I want to know why they did it

[Taverner]

What they they expect to accomplish?

"Some people just like to watch the world burn" you say

Yes, but there is always something behind that desire

[LeftofObama]

1. I want to know too.

[Electric Monk]

18. +1

[TeamPooka]

19. me too

[riderinthestorm]

2. Well clearly you are a bigot then because trying to suss out motives, rationales and background

is wrong doncha know....?



http://www.democraticunderground.com/10022712183

[dipsydoodle]

5. the religion/ethnicity/race

of the perps has sfa to do with why they did it which is the subject of the OP.

[riderinthestorm]

9. I totally disagree. If Tamarlan became radicalized on the Chechen issue for example

even to a small extent, it will have dire consequences and real ramifications. Putin will seize upon it to club the Chechens even harder for example. It may not even be his "primary" motivation but it will certainly have consequences.

I believe that kind of stuff matters and saying it doesn't is naive. You participate in the LBN threads on say Syria - historic grudges play out in nasty, unexpected ways. Trying to ascertain the motives/race/ethnicity/religion - Sunni or Shia especially - of militants and their terrorist attacks is paramount to understanding.

[Barack_America]

15. Also, people trying to get in touch with a culture they don't fully understand are prime targets...

...for radicals. For example, the popularity of the IRA amongst ethnic Irish in this country (as I notice your avatar-this too is my heritage--my grandmother, daughter of Irish parents, who had never been to Ireland herself, would talk of longing to shoot an Englishman

[riderinthestorm]

16. True that. Another example where knowing the religion for example of a particular terrorist matters

as well as their ethnicity, culture etc. in order to fully understand motives.

FWIW, I am an Irish citizen. I won't derail this thread with my views about the "troubles" but they do inform my perspective on stuff like this (and I happen to know dipsydoodle is English - heh).

[snooper2]

3. my working theory right now is they watched xXx too many times

[Zorra]

13. You forgot..."while smoking dope and listening to rap."

[SummerSnow]

4. Didnt the eldest brother say he did not have...

any American friends? That there are no values? Oh and that he couldn't relate to Americans. He was angry with America. Stupid way to deal with that anger.

[TDale313]

6. Terrorists, IMO, want the attention.

For a cause, payback for a perceived injustice, to tell the world "fu, I won't be ignored" And sadly, they get it.

[JI7]

7. didn't the uncle say they were losers ?

people deal with things differently. some people take things out on others if they for whatever reason don't get what they want, fail etc.

there are people like Malala in Pakistan who was shot and her focus is on continuing to get an education and help other girls do the same.

and then there are people who want to hurt others over things like taking too long in drive through at mcdonalds , or some personal rejection.

[Animal Chin]

8. Closely related to that are questions about the dynamic between the brothers

Was Suspect 1 the leader and Suspect 2 the follower? 7 years is a pretty big age difference between brothers...was Suspect 1 a father figure to Suspect 2? Or were they equals in this, both driven by the same sick ideology/malice?

I had the same questions around Columbine...I can understand (but not really) how one loner (Cho, Lanza) can go off his rocker and do something like this, but it's interesting to me when two or more coordinate to do it. How do they come up with the idea? Does one propose it and the other goes along? What's that conversation like? Are they really both into it 100% or is the non-Alpha just going along with it?

[geomon666]

10. That's why I want this guy caught alive.

That's the only way you're going to get any real answers.

[Barack_America]

11. I think it's critical we find out, lest this incident repeat itself.

How did we lose these kids? Was this an issue of a dysfunctional family life combined with the pressure of being immigrants? Was there something more? Like you, I have to know, if for no other reason than I am raising a young son myself and shudder to think of such hatred entering his heart.

[oldhippie]

14. This incident will repeat itself .....

... many times, often, and all over the world. All the reasons you cited, and many more. Human nature does not change. You can't catch everybody all the time.

Of this I am sure.

[avaistheone1]

12. It is important we know if this can help it from ever happening again.

[applegrove]

17. We know at least one of them was a sociopath.

[meow2u3]

20. Uncle Ruslan said it best

It's because they're a couple of freakin' LOSERS!