I think Ratigan's summary is quite accurate for describing pre-9/11 motivation. Saudi promoted Wahhabi-ism can certainly be blamed for drawing stark divisions between Shia and Sunni Islam and fueling inter-Islamic conflicts in the region. Funds from Saudi benefactors (who have profited handsomely from the US/West's collaboration with Saudi Arabia due to its oil reserves) have certainly fueled terrorist groups.

Today, I would suggest that terrorist attacks are basically publicity, recruitment and funding campaigns for a militia based land battle by ISIS in the Middle East. Take for example the beheading of Americans that arguably escalated the US involvement in the conflict. it would seem that in terms of their survival this would have been counterproductive. I can only assume that a successful terrorist/militia organisation like ISIS is acting quote-unquote rationally in its own interests if it is as successful as it is. That forces me to conclude that the recruitment and funding that it gets from these publicized actions actually outweighs the cost of being attacked militarily by global powers like the US/EU.

While religion is certainly used to motivate the foot soldiers of these insurgents, I would not at all be surprised if the likes of the al-Baghdadi's of the conflict are purely in it for money and power. Kind of reminds me of how insurgents in Africa post-colonialism had to reinvent themselves to remain relevant and became either religiously or otherwise racially sectarian militias / factions.

Comment hidden because you are ignoring dag.(show it anyway)

The interview with Asra Nomani was great. I'm a big fan of her outlook, and like the #boycottsaudi idea.

HAha!, Great minds. I just finished posting that [been waiting for my unsifteds to open up a space]. That was one of the best interviews I've seen on Real Time. She is so eloquent and stunning. Why more people can't be of like mind is baffling to me.

A few people say logical and reasonable things that should be the solution. But they are few, donthave much power and a lot of those few also are hypocrites, who wouldnt do that if they actually had the power, because they would need to go against political correctness, corruption and other archaic ideologies.

I am starting to believe that we are damned to have neocon and similar people in power, let them dictate our lifes, let them incite wars all the time and keep the population dumb. Look at history. For thousands of years exactly this has been the case. Nothing has changed, even though those guys of course claim it.

Oh, Rand Paul spoke like his father and that's what Maher loved about Ron...if I remember correctly Maher was foaming at the mouth to denounce Ron Paul. He would have swallowed a million gallons of Islamic jizz in order for one man to vote against Ron Paul...fuck Maher, little cock-weasel.