has built into itself, especially in its golden age of the samurai. However, in defense of fundamentalist islamic suicide bomber wackos...they do believe that it is most honorable and brave to die for their religion. Also, don't forget that Japan's own rules of honor also created the kamikaze, the original fly-your-plane-into-stuff attackers. Within the context of their own societies and the war culture that created them, both suicide bombers and kamikaze pilots are highly esteemed for their bravery.
However, I suspect that nearly the entire nation of Japan revered it's kamikaze pilots during WWII (which is kinda scary), while only the small (yet very vocal and dangerous and often in control) fundamentalist islamic groups promote suicide attackers.
One could have an interesting academic debate over which suicide squad has the most true honor...and I think most outsiders would agree that neither of them do. They are both just plain crazy. Their minds are clouded by an erroneously extreme war-time interpretation of a truly honorable doctrine.
