[Quix]

I agree with much said.

HOWEVER, UNDERSTANDING IS FAR BETTER THAN IGNORANCE OR LACK OF UNDERSTANDING.

IT MAY COST pride, or sensibilities or comfort or a lot of things but understanding is still better than lack of understanding.

Even if sister was murdered--understanding could afford more peace and quasi-closure than lack of understanding gnawing endlessly at one's heart, mind and soul.

[Texasforever]

The very thought that an 8th century culture can live in peace with a 21st century culture is to put a lie to any claim of "intellectualism" on the left. Navel gazing is no substitute for rational risk assessment.

[nopardons]

CODSWALLOP !

This isn't a " turn the other cheek " kind of thing. It's a life and death ( as well as death to the Chritian and Jewish faths ) kinda thing. Those who took the tome, to " understand " the mentality behind 9/11 know this. WHY DON'T YOU ?

" CLOSURE " ? Oh yes, those of us, who actually lost people we knew, and real patriots, want " closure" ; just NOT, evidently, what you appear to mean by that word and your example.

[Lucius Cornelius Sulla]

We understand very well, we understand that we have been attacked by a large to very large group, known as Islamists, who are determined to do many evil things for evil reasons. Seeing that we have a complete understanding of them, it is now time for us to make absolutely certain that none of these evil people are in a position to do any more harm. Unfortunately it is likely to require that we kill them all.

[John O]

HOWEVER, UNDERSTANDING IS FAR BETTER THAN IGNORANCE OR LACK OF UNDERSTANDING.

If someone attacks me I already understand everything about them that I need to know. They are no longer qualified to live on this planet. Their motivation doesn't matter (who cares what a dead enemy thinks)

GSA(P)

[Sabertooth]

Even if sister was murdered--understanding could afford more peace and quasi-closure than lack of understanding gnawing endlessly at one's heart, mind and soul.

Closure is only as secure as the cell-door or coffin-lid of the perpetrator.

Should Gelernter shake hands with the man who maimed him, the Unabomber? Should he try to understand him?

[okie01]

"IT MAY COST pride, or sensibilities or comfort or a lot of things but understanding is still better than lack of understanding."

What is there, exactly, to understand about cold-blooded killers? Was it necessary to understand Ted Bundy in order to execute him?

Only if understanding these killers will somehow help us apprehend and execute them is the exercise worth the effort.