POINTLESS Wave of suicide bombings embodies a nihilism that alienates even its sympathizers

British authorities have identified suspects in the July 7 and July 21 subway and bus bombings, but the bombers' instigators and motives remain a mystery. In Egypt, authorities are searching for a group of Pakistani men thought to have been in Sharm el-Sheik before a series of bombs devastated the resort, but that's not much to go on.

Perhaps the London bombings and attempted bombings were to protest Britain's alliance with the United States and the presence of British troops in Iraq. But the withdrawal of U.S. and British troops will come fairly quickly if the insurgents and foreign terrorists in Iraq ceased their vicious campaign of suicide and roadside bombings that claim far more Iraqi lives than those of U.S. and British soldiers. Bombing London icons such as the Underground and double-decker buses makes transit riders anxious but solidifies Britain's national spirit against the terrorists.

The attack on the Egyptian resort targeted Egypt's economic cornerstone — tourism. The victims, however, are Egyptian workers, not the Western tourists who will go elsewhere. Perhaps the terrorists wish to undermine the authoritarian government of President Hosni Mubarak and replace it with one that is really oppressive.

Some Arabs, frustrated by their culture's economic, political and technological backwardness, no doubt long for an Islamic ascendancy, one that would teach the Western democracies a lesson. Some even speak of restoring the caliphate that during the Middle Ages controlled much of the Mediterranean world.

At this point, one speculation about the perpetrators of terrorism and their aims is about as good as another. One impression, however, is gaining strength: The savage and unconscionable nature of the suicide attacks on innocent civilians — particularly in Iraq, where a group of children was singled out for destruction — seems to be alienating all but the most committed zealots and mass murderers.

I'm done with the 'George Bush made me do it' excuse***…….But most of all, the London bombings rid me of all patience with the excuse that "George Bush (or Tony Blair or take your pick of Western leaders) made me do it." We don't know who was behind last week's explosions, but an Arab analyst told a satellite channel that if Tony Blair hadn't learned the mistake of the Iraq war, these new attacks were a firm reminder.

I never bought the explanation that U.S. foreign policy had "brought on" the Sept. 11 attacks, and I certainly don't buy the idea that the Iraq war is behind the attacks in London. Many people across the world have opposed U.S. and British foreign policy, but that doesn't mean they are rushing to fly planes into buildings or to blow up buses and Underground trains in London.

I was against the invasion of Iraq and would not have voted for George Bush if I were a U.S. citizen, but I'm done with the "George Bush made me do it" excuse. We must accept responsibility for this mess if we are ever to find a way out.

And for those non-Muslims who accept the George Bush excuse, I have a question: Do you think Muslims are incapable of accepting responsibility? It is racist — or at least in some way bigoted — to think that Muslims can only react violently.

There are a host of difficult questions we all must ask. How about beginning by acknowledging once and for all that the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is not a Muslim issue? It is a dispute over land that too many clerics and religious leaders, radical or otherwise, use to flesh out the victimized-Muslim scenario. Yes, Palestinians deserve a state, and, yes, Israel must end its occupation of the West Bank and Gaza. But rather than dwelling endlessly on these issues, we would do well to spend some time encouraging our young people to become more active members of their communities and to not live caught between two worlds: a Muslim one at home and in the mosque, an "infidel" one outside.

And what about assimilation? It is not bigoted to ask Muslims if they are integrating into the societies they are living in. Just as the British government has responsibilities toward its citizens, immigrants included, so too do those immigrants. Muslims ask for time off work for prayer, for example, and they often get it. But are they truly living in Britain or are they perpetuating an existence that even their relatives "back home" long ago left behind? Domestic policy is too often ignored by many Muslims who are more concerned with Palestine, Iraq or any other place where Muslims are believed to have suffered injustice…………….***

The attack on the Egyptian resort targeted Egypt's economic cornerstone — tourism. The victims, however, are Egyptian workers, not the Western tourists who will go elsewhere.

Ok, I'm sure this will be misinterpreted, and I'll be flamed, but her goes...

I have mixed emotions about these bombings occurring around the world. On the one hand there is the horror for the victims and their families.

But, knowing that these attacks are going to continue for a while, I'm actually finding myself somewhat encouraged about the scope of these attacks occurring all over the world.

As the targets expand all over the world, the desperation of the muslim terrorists is starting to show, and its bound to start pissing off more and more people (perhaps even some muslims.... Hey, It COULD happen...)

Also you have to realize that this is a surge in the truest sense of the word, directed by someone, and surges can't be maintained for long. Even the best soldiers (and this rabble is far the best), can not keep up a surge for long, especially when their force is being depleted (as in blown up).

They are burning their resources at an alarming rate, an pissing off the populace and authorities in every locality they show their ugly heads.

If there is a shred of decency left in the muslim world, it will start to reveal it self as these terrorists are turned in, perhaps quietly, perhaps boldly and publicly.

Then again, I could be wrong on that last bit... (And that wouldn't surprise me either).

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