Moscow bombings
It's hard to write about recent Moscow bombings. Two explosions during rush hour, dozens of life claimed by terrorists. People (including me) calling their friends and relatives to find out if they're still alive. Entire city paralyzed, split between those who "made it in once piece" – and those who didn't.
I guess you know the facts. March 29th, early in the morning, when millions of Moscow residents were rushing to work, minding their business, two powerful explosions ended many innocent lives.
The terrorist attack was planned and performed by Islamic radicals based in Chechen Republic, namely two young girls who yet had so much time to live. I leave the strong words to politicians (and the investigation to FSB), but what I'm trying to understand is how can these things happen at all?
How come that dozens of completely innocent people got killed on their way to work? What were those who planned the attacks trying to prove? That we're all responsible for the government that oppresses their brothers and sisters?
Well, that is partly true – each nation is responsible for the government it chooses, but WHAT THE HELL IS THE POINT? Are we supposed to overthrow Putin and Medvedev now? Or will most of the people do exactly the opposite and consolidate around the government however imperfect it might be?
I could also never, ever understand the methods terrorists use to achieve their goals. If they think Russian government is responsible for the war – then go and fight Russian government! There are plenty of bureaucrats to choose from, including Chechnya itself. Why choose people like me? Will it stop the war? Will it make the politicians think? I really doubt that!
So you see, those Moscow bombings achieved nothing, nothing at all! All they brought was fear and misery to families on both sides. Speaking of which...
I remember an interview with the family of one of those girls. Both her mom and dad were simply devastated. They lost their daughter, and for what?? For the idea of the great "Khalifat" on the lands of Caucasus? For Islam? For "freedom" that'll lead straight to Taliban middle-ages?
Despite the fact that the family consists of Muslims (which are the majority in Chechnya), they couldn't grasp what on Earth led their daughter, Mariam Sharipova, to commit this atrocity. It wasn't money for sure – and in fact, there's no certainty up until this day.
The only reason Mariam could agree to participate in Moscow bombings is that she was lured by professionals who knew their job. God knows what they told her, but the fact remains – it worked! And you know what? I don't really believe this people care about Islam at all. They are way too cold-hearted and reasonable for that!
We mourn...
(by plasmatik)
Yes, I truly believe that people who stand behind those attacks are no fanatics at all. It takes, as we say in Russia, "cold head" to plan and perform such acts. People must be recruited, money must be found, and place of future bombings thoroughly studied. Just the mere fact that both trains exploded exactly when they stopped by the platform means the attacks were well-planned – and well-executed, don't you agree?
I'm sure they told those girls many things about Islam and Russian oppressors, and I'm sure those people know very well how to manipulate others, but that's exactly the point – you can't effectively manipulate others when you yourself truly believe in what you're saying.
That's exactly why professional drug dealers never use the stuff they sell – otherwise they risk becoming one of their own marionettes. There's only one difference, though – terrorists people don't deal drugs. They deal hate – and they get paid pretty well for that.
If you think about it, hate has become one of the leading commodities in our world, and Moscow bombings were only a tiny part of this global marketplace of evil. Forget about Islam – they could easily blame Russians for Israeli occupation of Gaza or for getting to space before Americans. The excuses are just that – excuses, while there's only one true reason behind that.
Money. Money makes the world go round – and the terrorism as well. By hiding behind the "independence struggle" facade, those guys milk their sponsors dry. If there weren't that many Middle-Eastern countries willing to pay for terror, the facade would surely be different.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying Russia was very nice to Chechnya, not at all. Those were harsh times, and lots of mistakes were made. War crimes, corruption, excessive violence by Russian troops – the list is quite long. However, while I truly identify with innocent Chechens who fell victims of those horrible things, I will never, ever condone those who chose to take innocent lives.
Nothing can justify terror, plain and simple. In fact, I don't even care about their true motives. There's a chance they were not a bunch of corrupt warlords, but real "freedom fighters", or at least that's what they considered themselves. I don't give a nickel, because the only thing they gained through Moscow bombings are blood, tears and human misery.
Another thing they achieved is that Muscovites will treat people from Caucasus with even more prejudice from now on. I would lie if I told you they could feel completely safe before, but now their lives will be even more complicated. More police checks, more suspicious looks – and even more racist attacks. Great, just great!
I'm sure that people who came to Moscow just to live their lives surely understand how the situation deteriorates after each such bombing, and you know what? I'm sure that if they had the chance to speak mano-a-mano with the organizers of those attacks, it would not end well for the terrorists.
This situation would be funny if it wasn't so sad. People who have no idea how to solve their problems blow up those who can't help them – and help those smart enough to take advantage of the situation earn a couple of bucks.
What the suicide bombers don't realize is that by killing us they only tighten the knot further, repelling those sympathetic with them and forcing Russians to take even tougher measures. Freedom and independence are always taken on a true battlefield, when you face your enemy's regular army, not by killing civilians.
Oh, and please – don't tell me Soviet partisans did the same thing to Germans, because they didn't. Soviet partisans fought German troops, not German citizens, and Soviet partisans weren't afraid to face the entire Nazi war machine, unlike those who blow up planes and trains.
If someone asked me to describe the essence of terrorists in one word, I know that word well.
Cowardice.
I may be right or wrong, but one thing is for certain – we all mourn for people killed and injured in those Moscow bombings. God bless their souls – and God help us all remain strong and humane whatever happens.
And it surely applies for both sides.
Related posts:
- GIBDD - the Moscow Road Police Force
- Dealing with Moscow police part II
- Moscow survival skills - page 2
- Moscow survival skills
- Protecting yourself from Russian mobsters
- Russian nazi skinheads - myths and facts
- Moscow traffic survival guide
- Dealing with Moscow police.
- Islamic terrorism in Russia - is it really THAT scary?
