[TheConservator]

A lot of people seem to be characterizing the "hostage takers" (trying to use a neutral term) as "terrorists," simply because they are Islamic. But the Chechens actually have a reasonably legitimate nationalistic beef with the Russians, who only conquered their previously independent country in the mid-nineteenth century. Uncle Joe deported the entire population to Siberia in the 1930s. And the Russians haven't necessarily been a lot more civilized than the Chechens in waging the civil war that has been going on there.

I think a lot of peoples that were subject to the iron fist of the former Soviet Union have legitimate reasons to complain. If I were a non-religious Chechen, I sure as hell would be wondering why Georgia and Armenia are independent now, but my country is still subject to imperial rule. Therefore, I'm not sure its right to automatically condemn the Chechen cause simply because Chechnya is Islamic.

Don't get me wrong. I certainly agree that the kind of militant Islamo-facism exhibited by El Qaeda et al. is primitive, barbaric, and needs to be eradicated. And I abhor hostage taking (and even more so, hostage killing)that the Chechens have engaged in here. But I am not sure "levelling Grozny" is really the "final solution" to this particular problem.

[gcruse]

. But I am not sure "levelling Grozny" is really the "final solution" to this particular problem.

No, but it's a good start.  Taking down Saudi Arabia and obliterating the PLO
will lead to the final solution.

[SarahW]

why... country is still subject to imperial rule Obviously, because it is full of islamonuts. Containment, my friend.

[Shermy]

Maybe during the first Chechen War. But during the Second Chechen War it became clear that Wahhabists were taking it over for jihad purposes.

[gdc61]

how long has chechnya been islamic? this is the key question. that area WAS at one time mostly christian.

[okie01]

"A lot of people seem to be characterizing the "hostage takers" (trying to use a neutral term) as "terrorists," simply because they are Islamic. But the Chechens actually have a reasonably legitimate nationalistic beef with the Russians..."

They did. But any natural sympathy they may have earned for their self-determination evaporated when the Chechens allied with bin Laden and al-Qaeda. They now count among the supporters, practitioners and harborers of terrorism.

In what amounts to a worldwide war on terrorism, the Chechens chose the wrong side.

[Cowboy Bob]

Uncle Joe deported the entire population to Siberia in the 1930s.

"Uncle Joe's" mistake was that he didn't liquidate them when he had the chance.

I lived in Southern Russia for 5 years. I've met lots of Chechens. I don't like them. I don't trust them. Nobody in the Caucausus likes them. I think "Uncle Joe" knew what he was doing when he deported them.

[Dr. Frank fan]

A lot of people seem to be characterizing the "hostage takers" (trying to use a neutral term) as "terrorists," simply because they are Islamic. But the Chechens actually have a reasonably legitimate nationalistic beef with the Russians

That's beautiful. It's bringin' a tear to my eye. (I guess that justifies all the kidnapping, drug running, white slavery, etc).

The problem (besides all that) is that their methods are terroristic. That's why they are (rightfully) called "terrorists". Get it now?

[fire and forget]

You're right. However, that argument mirrors that of the Palestinians. If I'm not mistaken, the Chechyans were not a sovereign people. Their "republic" was organized by the Russians. Otherwise, they were just a Muslim community that emigrated from the Mid-East.

I could be wrong. In any event, whatever grievances the Chechyans hold, or anyone holds for that matter, violence against civilians is intolerable.

During WWII, when most of the world was in a desperate war against Fascism, population centers were specifically targeted by both the Allies and the Axis powers. That was all or nothing warfare and the targeting of civilians was started by Germany and Japan. In this case, the Chechyan cause was gaining traction in the West until the Islamic mentality, including, especially now, the Chechyan mentality, became clear to the world.

Islam as a religion ought to be on the ropes as a recognized religion in the civilized world. Any Muslim people with perceived grievances against a civilized nation ought not to be afforded any comfort so long as they resort to barbaric, inhuman (evidently Islamic) means to achieve what they view as justice.

Muslims need to get their houses in order. Contribute something to the world. Achieve prosperity and the respect of others with whom they share the world. If they continue to view the entire non-Muslim world as enemies to be exterminated, they shouldn't look to any of us for sympathy.

[Freedom4US]

It's pretty simple in some respects, don't forget they sided with Herr Hitler during the Great Patriotic War. Thus, they were kind of persona non grata for a while, only being allowed to return to their homes in the 1950's.. They've had a rather rough time of it since the 90's.